The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-07-29
would be punished by withholding appropriations

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the iawlesS vii, Of IL minority. luminous signs of
public .!islpproval alone subdued this arrogant
! power into suIlcn surrender for the time being
of a part of its demands. The republican party
has strongly approved the stern refusal Of its rep
rcscntatvcs to suffer the overthrow Of statutes be-
iicvcd to be salltary and just. 1t has always in
sisted and now insists, that the government of the
| United States Of America is empowered and in
duty bound to ctfcct'lly protect the elections de-
! noted ny the constitution us national. More than
! this the republican party holds: rs the cardinal
point in its creed that the government should. by
| every means known to the constitution, protect
all American citizens everywhere in the t"l ell
joylncllt Of their civil and political rights. AS a
great part of its work of reconstruction the re-
publican party gave the ballot to the cmancipated
Slave as his ri, Git and defense. A large increase
in the number Of members Of congress an, If the
electoral college from
FORMER SLAVE HOLDING STATE,
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 constitution IN SO
| many words denies abrycs the exercise OF
their political rights bat bodies employed to bar
their way are no less ettectual. II il: suggestive
and startling thought that the increased power
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 soverei9ynity and H.
tlonallty OF the American people in the great crisis
OF history. Tho republicans cherish of the
| resentments which may have animated them dur
ing the actual conflict Of arms. They long for
full and real Cancellation between the sections
| which were needlessly and Iamentably at strife
They sincerely offer the hand Of good will but
thny- p.t f,itb,
deeply feel that the party whose career is SO illus
| trous i'll the great and patrioric achievement will
not fulfill its destiny until peace and prosperity
EsTABLIsHE IN ALL THE LAND;
nor until liberty Of thought, conscience and ac-
| ton and equality Of opportunity shall Not be
merely cold fornat;es OF statute but living birth
rights which the humble may confidently claim
and the powerful dare not deny.
The resolution referring to the public service
seems to me deserving OF approval. Surely
Of which he is for unfit to perform, who is
lacking in ability, fidelity integrity which a
proper administration of such office demands
| This sentiment would doubtless meet with general
| aquicscence. But opinion has been widely divided
| upon the wisdom AM, practcability of various
formatory schemes which have been suggested,
and of certain proposed regulations governing APP
pointmens to public office. The efficiency Of such
regulation has been distrusted mainly because they
| have seemed to exalt 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 be properly conformed to in the main to such
regulate the conduct of successful private bust
ness. Original appointments should be based upon
! ascertained fitness. The tenure Of Office should
he stable. Positions of responsibility should so
far as practicable, be filed by promotion worthy
and efficient officers The Investigation of all com
! j.: In Of off
duct should be prompt and thorough.
These views, Which have lou*g held repeatedly
declared and uniformly applied when called upon
to act; find embodied i'll the resolutions. which,
= course, | approve.
! [ will add that by the acceptance Of Il public
office. whether high o.: low, one does not. i'll my
| Judgment, escape any Of his responsibility as IL
citizen or lose impair any IF his rights as
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 honorahly, 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
settlement of many dstracting questions. The
restoration Of sound money, the large reduction
Of our public debt and the burden OF interest," the
high advancement Of public credit, all attest the
ability and courage of the republican party to
deal with sucn financial problems as may hereafter
demand solution. Our paper currency is
good as gold, and silver Is performing its legti-
mate function for the purpose of change. The
principles which should govern the relations of
I these elements of currency are simple and clear
| There must be no dcterioratcd con 10 deprecated
| paper: and every dollar, whether Of metal or pa
per, should stand the test of the worlds fixed
| standard.
THE VALUE OF POPULAR EDUCATION
| can hardly he overstated Although its interests
must of necessity be chiefly confded to the yolun-
| tary effort and individual action of the several
states, they should be encouraged so far as 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 be brought within
the reach OF every citizen, and that no revenues
| of the nation Of states should be devoted to the
| support Of scctalian schools.
Such changes should be made in the present
tariff and system Of taxation will relieve any
| cverbundened industry or class, and enable our
manufacturers and artisans to compete successful
| ~ with those OF other lands.
The government should aid works Of internal
improvement, national in their character, and
should promote the development of our water
courses and harbors wherever the general interoe+
OF commerce requires.
-Four years ago as now the nation stood ut the
Threshold Of presidential election and the re-
publican party in soliciting continuance of its
| ascendency founded its hope Of snccess not upon
its promises, but upon its history Its SUBSEQUENT
course has been such as to strengthen tho claims
| which it then made to the confidence and s,1pport
of the country. On the other hand, considerations
more urgent than have ever before existed forbid
the accession of its opponents to power. Their
success If success attends them, must chiefly come
! from the united support Of that section which
sought
FoRcIBLE DISRUPTION OF THE UNION
| and which according to all teachings of our pass
history will demand ascendency in the councils of
the party to whose triumph it will have made by
far the largest contribution.
There is the greatest reason for apprehension
that exorbitant claims upon the public treasury
by no means limited to the hundreds of millions
already covered with bills introduced in congress