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

NEW YORK. July 18th. 1SSO.-Dear Sir I &C
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
ri"ht ana 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 a
chief point on which the two parties are plainly
and intensely opposed. Acts OF COngres$for ten
yeas have, in New Iork and elsewhere. done
much 10 curb the violence and wrong to which
the ballot and the count have been again
AID again subjected. sometimes despOiling
great cities. sometimes sitting the voice of a
whole state. often seating not only i'm Con-
gress. but on the bench and i'm 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 contriyed to battle and
paFa!yZe them. This aggressive majority boldly
attempted to eXtort from the Executive his APP
pfoFh OF various enactments destructive of
these election laws by revolutionary threats
tilat constitutional exercise Of the veto power
would be punished by withholding the appro-
pfiabioiis necessary to carry on the government.
Ahi these threats were actually carried
out by refusing the needed apprOpri-
atoms. and by forcing an extra session of Con-
SfesS. lasting for months. and resulting in con-
cesslons to this usurping demand which are
likely IN many states to subject the majority to
the lawless will OF minority Omnous signs of
public di<apprOval alone subdued this arrogant
power into "a sllilen surrender for the time being
oil part OF its demands The republican party
has strongly approved the stern refusal of its
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-
stltutl0n, protect all American citizens every
where in the full enjoyment of their civil and
political rights As a great part of its work of
reconstruction the republican party gave the
ballot to the emancipated slave as his right and
defence. A large increase in the number Of
members OF Congress. and of the electoral
college. from the former slave-holdng states.
was the Immediate result. The history of
recent years abOunds i'm evidence that i'm
many ways and in many paces-especially
where Their number has been great enough
TO endanger democratic cOntrol-the very
men by whose elevation to citizenship
this increase of representation was effected have,
peeh deDarred and robbed Ofther voice and their
vote 1t Is true that state statute or cOnsti-
tuition IN 50 many words denies or abridges the
exercises OF their political rights: but the modes
einpioNed to bar their way are no less effectual
IL Is suggestive and startling thought that the
ilcfeassi power derived from the enfranchise-
meht OF arace now denied its share in governing
e.leco uNtrS-wielded by those who lately SOUGHT
tue o'efthr>W of the governments now the
soie leiiaice TO defeat the party which repre-
sehted the Sovereignty and nationality of the
American peOpi. in the greatest crisis of orr his
tory tepuolicalS cherish none of the resent
lheh'S "llcn may rave animated them during the
a;tual cohfict OF af1s. They long for full and
1c'i RECOMMENDATION etween the sections which
were heeuItSsll anu 9mentably at strife they
sincerely offer the nam of rood will Int tbey
ask In return pledge of GOOD faith The,
deeply feel that the party whose career is so IL
listrious In great and paviotic achievements.
perity are established in all Me land nor until
liberty OF thought. conscience and action and
equality OF opportunity shall btnOt merely cold
romantics OF statute. but living biuhrinhts
winch the humble may confidently claim and the !
powerful dare not deny.
The resolution referring TO the p,bIic Sorvioa
seems to lie deserving of approval. Surely no /
man should be the incumbent of an oftica the |
duties OF which he is for any cause unfit To |
perform, who is lacking in the ability f6eity or
integrity which proper administration Ct Such |
Office demands. This sentiment would doIttIcsc
meet with general acquiescence. but opinion has
been widely divided upon the wisdom and pac |
ucabilty OF thu various refOrmatory schemes |
"hcA nave been suggested. and of certain pro- |
posed regulations governing appointments to
public office. The efficiency of such regulations
have been dlstruSted, mainly because they have
seemed 10 eXalt mere educational and abstract
tests above general business capacity and
even special fitness for the particular work in
halu IL seems to me that the rules which
should be applied to the management of the
pubnc service may properly conform i'm the
MAN. To such as regulate the conduct of sue
cessiu, private business. Original appointments
Shonld be based upon ascertained fitness. The
tenure OF office should be stable Posi-
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
lsh'heht oil 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-
ooueu IN tiie resolution. which. of course a,,-
preve | will add that, by the acceptance of
puDhc Office whether high or low. one does not,
IN my Judgment escape any of his resnonsi
ollties as a citizen. or lose or impair any of his
rl9hts as citizen. and that he should enjoy alb
Soiute liberty To think and speak and act i'm
poiltical matters according to his own will and
conscience, provided only that he honorably.
faithfully and fully DISCHARGES all his oficiai
duties
Inc resumption of specie payments-one of
The fruits of the republican pClicy-has brought
the return OF abundant prosperity and the set
titiilenJ Oh many diStraCting questions The
restoration of sound money the large reduction
OF our public debt and of the burden of interest
the hl@h advancement of the public credit all
ATTEST me ability and courage of the republican
party To deal with such financial problems as
may hereafter demand solution. Our paper cur |
:ency Is now as good as gold and silver is per
lrrining its legitimate function for the purpose
oi ehan"e- The principles which should govern /
'hefelatiOns of these elements of the currency |
are ample and clear. There must be 10 dete- /
[ioraed coin. no deprecated paper And every /
uoiar whether OF metal OF paper, Should stand |
the 1ess OF the worlds fixed standard.
NE value of popular education can HARDLY /
ne oFerSated. Although its interests must of |
necessity he chiefly coniided to voluntary effort
ana Tue Individual action of tie several states
the! shouid be encouraged SO far as the consti
tuition perinits. by the generous co-operation of !
the national government. The interests of tho |
Whoie country demand that the advantages of |
our common scaool system should be BROUGHT |
within the reach of every citizen and that no |
revenues OF the nation of the state should be
devoted TO the support of sectarian schools.
''Such changes should be made in the present
tariil and system OF taxation will relieve any
overwhelmed industry or GLASS; and enable our
manufacturers and aslls4ns 20 compete success
iully with those OF etisef lands.
The government should aid works Ofinternal
Improvement national in their character. and
Sh0u Id promote the DEVELOPMENT of Our wafer