Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-05


TO make a truce with time by anticipating
and accepting the inevitable verdict: Enter
prises of the highest Importance to our
moral and material we'll being invite US. and
offer ample scope for the employment of ouI
best powers Let all our people, leaving be
hind them the battle field and dead issues
move forward in the strength of liberty and
the restored Union, to the yrsnder victories
of peace.
SEEcIE P.rArNrs HAvE GIVEN Is PRos-
rgHIrr.
The prosperity which now prevails is with
out parallel in our history. Fruitful sea
sons have done much to secure this, but they
have not done all. The preservation of the
public credit and the resumption Of specie
payments, successfully attained by the al.
ministration Of my predecessor, has aided
our people in garnering the blessings which
the seasons brought. BY the experience OF
commercial nations in all ages, ii has been
found that gold and silver afford the only safe
foundation for monetary system. Confusion
has recently been created by variations in
the relative value of the two metals, but
confidently believe that arrangements can be
made between leading commercial nations,
which will secure the general use of both
metals.
The CURRENCY.
Congress should provide that the compul-
sorry coinage of silver. now required by law,
may not disturb our monetary system by
driving out the gold circulation. If possible,
such an 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 in the world The chief
duty of the national government in come ction
with the currency of the country. is 10 coin
and declare its value.
Grave doubts have been entertained wheth-
er Congress is authorized by the constitution
10 issue any form Of paper money legal ten
der. 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 lis convenience in use and
It's prompt redemption in coin at the will of
the holder, and not upon its compulsory cir
culation. These notes are not money, but
promises to pay money al the holders de-
mand. The promise should be kept.
REFUNpING AND FINANCIAL PoLlcN
The refunding of the national debt at a
lower rate of Interest should be accomplished
without compelling the Withdrawal of national
bank notes, and thus disturbing the business
OF the country. venture to refer To the po-
sition have occupied on financial questions
during long service in Congress, and to say
that time and experience have strengthened
the opinions | have so often expressed on the
subject. The finances of the government
shall suffer no detriment which il may be pos
sible for my administration to prevent.
AGRICULTURE.
The interests of agriculture deserve more
attention from the government than they
have vet received. The farms of the nited
States afford homes and employment fer more
than one-half our people. and furnish much
the largest part Of all our exports. As the
government lights our coast for the protec-
ton of our marine, and the benefit of com
merce, soft should give the tillers of the
soil the lights of practical science and exper
fence.
MANUFACTuRING AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.
Our manufacturers are rapidly making us
industrially independent, and are opening to
capital and labor new and profitable field of
employment This steady and healthy
growth should still be maintained our facil-
tiles of transportation should be promoted by
the continued Improvement of our harbors
and great interior water ways, and by in
crease of our tonnage on the ocean.
The PANAMA CANAL.
The development of the worlds commerce
has led to an urgent demand for shortening
the great sea voyage around Cape Horn by
ship canals or railroads across
the isthmus which unites the two continents.
Various plans to this end have been suggested
and will! need consideration. but none of
them have been sufficiently matured to war
tl, T,,,ta
aid
The subject, however, is one which will
engage the attention of govern
ment. With view to a thorough protection
to American interests we will urge no narrow
policy, nor seek peculiar or exclusive privi-
lcges in any commercial route but in the
language of my predecessor, j believe it to
be 1.-The right and duty of the nited States
to assert and maintain such supervision and
authority over any interoceanic canal across
the isthmus that connects North and South
America. as shall protect our national in
terests."
The UTAH EVIL.
The constitution guarantees absolute re-
ligious freedom. Congress is prohibited from
making any law respecting an establishment
of 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 govern
ment is responsible for any violation of the
constitution in any of them. IL is therefore
rcproach to the government that in the
most populous of the territories, this consti-
tutional guarantee is not enjoyed by the peo-
pie, and the authority of Congress is set at
naught.
The Mormon church not only offends the
moral sense of mankind by sanctioning poivg
amy. but prevents the administration of jus
tice through ordinary instrume ntalites of
laws. In my judgme; it is the duty of Con
grcss. while respecting to the uttermost the
conscientious convictions and religious scru
pies of every citizen, To prohibit within its
jurisdiction all criminal practices. especially
of that class which destroy the family rela-
tions and endanger social order.
Nor can any ecclesiastical organization be
safely permitted to usurp in the smallest de-
gree the functions and powers of the national
government.
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 protection Of those
who are entrusted with the appointing power
against waste of time and obstruction to the
public business caused by the inQrdinate pres
sure for place and for the protection of incum-
bents against intrigue and wrong.
shall at the proper time ask Congress to
fix The tenure of the minor officers of the
several Executive departments and prescribe