The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-03-09
THE RIVER Pr RES

mand for shortening the great sea voyage
around Cape Horn by the construction Of 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 Us in extend
inc pecuniary aid. The subject is one
which will Immediately engage the atten-
ton of the government, with a view to the
thorough protection Of American interests.
We will urge no narrow policy nor seek pecu-
liar or exclusive privileges II any CONNER
cial route, but, in the language Of my pre-
decessors, I believe it to be the right and
duty of the United States to assert and main
tain such supervision and authority over any
inter- oceanic canal across the isthmus that
| connects North and South America as will
protect the National Interests.
The constitution guarantees absolute reli-
gi0us freedom. Congress is prohibited from
making any law respecting the establishment
| Of religion or prohibiting a free exercise
thereof. The Territories Of the United
States are subject to the direct legislative au-
thority of Congress, and hence the General
Government is responsible for any violation
Of the constitution in any of them. It is
therefore q reproach to the government that
in the most populous OF the territories the
constitutional guarantee is not enjoyed by the
people, and the authority Of Congress is set
at naught. The Mormon church not only
offends the moral sense Of mankind by sane
tioning polygamy, but it prevents the admin
~istration Of justice through the instrumental
ty of the law. In my judgment it is the duty
of Congress while respecting to tue utmost
the conscientious and convictions and reli-
gious scruples of every citizens, to prohibit
within its jurisdiction all criminal practices,
especially of thatssfclass which destroy the
family relations and endanger social order.
Nor can any ecclesiastical organization be
safely permitted to usurp IN the smallest de-
gree the functions and powers Of the national
government.
The civil service can never be placed on a
satisfactory basis until it is regulated by law
| 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 public business, caused by
! inordinate pressure, and for the peace and
protection Of incumbents against intrigue
and wrong. II should at q proper time ask
Congress to fix the tenure OF the minor offices
Of the several executive departments, and
prescribe the grounds upon which the re-
movals shall be made during the terms for
which the inculnbents have been appointed
finally, acting always within he authority
and limitations Of the constitution, invading
neither the rights Of States nor the reserved
rights Of the people. 1t will be the purpose
of my administrator to maintain authority
in all places within its jurisdiction; TO erd
force obedience to oil the laws of the Union
ii the interest of the people; to demand rigid
economy il all the expenditures Of the gov
eminent, and to require honest and faithful
service Of al executive officers, remembering
that the offices were created, not for the ben
eft Of the incumbents or their supporters,
| but for the service Of the government. And
now, fellow citizens, | an about to assume
the great trust which you have committed to
my hands, [ appeal to you for rhat earnest
and thoughtful support which makes this
Government in fact, as in law a government
Of the people. | shall greatly rely upon the
wisdom and patriotism Of Congress and Of
those who may share with me the response
| bilities and duties Of the administration, and
above ST to promote the welfare Of this great
people and their government, I reverently
invoke the support and blessings Of Almighty
God.