Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-12-15
STATE OF. THE COUNTRY.
The Presidents Annual Message,
Full Text Of the Document,
Az Delivered to Congress ON Monday,
December 6,

December g.
Felow-cihzens Of the Senate and House Of rep
resentatives:
congratulate YOU on the continued and in
creasing prosperity Of our country. By the
favor OF Divine Providence we have been blessed,
during the past year, with health, with abund-
ant harvests, with profitable employment for all
our people, and with contentment at home, and
with peace and friendship with other nations.
The occurrence Of the twenty fourth election
of Chief Magistrate has afforded another op-
portunity to the people OF the United States
to exhibit to the world significant example
Of the peaceful and safe transmission Of the
power and authority of Government from the
public servants whose terms OF Office are
about to expire, to their newly chosen success
ors This example cannot fail to impress pro-
foundly thoughtful people of other countries
with the advantages which republican institu-
tions afford. The Immediate, general and
cheerful acquiescence of all good citizens in the
result of the election gives gratifying assurance
to our country and to its friends throughout
the world that Government based on the free
consent Of an intelligent and patriotic people
possesses clements of strength stability and
permancncy not found in any other form OF
Government.
Continued opposition to the full and free en-
joyment Of the rights of citizenship, conferred
upon the colored people by the recent amend
ments to the constitution, still prevails in sew
eral of the late slave-holding States. It has,
perhaps, not been manifested in the recent
election to any large extent in acts of violence
Or intimidation. It has, however, by fraudu-
lent practices in connection with the ballots,
with the regulations as to the place and manner
of voting, and with counting, returning, and
canvassing the votes cast, been successful in de-
feating the exercise of the right preservative of
all rights, tho right Of suffrage, which the con-
stitution expressly confers upon our enfran-
chised citizens.
1t is the desire Of the good people of the
whole country that sectlonalism as a factor in
our politics should disappear. They prefer
that no section of the country should be united
in solid opposition to any other section. The
disposition to refuse prompt and hearty obe-
dience to the equal-rights amendments to the
constitution is all that now stands in the way
OF a complete obliteratlon OF sectional lines in
lated or disregarded, it is SAFE to assume
that the people who placed them in
the constitution, as embodying the le-
gitinate results of the war for the
Union, and who believe them to
gether, and to insist that they shall be obeyed
The paramount question still is as to the en-
joyment of tho right by every American citizen
who has the requisite qualification to freely cast
his vote and to have it honestly counted. With
this question rightly settled. the country will
cones will indeed be bygones and political and
party issues with respect to economy and eff
cheney OF administration, internal improve
ments, the tariff, domestic taxation, educa-
ton, finance and other important subjects
will then receive their full share OF atten-
the results Of the war will unite together in res
olute purpose for their support all who MAIN
tain the authority of the Government and the
perpetuity of the Union, and who adequately
appreciate the value Of the victory achieved.
This determination proceeds from no hostile
Of our country, or to any of their interests
The inviolability Of the amendments rests upon
the Fundamental principles of our Government
They are the solemn expression of the will Of
the people Of the United States.
The sentiment that the constitutional rights
of all our citizens must be maintained does not
grow weaker. 1t will continue to control the
Government of the country. Happily, the his
tory of tho late election shows that in many
parts Of the country where opposition to the
fifteenth amendment has heretofore prevailed
it is diminishing, and is likely to cease al
together, if firm and well-considered &C.
ton is taken by Congress. I trust the House
of Representatives and the Senate, which
have the right to Judge of the elections, re-
will see to it that every Of violation of tho
letter or spirit of the Fifteenth amendment il
thoroughly investigated, and that no benefit
from such violation shall accrue to any person
or party. 1t will be the duty of the Executive,
with sufficient appropriations for the purpose,
to prosecute unsparingly all who have been en-
gagged in depriving citizens of the rights guar
anteed them by the constitution.
It is not, however, to be forgotten that the
nd nf fho
rights of citizenship is to be found in that ca
pacity for self-prote ction which can belong only
to people whose right to universal suffrage is
supported by universal education. The means
at the command of the local and State authori-
ties are, in many cases, wholly inadequate to
THIS IL especially true where, before emancipa-
lion, the education of the people was neglect
ed or prevented, in the interest of slavery.
Firmly convinced that the subject Of
popular education deserves the earnest
etSn2n eeant9 With 1f the psGes yN S tas 4se whole nS
comprehensive action by the Government OF
the United States, respectfully recommend
that Congress, by suitable legislation and with
proper Safeguards. snnn!cment the local edu-
oational funds in tho several States where the
grave duties and responsibilities of citizenship
9e. 9aye been devolved on uneducated people, BY
deVotlng to the purpose grants of the public
lands, and, if necessary, by appropriations
from the treasury of the United States What
ever Government can fairly do to promote free
popular education ought to be done. Wherever
general education is found, peace, virtue and
social order prevail, and civil and religious
liberty are secure.
In my former annual messages, I have asked
the attention of Congress to the urgent neces-
slty OF & reformation of tho civil service sys-
tenn Of the Government. Ny views concerning
the dangers of patronage, or appointments for
personal or partisan considerations have been
strengthened by my observation and expert
ence IN the Executive cfice, and believe these
dangers threaten the stability of the Govern
ment. Abuses SO serious in their nature can
not be permanently tolerated. They tend ia
become more alarming with the enlargement OF
administrative service, as the growth Of the
country in population increases the number of
officers and placemen employed.
| The reasons are imperative for the adoption
| ments, promotions and removals. establishing
uniform method, having exclusively in view,
in every instance, the attainment Of the best
| qualifications for the position in question.
Such method alone is consistent with the
equal rights of all citizens, and the most eco
nomical and efficient administration of the pub
| ic business.
Competitive examinations, in aid q: impartial
appointments and promotions, have been con-
Quoted for some years past in several OF tho
Executive Departments, and by my direction
this system has been adopted in the Custom
Houses and Postofices Of the larger cities of
the country. In the city Of New York over
two thousand positions in the civil service have
been subject, in their appointments and
tenure of place. to tho operation Of pub
lished rules for this purpose, during tho
past two years. The results Of these practical
trials have been very satisfactory, and have
confirmed my opinion in favor Of this system
n$ oo1nn A l.
tests. and the result is free from prejudice by
personal favor or partisan influence. It &C.
cures for the position applied for the best
qualifications attainable among the competing
applicants. It is an effectual protection from
the pressure of importantly, which, under
any other course pursued, largely exacts
tho time and attention Of appointing
officers, to their great detriment in
the discharge Of other official duties, prevent
ing the abuse Of the service for the mere fur
thersnce Of private Or party purposes. and leav-
ing the employe of the Government, freed from
the obligations innnOaed nv nakroneoa IN <9o