Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-03-11


| flueuce OF universal education. II is the high
| privilege and sacred duty OF those now Iiy-
ing 10 educate their successors and Il them
By inteliigence and virtue for the inheritence
that awaits them. "a
10 this benefcent work sections and races
should be forgotten and pariisauship should
beunknown. Let our people find new mean
ingin the Divine oracle which declares that
"a little child shall lead them" for our little
children will soon control the destinies of the
republic.
PROSPERITY AND ITS CAUSES.
Ny countrymen, we do not now differ in
orr judgment concerning the controversies of
past generations and City years hence our
children will not be divided in their opinions
| concerning our controversies The win
| surely bless their fathers and their fathers
God that the Union was preserved; that sla-
very was overthrown, and that both races
mere made equal before the law Vienna,
hasten or we may retard, but we cannot pre-
vent the final reconciliation. Is it not posi-
BILE for us now to make a truce with time by
anticipating and accepting its inevitable YER
| dictf Enterprises OF the highest importance
to our moral and material wel-beng invite
US and offer ample scope for the employ ment
OF our best powers. Let all our people-leav-
| ing behind them the battlefield Of dead is
| sues-move forward, and, in the strength of
liberty aud the restored Union secure the
grander victories OF peace. The prosperity
which now prevails is without parallel in our
history. Fruitful seasons have done much to
secure il; but they have not done all The
preservation OF the public credit and the re-
sumption of specie payments, so successfully
attained by the administration of my prede-
cessor, has enabled our people 10 secure the
blessings which the seasons brought.
| BY the experience of commercial nations in
all ages it has been found that gold and sill
yer 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 be-
tween the leading commercial nations which
will secure the general use of both metals
Congress should provide that the compulsory
coinage OF silver now required by law, may
| not disturb our monetary system by driving
either metal out of circulation. II 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 Of the world
The chief duty OF the national government
in connection with the currency of the coun-
| try 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 ten
der. Tho present issue Of United States notes
has been sustained by the necessities of war
bu, 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 compulsory cir
culation. These notes are not money, but
promises to pay money. 1t the holders demand
il the promise should be kept. The rounding
of the national debt at q lower rate of interest
should be accomplished without compelling
the withdrawal of the national bank notes,
and thus disturbing the Interests Of the coun-
try. | ventureto refer to the position have
occupied on financial questions during long
service in Congress, and 10 say that time and
experience have strengthened the opinions |
have so often expressed on these subjects.
The financies of the government shall suffer
no detriment 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 farms 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 gov
eminent lights our coasts for the protection of
mariners and the benefit OF commerce, so 1t
should give TO the tllers of the soil the best
lights of practical science and experience.
Our manufactures are rapidly making us
industrlally Independent, and are opening to
capital and labor new and profitable fields of
employment. Their steady and healthy grow tn
should still be maintained. Our facilities for
transportation should be promoted by the con-
tinued improvement of our harbors and great
interior waterways and by an increase OF our
tonnage on the ocean.
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
The development Of the worlds commerce
has led TO an urgent demand for shortening
the great sea voyage 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
have been sufficiently matured to warrant the
United States in extending pecuniary aid. This
subject, however, is one which will immed-
ately engage The attention Of the government,
with o view TO a thorough protection to Anne
mercan interests. We will urge no narrow
policy, nor seek peculiar or exclusive privi-
leges in any commercial route, but, in the
|, language OF my predecessor, 81 believe it to
be the right and duty of the United States to
assert aud maintain such supervision and au-
thorty oyer' any inter oceanic canal across
, the istnmus that connects North and South
, America 40 will protect our national interests
The Constitution guarantees absolute reli-
: gious freedom. Congress is prohibited from
of religion or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof. The territories Of the United States
are subject to the direct legislative authority
of Congress; aud hence the general govern
ment is responsible for any violation OF the
Constitution in any of them. Ii is, there
, fore, II reproach to the government that in the
most populous Of the territories the conCiitu-
tional guarantees are not enjoyed by tn peo-
ple and the authority of Congress is sci at
naught. The Mormon Church rot only Of
tends the moral sense of mankind by sanction
, ing polygamy, but prevents the administra-
ton Of justice through the ordinary ins,ru.
q montalities OF law. In my Judgment, it is
! the duty OF Congress, while respecting 10 the
ultermost the conscientious convictions aud
religious scruples of every citizen, 10 prohibit
within its jurisdiction all criminal practices,
especially of that class which destroy the
. family relations and endanger social order
nor can any ecclesiastical organization be
safely permitted to usurp, 10 the smallest de-
!, gree, the functions and powers of the national
government.
The civil service eau never be placed on d
satisfactory basis until it Is regulated by law
i for the good OF the service itself, for the pro.
+ lection OF those who are entrusted with the
/ appointing power, against the waste of time
: and obstruction TO the public business, caused
n by the inordinate pressure for place, and fol
/ the protection Of incumbenls against intrigue
s aud wrong shall at the proper time ask
G Congress to fix the tenure of the minor Office,
o of the several executive departments and pre-.
s scribe the grounds upon which removals shall
i be made during terms for which Incumbent
c haYe been appointed
a Finally, acting always within the authorit,
/ and Limitations of he Cousttuliop, invading
e neither The rights Of states nor the reserved
, rights Of The people, il will be the purpose o
. my administration to maintain the authority
Il Of the nelioR and in oil PLACES within its juris
$ dicion to enforce obedience 10 all the laws o
a the Union in the interests Of the people Il
a demand rigid economy in all the expenditure,
Of the government and to require the homes
s and faithful service OF all executive officers,
1 remembering that the offices were created no
s for the benefit OF iucumbenis or their sup.
e por,ers, but for the service ofthe government
i Aud now, fellow citizens, am about to as
d sumo the great trust which you have com
Z milied 10 my hands. appeal to you for thai