Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-04

| and offer ample employment OF our best
| powers Let all our people leaving behind
/ them the hattlefieldS OF dead iSSues move
| forward, aud In the strength OF liberty and the
| restored union, win the grander victories OF
| peace.
The prosperity which now prevails Is without
| parelel In our history. Fruitful seasons have
| Gone much to secure ir, bat they have not done
all. The preservation OF the public credit ard
| the resumption OF specie payments so success
| fully attained by the administration OF my pre-
decessors has enabled our people TO secure the
blessings which the seasons brought
BY the experience Of commercial nations In
all ages, 1t has been found that gold and silver
afford the only safe foundation for a monetary
system. Confusion has recently been created
by variations In the relative OF the two metals.
But ] confidently believe that arrangements
can be made between 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 DOS
siole, such an adjustment should be made that
the purchasing power OF every coined dollar
VIII be exactly equal 10 its debt paying power
In ali 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 Con-
gress is authorized by the constitution to make
any form OF paper money legal tender. The
present issue OF United States notes has been
sustained by the necessities of war, but suca
paper should depend for its value and currency
upon Its convenience Ia use and Its prompt re.
dempiton In coin at the will OF the holder. aud
lot upon its compulsory circulation. These
notes are not money, but promises to pay
money. II the holders demand it the promise
should be kept.
TIE refundlng o. the national debt a. lower
rate or Interest should be accomplished without
compelling the withdrawal OF the national bank
notes, and thus disturbing TIE business OF the
country.
venture to refer to the position have oe.u-
pied on finaecial questions during long service
In Congress, and TO say that time and expert
ence have strengthened the opinions have So
often expressed On these subjects.
The finances OF the government shall suffaf
10 aetIiment which 1t may be possible for M
administration to prevent.
Tie interests OF agriculture deserve more at
tehtfcn from the government than they have
yet received. The farms OF the United States
afford homes and employment for mere than
one-half cur people, and furnish much the
largest part OF all our exports. AS the govern
ment lights our coasts for the protection OF
mariners and the benefit OF commerce so Il
should give to the tilIers OF the soil the best
lights OF practical science and experience
our manufactures are rapidly making Us
1Gdustrialy Independent, and are opening 10
capital and labor. new and profitable fields OF
employment. Their steady and healthy growth
should still be matured Our facilities for trans
portation should be promoted. by the continued
Improvement OF our harbors and great in
terror waterways, and by the increase OF our
tonnage on the ocean.
The development OF the worlds conularc3
has led to an urgent demand for shortening
the great sea voyage around Cape Horn b.
constructing ship canals or railways across t.
isthmuS, which uniteS the continents. Var!oIa
plans to this end have been suggested and vi
need consideration; but none OF them has beea
sufficiently matnred to warrant the United
States In extending pecuniary all. The SUI
jecf, however. is one which viii immpdsatel-
engage the attention Of the government with ;:
view TO thorough protection to America
interests. We will urge no narrow policy n9-
seek peculiar or exclusive privileges In an
commercial route; but IN the language OF m
predecessor, believe it to be the right "aa;
Cuty OF the United States TO assert and nafi0.
tain such supervision and authority over any
inter. oceanic canal across the Isthmus that
connects North and South America as will pro-
tect our national interests"
The Constitution guarantees absolute re-
lieious freedom. Congress is prohibited from
making any law respecting an establishment
OF religion or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof. The territories of the United States
ale subject to the direct legislative authorlty
of Congress; ard hence the general govern
ment Is raRonsible for any violation OF the
CONSTITUTION 10 any OF them. 1t Is, therefore,
reproach to the government that In the most
popuious of the territories the constitutional
guaranty 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 manhood by sanctioning polygamy.
but prevents the administration or Justice
thlough Ordinary fLstl une enI alitieS or law.
In my Judgment it is the duty Of Congress
While IeS pecung TO the uttermost the consclen-
tlous convictions and religious scruple5 OF
every citizen 10 prohibit within its Jurisdiction
all Criminal practices, especially Of that class.
which destroy the family relations and en-
danger social order. Nor can any ecclesiastical
organization be safely permitted to usurp, In
the smallest degree, the functions and powers
OF the national government.
1Ie cifn Seffice Can never De placed On sat
1sfactory 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 obstruc.
tlon to the public business caused by the inord-
mate pressure for place, and for the protection
OF incGmbents against intrigue and wrong, I
snail, 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 encumbents have
been appointed,
Finally acting always within the authority
and limitations OF the Constitution, invading
neither the rights of the states nor the reserved
rights OF the people, 1t Will be the purpose OF
my administration to maintain the authority
or the nation and In all places within its juris-
dictfon; to enforce obedience to all the laws OF
the union IN the interests Of the people; to de-
mand rigid economy In all the expenditures OF
the government; and to require the honest and
faithful service Of all executive officers remem-
beriDg that the offices were created not for the
benefit Of inc cumbents or their supporters but
for the service OF the government.
And now, fellow citizens, am about to as.
sumo the great trust which you have CON-
mitted to my hands. appeal to you for that
earnest and thoughtful support which makes