Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-03-12

vote. IneSe are grave allegations. %
far as the latter is true it is the only pal
liation that can be offered for opposing
. the freedom of the ballot. Bad local
government is certainly great evil,
which ought to be prevented; but to yiO-
late the freedom and sanctity of suffrage
Is more than an evil. 1t is crime
which if persisted in, will destroy the
remedy. If in other lands it be high
treason to compass 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 unset
tied questions have no pity for the re-
pose of nations. 1t should be said with
the utmost emphasis, that this Quesi On
of suffrage will never give repssO or
safety to the states or to the nation ua-
til each within its own jurisdiction
makes and keeps the ballot free and
pure, by the strong sanctions of law.
] But the danger which arises from ig-
nOrance in the voter cannot be denied.
1t covers a field far wider than that of
negro suffrage and the present condition
of thai race. 1t is danger that turks
and hides in the sources and fountains
of power in every state. We have no
standard by which to measure the disas-
ter that may be brought upon us by ig-
nOrance and vice in the citizens. when
joined to corruption and fraud in
suffrage. The voters of the Union, who
make and unmake constitutions, and up
on whose will hangs the destiny of our
government. can transmit their supreme
authority to no successor save the COM
ing generation of voters, who are the
sole heirs of the sovereign power. If that
/ .ov. 10 60 i'll.
blinded by ignorance and corrupted by
vice, the fall of the republic will be GER
tain andiremediless. The census has al
ready sounded the alarm in APPALLING fig
ures, which mark how dangerously high
the tide of illiteracy has arisen among
our voters and their children. To the
south the question is of supreme impOr-
lance, but the responsibility for the ex-
istance. of slavery did not rest upon the
south alone. The nation itself is re-
spOnsible for the extension of suffrage
and is under special obligations to aid
added to the voting population. For
one remedy. ALI the constitutional
and all the volunteer forces of the people,
by the saving influence of universal ed
ucation. 1t is the high privilege and
sacred duty of those DOW living to edu-
cate their successors and fit them by in
telligence and virtue for the Inheritance
which awaits them. In this benefcent
work SectS and races should be forgotten
and partisanship should be unknown.
Let the people see a new meaning in
ha 10 xx,hi hot So,
child shall lead them," for our little
children will soon control the deStinies
of the republic.
My dear cOuntrymen, we do not now
differ in our judgment concerning the
controversies of the past generation and
fifty years hence our children will not |
our controversies; they will surely bless |
their fathers and their fathers God that |
the Union was preserved; that slavery
was overthrOwn and that both races |
were made equal before the law. We |
may hasten or we may retard, but we
cannot prevent the final reconciliation. |
1t is not possible for us now to make
truce with time by anticipating its in
evitable verdict. Enterprises of the
highest importance to our moral and |
material well-being invite us and offer |
ample scope for the employment of our |!
best powers. Let all our people, leaving
behind them the battle-fieldS of dead is
sues, move forward i'm the strength of |
liberty and restored union to the |
grander victories of peace.
The prosperity which now prevails is |
without parallel i'm our history. Fruit |
full seasons have done much to secure it, |
but they have not done all. The preser- |
Walton of the public credit and the re-
sumption of specie payments so success
fully attained by the administration of |
my predecessor, has enabled our people |
to secure the blessings which the sea-
sons brought.
By the experience of commercial ma,
tiOns in all ages it has been found that
gold and silver afford the only safe
foundation for monetary system. Con-
fusion has recently been created by
variations in the relative value 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 1e-
quired bylaw may not disturb our mon
etary system by driving either metal
out of circulation. If possible such an
adjustment should be made that the pur-
chasing power of every coined dollar will
be exactly equal to its debt-paying pow
or in all the markets of the world
The chief duty of the national
government in connection with the cur
rency of the country is to coin and de-
clare 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 sustain
ed. The worth of such paper should de-
pend for its value and currency upon its
cOnyeniencei in use and prompt redemp-
tiOn 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 the holders demand
the promise it should be kept.
The refunding of the national debt at
a low rate of interest should be accom-
plished without compelling the with
drawal of the national bank notes, and
thus disturbing the business of the cOun-
try.
I venture to refer to the position have
occupied on the financial question dur
ing my long service in congress, and to
say that time and experience has |
strengthened the opinions have so often |
expressed on these subjects. The finan-
ces shall suffer no detriment which it |
may be possible for my administration
to prevent.
The interests of agriculture deserve
more attention from the government |
than they have yet received. The farms