The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-03-10

well being invite us, and offer ample
scope for the employment Of our best
powers.
Let all our people, leaving behind
them the battle-felds of dead issues,
move forward, and in the strength Of
liberty and restored union with the
grandest victories Of peace. The pros
perity which now prevails is without
parallel in our history. Fruitful sea-
sons have done much to secure it, but |
they have not done all.
The preservation Of public credit |
and the resumption of specie pay
ments, so successfully obtained by the
administration of my predecessors,
have enabled our people to secure the
blessings which the seasons brought.
By the experience Of commercial re-
lations in all ages it has been found
that gold and silver afforded the only
safe foundation for a monetary sys-
tenn. Confusion has recently been
created by variations in the relative
value Of the two metals, but [ conf
IDENTIFY believe that arrangements can
be made between the leading CONNER
cial Nations, which will secure the
general use Of both metals. Congress
should provide that the compulsory
coinage of silver now required by law,
may not disturb our monetary system
by driving either metal out Of circula-
ton.
If possible, such adjustment should |
be made that the purchasing power OF
every coined dollar will be exactly
equal to it's debt-paying power in all
the markets Of the world. The chief |
duty Of a National Government, in
connection with the currency of the
country, is to coin and declare its val
ue. Grave doubts have been enter
tanned 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 neces-
sites Of war, but such paper should
depend for its value and currency up
on its convenience in use and its
prompt redemption in coin at the will
Of the holder, and not upon it's COM
pulsory circulation. These notes are
not money, but promises to pay mon
ey. lie the holders demand it, the
promises should be kept. The re-
funding of the National debt at a low
er rate of interest should be accom-
plished without compelling the with
drawal of National bank notes, and
thus disturbing the business Of the
country.
I venture to refer to the position I
have occupied on the financial ques-
ton during long service in Congress,
and to say that time and experience
have strengthened the opinions have
so often expressed on these subjects.
The finances of the Government shall
suffer no detriment which it may be
possible for my administration to pre-
vent.
The interests of agriculture deserve
more attention from the Government
than they have yet received. The
farms of the United States afford
home and employment for more than
one-half Of our people, and furnish
much the largest part of all our ex-
ports AS the Government lights our
coasts for the protection of the mari
ners and the benefit Of our commerce,
so it should give to the tillers Of the
soil the lights Of practical science and
experience.
Our manufactures are rapidly MAX
ing US industrially Independent, and
are opening to capital and labor new
and profitable fields of employment.
This steady and healthy growth should
still be maintained. Our facilities for
transportation should be promoted by
the continued improvement of our
harbors and the great interior water
ways and by the increase of our ton
mage on the ocean.
The development of the worlds
commerce has led to an urgent demand
for shortening Of the great sea voy-
age around Cape Horn by construct
ing ship canals or railways across the
Isthmus which unites the two conti-
nents. Various plans to this end have
been suggested and will need consid-
Grafton, but none Of them have been
sufficiently matured to warrant the
United States in extending pecuniary
aid.
The subject is one which will i'm
mediately engage the attention Of the
Government with view to thorough
protection to American interests. We
will urge no narrow policy, nor seek
peculiar or exclusive privileges in any
commercial route, but, in the language
of my predecessors, believe it to be
''the right and duty Of the United
States to assert and maintain such su-
pervision and authority over any inter-
oceanic canal across the Isthmus that
connects North and South America
as will protect our National interests"
The Constitution guarantees abso-
lutte religious freedom. Congress is
prohibited from making any laws re-
specting the establishment of religion
or prohibiting free exercises thereof
The Territories Of the United States
are subject to the direct legislative au-
thority of Congress, and hence the
General Government is responsible for
any violation Of the Constitution in
any of them. It is, therefore, a re-
proach to the Government that in the
most populous Of the Territories this
constitutional guarantee is not enjoy
ed by the people, and the authority Of
Congress is set at naught. The Nor
mon Church not only offends the NOR
al sense Of mankind by sanctioning
polygamy, but prevents the admins
tration Of justice through the ordinary
instrumentalities Of the law.
In my judgment it is the duty of
Congress, while respecting to the ut
termost the conscientious convictions
and religious scruples Of every citizen,
to prohibit within its jurisdiction all
criminal practices, especially of that
class which destroy family relations
and apdapnoy cocia1 order Nor can