Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-03-09

all. The preservation Of the public credit ant
the resumption Of specie payment so success
fully attained by the administration of m,
predecessor has enabled our people to secure
the blessings which the seasons brought. B,
the experience of commercial nations in al
ages it has been found that gold and silver at
ford the only safe foundation Tor monetary
system. Confusion has recently been created
by variations in the relative value of the two
metals, but confidently believe that arrange.
ments can be made between the leading com.
mercial nations which will secure the general
use Of both metals. Congress should provide
that the compulsory coinage of silver now re-
qulred by law may not disturb our monetary
circulation. If possible. such adjustment
| should be made that the purchasing power
of every coined dollar will be exactly equal to
its debt-paying power in all the markets of the
world. The chief duty of the national govern
ment in connection with the currency of the
doubts have been entertained whether congress
is authorized by the constitution to make any
form of paper money legal tender. The present
issue of United States notes has been sustained
by the necessities of war; but such
paper should depend for its value and
currency upon its convenience in use
and its prompt redemption in coin at the will of
the holder and not upon it's compulsory circula-
ton. These notes are not money, but promises
to pay money. If the holders demand it. the
promise should be kept. The refunding of the
national debt at lower rate of interest should
be accomplished without compelling the with
draWal OF national bank notes, and thus dis
turbing the business of the country. L venture
to refer to the position have occupied on finan-
cial questions in long service in congress, and
to say that time and experience have strength
ened the opinions have SO often expressed on
these subjects. The finances of the government
shall suffer no detriment which it may be posi-
bic for my administration to prevent.
The interests OF agriculture deserve more at
tentlon from the government than they have
yet received. The farms Of the United States
afford homes and employment for more than
one-half OF the people and furnish much the
largest part of our exports. As the govern
ment lights our coasts for the protection of
mariners and the benefit of commerce, SO should
it give to the :tillers of the soil the
lights of practical science and experience. Our
manufactures are rapidly making us indus
triously independent and are opening to capital
and labor new and profitable fields of employ
ment. This steady and healthy growth should
still be maintained. Our facilities for trans
portation should be promoted by the
continued improvement of our harbors
crease of our tonnage on the ocean.
The Development of the worlds commerce
has led to an urgent demand for shorten
ing the great sea voyage around Cape Horn,
by constructing ship canals or railways across
the Isthmus which unites the two continents.
Various plans to this end have been sug-
gested, and will need consideration, but
none Of them have been sufficiently matured
to warrant the United States in extending
pecuniary aid. 1t is q subject which will i'm
mediately engage the attention of the govern
ment with q view to the thorough protection of
American interests. We will urge no narrow
policy nor seek peculiar OF exclusive privileges
my predecessor I believe it to be. 'sThe
right and duty of the United States
to assert and maintain such supervision
and authority over any inter-oceanic canal
across the isthmus that connects North and
South America as will protect our national in
terests."
The constitution guarantees absolute re-
hgious freedom. Congress is prohibited from
religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
The territories of the United States are subject
to the direct legislative authority of congress
and hence the general government is RESPONSE
bic for any violation of the constitution in any
of them. 1t is therefore reproach to the gov
eminent that in the most populous of territor-
not enjoyed by the people. The
authority Of congress is set at naught. The
Mormon church not only offends the moral
sense of mankind by sanctlOning pOlygany but
prevents the administration of Justice through
the ordinary instrumentalties Of law. In nv
Judgment it is the duty of congress-, while re-
sspect'ng to .: the utmost the conscien-
pies of every citizen. to prohibit
within its jurisdiction all criminal
practices, especially of that class which destroys
family relations and endangers social order,
Nor can any ecclesiastical organization be safe
~ permitted to usurp in the smallest degree the
functions and powers of the national govern
ment.
The civil service can never be placed on a
satisfactory basis until it is regulated by law
for the good of the service itself, for the pro-
lection of those who are entrusted with the ap-
pointing power against the waste of time and
obstruction to public business caused by inordi-
nate pressure for place, and for the protection
OF lncumbents against intrigue and wrong. I
shall at the proper time ask congress to iix
the tenure Of the minor Offices of the general
executive departments and prescribe the
grounds upon which removals shall be made
during the terms for which the incumbents
have been appointed.
Finally, acting always within the authority
and limitations of the constitution, invading
OF the people, it will be the purpose of my add
mlnlstratlon to maintain authority and in all
places within my jurisdiction to enforce ODE
dlence to all the laws of the Union in the inter-
ests OF the people, to demand rigid economy in
all expenditures of the government and to re.
9ulre honest and faithful service of all execu-
tive officers, remembering that Offices were
created not for the benefit of the incumbents
or their supporters, but for the service of the
government. And now. fellow-citizens, am
about to assume the great trust which you
have committed to my hands. I appeal
10 you for that earnest and thoughtful
support which makes this government in fact
as It Is in law, a government of the people. 1
shall greatly rely upon the wisdom and patriot
Ism !, OF congress and Of those who may share
with me the responsibilities and duties of the
administration, and, above all, upon our efforts
to promote the welfare of this great people and
their government, reverently invoke the sup
port and blessings of Almighty God.