National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-09-23

will not be divided in their opinions concerning
controversies They will surely bless their fathers
and their fathers God that the Union was pre-.
served, that slavery was overlhrown and that
both races were made equal before the law. We
may hasten or we may retard, but We canuo, pre-
vent the final reconciliation. II is not possible
fof us now to make n truce with time BY antioi. |
pating and accepting ls inevitable verdict.
Enterprises Of the highest Importance to our
moral aud material well. being unite us and offer
ample scope for the employment Of our best powers.
Let all our people, leaving behind them the
battle fields of dead Issues, move forward, aud in
the strength o;liberty and the restored Union win
the grandet victories Of peace.
The prosperity which now prevails Is without
parallel in our history. Fruitful seasons have
done much TO secure II, bui they have not done
ALL The preservation Of the public credit and the
resumption of specie payments, so successfully at
tained by the administration OF my predecessors,
has enabled our people 10 secure the blessings
which the seasons brought. By the experience Of
commercial nations In all agesit has been found that
gold aud silver afford the only safe foundation for
monetary system. Confusion has recently been
created by variations In the relative value OF the
two metals. But 1 confidently believe that ar
rangcments can be made between the leading
commercial nations which will secure the general
use of both metals. Congress should pro-
vide that tho compulsory coinage OF
silver now required by law may not disturb Our
monetary system by driving either metal out
of circulation. If 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 country IS TO
coin money and declare Its value. Grave doubts
have been entertained whether Congress Is author
lied BY the Constitution TO make any form ofpapef
money legal tender. The present issue of United
houh haau nd hy tha
ofwar; but such paper should depend for Its value
and currency upon its convenience in use and It's
prompt redemption in coin at the will OF the
holder and not upon Its compulsory circula-
tion. These notes are not money, but promises to
pay money. Iftho holders demand It the promise
should be kept.
The rcnindlng of the national debt at a lower
rate Of interest should be accomplished without
| compelling the withdrawal of tho national bank
| notes. and thus disturbing the business OF the
| country
| venture to refer to the position I have occu-
| pied on financial questions during a long service
In Congress and to say that time and experience
have strengthened the opinions l have so often
| expressed on these subjects. The finances of the
Government shall suffer no detrmeut which II
may be possible for my administration to prevent.
| The interests of agriculture deserve more atten
| ton from the Government than they have yet re-
ceived The farms of the United States afford
| MONIES ana employment LOT more tllun one mali
| our people, and furnish much the largest part of
all our exports AS the Governmeutllghts our coast
for the protection of mariners and the benefit of
commerce, so II should give to the tllers of the soil
the best lights of practical science and experience
| Our manufacturers are rapidly making us indus
| trlally independent, and are opening TO capital
and labor new and profitable fields of employ
ment Their steady and healthy growth should
still be maintained.
| Our facilities for transportation should be pro-
noted by the continued improvement Of our har-
bors and great interior waterways and by the In
| crease of our tonnage on the ocean. The develop
ment 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 unltes the two CONT
nents. Various plans to this end have been sug-
gested, and will need consideration; but none of
them have been sufficiently matured to warrant
the United States In extending pecuniary aid. The
subject Is, however, one which will Immediately
engage the attention of the Government with u
| view to a thorough protection OF American inter-
ests We Will urge no narrow policy nor seek
peculiar exclusive privileges in any commercial
route but, In the language Of my predecessor,
believe II TO be the right and duty OF the United
States to assert and maintain such supervision and
authority over any interoceanic canal across the
isthmus that connects North and South America
| as will protect our national interests"
freedom. Congress is prohibited from making any
law respecting an establishment of religion pro-
hibiting the free exercise thereof The Territories
of the United States subject to the direct legis
lative authority Of Congress, and hence the Cen
eral Government is responsible for any violation of
the Constitution in any Of them. 1t is therefore
reproach to the Government that In the most pop
ulous of the Territories the constitutional guar
anty is not enjoyed by the people and the author
| ity of Congress Is set ut naught The Mormon
Church not only offends the moral sense of man
hood by sanctioning poygamy, but prevents the
administration ofjustice through ordinary instru-
mentalities FLAW. In my Judgment 1t is the duty
of Congress- while respecting to the uttermost the
conscientious convictions and religious scrupes
of every citizen, to prohibit within its Jurisdiction
all criminal practices, especially ofthat class which
destroy the family relations and endanger social
order. Nor can any ecclesiastical organization be
safely permitted 10 usurp In the smallest degree the
functions and powers of the National Government.
The civil service can never be placed on salts
factory basis until 1t is regulated by law. For the
good OF the service ITSELF for the protection Of those
who are entrusted with the appointing power
against the waste of time and obstruction Of pub
lie business caused by the inordlnae pressure for
place, and for the protection ofincumbents against
intrigue and wrong, shall at the proper time ask
Congress to fix the tenure OF the minor Offices Of
the several Executive Departments and prescribe
the grounds upon which removals shall be made
during the terms for which incumbents have been
appointed.
Finally, acting always within the authority and
Limitations of the Constitution, Invading neither
the rights Of the States the reserved rights o
the people, it will be the purpose of my admins
tration to maintain the authority OF the Nation
and In oil places within its Jurisdiction, to enforce
obedience to all the laws of the Union In the inter
ests of the people, to demand rigid economy In al
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 Government,
Aud now, fellow -citizens, am about to assume
the great trust which you have committed to my
hands. l appeal 20 you for that earnest and
thoughtful support which makes this Government
in fact, us 1t is in law government Of the people
shall greatly rely upon the wisdom and pa
trlotism Of Congress and Of those who may shar,
with me the responsibilities and duties Of admin
istrafon. And above all, upon our efforts to pro
mote the welfare of this great people and thei
Government. reverently invoke the support anC
blessings Of Almighty God.
. ----s--------
} Americans la London.
Mr.. Lowell, the American Minister
has convened n meeting OF Americans a
I