Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-03-08

Ol TIE Ndllblldl NONtlHlItllt al GUILTY.
ton with the currency of the country is
to coin money and declare its value.
Grave 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 sustain-
ed 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 its COM
pusory circulation. These notes are
not money, but promises TO pay money
if the holders demand it, and the prom
Use should be kept,
The refunding of the national debt ut
lower rave of interest should be accom-
plished without compelling the with
! draWal of national bank notes, and thus
disturbing the business Of the country.
| venture to refer to the position | have
occupied on the financial questions dur
ing 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 country shall suffer
no dctriment which it may be possible
for my administration to prevent.
| The interests of agriculture deserve
more attention from the Government
than they have yet received. The farm
ers of the United States afford homes
and employment for more than one-half
our people, and furnish much the largest
part of all our exports. AS the Govern
ment lights all our coasts for the protcc-
ton of mariners and the benefit of com
mcrce, so it should give to the tillers Of
the soil the best lights Of practical science
and experience.
Our manufactures arc rapidly making
us industrially independent and open
ing TO capital and labor new and profitable
fields of employment. Their steady and
healthy growth should still be main
tanned. Our facilities for transportation
should be promoteded by continued i'm
provement Of our harbors and great in
terror water ways and by IN increase of
our tonnage on the oceans. The dcyel-
opment of the worlds commerce has led
to urgent demands for shortening the
great sea voyage around Cape Horn by
constructing ship canals or railways
across the across the lsthmus, 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
warrant united'aid. The subject, how
ever, is one which will Immediately en-
gage the attention of the Government
with view TO a thorough protection to
American interests We will urge no
narrow policy nor seek peculiar or eX-
elusive privileges in amy commercial
route but in the language of my prcdeces-
sor, believe it to be "thc right and du-
ty 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
Amcricica as will protect our national
interests"
The Constitution guaNnltecs absolute
religious freedom; Congress is prohibit
ed from making any law respecting an
establishment Of religion or Hrohibiting
the free exercise thereof. TIE Terrific
ries OF the United States are subject to
the direct legislative authority of Con-
gress, and hence the general govern
mcnt is responsible for any violation of.
the Constitution in any of them. 1t Is
therefore reproyal to the government
that in the most populous OF the terrific
RIGS the constitutional guarantee is not
enjoyed by The people, aud The author-
~ OF Congress is set at naught The
Mormon church, not only oftends
the moral sense OF mankind by sanction
ing polygamy, but prevents the admin
istmlion Of justice through ordinary in
strumentalities Of law. In my Judge
ment ii /; the duty of Congress, while
respecting the ultermost the conscicn-
tious convictions and religious scrIlples
Of every citizen, to prohibit within its ju-
risdiction all criminal practices, espcci-
ally Of that class which destroy family
relations and cndangcr social order, nor
can any ecclesiastical organization be
safely permitted to usurp In the smallest
degree the functions and powers of the
national government.
The civil service can never he placed
on satisfactory basis until II is rcgulat-
ed by law for the good Of the service It.
self and for the prorcction Of those who
are entrusted with the appointing pow
or.
Against the waste Of time and the OBJ
struction to public business caused by
the inordlnatc pressure for place, and
for the protection Of lncumbcnts against
intrigue and wrong | shall ut the prop
or time ask Congress to fix the tenure of
minor offices of the Several executive
departments, and prescribe grounds up
on which removals shall be- made during
the terms for which incumbents have
been appointed. Finally, acting always
within the authority and limitations of
the constitution, invading neither the
rights of States nor the reserved rights
of the people. II will be the purpose of
my administration TO maintain the au
thority Of the nation, and In an places
within It's jurisdiction to enforce obedi-
cncc to all the laws Of the Union, and I'm
the Interests of the people 10 demand
rigid economy IN all expenditures of the
government, ana TO require honest and
faithful service of all executive officers,
remembering that the offices were Great
ed not for the benefit of iucumbenls or
their supporters, but for the service of |
the Government,
Aud now, fellow citizens, as am
about to assume the great trust which |
you have committed to my hands, MP
peal to you for that earnest and thought. |
FIJI support which makes this Govern
ment, IN fact, rs II IL In law, n Govern
mcnt Of the people, | shall greatly rely
upon the wisdom and patriotism of Con-
grcss, and Of those who may share with
me the responsibilities ANA duties Of the
administration, nnd above all upof our
efforts to promote the welfare Of this
great people and their Government.
rcyerently invoke the support aud bless
Ing Of Almighty Cod"
The address was delivered with UNI
covered head and In a voice clear, dis
tnut and calm, aud wus plainly heard