The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-03-10


places honest local government is impossible if
the mass of uneducated negroes are allowed to
vote. These are grave allegations.
So far as the latter is true it is palliation that
can be offered for opposing the freedom OF the
ballot, and bad local government is certainly a
great evil which ought to be prevented, but to
violate the freedom and sanctity of suffrage is
more than an evil-it is a crime-which, if per-
sisted in, will destroy the Government itself,
and suicide is not a remedy.
If in other lands it be high treason to COM
pass the death of King, it should be counted
no less crime here to strangle our sovereign
power and stifle its voice. 1t has been said
that unsettled questions have no pity for the
repose of nations.
1t should be said with the utmost emphasis,
that this question of suffrage will never give
repose or safety to the States or to the Nation,
until each within its own jurisdiction, makes
and keeps the ballot free and pure by strong
sanctions of the law.
The address dwells upon the danger arising
from ignorance in voters, and says: To the
South the question is of supreme Importance,
but the responsibility for the existence of slav-
cry does not rest upon the South alone. The
Nation itself is responsible for the extension of
suffrage and is under special obligations to aid
in removing the illiteracy which it has added to
the voting population for North and South
alike.
power of the Nation and of States, and all the
volunteer forces of the people should be sum-
moned to meet this danger by the saving infiu-
ence of universal education. 1t ia the high
privilege and sacred duty of those now living
to educate their successors, and fit them, by
intelligence and virtue for the inheritance
which awaits them. In this benofcent work,
section and races should be forgotten and par
tisanship should be unknown. Let our people
find new meaning in the divine oracle which
declares that "a little child shall lead them,"
for our little children will soon control the des-
TIMES of the republic.
My countrymen, we do not now differ in our
Judgment concerning controversies of the past
generations, and fifty years hence our children
will not be divided in their opinions concerning
our controversies they will surely bless their
fathers-and their fathers God-that the Union
was preserved that elavery was overthrown,
and that both races were made equal before
the law. We may hasten on, we may retard,
but we can not prevent the final reconciliation.
Is it not possible for MS now to make q truce
with tune by anticipating and accepting its in
evitable verdict?. Enterprises of the highest
Importance to our moral and material we'll
being invite us, and offer ample scope for tho
employment of our best powers.
Let all our people, leaving behind them the
battle-fields of dead issues, move forward, and
in the strength of liberty and restored union
win the grandest victories of peace. The pros
perity which now prevails is without parallel in
our history fruitful seasons have done much
to secure it, but they have not done all.
The preservation Of public credit and the re-
sumption of specie payments, 80 successfully
obtained by the administration of my predeces-
sors, has enabled our people to secure the bless
ings which the seasons brought By expert
| ence of the commercial relations in all ages it
| has been found that gold and silver afforded
| the only safe foundation for monetary sys-
tenn.
Confusion has recently been created by vari-
| ations in the relative valne of the two metals,
| but confidently believe that arrangements can
| be made between the leading commercial ma
! tions which will secure the general use of both
metals. Congress should provide that the COM
| pulsory coinage of silver now required by law,
| may not disturb. our monetary system by drly-
| ing silver out of circulation.
| II possible, such adjustment should be made
that the purchasing power of every coined dol
| lar will be exactly equal to its debt-paying
| power in all the markets of the world. The
| chief duty of a 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 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
such paper should depend for its value and
| currency upon its convenience in use and its
| prompt redemption in coin at the will of bear
| ers and not upon its compulsory circulation.
These notes are not money, but promises to pay
| money.
If the holders demand it the promise should
| De kept. Inc re1unClng OF tne NattOnal QeDt
at a lower rate of interest should be accom-
plished without compelling the Withdrawal of
National Bank notes. and thus disturbing the
business of the country.
Iventure to refer to the position have occu-
| pied on the financial question during long
service in Congress; and to say that time and
experience have strengthened tho opinions. ]
have SO often expressed on these subjects. The
finance of the Government shall suffer no dot
riment which it may be possible for my admin
istration to prevent. ~
The interests of agriculture deserve more at
tention from tho Government than they have
yet received. The farms Of the United States
afford homes and employment for more than
one-half of our people, and furnish much the
largest part of all our exports. As the Govern
ment lights orr coasts for the protection OF the
mariners and the benefit of our commerce, so II
should give to the tillers of the soil the lights
of practical science and experience.
| Our manufacturers are rapidly making us IN
dustrially Independent and opening to
capital and labor new and profitable fields of
employment. This steady and healthy growth
should still be maintained. Our facilities for
transportation should be promoted by the con-
tinued Improvement of our harbors and the
great interior water ways and by the increase OF
our tonnage on the ocean.
| The DEVELOPMENT of the worlds commerce
has led to an urgent demand for shortening
Of the great sea voyage around Cape Horn by
constructing ship canal or railway across the
Isthmus which unites the two continents.
Various plans to this end have been suggested
and will need consideration, but none of then
have been sufficiently matlred to warrant the
United States in extending pecuniary aid.
The subject is one which will Immediately en-
gage the attention of the Government, with
view to q thorough protection to American in
terests. We will urge no narrow policy MOI
seek peculiar or exclusive privileges in an.
commercial route, but in the language of m,
predecessors, believe it is to be "the right ant
duty of the United States to assert and main
tain such supervision and authority over an.
interoceanic canal across the isthmus that con
, meets North and South America as will protec
our national interests"
The Constitution guarantees absolute re
igious freedom. Congress is prohibited from
making any laws respecting the establishment
of religion, prohibiting free exercise thereof
The Territories of the United States sub
ject to the direct legislative authority Of Con
gress, and hence the General Government
, responsible for any violation of the Constitu
tion in any of them. 1t is, therefore, . re
proach to the Government that in the mos
i populous of the Territories this Constitutions
, guarantee is not enjoyed by the people, an
the authority of Congress is set at naught
The Mormon Church not only offends tn
, moral sense of mankind by sanctioning polyga
: my, but prevents the administration Of iustic
1 through the ordinary instrumentalities of th
1 law.
] In my Judgment it is the duty of Congress
D | while respecting to the uttermost the conscien
tious convictions and religious scruples OF ever
r citizen to prohibit within its jurisdictions. q
, criminal practices, especially of that clas
: which destroy family relations and endangel
5 social order. Nor can any ecclesiastical organ
t ization be safely permitted to usurp in I'll
r smallest degree the functions and powers {
9 the National Government.
l The Civil Service can never be placed o
satisfactory basis until it is regulated /
law for the good of the service itself, Il
d the protection of those who are entruste
n with the appointing power, against q was
s of time and obstruction Of public bus
= ness, caused by the inordinate pressure f.
/ peace, and for the protection of ineun
bents against intrigue and wrong. I shall,
) the proper time, ask Congress to fix the tenru
= of minor offices of the several executive d
> partments, and prescribe the grounds upe
o which removals shall be made during the tern
for which the incumbents have been appoint'
y finally. acting always within the authority al
# limitations of the Constitution, invading nett
j. er the rights of States nor the reserved righ
l. of the people. It will be the purpose Of n
is administration to maintain authority, and