Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-08-11

maintain In the future,
"Tho thirteenth, fourteenth and NJ
toealh amendments to the cons'l'u'
ton of the United States, embodying
the results OF the war for tho Unlon,
are inylolablr, lf called TO the Presi'
dcncy shonll deem IL my duty to
resist with all Of my power any at
tempt IL Impair or evadc tho inll
iorcc and effect Of the Constitution,
which IN every article section aud
amendment ~ the supreme Law of the
land, The Constitution forms the
basis Of the Government Of the United
States. The powers granted by It To
the legislative, executive aud Judicial
departments define aud limit the an-
,horily Of the General Government f,
powers not delegated 10 the uu'ted
States By the Constitution, nor pro-
hibiled by II to the States belong to
the States respectively or 10 the peo-
pie. The General and State govern.
monIs, each acting In It's own sphere
without uenclipg upon tho lawful
Jurisdiction OF the other, constitute
The Union. This union comprising
u General Government with general
powers and State governments with
State powers for purposes local to tho
States, is a polity. the foundations oil
which were laid in the proioundesl
wisdom.
THAT is the Union our fathers
made, and which has been so respect
ed abroad and so bcncicent at home.
Tried by blood and fire, it stands to
day model of free popular govern
men', political system which, rightly
administered, has been and will con-
tinue to be the admiration Of the
world. May we not say nearly in the
words OF Washington The unity OF
government which constitutes to one
people is Justly dear to us; it is the
main pillar in the edi6ce of our real
independence, the support of our
peace, safety and prosperity and OF
tend at every hazard to preserve
"But no form of government, how
ever carefully devised, no principles
however sound, will protect the rights
of the people unless administration is
faithful and efficient. 1t il vital
principle in cur system that neither
fraud nor force must be allowed TO
subvelt the rights OF the people.
When fraud, violence or incompetence
controls, the noblest constitutions and
wisest laws are useless. The bayonet
is not the fit instrument for collecting
the votes of freemen. 1t is only by a
full vote, tree ballot and fair count,
that the people can rule in fact as re-
quired by the theory OF our Govern
ment. Take this foundation away and
the whole structure tails. Public Of
flee is trust, not bounty bestowed
upon the holder; no incompetent or
dishonest persons should ever be en-
trusted with it, or if appointed they
should be promptly elected. The
basis OF a substantial, practical civil
service reform must first be established
by the people in filling the elective
offices if they fix high standard Of
qualifications for Office and sternly re.
ject the corrupt aud incompetent, the
result will be decisive in governing
the action OF the servants whom they
intust with appointing power.
''The war for the Union was sue.
cessfnlly closed more than fifteen
years ago. All classes of our people
must share alike in the blessings OF
the Union, and are equally concerned
in its perpetuity and in the proper ad.
of public affairs. We
are in a state of profound peace.
Hencetorth let it be our purpose
10 cultivate sentiments of friendship
and not of animoslty among our tel.
ow citizens. Our material interests
Varied aid progressive, demand our
and united efforts. A sedu-
Gus and scrupulous care OF the public
'redit. together with wise and econ
'mical management o. our govern
mental expenditures, should be main.
aimed in order that labor NAV be
lightly burdened and that all persons
nay be protected in their rights to
he fruits ct their own industry. The
ime has come to enjoy the Substantial
enefts of reconciliation. As one
eople we have common interests.
.et US encourage the harmony and
enerous rivalry among our own in
ustries which will revive our Ian &
merchant marine, extend our {