The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-03-12

than an evil; II Is crime which, II pefsisteu
in, will destroy the Government itself. Suicide
is not remedy. If in other lands 1t be high
treason to compass the death OF the King,
it should he counted no less u crime here to
strangle our sovereign power and stit1e Its
voice. 1t has been SAID that unsettled Ques'
tons have no pity for the repose of nations; 1t
should be said with the utmost emphasis that
this question Of suffrage will never give re-
pose or safety to the States or the Nation until
each within its own Jurisdiction makes and
keeps the la lot free and pure by the strong
sanctions of the law
IIIITERACY
But the danger which arises from Ignorance
in the voter cannot be denied. 1t covers
field far wider than that Of negro suffrage and
the present condition of that race. It's dan.
ger that turks and hides In the courses and
fountains of power in every Stale. We have
no standard by which to measure the disaster
that may lie brought upon as by ignorance
and vice IN citizens when Joined 10 corruption
and fraud IN suffrage. The voters OF the I'm.
ion who make and unmake constitutions, and
upon whose will hangs the destiny OF our
Government, can transmit their supreme au-
thority TO no successor save the coming gener-
alton of voters, who are sole heirs OF our SOW
ereign power. If that generation comes to its
inheritance blinded by ignorance and corrupt
ed by vice the fall Of the Republic will be GER
tain and remedl!ess. The census has already
sounded the alarm in appalling figures, which
mark how dangerously high the tide OF Hitter
acy has risen among our veters and their chill
dren To the South the question is Of su-
preme importance. But the responsibility for
the existence of slavery did not rest with the
South alone. The Nation itself is responsible
for the extension Of suffrage, aud Is under
special obligations to aid in removing the Hit
eracy which it has added TO the voting popu-
laiion Of the North and south alike. There
IS but one remedy. All the constitutional
power of the Nation and Of the States, and all
the volunteer forces of the people, should lie
summoned to meet this danger by the saving
influence of universal education. 1t is high
privilege and sacred duty Of those now living
to educate their successors and fit them by In.
tellIgcnce and virtue for the inheritance which
awaits them in this beneficent work. Sections
and races should be forgotten, and partisan
ship should be unknown. Let our people tind
a new meaning IN the Divine oracle which
declares that "a little child shall lead them"
For our little children will soon control the
destnies of the Re public.
RECONCILIATION.
My countrymen. We do not now differ IN our
judgment concerning the controversies OF past
generations. and fifty years hence our children
will not he divided IN their opinions concern
ing our controversies. They will surely bless
their fathers and their fathers God that the
Union was preserved; that slavery was over
thrown; and that both races were made equal
before the law. We may hasten or we may
retard, but we cannot prevent the final recon.
citation. Is 1t not possible tor us now to
make truce with time by anticipating and
accepting its inevitable verdcts Enterprises
of the highest importance to our moral and
material well.being invite us, and offer ample
scope for the employment OF our best powers.
Let all our people, leaving behind them the
batle.fields of dead issues, move forward, and
in the strength of liberty and arestored Union
win the grander victories of peace.
THE NATIONS PROSPERITY
The prosperity which now prevails is with
oui parallel IN our history. Fruitful seasons
have done much to secure il, but they have
not done all. The preservation Of the public
cred t and the resumption OF specie payments
so successfully attained by the administration
of my predecessor, has enabled our people to
secure the blessings which the season brought.
By the experience of commercial nations IN
ali ages, it has been found that gold and silver
afford the only safe foundation tor monetary
system. Confusion has recently been created
by variations in the relative value OF the two
metals, but | confidently believe that arrange
ments can be made between the leading com
mercial nations which will secure the general
use Cf both metals. Congress should provide
that compulsory coinage of silver now requr-
ed by law may not disturb our monetary sys-
tenn 10y driving either metal out Of circulation.
IF possible, such adjustment should be made
that the purchasing power of every coined
dollar will he exactly equal to Its debtpaying
power IN the markets Of the world. The chief
duty of the National Government IN connec
ton with the currency of the country, is to
coin and declare Its value. Grave doubts have
been entertained whether Congress is author
wed bY constitution to make any form of pa
per money legal tender. The present issue OF
United States notes has been sustained by the
necessities of war, but such paper should dc
pend for its value and currency upon its con
venience in use and its prompt redemption in
coin at the will OF a holder, and not upon its
compulsory circulation. These notes are not
money, but promises to pay money If hold
ers demand it, the promise should be kept.
REFUNDISG.
The refunding of the National debt at n
lower rate of interest should be accomplished
without compelling the withdrawal of the Ma
tional bank notes, and thus disturbing the
business oil the county 'enture VI ItieT ~
the position have occupied on financial sues-
tons during my long service IN Congress, and
to say that time and experience have strength
ened the opinions have so often expressed
on these subjects. The finances of the Gov.
crnment shall suffer no detrIment which it
may be possible for my Administration to pre-
vent.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
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.hslt the people, and furnish much the
largest part of all our exports. AS the Gov
eminent lights our coast for the protection Of
mariners and for the benefit Of commerce, 81
it should give to the tliers Of the soil the
fights of practical science and experience.