Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-03-17
and aecepting its ipevitable verlIet.

TO our moral and material well -heing
invite us and offer ample scope for the
employment Of our best powers. let
all our people, leaving behind them the
battleiields Of dead issues, move for
ward and in the strength of liberty
and restored union win grander victor
les Of peace. The prosperity which now
prevails is without parallel in our his
tory. Fruitful seasons have done much
10 secure it, but these have not done
all. The preservation of the public
credit and the resumption OF specie
payments, so successfully attained bv
the administration of my predecessor.
has enabled our people to secure the
blessings which the seasons brought.
MATTERS OF FINANCE.
By the experience of commercial ma
tions in all ages it has been found that
geld and silver afford the only safe
foundation for a monetary system.
Confusion has recently been created by
variations in the relative value OF the
two metals, but | confidently believe
that arrangements can be made be-
tween the leading commercial nations
which will secure the general use of
both metals, Congress should provide
that the compulsory coinage of silver
now required by law may not disturb
our monetary system by driving either
metal out of circulation. Ii 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 mark
cts of the world The chief duty of the
national government in connection
with the currency Of the country is to
coin and declare it's value. Grave
doubts have been entertained whether
Congress is authorized by the constitu.
ton to make any form of paper money
a legal tender. The present issue of
United States notes has been sustained
by the necessities of war, but such pa
per should depend for its value and
currency upon its convenience in use
and its prompt redemption in coin at
the will of the holder, and not upon its
compulsory circulation. These notes
are not money, but promises to pay
money if holders demand it. The
promise should be kept.
The refundlng of the nationa! debt
at a lower rate of interest should be ac-
complished without compelling the
withdrawal of national bank notes and
thus disturbing the business OF the
country.
venture to refer to the position |
have occupied on the financial questions
during my long service in Congress,
and to saw that time ana experience
have strengthened the opinions | have
so often expressed on these subjects.
The finances Of the government shall
suffer no detriment which it may be
possible for my administration to pre-
vent
THE INTERESTS OF AGRICULTURE
deserves more attention from the gov
ernment than they have yet received.
The farmers of the United States afford
homes and employment for more than
one.half the people and furnish much
the largest part of all our exports. As
the government lights our coasts for
the protection of mariners and the
benefit of commerce, so it should give
to the tillers of the soil the lights of
practical science and experience
OUR MANUFACTURES
are rapidly making strides TO become
industrially independent and are open
ing to capital and labor new and profit.
able fields of employment. This steady
and healthy growth should still be
maintained.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.
Our facilities for transportation
should be promoted by the continued
improvement of our harbors and great
interior water ways, and by the in
crease OF our tonnage on the ocean.
INTERoCEANIC COMMUNICATION.
The development of the world S
commerce has led to an urgent de-
mand for shortening the great sea voy-
age around Cape Horn by construct
ing ship canals or railways across the
isthmu3 which unites the two CONT
nents. Various plans to this end have
been suggested, and will need consid
Grafton, but none Of them have been
sufficiently matured to warrant the
United States in extending pecuniary
aid. The subject is one which will i'm
mediately engage the attention of the
government, with the view to the
thorough protection of American in
terests. We will urge no narrow poll,
cy, nor seek peculiar or exclusive
privileges in any commercial route, but
in the language Of my predecessor, |
believe it to be the right and duty of
the United States to assert and main
tain such supervision and authority ov-
er any interoceanic canal across the
isthmus that connects North and
South America as will protect our ma
tional interests.
PUNlsHING POLYGAMY.
The constitution guarantees absolute
religious freedom. Congress is pro-
hibited from making any law respect
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