Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-07-15

Tue WuoiC WOItu, duu IL II our HiOlN tllt
the American laborer is more intelligent
and better paid than his foreign compel
itors. Our country cannot be independ-
ant unless its people, with their abund-
ant natural resources, possess the requisite
skill at any time TO elothe, arm and equip
themselves for war, and in time of peace
70 produce all the necessary Implements
of labor. Ii was the manifest intention
of the founders of the government to pro-
vide for the common defence not by
standing armies alone, but by raising a
greater number of artisans whose intelli-
gence and skill should powerfully con-
tribute to safety and glory OF the nation.
Fortunately for the interests of COM
merce there Is no longer any formidable
opposition to the appropriations iog the
Improvement of our harborS aud great
navigsble rivers, provided that cXpeuii-
tureS for that purpose are strictly limited
to works OF national importance. The
Mississippi river. with its great tgibI-
taricS, i of such vital Importance TO 50
many millions q; Pcople that tLe safety %.
its navigation requircs exceptional Goa
Sidcra,iln. in order to secure 10 n4,IoLdl
control all is waters Prcsiden, Jefferson
negotiated the purchase ot vas, territory
extending from the Gull Of Mexico TO the
Pacific ocean. The wisdom of Congress
should be invoked 10 devise some plan by
which that great river shall cease 10 be
terror to those who dwell upon Its banks
and by which its shipping may safely
carry the industrial products OF 2j,OOO,-
900 of people. The interests Of agricul-
ture, which is the basis Of all our materi
al prosperity. and in which seven-twelfths
of our population are engaged, as well as
the interests of manufactures and COM
mercc. demand that facilities for cheap
transportation shall be increased by the
use OF our great water courses.
The material interests Of the country,
the traditions of It's settlement and the
sentiment of our people have led the gov
ernment 10 offer the widest hospitality 10
emigrants who seek our shors for new
and happier homes. willing to share the
burdens as well as the benefits of our So
ciety and intending that their poSterity
shall become an undistinguishabie part OF
our population. The recent movement OF
Chinese TO our Pacific coase partakes but
little of the qualities Of such an emigra-
ton, either in its purposes or its results.
1t IS too much like an importation TO be
welcomed without restrictions; too much
like an invasion to De looked upon with
out solicitude. We cannot consent 20
allow any form of service labor to DC in
troduced among US as under the guise OF
emigration. Recognizing the gravity OF
this subject the present administration
supported by Congress has sent 10 China
a commission OF distinguished citizens for
the purpose of sueuring such modihca-
ton of the existing treaty as will prevent
the evils likely TO arise from the present
situation. 1t is confidently believed that
these diplomatic negotiations will be sue
ceSsful without loss Of commercial inter
course between the two powers, which
promises a great increase of reciprocal
trade and enlargement of our markets.
Should these efforts fail it will be the
duty of Congress TO mitigate the evils
already felt and prevent their increase by
such restrictions as without violence or IN
Justice viii place upon a sure foundation
the peace of our communities and the
freedom and dignity Of labor.
The appointment OF citizens to various
executive and judicial Offices of the gov
ernment is perhaps the most difficult Of
all the duties which the constitution has
imposed upon the Executive. The con-
vention wisely demands that Congress
shall cooperate with the Executive de-
partment in placing our civil service on
better basis. Experience has proved that
without frequent changes of adminis;ra-
ton no system Of reform can be made
effective and permanent without the aid
oflegislation. Appointments to the mill
tary and naval service are so regulated by
law and custom as 70 leave but little
grounds for complaint. 1t may not be
wise to make similar regulations by law for
the civil service, but without invading the
authority or necessary discretion OF the
executive, Congress should devise a
method that will derermine the tenure OF
office and greatly reduce the uncertainty
which makes that service so uncertain and
unsatisfactory. Without depnving any
officer of his rights as a citizen, the gov
ernment should require him to discharge
all his official duties with intelligence,
efficiency and faithfulness. To select
wisely from our vast population those
who are best fitted for the many offices to
be filed requires an acquaintance far be-
yond the range of any one man The ex-
ecutiye should therefore seek and receive
information and assistance those whose
knowledge of the communities In which
the duties are to be performed, best quail
fy them to aid in making the wisest
choice.
The doctrines announced by the
Chicago convention are not the temporary
devices of party to attract votes and carry
an election; they are the deliberate con-
victiOns resulting from careful study OF
the spirit of our institutions, the events
of our history and the best impulses OF
our people. In my judgment these prin-
ciples should control the legislation and
administration of the government. In
any event they will guide my conduct un-
I'll experience points out better way. If
elected it viii be my purpose to enforce