The Columbus journal., 1880-09-15

SOLlPCNANSA D6k NV SOLtlAlN tluSl
be independent unless its people
with their abundant natural resour-
ces, produce the requisite skill in
war time TO clothe, arm aud equip
themselves for war, and in times OF
peace produce all the necessary i'm
plements Of labor. 1t was the msn-
ifest intention of the founders OF
our government to provide for the
common defense, not by standing
armies alone, but by raising among
the people q greater army of arti-
sans, whose intelligence aud skill
should powerfully contribute to the
safety and glory of the nation. For.
tunstely for the interests of COM
merce, there 10 no longer any for
midsble opposition to appropriations
for Improvements of our harbors
and great nsvigable rivers. provided
that the expenditures for that pur.
pose are strictly limited to works OF
national Importance. The Missis-
sispi river, with its great tributa-
ries, is of such vital Importance to
so many millions of people that the
safety of its navigation requires ex-
ceptional consideration, i'm order to
secure to the nation the control OF
all it's waters. President Jefferson
negotiated the purchase of q vast
territory extending from the Cult
of Mexico to the Pacific ocean. The
wisdom of congress should be in
voked to devise some plan by which
that great river shall cease to be a
terror to those who dwell upon its
banks, and by which Its shipping
may safely carry the industrial pro-
ducts of twenty-five millions OF
people. The interests of agricul-
ture, which is the basis of all our
material prosperity, and In which
seven-twelfths of u population is
engaged, as well as the interests OF
manufacturers and commerce de-
mand that the facilities for cheap
transportation shall be increased by
the use of all q great water
courses. The material interests of
our country, the traditions of its
settlement and the sentiments of our
people led the government to offer
the widest hospitality TO emigrant,
who seek our shores for new and
happier homes, willing 10 share the
burdens as well as the benefits o.
our society and intending that their
p~osterity shall become an undistin-
guishable part of our population.
The recent movement of the Chinese
to our Pacific coast psrtakes but
little of the qualities of such an
emigration either In its purpose or
Its results. Ii is too much like an
importation to be welcomed with
out restrictions; too much like az
invasion to be looked upon without
solicitude. We cannot consent to
allow any form Of servile labor to
be introduced among us under the
guise of immigration. Recognizing
the gravity of this subject, the pres
ent administration, supported by
congress, has sent to China a COM
mission of distinguished citizens for
the purpose of securing such moder-
alton of the treaty as will prevent
the evils likely to arise from the
present situation. 1t lie confidently
believed that these negotiations will
be successful without the lOss of
commercial intercourse between the
two powers which promises great
increase OF reciprocal trade and the
enlargement of our markets. Should
these efforts fail II will be the duty
of congress to mitigate the evils
already felt and prevent their in
crease by such restrictions as with.
out violence will place on a proud
foundation the freedom and dignity
of labor. The appointment OF citi-
sens to the various executive and
judicial Offices of the government is
perhaps the most difficult of all the
duties which the constitution has
imposed upon the executive. The
constitution wisely demands that
congress shall cooperate with the
executive departments in placing the
civil service on q better basis. Ex-
periencs has proved that with our
frequent changes of administration
no system of reform can be made
effective and permanent without the
aid of legislation. Appointments
to the military and naval service are
so regulated by law and customs as
to lesve little ground for complaint.
II may not be worse to make similar
regulations in civil service, but
without invading the authority or
the necessary discretion of the
ecutive, congress should devise q
method that would devise the tenure
of Office and greatly reduce the IN
certainty which made that service
90 uncertain and unsatisfactory
without depriving any officer of his
rights a. a citizen. The government
should require him TO discharge all
his official duties with intelligence,
efficiency and faithfulness. To Sc
lect wisely from our vast population
those who are best fitted for the
many Offices to be filled requires an
acquaintance far beyond the range
of any one man. The executive
should therefore seek and receive
the information and assistance of
those whose knowledge of the CON-
munities In which the duties are to
be performed best qualities them,
to aid them In taking the wisest
choice.
The doctrines announced by the
Chicago convention are not the
temporary devices OF a party Ia 1T.
tract votes and carry an election.
They are delibersted convictions
resulting from a careful study of the
spirit of our institutions, the course
of our history, and the best impulses
Of our people. In my judgment
these principles should control the
legislation and administration OF the
government. In any event they will
guide my conduct until experience
points q better way. If elected. Il
will be my purpose to enforce stric'
ohedfRnce IN the constitution and