The Fremont County record., 1881-03-12
Our Opinion.


favorably with any document of that
kind ever delivered to the American
| people. It is conservative, yet strong
in all that is of Importance to the cit
| zens of the west and to the citizens
of the south. We judge from the
tone of his address that the western
| industry of silver mining will receive
| it's proper recognition in his mes
sages to congress, and we do not be-
lieve he will exercise his powers
against the fair competition of silver
with gold as a standard of value in
the monetary affairs of this governs
ment. He speaks strongly against
the practice of polygamy in Utah by
the Mormon church, and we do not
| doubt but he will suggest to congress
stringent measures for its suppres-
sion. He says, tsflie free enjoyment
of equal suffrage is still in question
and frank settlement of the issue
may aid in its solution. 1t is alleged
that in many places the negroes are
practically denied the freedom of the
ballot. In so far as the truth of this
allegation is admitted it is answered
that in many places an honest local
government is impossible if the mass
of uneducated negroes are allowed 10
vote. These are grave allegations.
So far as the latter is true it is the
only palliation that can be offered for
opposisg the freedom of the ballot.
A bad local government is certainly
a great evil which ought to be pre-
vented, but to violate the freedom
and sanctity of suffrage is more than
an evil. 1t is crime which, if per-
sisted in, will destroy the govern
ment itself. Suicide is not a remedy.
If in other lands it be high treason 10
compass the death of king, it should
be counted no less crime here to
strangle our sovereign power and
stifie it's voice. 1t has been said that
the states responsible for this unset
tied question have no care for the
repose of the nation. 1t should be
said with the utmost emphasis that
this question of suffrage will never
give repose or safety to states or to
the nation until each within its own
Jurisdiction makes and keeps the bal
lot free and pure by the strong sane
ton of the law" We think the meas
ures he will suggest for the enforce
ment of equal suffrage in the south
will be of firmer character than
those of his predecessor in office, yet
of kind which will not be offensive
to the majority of voters throughout
Tic Ilt pcliSNCs III thC -loh-
roe doctrine, as we believe every true
American citizen does, the right to
supervise and control any inter-
ocean canal across the isthmus be-
tween North and South America.
We may look for a thorough protec-
ton of our industries in the construc-
ton of that canal, by his administers
more than once asserted, is states
man of sound judgement and integ-
ritv, and fully competent to under
take the great task imposed upon
him. His term of Office need not, nor
do we believe it will be, one of sur
prises or excitements, for the times
demand nothing of that kind, but
that it will result for the good of the
whole country we have no doubt
We have the utmost confidence in his
ability and in the ability of the gen.
tlemen whom he has selected for cab
met officers.
In our opinion Rutherford B
, Hayes made better president than
could have been expected under the
, circumstances. The reasons are plain
to be seen. He took possession OF
that office in time of turmoil, finan-
. cial distress, political chickering's in
his own party, determined opposition
and large popular majority in the
democratic party, congress that
, was democratic in both branches and
republican leaders in both senate and
house who were either indifferent to
the success of his policy or opposed
to it. His very first administrative
act, however. placed him at once in
the confidence of the people, and he
had the wisdom to select for the chiei
So, J., wit al.
; ready national character and known
. ability. During his four years a:
; the executive head of the govern
/ ment the credit of this country be
came the best of any nation i'll the
world; specie payments We're resum
ed and in consequence of that resump
tiou the dormant industries of tn,
Union were awakened into activ,
life, the energy of business was re
, vived and thousands of rusty wheel'
, were frightened by contact will
, labor in our factories. Evcrywher,
! men have been able to live substan
TALLY and in many places where pow.
; erty was the rule luxury has reigued
To be sure the west has not gained
, all it asked for and for some reasons
of no consequence now, we believe
: Mr.. Hayes made a blunder in exercis
ing MS powers VI veto W tut SAtSu
he did. He will not go down into
history as one of the great president!
of the United States, but will be re
: membered as an honest one, conscien
: tious as to his duty, true TO his coun
! try and honorable to his party.
We are of the opinion that Presi
dent Garfield has selected a good cab
met. We cannot agree with some o
our contemporaries that it is not neal
as well selected as the cabinet o
President Hayes, and that the mer
are comparatively unknown, with the
exception of Blaine. We believe there
are few people outside OF localit,
who ever heard of Richard w
Thompson, David NJ. Key or Charles
Devens, of President Hayes cabinet
until they were elevated to that posi-
tioa, while William IL. Hunt ia th'
T only unknown man to tho country iu
President Gartield's cabinet James
r G. Blaine has been in public life since
, 1889. serving four years as member
of the legislature Of Maine and in thu
5 3sth, s9th, 10th, 4ist, 4snd and 4srt