The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-12-09
The Annual Message
Of the President of the United
States,
As communicated to the Forty
Sixth Congress,
Touching Upon Universal Suffrage,
Universal Education,
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM, COMPETITIVE
EXAMINATIONS,
And Our Amicable Relations with For
eigu Governments.


efgu Governments.
FeLo,c-C Citizens of the Senate and House Of
Representatives. congratulate you on the
continued and increasing prosperity of our
country. By the favor of Divine Providence
we have been blessed, during the past year
with health, with abundant 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 a significant example of the
peaceful and safe transmission of the power and
authority of government from the public serv-
ants whose terms of Office are about to expire,
to their newly chosen successors. This exam
pie can not fail to impress profoundly thought
full people of other countries with the advan-
tages which Republican institutions afford.
The immediate, general and cheerful acquies-
cence of all good citizens in the result of the
election, gives gratifying assurance to our coun-
try, and to friends throughout the world, that
a Government based on the free consent of an
intelligent and patriotic people, possesses ele-
ments of strength, stability, and permanency
not found in any other form of government.
THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.
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 slaveholding States. 1t has, per-
haps, not been manifested in the recent election
to any large extent in acts of violence or intim-
idation. 1t has, however, by fraudulent prac-
tees in connection with the ballots, with the
regulations as to the places and manner of vot-
ing, and with counting, returning, and CANVASS
ing the votes cast, been successful in defeating
the exercise of the right preservatiye of all
rights, the right of suffrage, which the Consti-
tuition expressly confers upon our enfranchised
citizens.
1t is the desire of the good people Of the
whole country that sectionalism o 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 dis
position to refuse prompt and hearty obedi-
ence to the equal-rights amendments to the
! Constitution, is all that now stands in the way
of complete obliteration of sectional lines in
our political contests. As long as either of
these amendments is flagrantly violated or dis
regarded, it is safe to assume that the people
who placed them in the Constitution, as
cmbodying the legitimate results of the
war for the Union, and who believe them
| to be wise and necessary, will continue to act
together, and to insist that they shall be
obeyed. The paramount question still is, as
to the enjoyment of the right by every Ameri-
can citizen who has the requisite qualifications,
to freely cast his vote and have it honestly
counted. With this question rightly settled,
/ 1--fkl
of the past; bygones will indeed be bygohes;
and political and party issues with respect to
economy and efficiency of administration, in
ternal improvements, the tariff, domestic tax
alton, eduaction, finance and other important
subjects, will then receive their full share Of
attention; but resistance to, and nullifca-
ton of, the results of the war will unite
together in resolute purpose for their
support all who maintain the authority
of the Government and the perpetuity
of the Union, and who adequately appreciate
the value of the victory achieved. This de-
termination proceeds from no hostile senti.
ment or feeling to any part of the people of
our country, or to any of their interests. The
inviolability of the amendments rests upon the
fundamental principle of our Government.
They are the solemn expression Of the will OF
the people of the United States.
| THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
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 the late election shows that many parts
| OF the country where opposition to the Fifteenth
Amendment has hitherto prevailed, tbs dimin-
ishing and is likely to cease altogether, if firm
and well-considered action is taken by Con-
gress. trust the House of Representatives
H. L. -
OF the elections, returns and qualifications
of their own members, will see to it that every
case of violation of the letter or spirit of the
Fifteenth Amendment is thoroughly inyesti-
gated, 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 engaged in de-
priving citizens of the rights guaranteed tc
| them by the Constitution. .s
A POPULAR EDUCATION NEEDED.
1t is not, however, to be forsstten that the
best and surest guarantee of the primary right;
of citizenship is to be found in that capacity fol
self-protection which can belong only to a peo-
pie whose right to universal suffrage is sup
ported by universal education. The means al
the command of the local and State authorities
are, in many cases, wholly inadequate to fur.
nish free instruction to all who need it. Thii
is especially true where, before emancipation
the education of the people was neglected o.
| prevented, III Il6 interest OF slavery.
convinced that the subject of popular educa
, ton deserves the earnest attention of the peo
pie of the whole country, with view to wis
and comprehensive action by the Government
of the United States, respectfully recommend
that Congress, by suitable legislation and will
proper safeguards, supplement the local educa
tional funds in the several States where tn
grave duties and responsibilities of citizenshil
, have been devolved on uneducated people, b.
i devoting to the purpose grants of public lands
and, if necessary, by appropriations from tn
Treasury of the United States. Whatever Gov
ernment can fairly do to promote free popula
T education ought to be done. Wherever genera
education is found. peace, virtue, and socia
order prevail, and civil and religious liberty ar
secure.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
1 In my former annual messenges, have aske
3 the attention of Congress to the urgent neces
sity of reformation of the civil service system
of the Government. My views concerning tn
dangers of patronage, or appointments fo
: strengthened by my observation and experienc
in the Executive Office, and I believe thes
dangers threaten the stability of the Govern
ment. Abuses so serious in their nature ca
! not be permanently tolerated. They tend
become more alarming with the enlargement G
administrative service, as the growth of th
: country in population increases the number @
, officers and placemen employed.
The reasons are imperative for the adopto
, Of fixed rules for the regulation of appoint
ments, promotions and removals, establishin
a uniform method, having exclusively in viev
In every instance, the attainment of the be-
{ qualifications for the position in question
r Such o method alone is consistent with th
4 anra1 WICHITA ~ all citizaDo fba yoo,