Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-07-22
Artllur's Letter.

ccpt the position assigned ne by the great party
whose action you announce. This acceptance i'm
plies the approval OF the principles declared by
the convention. but recent usages permits me to-
add some expression Of my own views. The
right and duty to secure honesty and order in
popular elections Is matter vital that it must
stand IN the front The authority Of the national
government to preserve from fraud and force the
elections at which its own officers chosen, Is
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 dcspoiling great cities,
sometimes sitting the voice Of d
whole state, often seating not only in congress
but on the bench and 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 ceaseless assault, and despite all resistance
has hedged them with restrictions cunninglY con-
trived to battle and paralize them. This aggres-
sive majority boldly attempted to eXtort from the
executive his approval of various enactments de-
Struetiye of these election laws, by
REVOLUTIONARY THREATS
that 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 ses-
sion Of congress lasting for months and resulting
in concessions to this Usurping demand which are
likely in many states, to subject the majority to
the lawless viii Of minority. OminOus signs Of
pablo disapprOval alone subdued this arrogant
power into a sullcn surrender for the time being
OF part of its demands. The republican party
has strongly approved the stern refusal of its rep
resentatves to suffer the overthrow of statutes be-
lieyed to be salutary 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 effectualy protect the elections de
noted by the constitution as 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
all American citizens everywhere in the full en-
joyment of their civil and political rights As d
great part of its work of reconstruction the re-
publican party gave the ballot to the emancipated
slave as his right and defense. A large increase
in the number of members Of congress and Of the
electoral college from
FORMER SLAVE HOLDING 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 debarred
and robbed or their voice and their vote. 1t is
true that no state statute constitution i'll SO
many words denies or abrdges the exercise of
tnelf pOnllcll rights, but DodleS employed 10 DAf
their way no less cffectual. II is a suggestive
and startling thought that the increased power
derived from the enfranchiSement of q race now
denies its share in governing the country, welded
by those who lately sought the overthrow of the
government is the sole reliance to defeat the
party which represented the sovereignty and ma
tonality Of the American people in the great crisis
OF our history. The 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 Geedlessly and lamentablY ut strife.
They sincerely offer the hand of good will, but
they ask in return pledge of good faith They
deeply feel that the party whose is illus
trous i'll the great and patrioric achievement will
not fulfill It's destiny until peace and prosperity
ESTABLISHED N ALL THE LAND:
nor until liberty of thought conscience and &C
ton and equality of opportunity shall not be
merely cold tonalites Of statute but living birth
rights which the humble may confidently claim
ard 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 of an office, the duties
Of which he is for a 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
aquiescence. But opinion has been widely divided
upon the wisdom and practcabllity of various re-
fomnatory schemes which have been suggested,
pointmcnts to public office. The efficiency of such
regulation has been dstrusted mainly because they
have seemed to eXat more educational and abb
Stract tests a5Oye general business capacity and
even special
FITNESS ros THE PARTICULAR WORK
in hand 1t seems to me that rules should be ap-
ped to the management Of the public service that
may be properly conforned 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
be stable, Positions Of responsibility should, so
far as practicable be filled by promotion of worthy
and efficient officers. The investigation of all COM
plants and the punishment of all official miscon-
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,
| 3 course, | approve.
! will add that by the acceptance of public
| office. whether high or low, one does not in my
! Judgment escape any of his responsibility as
! citizen or lose or impair any of his rights as
citizen and that he should enjoy absolute hbOrty
| to think and speak and act IL political matters
! according to his own will and conscience; pro
vided only that he honorably, 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
! restoration of sound money, the large reduction
of 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 now as
good as 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 simple and clear.
There must be no deteriOrated coin. 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 be overstated. Although its interests
must of necessity be chiefly confded to the volun-
! tary effort and individual action of the several
states, they should be encoura ged 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 revenues
| of the nation of states should be devoted to the
! support of sectarian schools.
| Such changes should be made in the present
| tariff and system of taxation will relieve any
| Oyerbundened industry class, and enable oul
manufacturers and artisans to compete successful
| ly 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 interest
| of commerce requires.
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 snccess not upon
its promises, but upon its history. Its subsequent
course has been such as to strengthen the claims
| which it then made to the confidence and support
of the country. On the other hand, consideration: