Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-07-23
ArtllI,r's Letter.

the convention, hut recent ushgeS permits Inc 10
add some expression Of my own views The
I right and duty to secure honesty and order in
popular elections is n matter 50 vital that il must
stand in the front. The authority of the national
| government to preserve from fraud and force the
elections at which its own officers are chosen, is II
chief point on which the two parties are plainly
and intensely opposed. The acts of congress for
ten Years have in New York and elsewhere, done
much to curb violence and wrong to which
the ballot and count have been again and again
subjected, sometimes despoiling great cities,
sometimes sitting the Voice OF a
whole state, often seating not only III congress
but on the bench aud in legislatures numbers of
men never chosen by the people The democratic
party since gaining possession of the two houses
| of congress has made these laws the object Of
bitter ceasclcSs assault and despite all resistance
| has hedged them with restrictions cunningly con-
trived to bnfie and paralize them. This aggrcs-
siye majority boldly attempted to eNtort from the
executive his approval of various enactments de-
structiye of these election laws, by
REVOLUTIONARY THREATS
that a constitutional exercise Of the veto power
would be punished by Withholding appropriations
necessary to carry ON the government, and those
! threats were actually carried out by refusing
needed appropriations and forcing an extra SEES
sion of congress lasting for months and resulting
in concessions to this usurping demand which are
| likely III many states to subject the majority to
the lawless will of minority. Ominous signs Of
public disapproval alone subdued this arrogant
| power into sullcn surrender for the time being
of II part Of its demands The republican party
has strongly approved the stern refusal of its rep
rcscntatres to suffer the overthrow of statutes be-
! licyed to he salutury and lust. 1t has always in
sisted and now insists that tile government Of the
United States Of America is empowered and IN
duty bound t. cncctualy protect the elections de-
noted hy the constitution rs national More than
this, the republican party holds as the cardinal
point in its creed that the government should, by
| every means known to the constitution, protect
oll american citizens everywhere in the full en-
! oyment of their civil and political rights. As n
| grcnt part of its work of reconstruction the re-
| publican party gave the ballot to the cmancipated
slave rs his right and defense. large increase
in the number Of members ofcongress and OF the
electoral college from
FORMER SLAVE HOLDISG STATES
was the immediate result.
The history of recent years abound in evidence
that in many ways and in many places especially
where their number has been great enough to en-
danger democratic control, the very men by
whose elevation to citizenship this increase of
representation was effected have been debarrcd
and robbed of their voice and their vote. 1t Is
true that no state statute or constitution III 81
many words denies or abridges the exercise of
their political rights, but bodies employed to bar
their way are no less cIlrctual. lit il suggestive
and STARTLING thought that the increased power
derived from the cnfranchiSement Of race now
denies its share in governing the country, welded
| by those who lately sought the overthrow of the
government. is now the sole reliance to defeat the
party which represented the sovereignty and ma
tonality OF the American people nthe great crisis
of history. The republicans cherish none of the
rcscntments which may have animated them dur
ing the actual conflict of arms. They long for n
full and real Cancellation between the sections
which were needcssy and lamcntablv ut strife.
They sincerely offer the hand of good will hut
they ask ii return plcdrc Of good faith. They
deeply feel tat the party whose cnreer is 50 illus
trons IN the great and pntrioric achievement will
not fulfill its destiny until peace andprospeliy are
ESTABLISHED IN ALL THE LAND;
nor until liberty of thought, conscience and uc-
ton and equality of opportunity shall not be
merely cold tomalitieS of statute but living birth
rights which the humble may confidently claim
aud the powerful dare not deny
The resolution referring to the public service
seems to me deserving of approval. Surely no
man should be the incumbent ofan office, the duties
Of which he is for cause unfit to perform, who is
lacking in ability fidelity or integrity which u
proper administration of such office demands
This sentiment would doubtless meet with general
| aquescence But opinion has been widely divided
upon the wisdom and practicablity of various re-
fornatory schemes which have been suggested,
and of certain proposed regulations governing APP
pointments to public office. The efficiency OF such
regulation has been disrusted mainly because they
have seemed to eNalt more educational and alb
stract tests, above general business capacity and
even special
FITNESS FOR THE PARTICULAR WORK
in hand. 1t seems to me that rules should be APP
piled to the management Of the public service that
may he properly contormcd to in the main to such
regulate the conduct of successful private bust
ness. Original appointments should be based upon
nScertained fitness. The tenure of office should
be stable. Positions of responsibility should, so
far ms practicable he filled by promotion OF worthy
and efficient officers. The investigation of all com
plants and the punishment of all official mlseon-
duct should be prompt and thorough.
| These views, which | have loug held, repeatedly
declared and uniformly applied when called upon
TO act find embodied in the resolutions. which,
: course, approve.
will add that by the acceptance Of Il public
office. whether high Or low, one does not, in my
/ Judgment escape any of his responsibility aS Il
citizen or lose or impair any of his rights rs a
citizen and that he should enjoy absolute liborty
to think and speak and act in political matters
according to his own will and conscience; pro
vidcd only that he houorably, faithfully and fully
discharges all his official duties.
THE RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS,
one of the fruits of the republican policy has
brought the return of abundant prosperity and the
set cnent Of many dstractng questions. The
restoration Of sound money, the large reduction
Of our public debt and the burden Of interest the
high advancement Of public credit, I'LL attest the
ability and courage Of the republican party 70
dead with sucn financial problems MS may hereafter
demand solution. Our paper currency Is now as
good ms gold, and silver is performing its legti-
mate function for the purpose of change. The
principles which should govern the relations of
these elements of currency are simple and clear.
There must bcno dctcriorated coin, no deprecated
paper and every dollar, whether Of metal pa
per, should stand the test Of the worlds tiNcd
standard.
rHEvALrEor POPLAR EDUCATION
can hardly be oyer~tatcl. Although its interest,
must II necessity lie chiefly confded 10 the yolun.
tary effort and individual action Of the several
states, they should I've encouraged 81 far MS the
constitution permits by the generous cooperation
of the national government The interests Of the
whole county demand that the advantages Of our
common school system should lie brought within
the reach of every citizen, and that no revenue.
Of the nation of states should be devoted 10 the
support II srctarian schools
Such changes should " made Ill the present
tariff and system u taxation ~ will relieve any
oSerhundened industry " class aud enable our
manufacturers and artisans y compete successful
II with those ut other lands
The government should aid works If internal
Improvement, national in their character. and
. should promote the development Of our water