Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1881-03-04

necessary rules of local self government,
but 1t does rc.establish the permanent
supremacy of the union. The will OF
the nation. speaking with the voice of
battle and through the amended consti-
tuition, has fulfilled the great promise of
l776 by procfaiming liberty throughout
the land to all the inhabitants thereof.
The elevation of the negro from slavery
to the full rights of citizenship is the
grcntest and most important official
change we have known since the aboIi-
tion OF tho constitution Of 1887. No
thoughtful citizen can fail to appreciate
It's beneticent effect upon our institutions
and people. 1t has freed us from the
danger OF war and dissolution. 1t has
added immensely to the moral and indus
trial force ol our people. 1t has liberated
the master IS well us the slave from the
relation which strangled our sovereign
power. 1t should be said with the ut
most emphasis that this question
OF suffrage will never give
repose or safety to the states or nation
until each within its own jurisdiction
makes and keeps the ballot us friend
for the purpose of enforcing strong
sanction Of law.
The forces OF the people should be
W. lICct lLlS UH Iuc
saving influence of universal education.
1t is u high privilege and sacred duty
to educate their successors and fit them
by intelligence and virtue for the inhcri-
tance which awaits them. In this bene-
ficent work sections and races should be
forgotten and partisanship should be un-
known. Let our people find new mean
ing in the divine oracle which declares
that little child shall lead them, for our
little children will soon control the des-
TIMES of the republic. "a,
My countrymen, we do not now differ
in our judgment concerning the contro-
versies of past generations. Fifty years
vided y in their opinions
concerning our controversies, but they
will surely bless their fathers, and their
fathers God. that the union was pre-.
served, that slavery was overthrown and
that both races were made equal before
the law. We may hasten or may rctard,
but we can not prevent, final reconcilia-
tion. IT is not possible for us now to
make truce with time by anticipating
and accepting its inevitable verdict. Let
all of our people, leaving the battle field
of dead issues, move forward in the
strength of liberty and restored union.
with the grander victories Of peace.
The prosperity which now prevails is
without parallelin our history. Fruitful
seasons have done much to secure it, but
they have not done all. The preserva-
ton OF the public credit and the resump-
tion of specie payment, SO successfully
attained by the administration OF my
predecessor, has enabled our people to
secure the blessings which the seasons
brought.
BY the experience of commercial ma
tions, in all ages, it has been found that
gold and silver afford the only safe foun-
dation for monetary system. Confu-
sion has recently been created by varl
ations in the relative value of the two
metals, but l confidently believe that ar
rangements can be made between COM
mercial nations which will secure the
general use of both metals.
Congress should provide that the COM
pulsory coinage of silver now required
by law may not disturb our monetary
system by driving either metal from cir
culation. If possible such adjustment
should be made so that the purchasing
power Of every coined dollar will be ex-
actly equal to its debt paying power in
all the markets OF the world. The chief
duty of the national government in con-
nection with the currency of the country
is to coin and declare its value. Grave
doubts have been entertained whether
congress is authorized by the constitu-
tion to make any form Of paper money
a legal tender. The present issue OF
United States notes has been
sustained by the necessities OF the
work, but such paper should
depend for its popularity as currency
upon its conveniences in use and its
prompt redemption in coin at the will OF
the holder and not on its compulsory cir
clllation. These notes are not money
| but promises to pay monsy. If holders
demand it the promise should be kept.
The refunding of the national debt al
. lower rate Of interest should be accom-
plished without compelling the with
drawal OF the national bank notes ani
thus disturbing the business of the conn
try. l venture to refer to the position
have occupied on financial questions dur
ing my long service in congress and t
say that time and experience have
strengthened the opinions have SO Otter
expressed on these subjects The finance
of the government will suffer no detri
mcnt which it may be possible for IN,
admin istration to prevent.
The interests of agriculture dese1v
more attention from the government thar
they have yet received. The farms O
the United States afford homes and EN-
Ployment for more than one half of tn,
reOple and furnish much the larger par
Of oil our exports. As the governmen
lights our coasts for the protection o
marines and the benefit of commerce, 8,
it should give to the tillers of the sol
the light of practical sense and expert
encc. Our manufacturers are rapidly
making us industriously independent
and are opening to capital and labor ne,
, fields of employment. This steady AM
! healthy growth should still be maintain
ed. Our facilities for transportation
. should be promoted by continued i'm
provements of our harbors and great in
8 terror water ways, and by increasing ton
mage on the ocean. The development o
. works commenced has led to m urgen
, demand for shortening the sea voyag
around Cape, Horn by constructing shi
a canals or canals across the isthmus whic
=, unites the two continents. Various plan
to this end have been suggested and wi
|, need consideration, but none of thel
n have been sufficiently matured to wal
a rant the United States in extending pt
!, cuniary mid. The subject, however. viii
n Immediately engage the attention Of til
!. government, with view to the thoroug
q protection of American interests. W
q will urge no ma row policy, nor see
J. private or exclusive privileges in an
h commercial route, but in tho languae
q Of my predecessors. it is the right MI
y duty OF the United States to assert MI
il maintain snch support and authorit