The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-03-12

PROSPERITY AND LIS CAnsEs.

judgment concerning the controv OF past gen
erations, and fifty years hence 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 pre-
served that slavery was overthrow, and that
both races were made equal before the law. We
may hasten we may retard but we cannot pre-
vent the final reconciliation. Is it not possible for
us now to make truce with time by anticipating
and accepting its inevitable verdict' Enterprises
of the highest Importance to our moral and mate
rial well being invite and offer ample scope for
the employment of our best powers. Let all our
e--eaving behind them the field Of deas
issues-move forward, and, in the strength o. hb-
erty and the restored Union, the grander
victories of peace. The prosperity which now
prevails is without parallel in our history. Fruit
full seasons have done much to secure it but they
have not done all. The preservation Of the public
credit and the resumption of specie payments, so
successfully attained by the administration Of my
predecessor has enabled our 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 for monetary system
Confusion has recently been created by variations
in the relative value Of the two metals but con-
fdently 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 sill
yer, now required by law, may not disturb our
monetary system by driving either metal out of cir
culaton. If possible, such adjustment should
be made that the purchasing power of every coined
dollar will be exactly equal to its debt paying
power in all 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 Congress is author
lied by the Constitution to make any form of pa
per money II legal tender. The present issue OF
L.. Al.
cessties of war, but such paper should depend for
its value and currency upon its convenience in
and its prompt redemption in coin at the RilSof
the holder, and not upon its compulsory csfce+a-
ton. These notes are not money, but promises to
pay money. If the holders demand it the promise
should be kept. The refunding of the national
debt at lower rate of interest should be accom-
plished without compelling the withdrawal of the
national bank notes, and thus disturbing the in
terests of the country. l venture to refer to
the position / have occupied on financial ques-
tons during long service in Congress, and to say
that time and experience have strengthened the
opinions have so often expressed on these sub
jects.
The finances Of the government shall suffer no
detriment which it may be possible for my admin
istration to prevent.
The interests of agriculture deserve more atten-
ton from the government than they have yet re-
ceived. The farms of the Uuited States olford
homes and employment for more than one half our
people, and furnish much the largest part of all
exports. As the government lights coasts
for the protection of mariners and the benefit of
commerce, it should give to the tilers of the
soil the best lights of practical science and expe-
rience.
Our manufacturers are rapidly making US indus
traly Independent, and are opening to capital
and labor new and profitable fields of employment.
Their steady and healthy growth should still be
ms nfa ned 0ur facilities for tran int ion
should be promoted by the continued Improvement
of our harbors and great interior waterways and
by an increase of our tonnage on the ocean:
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
The development of the worlds commerce has
led to an urgent demand for shortening the great
sea voyage around Cape Horn by constructing ship
canals railways the isthmus which unites
the two continents Various plans to this end have
been suggested, and will need consideration but
none of them have been sufficiently matured to
warrant the United States in extending pecuniary
aid This subject however, is one which will i'm
mediately engage the attention of the government
with a view to thorough protection to American
interests. We will urge no narrow policy, nor
seek peculiar exclusive privileges in any COM
mercial route, but, in the language of my prede-
cessor, II believe it to be the right and duty of the
United States to assert and maintain such super
vision and authority over any inter oceanic canal
across the lsthmus that connects North and South
American will protect national interests.
The constitution guarantees absolute religious
freedom. Congress is prohibited from making any
law respecting establishment OF rei gion or pro-
hibting the free exercise thereof. The territories
of the United States subject to the direct legis-
lative authority of Congress and hence the gen
era government is responsible for any violation of
the Constitution in any of them. 1t is, therefore,
Il reproach to the government thatin the most pop
ulous of the territories the constitutional guarnan-
H. Il. Al
of Congress is set at naught. The Mormon Church
not only offends the moral sense of mankind by
sanctionng pOygamy, but prevents the admins
traton of justice through the ordinary instrument
talities Of law. In my judgment, it is the duty Of
Congress, while respecting to the uttermost the
conscientious convictions and religious scrupes Of
every citizen, to prohibit within its jurisdiction
all criminal practices, especially of that class which
destroy the family relations and endanger socal
orders nor can any ecclesiastical organization BE-
safely permitted to usurp, in the smallest degree
the functions and powers of the national govern
ment.
The civil service can never be placed on a sat-
isfactory basis until it is regulated by law for the
good of the service ITSELF for the protection of those
who entrusted with the appointing power,
against the waste of time and obstruction o. the
public business, caused by the inOrdinate pressure
for place, and for the protection of incumbents
against intrigue and wrong. l shall at the pro-
per 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 terms of which incumbents have
been appointed.
Finally, acting always within the authority and
limitations of the Constitution, invading neither
the rights of the states the reserved rights of
the people, it will be the purpose of my admins
traton to maintain the authority of the nation, and
in all places within its jurisdiction to enforce ODE
dence to all the laws of the Union in the interests
of the people; to demand rigid economy in all the
expenditures of the government, and to require
the honest and faithful service of all executive
officers, remembering that the Offices were created
not for the benefit of incumbents or their supper
tiers, but for the service of the government.
And now, fellow citizens, l 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.
l shall greatly rely upon the wisdom and patriot
ism of Congress and of those who may share with
me the responsibilities and duties of administra-
ton; and, above all, upon efforts to promote
the welfare Of this great people and their govern
ment, reverently invoke the support and blessing
of Almighty God.
Correspondence baltimore County Union.