Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-20
PRESIDENT ARTHUR,s POLICY.

cept the position assigned me by the great party
whose action you announce. This acceptance
implies approval of the principles declared by
the convention, but recent usage permits me to
add some expression of my own views. The
right and duty to secure honesty and order in
popular elections is matter so vital that it must
stand IN front. The authority Of the national
government to preserve from fraud and force
elections at which its officers are chosen is
chief point on which the two parties are plainly
and intensely opposed. Acts of Congress for ten
years have, in New York and elsewhere done
much to curb the violence and wrong to which
the ballot and the count have been again
and again subjected, sometimes despoiling
great cities, sometimes sitting the voice of
whole state, often seating, not only in Con-
gress, but on the bench and in legislatures
numbers of men never chosen by the people.
The democratic party since gaining possession
of the two houses of Congress has made these
just laws the object of bitter, ceaseless assault.
and despite all resistance has hedged them with
restrictions cunningly cOntrived to battle and
paraiyze them. This aggressive majority boldly
attempted to eXtort from the Executive his ap-
prevail of various enactments destructive of
these election laws by revolutionary threats
that a constitutional exercise of the veto power
would be punished by Withholding the appro-
priatlons necessary to carry on the government.
And these threats were actually carried
out by refusing the needed appropri-
ations. and by forcing an extra session of Con-
gress lasting for months and resulting in con-
cesslons to this usurping demand which are
likely in many states to subject the majority to
the laWIess VIII OF minority. OminOus signs of
public disapproyal alone subdued this arrogant
power into suIien surrender for the time being
of part of its demands. The republican party
has strongly approved the stern refusal of its
representatives to suffer the overthrow of stat
utes believed to be salutary and just. 1t has
always insisted, and now insists, that the gov
eminent of the United States of America is en-
powered and in duty bound to effectually pro-
tect the elections denoted by the constitution as
national.
More than this, the republican party holds.
as cardinal point in its creed that the govern
ment should by every means known to the Con-
sttutiOn, protect all American citizens every
where in the full enjoyment of their civil and
poEtlcal rights. As great part of its work of
reconstruction the republican party gave the
ballot to the emancpated slave as his right and
deIence. A large increase in the number of
members of Congress, and of the electoral
college, from the former slave-holding states,
was the immediate result. The history of
recent years abounds in evidence that in
many ways and in many places-especially
where their number has been great enough
to endanger democratic control-the very
men by whose elevation to citizenship
TINS increase of representation was effected have
been debarred and robbed Oftheir voice and their
vote. 1t is true that no state statute or consti-
tutlen In SO many words denies or abrd@es the
exercises of their political rights; but the modes
empty u W plI tuer way are no less eIlectual.
lt is suggestive and startling thought that the
increased power derived from the enfranchise-
ment of race now deniedits share in governing
the cOuntry-wielded by those who lately sought
the overthrow Of the governments now the
sole reliance to defeat the party which repre-
sented the sovereignty and nationality of the
American people in the greatest crisis of our his
tory. Republicans cherish none Of the resent
ments which may have animated them during the
actual conflict of arms. They long for full and
real reconciliation between the sections which
were needlessly and lamentabiy at Strife they
sincerely offer the hand of good will, but they
ask In return pledge of good faith. They
deeply feel that the party, whose career is so il
lustriOus in great and patriotic achievements,
will not fulfill its destiny until peace and pros
perlty are established in all the land nor until
liberty OF thought, conscience and action, and
equality of opportunity shall be not merely cold
foEmalities of statute, but living birthrights,
which the humble may confidently claim and the
powerful dare not deny
1.-The resolution referring to the pubc service |
seems to me deserving of approval. Surely no
man should be the incumbent of an office the |
duties OF which he is. for any cause unfit to |
perform who is lacking in the ability. fidelity or
integrity which proper administration of such |
office demands. This sentiment would doubtless |
meet with general acquiescence but opinion has |
oeen widely divided upon the wisdom and prac-
OF the various refOrmatory schemes
which have been suggested, and of certain pro-
public office. The efficiency of such regulations
have been distrusted, mainly because they have
seemed To eXalt mere educational and abstract |
tests above general business capacity. and
even special fitness for the particular work in
hand. 1t seems to Inc that the rules which |
should be applied to the management of the |
public service may properly conform, in the |
main, to such as regulate the conduct of sue |
cessful private business. Original appointments |
should be based upon ascertained fitness. The
off, tsraa oil.
tons of responsibility should, so far as
practicable. be filled by the promotion of
worthy and efficient officers. The investi- |
cation Of all complaints, and the pun
ishment Of all official misconduct. should be |
prompt and thorough. These views. which |
have long held, repeatedly declared and
uniformly applied when called to act, find en-
bodied III the resolution. which. Of course. ap- |
prove will add that, by the acceptance of
public office, whether high or low, one does not
bilities as citizen, or lose impair any of his
rights as citizen, and that he should enjoy alb
solute liberty to think and speak and act in |
political matters according to his own will and |
conscience, provided only that lie honOrably,
faithfully and fully discharges all his official
duties.
1.-The resumption of specie payments-one of
the fruits of the republican pOcy-has brought |
the return of abundant prosperity and the set
tlement OF many distracting questions. The
of our public debt and of the burden of interest
the high advancement of the public credit, all |
attest the ability and courage of the republican |
party to deal with such financial problems as |
may hereafter demand solution. Our paper cur
rency is now as good as gOld and silver is per-
forming its legitimate function for the purpose |
Of change. The principles which should govern
the relations of these elements of the currency
are simple and clear. There must be no dete-
riorated coin, no deprecated paper. And every
dollar, whether of metal or paper, should stand |
The test of the worlds fixed standard.
The value of popular education can hardly
be overstated. Although its interests must of |
necessity be chiefly confided to voluntary effort
and the individual action of the several states.
they should be encouraged SO far as the consti
tuition permits, by the generous cooperation of
the national government. The interests of the
whole country demand that the advantages of |
our common school system should be brought |
within the reach of every citizen. and that no |
revenues Of the nation or OF the state should be ,
devoted to the support of sectaran schools
..Such changes should be made in the present |
tariff and system Of taxation as will relieve any