Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1880-12-22
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To The Press and Dakotatan.

and general recommendations of the
presidents last message. 1t is, certainly,
a very manifest and gratifying improve
ment over his former messages. But,
while we yield it our cordial support, in
the main, we cannot but regret that the
president was so tardy in recommending
a policy SO palpably just, and of pressing
importance, and that, in the greater por-
tion of his administration, he so notori-
ously, and to the greatest damage of his
party and administration, and the inter-
ests of the whole country, disregarded
orr failed to carry out Recommendation in
this message. While strenuously insist
ing on the duty of congress to adopt
civil service reform, he selected, as his
favorites in the south, men who were
not only inferior in qualifications in
every respect to republicans, who had
breasted the storm OF rebellion and per-
lied life and property for the salvation
of the union, but disloyal men like Fitz-
simmons. of Georgia, We're preferred,
while republicans were hunted and
driven and murdered by men more cruel
and bloody than Indian savages, hunted
and driven and bulldozed by the southern
democracy with the aid and connivance
of their northern allies till the repnbli-
can party in the south, so numerous and
powerful at the advent of MIR. Hayes,
was almost annihilated. Instead of
standing by loyal men, like Chamberlain
and the struggling heroes of Louisiana,
such men as Ben Hill and Hampton and
Gordon dictated the southern policy.
The army was withdrawn; the imploring
cry for protection, provided for and de-
mandcd in the constitution, was disre-
garded and the republicans had to flee
or fall before the "mercilcss tomahawk
of the savage" This was the first
fruit Of civil service reform and
the southern policy, carried out by
by Mr.. Hayes. A striking feature OF the
message is what may be called the Nor
mon policy. And, certainly, no friend Of
the christian institution of marriage can
take exception to this policy,as touching
the removal OF this foul blot, on our ma
tionai character. II has long been dis
grace and is an institution characteristic
of heathenism, and opposed to civiliza-
ton and national prosperity. But has
Mr. Hayes opened his eyes upon this
fostering evil for the first time? Has he
not known, Tor these four long years
that the laws-the laws OF the United
States, that he was sworn to see execut
cd, have been trampled in the dust?
The remedy recommended by the pres.
ident for the removal Of polygamy, may
be regarded by many as too radical, toe
great strain upon our theory OF gov.
ernment-hased on manhood suffrage
and the rights of citizenshlp-only to be
forfeited on the commission Of crime, o.
rebellion. 70 many it would appear ;
fragrant Inconsistency, after admitting
rebels aiming at the destruction of the
government. to all the rights of Amari
can citizens. Yet, in reality, it is no in.
consistency, for their restoration was
based on a full profession of loyalty; ant
the people demanded and secured, a.
they supposed, an honest and sacred
4 pledge Of future obedience. 1t was only
on the abolition of slavery, that made
the republic impossible and the securit,
of liberty ito all the inhabitants of til,
land"-a divine command-secured b,
the amendments of the constitution
that we consented to their restoration tt
the rights of citizenship. 1t may be OBJ
jected that the institution Of polygam,
! is not to be compared in atrocity O
danger to the republic, to American
slavery. Admit it. Yet, can it be denie.
that polygamy is not the twin sister O
slavery? or that it is not wholly anti
christian and anti-republican AS
! government, we have assumed
/ this position-and our nationo
e legislation is based on thi
: assumption. And we know of no reaso
why the policy of the government i
reference to slavery and polygam
should not be carried out. Certainl
the obligation OF congress can be non
y the less because polygamy exists in
a territory where we have national jurl
y diction. In conclusion, in viewing til
! Recommendation and spirit of the me-
i, sage,we think there can be but little re;
sonable objection. In reference to civ
: service reform, our only objection is
tho time proposed for its applicatio
He undoubtedly should do all he ca
consistently to check the growt
and corruption of party splri
That the appointing po,
~ cr has been grossly abused, in l
s. warding inscriptions partisans, the
Il can be no doubt; but VIC are decided
opposed to the appreciation of this pri
ciple of reform to benefit the men, w
have in any way, aided in the rebellic
to the exclusion of those who shave be
- tried and found worthy" God, the
is fender of the republic, gives such
crowns. A neglect to do this was
&C Hayes great political blunder, which.
&c this case, was, in the language
v. Talleyrand, worse than a Grim
Improved almostf fatal. Itseemed to ere
ry. what otherwise had been impossibl
M IA u "solid south" 1t, certainly, m,
-, the labor of the republican party her
- lean and immensely costly, to counter
TINT disastrous policy. rhn immn,