Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-07-21

accept the position assigned me by the great
party whose action you announce. This accept
ance implies approval OF the principles declared
by the convention, but recent usage permits me
to add some expression of my own views
ELECTION FRAUDS
The right and duty to secure honesty and order
in popular elections Is n matter so vital that IL
must stand in the front; the authority of the ma
tional government to preserve from fraud and
force elections Mt which its officers are chosen
is the chief point which the two parties are
plainly and intensely opposed. Acts Of congress
for ten years here In New York and elsewhere
did much to curb the violence and wrong to which
the ballot and the count have been again and
again subjected, sometimes dispoiln great cities,
sometimes sitting the voice OF whole state,
often seating, not only in congress, but on the
bench and in legislatures, numbers of men who
were never chosen by the people. The Democratic
party, since gaining possession OF the two houses
of congress, has made these just laws the object
of bitter and ceaseless assault, and despite all re-
sistance, has hedged them with restrictions cum |
ningly contrived to battle and paralyze them |
This aggressive majority boldly attempted to ex-
tort from the executive his approval of various
enactments destructive OF these election laws, by |
revolutionary threats that the constitutional ex-
ercise of the veto power would be punished by |
Withdrawing appropriations necessary to carry on |
the government, and these threats were actually |
carried out by refusing needed appropriations |
and by forcing an extra session OF congress, last
ing four months. and resulting in concessions to
this nsurping demand, which are likely. in many
states TO subject the majority TO the lawless will
of the minority Ominous signs of public dsap- |
proval alone subdued this arrogant power into |
sullen surrender for the time being of part Of |
its demands. The Republican party has strongly |
approved the stern refusal Of It's representatives
to suffer the overthrow OF the statutes believed |
to be sautary and Just. It always insisted and |
now insists that the government Of the United |
states Of America Is empowered and Is in duty |
bound TO efiectually protect the elections denoted |
by the constitution as national. More than this, |
the Republican party holds as cardinal point in |
government gnOuld
means known to the constitution protect all Amer
lean citizens everywhere in the full enjoyment of |
Their civil and political rights as great part of
its work OF reconstruction. The Republican party |
gave the ballot TO the emancipated slave rs his /
right and defense. A large increase in the mem
hers OF congress and of the electoral college from
former slave holding states the immediate |
result. The history Of recent years abounds in
evidence that in many ways and in many places
especially where their number has been great |
enough to endanger the Democratic CONTROL the |
very men by whose elevation to citizenship this |
increase OF representation was effected have been
debarred and robbed of their voice and vote 1t
is true no state statute or constitution in many
words denies or abridges the exercise of their
political rights, but the modes employed to bar
their way no less effectual tits suggestive
and startling thought that the increased power
derived from the acknowledgements of race now
denied its share in governing the country, welded
by those who lately sought the overthrow of the
government, IL now the sole reliance to defeat the
party which represented the sovereignty and ma
|
crisis of our history. The Republicans cherish
none OF the resentments which may have ami
mated them during the actual conflict of arms
They long for a full and real reconciliation be-
tween the sections which were needessly and la
mentally at strife; they sincerely offer the hand
of good will but they ask in return a pledge of
good faith. They deeply feel that the party
whose career Is so illustrious in n great and Pat
riotic achievement will not fulfill its destiny until
peace and prosperity are established in all the |
land, nor until liberty throughout, conscience in
action, and equality Of opportunity shall be not
merely cold fomalities of the statutes but living
birthrights, which the humble may confidently
claim and the powerful dare not deny
CIVIL SERVICE.
The resolution referring to the public service
seems to me deserving Of approval Surely no
man should be an incumbent Of an Office the du-
ties OF which he is for any cause unfit to perform
who is lacking in the ability, fidelity or integrity
which the proper administration Of such office de
mands. This sentiment would doubtless meet
with general acquiescence, but opinion has been
widely divided upon the wisdom and practicable
ity of the various reformatory schemes which have
been suggested and of certain proposed regula-
tons governing appointments to public office.
Inc efficiency of such regulations has been dis
trusted, mainly because they have seemed to ex-
alt mere educational and abstract tests above gen.
eral business capacity and special fitness
Tor the particular work In hand. 1t seems to me
that the rules which should be applied 10 the man
agement OF the public service may properly con-
form in the main to such as regulate the conduct |
of successful private business Original appoint
lnents should be based upon ascertained fitness
tenure OF ofice should be stable; positions of re-
sponslbility should, as far practicable be filled
by the promotion of worthy and efficient officers
and the investigation of all complaints and the
punishment of all official misconduct should be |
prompt and thorough. These views which have |
long held, repeatedly declared, and uniformly APP
pied, when called upon to act, find embodied in
the resolution which, of course, approve. will
add that by the acceptance of public Office
whether high or low, one does not in my judg-
ment, escape any of his responsibilities as cti-
zen, or lose or impair any OF his rights as cti-
zen, and that he should enjoy absolute liberty to
thlnk speak and act in political matters according
to his own will and conscience, provided only that
he honoraby, faithfully and fully discharge all
his official duties.
FINANCE
The resumption of specie payments, one Of the
fruits of Republican policy, has brought a return
OF abundant prosperity and the settlement of
many dlstracting questions. The restoration of
sound money, large reduction of our public
debt and of the burden of interest the high adj |
vancement of the public credit all attest the ab-
lty and courage of the Republican party to deal
with such financial problems as may hereafter de-
mand solution. Our paper currency ia now as
good as gold and silver is performing its legit-
mate functions for purposes of change The
principles which should govern the relations of |
these elements of currency are simple and clear;
paper, and every dollar, whether OF metal or
paper, should stand the test of the worlds fixed
standard.
EDUCATION.
The value of popular education can hardly be |
oyerstated. Although its interests must of neces-
slty be chiefly confided to the voluntary effort ;
ana the individual action of the several states
they should be encouraged as far as the consttu-
uon permits by the generous corporation of the |
national government. The interests of the whole |
country demand that the advantages of our COM
mon school system should be brought within the
reach of every citizen, and that no revenues of |
bp do Mad n |
port OF sectarian schools.
TARIFF AND TAXATION.
Such changes should be made in the present
tarlii and system OF taxation as will relieve any
overwhelmed industry or class, and enable our
manufacturers and artisans to compete success
fnlly with those OF other lands. The government
should aid works of internal improvement, ma
tional in their character, and should promote
the development of our water courses and har-
bors wherever the general interests of commerce
require.
THE TWO LEADING PARTIES.
Four years ago. as now, the nation stood at the
threshold OF presidential election and the Re
publican party in soliciting a continuance Of its
ascendency founded its hope of success not upon
It's promises, but upon its history Its subsequent
course has been such as to strengthen the claim
which it then made to the confidence and support
OF the country. On the other hand, considera-
tons more urgent than have ever before existed
forbid the accession OF its opponents to power.
Their success, If success attends them, must
cheily come from the united support Of that sec
tion which sought the forcible DISRUPTION of the
Union, and which, according to all the teachings
OF our past history, will demand the ascendency
IN the councils OF the party to whose triumph It
Viii have made by far the largest contribution.
There is the gravest reason for apprehension that
exorbitant claims upon the public treasury by no
means limited 70 thehundreds OF millions already
covered by bills introduced in congress the past
four years, would be successfully urged II the
Democratic party should succeed In supplement-
ing its present control OF the national legislature
by electing an executive also. There is danger
In entrusting the control Of the whole law-makng
power OF the government to the party which has
IN almost every southern state repudated obliga-
tons quite as sacred as those to which the faith
of the nation now stands pledged | do not doubt
that success awaits the Republican party, and
that its triumph will assure a just economical
and patriotic administration. am respectfully,
Your obedent servant
C. A. ARTHUR.
70 Hon. George =. Hodr President Of The Re-
publican National Convention.