Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-07-22

toral College from the former slave
holding States was the eimmediate 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
Democratic control, the very men by
whose elevation to citizenship this in
crease of representation has been effect
ed. have been debarred and robbed of
their voice and their vote. 1t is true
that no State statute or Constitution in
SO many words denies or abridges the ex-
ercise of their political rights. but the
mode employed to bar their way are no
less effectual. 1t is a suggestive and
startling thought that the inc 'eased
power derived fIom the enfra lchiss-
ment of a race now denied 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 nationality of the Amer
lean people in the greatest crisis of ouI
history.
Republicans cherish none of the re-
sentiments which NAV have animated
them during the actual conflict of arms
They long for full and real reconcilia-
| ton between the sections which were
needlessly and lamentably at strife
They sincerely offer the hand of good
will, but they ask in return 4 pledge OF
good faith. They deeply feel that par
ty whose career IS so illuStTous in great
and patriotic achievements will not full
Ill its destiny until peace and prosperity
are established i'll ali the land, nor until
liberty o. thought, conscience, and ac-
ton, a Id equality of opportunity shall
be not merely the cold formalities of a
statute, but living birthrights which the
humble may confidently claim and the
powerful dare not deny.
The resolution referring to the public
service seems to me deserving of appro-
val. Surely no man should be an in
cumbent of an office, the duties of which
he is for any cause unfit IL perform
who is lacking in the ability, fidelity, or
integrity which a proper administration
of such Office demands. This sentiment
would doubtless meet with general ac-
qUiescence, but opinion has been wide
ly divided upon the wisdom and practi-
cability of various reformatOry schemes
which have been suggested, and Of cer-
tain proposed regulations governing the
appointments to public office. The eff
cheney of such regulations has been dis
trusted, mainly because they have seem
ed to eXalt mere educational and ab-
stract tests above general business ca
pacity, and even special fitness for the
particular work in hand.
1t seems to me that the rules which
should be applied to the Management OF
the public service may properly con-
form, in the main, to such as regulate
the conduct of successful private busi-
ness. Original appointments should be
based upon ascertained fitness. The
tenure of Office should be stable. Posi-
tiohs of responsibility should, So far as
practicable, be filled by promotion of
worthy and efficient officers. The inves-
tigation of all complaints and the pam
iShment of all official misconduct should
be prompt and thorough. These views,
which l have long held, repeatedly de-
clared, and uniformly applied when call
ed upon to act, l find embodied in this
resolution, which, of course, l approve.
l will add that by the acceptance of
public office, whether high or low. one
does not, in my judgment, escape any of
his responsibilities as a citizen, or lose
or impair any of his rights as citizen,
and that he should enjoy absolute liber-
ty to think, and speak, and act in politi-
cal matters according to his own will
and conscience, provided only that he
honorably, fo:thfully, and fully dischar-
ges all his official duties.
Tho rlCIl1DrfiOn of cnaoio
Ole of the fruits of the Republican par
ty, has brought a return Of abundant
prosperity, and the settlement of many
distracting questions. The restoration
of sonnd money, the large reduction of
our public debt and of the burden of in
terest, the high advancement of the pub
lie credit-all attest the ability and cour-
age of the Republican party to deal with
such financial problems as may hereaf-
ter demand solution. Our paper cur
rency is now as good as gold, and silver
is performing its legitimate function for
purposes of change. The principles
which should govern the relations OF
these elements of currency are simple
and clear. There must be no deteriora-
ted coin, no deprecated paper And ev-
cry dollar, whether OF metal or paper,
should stand the test of the worlds fixed
standard.
The value of popular education can
| hardly be oyerStated. Although its in
terests must, of necessity, be chiefly con.
| fided to the voluntary effort and individ-
ual action of the several States, they
should be encouraged, so far as the Con
stitution permits, by a generous co-ope-
ration of the national government The
interests of the whole country demand
that the advantages of our common
school system should be brought within
the reach of every citizen, and that nc
revenues of the nation or of the States
should be devoted to the support of sec
tartan schools.
Such changes should be made in the
present tariff and system of taxation as
will relieve any Overburdened industry
or class, and enable our manufacturers
and artisans to compete successfully
with those of ether lands.
The government should aid works of
internal improvement, natural in their
character, and should promote the deyel-
Opment of our water courses and har-
bors wherever the general interests of
commerce require.
-Four years ago, as now, the nation
stood at the threshold Of a Presidential
election, and the Republican party, in
soliciting a continuance of its ascenian-
cy, founded its hope of success, not upon
its promises, but upon its history. Its
S11bcaD,,apf ooTrca hoe baan cr,ob r.,