New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-05

will urge no policy nor seek peculiar or ex
| elusive privileges in any commercial route but II
the language of my predecessor believe it to b'
1.-THE right and duty of the United States to assert
| and maintain such supervision and authority oveI
any interoceanic canal the isthmus that con
meets North and South America as will protect oul
| National interests
THE MORMON QUESTION
| The Constitution guarantees absolute religious
| freedom. Congress s prohibited from making any
law respecting an establishment of religion pro-
hi ibitng the free exercise thereof The Territories
of the United States are subject to the direct
legislative authority of Congress, and hence the
General Government is responsible for any viola
tion of the Constitution in any of hem 1t is there
fore reproach to the Government that in the most
populous Of the Territories the Constitutional guar
antee is not enjoyed by he people, and the author
ity of Congress is set at naught The Mormon
church not only Ofends the moral sense of man
kind by sanctioning polygamy but prevents the ad-
ministratiOn OF justice through the ordinary nstru-
mentalities of law. In my jud gment it is the dui
of Congress, while respecting the utterm ost the
conscientious convictions and religious scruples of
every citizen to prohibit within its jurisdiction all
criminal practices, especially of that class
which destroy the family relations and
endanger social order. Nor can any ecclesiastical
organization be safely permitted to usurp in the
smallest degree the functions and po wers of the
National Government.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The civil service can never be placed on a salts
factory basis until it is regulated by law. For the
good of tho service ITSELF for the protection of those
who areintrusted with the appointing power against
the waste of time and obstruction to the public
business caused by the inordinate for place
and for the protection of ncnmbents against intrigue
and wrong, shall at the proper time ask Congress
to fix the tenure of the minor offices of tho several
executive departments and prescribe the grounds
upon which removals shall be made during terms
for which incumbents shall 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, it will be the purpose of my admins
tration to maintain the authority and in all places
within its jurisdiction TO enforce obedience to all
to demand rigid economy in all the expenditures of
the Government, and to require the honest and faith
full service OF all executive officers remembering that
the Offices were created. not for the benefit of
incumbcnts or their supporters but for the service
Of the Government.
And now fellow-citzens am about to assume
the great trust which you have committed to my
hands. l appeal to you for that earnest and
thoughtful support which makes this Government in
fact as it is in law, Government of the people.
shall greatly rtly upon the wisdom and patriot |
ism of Congress and Of those who may share with |
me the responsibilities and duties of administration. |
And above all upon our efforts TO promote the well
fare Of this great people and their Government, / |
reverently invoke the support aud blessings of
Almighty God.