Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-03-14

privileges in any commercial route but
in the language of my predecessor, | be-
lieve it to be "the right and duty of the
United States to assert and maintain
such supervision and authority over
any interoceanic canal acsoss the 18TH
mus that connects North and South
America as will protect our National
interests.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
The Constitution guarantees absolute
religious freedom. Congress is prohib-
tied from making any law respecting an
establishment of religion or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof. The Terri
tories of the United States are subject
to the direct legislative authority of
Congress, and hence the General Gov
ernment is responsible for any violation
of the Constitution in any of them. 1t
is therefore reproach to the Govern
ment that in the most populous of the
Territories the Constitutional guarantee
is not enjoyed by the people. and the
authority of Congress is set at naught
The Mormon church not only offends the
moral sense of mankind by sanctioning
polygamy, but prevents the administra-
tion of justice through the ordinary in
strumentalities of law. In my judg-
ment it is the duty of Congress. while
respecting to the uttermost the consci-
entious convictions and religious scru-
Piles 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 or
ganization be safely permitted to usurp
in the smallest degree the functions and
powers of the National Government.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The civil service can never be placed
on satisfactory basis until it is regu-
lated by law. For the good of the SER
vice itself, for the protection of those
who are instrusted with the appointing
power against the waste of time and OBJ
struction to the public business caused
by the inordinate pressure for place and
for the protection of incumbents against
intrigue and wrong, l shall at the prop.
er time ask Congress to fix the tenure
of the minor officers of the several execu.
tive 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 Consti
tuition, invading neither the rights Of
the States nor the reserved rights of tht
people, it will be the purpose of my ad
ministration to maintain the authority
and in all places within its jurisdiction
to enforce obedience to all the laws o
the Union in the interests of the peo
ple to demand rigid economy in all tn
expenditures Of the Government, and +
require the honest and faithful servic
of all executive officers, rememberin,
that the officers were created, not fo
the benefit of incumbents or their sup
porters, but for the service of the Gov
ernment.
And now, fellow-citizens, | am abou
to assume the great trust which yo
have committed to my hands. appea
to you for that earnest and thoughtful
support which makes this Governmen
in fact, as it is in law, a Government
of the people. shall greatly rely upo
the wisdom and patriotism of Congress
and of those who may share with m
the responsibilities and duties of ad
J ministratiou. And above all upon ou
efforts to promote the welfare of thi
, great people and their Government,
: reverently invoke the support and bless
ings of Almighty God.