The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-03-11


cry did not rest on the South alone. The ma
suffrage, and Ii under special obligations TO aid
In removing the illitcracy which II has added to
the voting population Of the North and South
alike. There is but one remedy. All the con-
stitutional power of the nation and OF the
States, and all the volunteer forces OF the peo-
Pile should be summoned to meet this danger
by the saving influence OF universal education.
Ii IL q high privilege and sacred duty OF
those now living to educate their SUCCESSORS
and dit them by intelligence and virtue for the
Inheritance which awaits theGi in this beneh-
cent work. Sections and races should be for
gotten, and craftsmanship should be unknown
Let our people find new meaning IN the d-
vine oracle which declares that - q little child
shall lead them" For our little children will
soon control the destinies OF the republic.
My countrymen, wo do not now differ in our
judgment concerning the controversies OF past
generations and fifty years hence our childcen
will not DO divided in their opinions concerning
our controversies They viii surely bless their
fathers and their fathers God that the Union
was preserved that slavery was overthrown,
and that both races were made equal before the
law. We may hasten or we may retard but we
cannot prevent the final reconciliation. TX it
not possible for us now TO make truce with
time by anticipating and accepting its inevita-
bic yer let's? Enterprises OF the highest i'm
portaLt TO our moral and material wei-beng
ployment of our best powers. Let all our peo
pie, leaving behind them the battle-fieids OF
dead issues, move forward. and, in the strength
Of liberty and restored Union, win the granlcr
victories of peace.
The prosperity which now prevails is without
parallel In our history. Fruitful seasons have
done much TO secure it, but they have not done
all.
The preservation OF the public credit, and
tlaa ~ noy,ta
cessfully attained by the administration Of my
predecessors, has enabled our people to secure
the blessings which the seasons brought. BY
the experience OF commercial nations in all
ages, it has been found that gold and silver
afford the only safe foundation for q none
tary system. Confusion has recently been cre-
ated by variations in the relative value Of the
two metals, but / confidently believe that ar
rangements can be made between the leading
commercial nations which will secure the gen
eral use Of both metals. Congress
should provide that compulsory coinage
Of silver now required by law may no :
disturb our monetary system by driving
either metal out OF circulation. II possible,
such adjustment should be made that the pur-
chasing power OF every coined dollar will be
exactly equal to its debt-paying power in the
markets OF the world. The chief duty o. the
National Government in connection with the
currency OF the country, is to coin and declare
its value. Grave doubts have been entertained
whether Congress il authorized by the con-
stitution to make any form Of paper money le
gal 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 a
holder, and not upon its compulsory circulation.
These notes are not money, but promises to pay
money. IL holders demand 1t, the promise
should be kept
The refunding Of the national debt at lower
rate Of interest should be accomplished without
compelling the withdrawal of the national bank
notes, and thus disturbing the business OF the
country. venture to refer to the position
have occupied on financial questions during
my long service in Congress, and to Fay tina.
time and experience have strengthened the
opinions l have so often expressed on these
subjects. The finances of the Government
shall suffer no detriment which it may be- pos
sibe for my administration to prevent.
The interests OF agriculture deserve more at
tention from the Government than they have
yet received. The farms OF the United States
afford homes and employment for more than
one-half the people, and furnish much the
largest part Of all our exports. AS the Govern
ment lights our coasts for the protection of
mariners and for the benefit of commerce, 30
it should give to the tillers of the soil the lights
of practical science and experience.
Our manufacturers are rapidly making us in
dustrially 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 great interior water ways, and
by the increase Of our tonnage on the ocean.
The development Of the worlds commerce
has led to an urgent demand for shortening
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 suggested,
but none Of them have been sufficiently
matured to warrant the United States
extending pecuniary aid. The subject is
one which will Immediately engage the atten-
ton Of the Government, with a view TO thor
ough 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, / be-
lieve it is to be "the right and duty of the
United States to assert and maintain such
supervision and authority over any interoce-
anic canal across the isthmus that connects
North and South America, ~ will protect our
national interests"
The constitution guarantees absolute religious
freedom. Congress is also prohibited from
making any law respecting the establishment
Of religion prohibiting the free exercise
thereof. The Territories Of the United States
are subject TO the direct legislative authority
OF congress-, ana nence the teneral Govern
ment is responsible for any violation of the
constitution in any Of them. 1t is, therefore,
a reproach to the Government that in the most
| populous of tho Territories the constitutional
guarantee Is not enjoyed by the people,
and the Authority OF Congress Is set
at naught. The Mormon church not only
offends the moral sense Of mankind by sane
tioning polygamy, but prevents the adminstra-
ton of justice through the ordinary instru-
mcntalt,es of law. In my judgment it Is the
duty OF Congress, while respecting to the ut
most the conscientious convictions and relig-
| ious scruples OF every citizen, to prohibit,
within its jurisdiction, all criminal practices,
especially of that class which destroy family
relations and endanger social order. nor can
any eccesiastical organization be safely per-
mitted to usurp in the smallest degree the
| functions and powers Of the national Govern
ment.
The civil service can never be placed on
satisfactory basis until it Is regulated by law.
For the good OF the service itself, for the pro-
lection OF those who are intrusted with the APP
pointing power against the waste Of time and
| the obstruction to public business caused by
inordinate pressure for place, and for the pro-
| lection OF incumbents against intrigue and
| wrong I shall Mt the prOper time ask CONGRESS-