The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-03-10

special obligations to aid in removing the illiteracy
which it has added to the voting population. For
the North and South alike there is but remedy
All the constitutional power of the nation and of
the states, and all the volunteer forces of the PEG
pie, should be summoned to meet this danger by
the saving influence of universal education. 1t is
the high privilege and sacred duty of those now v
ing to educate their successors and fit them by in
tegence and virtue for the inheritance which
awaits them. In this beneicent work. sections and
races should be forgotten and partisanship should
be unknown. Let our people find a new meaning
in the divine oracle which declares that "a little
child shall lead them, for our little children will
soon control the destines of the republic.
My Countrymen: We do not now differ in our
Judgment concerning the controversies of past gen
eratlons, and 30 years hence children will not
be divided in their opinions concerning contro
versies. They will surely bless their fathers and
their fathers Goa that the Union was preserved,
that slavery was overthrown and that both races
were made equal before the law. We may hasten
OF we may retaIu, but we cannot prevent the final
reconciliation. Is it not possible for us now to
make truce with time by anticipating and accept
ing its inevitable verdict?
Enterprises of the highest importance to our
moral and mutual well being invite us and offer
ample scope for the employment of our best pow
ers Let all our people, leaving behind them the
batleields of dead issues, move forward, and, in
the strength of liberty and the restored unon win
the grander victories of peace. The prosperity
which now prevails Is without parallel i'll our his
tory. Fruitful seasons have done much to secure
it, but they have not done all The preservation of
the public credit and the resumption of specie pay
ments, so successfully attained by the administra
ton of my predecessor, have 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 monetary system. Con-
fusion has recently been created by variations in
the relative value of the two metals. But conf
IDENTITY believe that arrangements can be made be-
tween the leading commercial nations which will
secure the general use of both metals. Congress
should provide that the compulsory coinage of sill
yer now required by law may not disturb our
monetary system, by driving either metal out of
circulation. If possible, such an adjustment should
be made that the purchasing power of coined
dollar will be exactly equal 10 its debt paying
power in all the markets of the world. The chief
duty of the national government, in connection
with the currency of the country is to coin and de
clare its value Grave doubts have been entertain
ed whether Congress is authorized by the constitu-
iloh 10 make any form OF palermoney legal tender
The present issue of United States notes la, 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 al the will of the holder and not upon it com
pusorv circulation These notes are not money,
but promises to pay money if the holders demand
it. The promise should hekept. 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 a long service in Congress, and to say that
time and experience have strengthened the opinions
| have 50 often expressed on these subjects. The
finances of the government shall suffer detrmcnt
which ii may be possible for my administration to
prevent. Theinterest- of agriculture deserve more
attention from the government than they have yet
homes ana employment for more than onc-half our
people and furnish much the largest part of al our
exports. ~ the government lights our coast for
the protection of mariners and the benefit of
mcle so il should give to the tllerS of the soil tile
lights of practical science and experience. Our
manufacturers are rapidly making L. indlstritllc
independent. and are opening to capital and labor
new and profitable fields of ompo\ment This
steady and healthy growth should still be maintain
ed. Our facilities for transportion should he pro
motedb the continued Improvement of our harhor-
and great interior waterways. and by the increase
of our tonnage on the ocean. The development of
the world commerce has le't t" AN urgent demand
for shortening the great voyage around Cape
Horn 3ycon@tructng ship canals Of railways across
the lSthnuS which unltee the two continents Nali-
Gus plans to this end have been suggested and viii
need consideration, but none Of them have been Suf
tclentl! maturet to warrant the United states in
extending pecuniary aid. The subject. however.
is one which will Immediately engage the attention
OF the government, with view To thorough protpc-
ton to American interests. We will urge no mar
row policy nor seek peculiar OF exclusive priv rges
i'll amy commercial route; but, in the language of my
predecessors believe it to be 1.-THE tight and duty
OF the nlted states to maintain such ~uperN iSion
ami authority an intcr0ceauc canal across the
iStllmus that connects North and South America as
Will protect our national interest"
The constitution guarantees absolute religion,
freedom Congress Is prohibited from making any
law respecting an establishment of religion or pro
hhiting the free exercise thereof The territories
of the nited States are subject to the direct lcg>-
ative authority of Congress. and hence the general
government i responsible for any violation of the
constitution III any of them 1t is therefore re-
ploach to the government that in the most DopulOu.
G" the territories the constitutional guarantee not
enjoyed by the people, and the authority of Con
greSS set ut naught
The Mormon church not only onrntis TIN, moral
sense Of mankind by sanctioning polyguny. but
prevents the administrations of Justice through the
ordinary matrumfntalllleS of law. In my judy
ment. ii is the duty of Congress while respectinr
to the uttelnost the conscientious conviction, and
religious 9cuplc, of every citizen, to prohibit with
IN its jurisdiction all ceremonial practices especial
ly of that class which destroy the family relations
and endanger social order. Nor can any ecce.ias-
npI tod Tea iI,