Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-07-19
The Republican Candidate for Vicc
President.
HIS LETTER OF IccFpr.Scr


by the great party whose action you announce.
This acceptance implies approval OF the prin-
ciples declared by the convention. but recent
usageS permit me TO add some expression OF NV
own views The right and duty 20 secure
honesty and order In popular elections is a
matter so vital that it must stand In front
ment 10 preserve from fraud aud force elec-
tons at which its OWL Officers are chosen
is chief point on which the two parties are
plainly and intensely opposed. Acts OF Con.
sress for ten years have IN New York and
elsewhere done much 10 curb the violence and
wrong 10 v hlch the ballot and the count have
been again and again subjected. sometimes
despoiling great cities sometimes stirling the
voice OF whole state, often seating not only
in Congress, but on the bench and In legisla-
tuies, numbers of men never chosen oy the
people. The democratic party since gaining
possession OF the two houses OF Congress has
made these Just laws the object or bitter,
ceaseless assault; and, despite all resistance.
has hedged them with restrictions cunningly
contTiyed 10 hailie aud paralyZe them. THIS
aggressive majority boldly attempted 10
eNtort from the executive his approval OF
various enactmentS destructive or these cleo
ton laws by revolutionary threats, that a
constitutional exercise or the veto power
would be punished by withholding the
appropriations necessary 10 carry on the gov
err ment. And these threats were actually car
ried out by refusing the needed appropriations
ana by forcing an extra session OF Congress
lasting for months, and resulting In conces.
sions TO this usurping demand, which are
likely In many states 10 subject the majority ID
he lawleSs Will OF q minority. Ominous sign
OF public disapproval alone subdued this ar
rUgant power Into a sullen surrender for the
time being OF part OF its demands. The re-
publican party has strongly approved the stern
refusal OF It's representatives 10 suffer the over
throw OF statutes believed 10 be salutary and
just. Ii has always insisted and now insists
that the government OF the United States OF
America Is empowered and In duty bound to
effectually protect the elections denoted b.
the constitution as national. More than
this, the republican party holds as cardi
nal point IN Its creed that the government
should 10y every means known TO the constl-
tuition protect all American citizens every
where In the full enjoyment OF their civil an
political rights. As great part OF It's work o.
RECONSTRUCTION. the republican party gave the
ballot 10 the emancipated slave as his right anG
defense. large Increase In the number @.
members OF Congress and OF the electoral col
lege from The former SlaVe-hOlGing states, was
the immediate result. The history or recent
years abounds In evidence that In many ways
and In many places, especially where their
Lumber has been great enough to endlnger
democratic control the very men by whose
elevation 10 citizenship this Increase or repreSe
ntation was effected, have been debaTed and
looted of their voice and their vote. II is true
that no state statute or constitution In so
many words denies or abr1tges the eX-
| ercise OF their political rights but the
modes employs ed to bar their way are no less ef-
fectual. IL Is suggestive and startling thought
| that the increased power derived from the
| enfranChlSemcnt or race now denied its share
| ln governing tie country. welded by those who
]
/ menU, Is Low the sole reliance TO defeat the
| party which represented the sovereignty and
nationality OF the american people in the great
tSt crisis OF our history. Republicans cherish
| none OF the resentments which may have ami
! mated them during the actual conflict OF arms.
! They long Tor fun and real reconciliation be-
! tween the sections which were needlessy aud
| lamentably at strife they sincerely oner the
| hand OF good VIII; but they ask in return a
| p.edge OF good faith. They deeply feel that
the party whose career is so illustriOus In great
nLf will NOT I'm
destiny until peace and prosperity are estab-
| lfshtd In all the land nor untl liberty OF
tn ught, conscience, action and equality OF
! Opportunity shall be not merely cold
| I0rmaliJies OF statutes. but living BIRTH
| rights, which the humble may confidently
claim ano the powerful dare not deny. The
resolution referring 10 the public service seems
| 10 ne deserving OF approval surely no man
| should be The incumbent OF an Office the duties
OF which he is for any cause unit TO perform,
who is lacking In the ability, fidelity or in
tegrity which a proper administration Of
such Office demands. This sentiment
would doubtless meet with general acqui-
divided upon the wisdom ana pracd-
| cability OF the various retormatory schemes
| Which have been suggested and OF certain pro-
posed regulations governing appointments TO
public Office. The efficiency OF such regulations
| has been distrusted, mainly because they have
! seemed TO eXalt mere educational and abstract
tests above general business capacity, and even
special fitness for the particular work In hand.
| IL seems 10 me that the rules which should be
| applied TO the management OF public service
may properly conform I'm the main 10 such as
regulate the conduct or successful private busi-
| ness. Original appointments should be based
upon ascertained fitness. The tenure OF of1lce
Should be stable. Positions OF responsibility
by the promotion OF worthy and efficient
ofilceTs. The Investigation OF all COM
plants and the punishment OF all
! Cfllcial misconduct, should be prompt and
! thorough. These views which have long
held, repeatedly declared and uniformly ap.
piled, when called upon to act, md embodied
in the resolution, which, OF course, approve. I
will add, that by the acceptance OF public ONCE
whether high or low, one does not, In my judg-
ment, escape any OF his responsibilities as
citizen, or lose or impair any OF his rights as
a citizen, and that he should enjoy absolute
| Liberty to think and speak and act in political
matters according to his own will and con-
science, provided only that he honorably, faith
FULLY and fully discharges all his official dutis
The resumption OF specie payments. one OF
the fruits OF republican policy, has brJught the
return OF abundant prosperity and the SETTLE
ment OF many distractilg questions. The restor-
alton OF sound money, the large reduction of
our public debt and Of the burden of interest and
the high advancement or the public credit an
attest the ability ana courage OF the republica
| party TO deal With such financial problems as
may hereafter demand solution. Our paper cur
| rency is now as good as gold, and silver Is per-
| forming Its legitimate function for the purposes
o. cQaDgt. The principles Which should govern
re relations OF these elements OF the currency
| are simple and clear There must be no deterior-
att coin, no deprecated paper, end every dol
| Lar, whether OF metal or paper, should Sta1d tue
| test or the worlds fixed standard.
| The value or popular education can hardly be
| oVerstated. Although its interests must OF ne
| cesSlty be chiefly contded TO voluntary effort
and the individual action Of the several states,
| lney should be encouraged so far as the constf-
| tutlon permits, by the generous cooperation OF
| tne national government. The interests OF the
whole country demand that the advantages OF
cur common school system should be brought
Within the reach OF every citizen, and that no
| revenues of the nation or OF the states should
| De devoted TO the support OF sectarian schools
such changes shodld be made In the present
tarlf1 and system OF taxation as will relieve any
oVerDurdened Industry or class, and enable our
manufacturers and artisans TO compete success
fully with those or other lands. The govern
ment should aid works OF internal Improvement
national in their character, and should promote
he development or our water courses and mar
oorS, wherever the general interest or COM
merce require.
-Four years ago, as now the nation stood af
the threshold OF Presidential election, aud the
iepuDucan party, In soliciting a continuance of
lts aScendency, founded its hope OF success not
upon ltS promises but upon its history It's SUBJ
Sequent course has been such as TO strengthen
the Claims which IL then made to the confidence
ana support OF the country. on the other hand
considerations more urgent than have ever be-
lore existed forbid the accession OF its opponents
10 power. Their success, IL success attends
them, must chiefly come from the united sun-
port OF that section which sought the forcibie
disruption OF the Union, and which According