The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-07-22

GTON, MOBILES COUNTY,
ARTnUR'S LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE,
NEW YORK, July ls.-Dear Sir, accept the
position assigned me by tho great party Whose
action you announce. This acceptance implies
approval Of the principles declared by tho con-
vention. but recent usage permits me to add
some expression of my own views. Tho right
and duty to secure honesty and order in popu'
lar elections, is . matter SO vital that must
stand in the front. The authority OF the ma
tional government to preserve from fraud
and force elections at which
its own officers are chosen, 10 q chief point on
opposed. The acts of Congress for ten years
have in New York and elsewhere done much to
| curb the violence and wrong to which tho bal.
lot and count have been again and again sub
jected sometimes despoiling great cities, some
timea stifiing the voice of whole State, often
stealing not only in Conereas. but on the bench
by tho people.
The Democratic party, since gaining posses-
sion OF the tive houses of Congress, has made
these lava the object of bitter aud ceaseless
assault and despite all resistance has hedged
to battle and Pa1alyze them:- Thi1 aggressive
majority boldly attempted to extort
Of variou. enactment. destructive Of
these these election ..y ls*s by Ieyoloticn:1y .s
veto power would be punished by Withholding
appropriations necessary to carry on the gov
ernment, and these threats wero actively car.
ried out by refusing needed appropriations
and by forcing IN extra session of Congress-
which lasted for months, and resulting in con-
likely in many States to subject the majority
to the lawless will of aminority. Ominous
signs of public disapproval alone subdued
this arrogant power into q sullen surrender for
the time being of part of it, demands.
Ihe history OF recent ye.r. .bounas IN evi"
especially where their number has been great
enough to endanger Democratic control, the
very men by whose elevation to citizenship
this increase of representation was effected
have been debar:ed and robbed of their voics
and their votes. 1t is true that no State Stat
denies or abridges the exercise of
their political rights, but bodies employed to
bar their way are no less effective. It is q
startling thought that the increased power de-
rived from the enfranohisement of the race
now denies its share in governing the country,
welded by those who lately sought the over.
throw Of the government, is new the sole re-
lance to defeat the party which represented
the sovereignty and nationality of the Ameri.
sf
the stern refusal Of its representatives to suffer
the overthrow of statutes believed to be salu-
tary and Just. 1t has always insisted, aud
now insists, that the government of the United
States of America is empowered and In duty
bound. to effectually protect the elections de-
tn1 TN, tko Atsk kNkS
than this, the Republican party holds a. the
cardinal point in its creed, that the government
should, by every means known to thcoconstitu-
tion, protect all American citizens everywhere
in full enjoyment of their civil and political
rights. As a great part of its work Of recon-
struction, the Republican party saved the bal
lot to the emancipated slave a. his right aud
defense. A large increase in the number of
members of Congress and Of the electoral col.
lege from the former slaveholdinR States was
the immediate result.
Republicans cherish none Of these sediments
which may have animated them during the
actual conflict of arms. They long for full and
real reconciliation between the sections which
were needlessly and lsmentably at strife. They
sincerely offer the hand of good will, but they
as< in return = pledge of good faith. They
deeply feel that the party whose career is so
illustrous in great and patriotic achievements,
will not fulfill it's destiny until peace
and prosperity are established in oil the land,
nor until liberty of thought, conscience aud
action, and equality of opportunity. shall not
living birthrights which the humble may conf
IDENTIFY claim, and the powerful dars not
deny.
The resolution referring to the public service
seems to nae deserving of approval. Surely, no
man should be an incumbent of an Office. the
form, who is lacking in the ability, fidelity OF
integrity which proper administration of
such office demands. This sentiment would
doubtless meet with general acquiescence, but
opinion has been widely divided upon the
wisdom and practicability of various reforma-
certain proposed regulations governing appoint
ment to public office. The efficiency of such
regulations has been distrusted mainly because
they have seemed to exalt mere educational and
abstract tests above general business capacity,
and even social fitness for the business in hand.
management of public service may be properly
conformed in the main to such As regulate
business. Original appointments should
be based upon ascertained ftness. The tenure
of Office should be stable. Positions of respon-
by promotion of worthy and efficient officers.
the punishment of all official mis-
conduct should be prompt and thorough.
These views. which have long
piled when called upon to aot, I hnd embodied
in the resolutions. which of course approve.
will add, that by the acceptance Of public Of
fce, whether high or low, one does not in my
Judgment escape any of his responsibility - q
citizen, Or lose or impair any of his rights ~ q
citizen, and that he should enjoy absolute
liberty to think and speak, and act in political
| matters according to his own will and con-
science. provided only that he honorably, faith
fully, and fully discharges all his official duty.
The resumption of specie payments, ono Of
the fruits OF Republican policy, has brought
| the return of abundant prosperity and the set
| Element Of many destracting questions: The
restoration of sound money, the largo reduction
of our public debt and burden of interest, the
high advancement of public credit, all attest
the ability and courage of the Republican party
hereafter demand solution. Our paper curren-
| cy is a. good - gold, and silver ID performing
fta legitimate function for the purpose Of
| change. The principles which should govern
the relations of these elements of currency are
! simple and clear. There must be'no deteriorat-
ed coin, no depreci.ted paper. and every dollar.
whether Of metal or paper, should stand
the test of the worlds fixed standard.
The value of popular education can hardly
be ovefstated. Although its interes,s must Of
neceshity be chiefly confined to voluntary effort
| and individual action of the several States,
.uoy ooOuA~ 70 enSouka&e>A ~ AsI ~ t0e COAst1-
tuition permits, by generous cooperation Of
| the national government. The interests Of
the whole country demand that the advantages
OF our common school system should bs
brought within reach of every citizen and that
| no revenues of State should be devoted to the
support of sectarian schools.
such changes should bo made in the present
tariff and system of taxation - will relieve
any overburdened industry OF class, and enable
our manufacturer and artisans to compete
successfully With those of other lands.
| The government should aid works of inter-
nalimprovement, national in their schemes, and
should promote the development of our water
courses and harbors wherever the general inter-
ests of commerce requires.
| -Four years ago, a. now, the nation stood 1t
the threshold of Presidential election aud the
Republican party in solicitinga continuance Of
its ascendancy, founded its hope of success
| NOT unon ifa nrnnpisss hnk .,puns, In