Democratic messenger., 1881-03-12
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pAOut.sASkc ucAuo "a CkulAOy utut. us
steady and healthy growth should still
be maintained. Our facilities for trans
portation should be promoted by the
continued improvement of our harbors
and great interior waterways, and by the
increase of our tonnage on the ocean.
The development of the worlds COM
merce has led to an urgent demand for
shortening the great sea voy age 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,
and will need consideration; but none of
them has been sufficiently matured to
warrant the United States in extending
pecuniary aid. The subject, however,
is one which will Immediately engage
the attention of the Government with a
view to thorough protection TO Amer
lean interests. We will urGe no narrow
policy nor seek peculiar or exclusive
privileges in any commercial route, but
in the language of my predecessor, I
believe it 10 be the right and duty of
the United States to assert ard main
tain such supervision and authority over
any interoceanic canal across the 18TH
mus that conrects North and South
America as viii protect our National in
terests."
The Constitution guarantees absolute
religious freedom. Congress is prohib-
tied from making as,y law respecting an
establishment of religion OF prohibiting
the free exercise thereof. The terrific
ries of the United States are subject to
the direct legislative authority of Con-
gress, ard hence the General Govern
ment is responsible for any violation of
the Constitution in any of them.
1t Is, therefore, a reproach to the
Government that III the most populous
of the Territories the Constitutional
guarantee is not enioyed by the people
and the authority of Congress IS set at
naught. The Mormon Church not only
offends the moral sense of mankind by
sanctioniDg polygamy, but prevents the
administration of justice through the
ordinary instrumentalities of law.
In my judgment il IS the duty of Con-
gress, while respecting to the utiermost
the conscientious convictions and re-
hgious scrTlples of every citizen, to pro-
hibit within IFS jurisdiction all criminal
practices, especially of that class which
destroy the family relations and endan-
ger social order. Nor can any ecclesi-
astical organization be safely permitted
TO usurp in the smallest degree the func-
tions and powers of the National Gov
ernment.
The civil service can never be placed
on a satisfactory basis until it is regu-
lated by law. For the good of the SER
vice itself: for the protec ton of those
who ne entrusted with the appointing
power against the waste of time and OBJ
struction to The public business caused
by the inordinate pressure for place,
and for the protection of incumbents
against intrigue aud wrong.
shall, ut the proper time, ask Con-
gress to fix the tenure of The minor
Offices of the several executive depart
ments and prescribe tbe grounds upon
which removals shall be made during
terms for which incunbents have been
appointed. Finally, acting always
within the authority and limitations of
the Constitution, invading neither the
rights of the States nor the
reserved rights of the people,
it viii be the purpose of my Ad-
ministration to maintain the authority
and IN all places within its jurisdiction
to enforce obedience to all the laws of
the Union in the interests of the peo-
pie; TO demand rigid economy in all the
expenditures of the Government, and to
require the honest and faithful service
OF all executive officers, remembering
that the Offices were created, NOT for the
benefit of incumbents or their support
ers, but for the service of the Govern
ment.
And now, fellow citizens, I am about
to assume the great trust which you
have committed to my hands. / appeal
TO you for that earnest and thoughtful
support which makes this Government
in fact, as it is in law, Government of
the people. shall greatly rely upon
the wisdom and patriotism of Congress
and of those who may share with me
the responsibilities and duties of admin
istration.
And above all, upon our efforts to
promote the welfare of this great peo-
pie and th'ir Government, reverently
invoke the support and blessings Of
Almighty God.