Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-03-05

INTELLIGENT SUFFRAGE
But the danger which arises from ignorancein in the
voter cannot be denied Il covers field far wider
than that of negro suffrage and the present condi
ton of that race. 1. is danger that turks and
hides in the and fountains of power in every
seat. We have no standard by which to measure
the disaster that may be brought upon us ty igne-
rance in citizens, when Joined TO corruption and
fraud in suffrage. The voters OF the Union, who
make and unmake constitutions, and upon whose
will hangs the destiny of Government can trans
NIT their supreme authority to successor save the
coming generation OF vo.ers who are the sole heirs
of the sovereign power If that generation comes to
its inheritance blinded by ignorance and corrupted
by vice, the fall of the Republic will be certain
and remediless. The census has alre .dy
sounded the alarm in appalling figures,
which mark how dangerously high the
tide of illiteracy has arisen amorg our
voters and their children To the South the ques.
tion Is of supreme Importance. But the response
biity for the existence of slavery did upon
the South alone. The nation itself is responsible
for the extension of suffrage, and is under special
obligations to aid in removing the iliiteracy which
it has added to the voting population. For the
North and South alike there is but remedy. All
the constitutional power of the nation and of the
States, and all the volunteer forces of the people
saving influence of
UNIVERSAL EDtcATIoN
1t is the high privilege and sac ed duty of those
living to educate their successors and fit them
by intelligence and virtue for the inheritance which
awaits them. In this beneficent work sections and
races should be forgotten, and partisanshp should
be unknown. Let our people feel new meaning in
the Divine oracle, which declares that "a little
child shall lead them, for our little children will
control the destines of the republic. My
countrymen, We do not now differ in our judgment
concerning the controversies of past generations,
and fifty years hence our children will not be divided
in their opinions concerning our controversies
They will surely bless therfathers and their fathers
God that the Union preserved, that slavery was
overthrown, and that both races were made equal
before the law. We may hasten may retard, but
cannot prevent the final reconciliation Is it not
possible for us now to make a truce with them, by
anticipating and accepting its inevitable verdict
Enterprises OF the highest Importance our moral
and material well-being invite u.s. and offer ample
scope for the employment of best power. Let
all our people, leaving the battlefield of dead issues.
move forward and IN the strength of liberty and a
restored Union win the grander victories of peace.
FINANCES OF THE COUNTRY.
The prosperity which now prevails is without o
parallel in history. Fruitful seasons have done
much to secure it, but they have not done all. The
preservation of the puolic credit and the resump-
tion of specie payments successfully attained by
the Administration of my predecessor, has enabled
people to secure the blessings which the seasons
brought. By the experience of commercial nations
in all ages it has been found that gold and silver
afford the only safe foundation TOR the monetary
system Confusion has recently been created by the
variations in the relative value of the two metals,
but confidently believe that an arrangement can
be made between the leading commercial nations
which will secure the general use of both metals.
Congress should provide that the compulsory coin
age 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 exactv eaurl ~ 2 li. .,ing
power N all the markets Of the world. The chief
duty OF the National Government, in connection
with the currency Of the country, is TO coin and
declare its value. Grave doubts have been enter
tanned whether Congress is authorized by the Con-
stitution to make any form of paper money legal
tender. The present issue of United States notes
has been sustained by the necessities of the work.
but such paper should depend for its value and
rency upon its convenience in use and its prompt
redemption in coin at the will of the holders, and
not upon its compulsory circulation. These notes
are not money, but promises to pay money Ii
holders demand it, the promise should be kept The
funding OF the national debt at lower rate of in
terest should be accomplished without the compel
lnS withdrawal OF national bank notes, and thus
disturbing the business OF the country. venture
to refer to the position have occupied on financial
questions during my long service in Congress, and
to say that time and experience have strengthened
tne opinioh nave 50 often expressed on these sub
Jec's inc hh4nees Oh 'he Z government sh@h suher
'o lieiiV "i'ien may oe posS'Oie ior my au
u''Ais'i"'ioH ~ pie'e"'"
INDUSTRIAL MATTERS
Ihe interests Of agriculture deserve more atten-
ton from the Government than they have yet re-
ceived The farms OF the United States afford homes
''''iA
pie, and furnish much the largest part of all our
exports. As the Government lights our coasts for
the protection OF the mariners and the benefit Of
commerce, SO it should give to the ters of the soil
the lights of practical science and experience. our
manufactures are rapidly making US industrially
independent ana are op- nng to capital and labor
new aud profitable heids Of employment This
steady ana healthy growth should still be main
tanned cur facilities IL transportation should be
promoted by the continued Improvement OF oul
harbor5 and great interior water ways, and by the
increase Of our tonnage on the ocean
THE IsTHMUs CANAL.
The development of the worlds commerce has led
to an urgent demand for shortening the great sea
voyage around Cape Horn BY constructing a ship
canal or railroad across the isthmus which unites
the two Continents. Variousplans to this end have
been suggested, and viii need consideration but
none of them have been sufficiently matured Il
warrant US in extending pecuniary aid The subject
is one which viii mm diately engage the attention