New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-19
THE LETTER.

DEAR SIR: / accept the position assigned me by
the great party whose action YOU announce. This
acceptance implies approval OF the principles de-
pared by the Convention, but recent usage permits
me TO add some expression of my own views. Inc
obt and duty TO secure honesty and order in popu-
lar elections is matter so vital that IL must staho
in front. The authority of the National Govern
ment to preserve from fraud and force elections at
which its own officers are chosen is cher
point on which the two parties are plainly ana
Intensely opposed. Acts of Congress for ten
years have in New-York and elsewhere, done
much TO curb the violence and wrong to which
the ballot and the count have been again and again
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. desp0lilng great cues, SOME
times sitting the voice of whole State o,ten seal
ing not only in Congress but on the Bench, ana IN
Legislatures Numbers of men never chosen by the
people. The Democratic party since gaming posses
sion of the two houses of CONGRESS has made THESE
inst laws the object of bitter, oeaseess assault and,
despite all resistance, has hedged them win re-
strictious cunningly coDtrlved TO Dame ana para-
we them This aggressive majority Dololy at-
tempted to extOrt from the Executive MS approval
of yarious enactments destructive OF these eecton
laws by revolutionary threats that constitutional
exercise of tine veto power would be punlsned DV
Withholding the appropriations necessary 10 carry
on the Government. And these threats were actu-
tions and by forcing extra session OF Congress,
lasting for months aud resulting IN concessions TO
this usurping demand, which are likely. IN many
States o subiect the majority 10 the aweSs VIII OF
aminority. Ominous slgns of public disapproval
alone subdued this arrogant power INTO slien sur
render for the time being of q part of its demands.
The Republican party has strongly approved the
stern refusal of its representatives 10 suffer the over
III has always insisted and now insists. that the
Government of the United States of America
is empowered and in duty bound to e1ectualiy pro-
tect the elections denoted 10y the Constitution as
National.
PROTECTION FOR EVERY CITIZEN.
More than this the Republican party holds. as a
cardinal point it's creed, that the Government
should. by every means known to the Constitution
protect all American citizens everywhere in the full
endowment of their civil and political rights. As a
prcat part of its work of reconstruction, the Repub-
licau party gave the ballot to the emanclpated slave
as his right and defence. large increase IN the
torsl College. from the former slavehoding States
of %"' recent u years abounds in evidence, that
especially where thciI number has been great
enough to endanger Democratic control-the very
men by whose elevation to citzenship TINS increase
Of representation effected have been debarred
aud robbed of their voice and their vote ~ Is true
that no State statute or Constitution in so many
words denies or abridges the exercise ofther pohl-
cal rights but the modes employed TO oar ther way
are no less effectual Ii is suggestive ana strthe
thought that the increased power derived from lne
enfranchisement of now denied Its sha'e IN
governing the cOuDtTy-welded by those VINO
lately sought the overthrow OF the Governments
now the sole reliance TO defeat the party wbich
represen ted the sovereignty aud nationality OF the
American people in the greatest crisis OF our history
Republicans cherish none OF Ihe reten.menoS sen
confict of arms. They long for full and
real reconciliation between the sections which were
needlessly and amentably at strife they sincerely
Offer tine hand OF good will. but they ask in return
a pledge of good faith. They deeply feel that the
party whose career is SO illustrious III great ana
patriotic achievement. will not fulfil its destiny un
iii peace and prosperity established III all the
land nor until liberty of thought. conscience ana
action. aud equality of opportunity shall be not
merely cold formalIties of statute, but living birth
rights which the humble may confidently claim
and the powerful dare not deny.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
The resolution referring to the public service
seems to me deserving of approval. Surely, man
.bonld be the encumbent of an Office the duties of
which he is. for any cause, unfit TO PERFORM who is
Lacking in the ability, fidelity or integrity which
proper administration of such office demands
This sentiment would doubtless meet with general
scquiescence, but opinion has been widely divided
mon the wisdom aud practicability of the various
reformatory schemes which have been suggested,
and of certain proposed regulations governing ap-
pontfnents to public Office The etflclency OF Bnch
regulations has been dstrusted, mainly because tney
have seemed to eXalt mere educational ana ab-
stract tests above general business capacity and
even specal fitness for the particular work in hand.
1t seems to me that the rules which should be
gpnlied 10 line management of the public service
may properly conform, in the man, to such as regu-
late the conduct of successful private business.
Original appointments should be based upon ascer-
tanned fitness The tenure of office should be sta
bic. Positions of responsibility should, 50 far as
practicable, be filed by the promotion OF w worthy
plants. and the punishment of all official
misconduct. should be prompt and thorough.
peatedly declared and uniformly applied when
called upon to act, / fad embodied in, the
thar, by the acceptance Of public office, whether
hsh or low one does not, in mv Judgment, escape
any OF his responsibilities as citizen, or lose or I'm,
PAIR any of his rights as citizen, and that ne should
enjoy absolute liberty to think and speak and act
in political matters according TO his own VIII and
conscience, provided only that he honoraby ialth-
lilo o,df f,,lI, ohoru oil dutiaa
RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS.
The resumption of specie payments-one Of the
fruits of Republican policy-has brought the return
Of abundant prosperity, aud the settlement of many
dIstractiug questions. The restoration of sound
money, the large reduction OF our public debt and
OF the burden of interest. the high advancement of
the public credit all attest the ability and courage
Of the Republican party TO deal with such financial
problems may hereafter demand solution. Our
paper currency now as good gold, and silver 10
performing its legitimate function for the purpose
oiehange. The principles hich should govern the
relations of these elements of the currency are sim
Die and clear. There must be no deteriorated coin.
w deprecated paper And every dollar, whether
VI metal or paper. should stand the test OF the
"Mlds bxed standard.
Ihe value of popular education can hardly be
,saied. s'se Although its interests must OF neces-
ny ue chiefly confded TO voluntary effort and the
hsfiouaI action OF the several States they should
h. Iv.noouIaeed so lar as the Constitution permits,
y! ldc generous cooperation of the National Gov
n'ent .nt The interests of the whole country de-
sr.l "a lhS' the advantages of our common school
sem sem should be brought Within the reach of every
en ss aud that no revenues Of the Nation or of the
hsoss =" '"0 'uPP''' Va ''o'"'"N
m sSen changes should be made in the present tariff
Ll,,"ssiem OF taxation as Will relieve any over
ne hI.a me-. industry or class, and enable our manu-
t.s and artisans 10 compete successfully with
',dseof other lands. - wv
imu.av government should aud works of internal
tcsa,e ,i " national III their character, and should
'"' development of our watcr-colrseS and