The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-03-09

A-A&J ~ SSAIIpAS encouragement OF
all good men. So tar as my authority can
lawfully extend, they shall enjoy the full and
equal protection of the constitution and laws.
The free enjoyment OF equal suffrage is still
Id question, and a frank statement Of the is
sue may AID II Its solution. Il is alleged that
~ many communities negro citizens are prac-
tlcally denied the freedom Of the ballot. II
so Tar as the truth Of this allegation is admit
ted, It is insured that in many rlaces an
honest local government is impossible. II
the mass OF uneducated negroes is allowed to
vote, these are great allegations. So far as
the latter is true it is the only pallia,ion that
can De offered for opposing the freedom Of
the ballot. Bad local government is certainly
a great evil, which ought to be prevented,
but TO violate freedom and the sanctity Of
suffrage is more than an evil, It is q crime,
which II persisted il will destroy the govern
ment itself. Suicide is not a remedy. If in
other lands it be counted high treason TO com
pass the death Of q king, It should be counted
no less a crime here to destroy freedom. But
the danger which arises from ignorance in
the voter cannot be denied. 1t covers a field
far wider than that Of negro suffrage and the
present condition OF that race. 1t is a danger
that turks and hides in corners and fountains
Of power in every seat. We have no standard
by which to measure the disaster that may be
brought upon US by ignorance il citizens
when joined to corruption and fraud in suH-
rage. The voters Of the Union, who make
and unmake constitutions, and upon whose
will hangs the destiny OF our government,
can transmit their supreme authority to no
successor save the coming generation of yo-
tiers, who are the sole heirs of the sovereign
power. Ii that generation comes blinded by
ignorance and corrupted by vice, the fall Of
the Republic will be certain and renediless.
The census has already sounded the alarm in
appalling figures which marks how danger
ously night the tide Of illeteracy has arisen
among our voters and their children. To the
South the question is Of supreme Importance,
but responsibility for the existence Of sla-
very die not rest upon the South alone. The
Nation itself is responsible for the extension
of suffrage, and it 10 under special obligations
to aid in removing the illiteracy which ithas
added to the voting population Of North and
South alike. There is but one remedy. All
the constitutional power Of the Nation, OF the
States and all volunteer forces Of people
should be summoned to meet this danger by
the saving influence Of universal education.
Il is q high privilege and q sacred duty Of
those now to educate their successors and tit
them by intelligence and virtue for the lnherl-
lance which awaits them On this benefcent
work. Sections and races should be forgot
ten, and craftsmanship should be unknown.
Let our people find a new meaning in the di-
vine oracle, which declares that a little child
shall lead them, For our little children will
soon control the destinies Of the Republic.
Ny countrylnen, we do not now differ Ia
our judgment concerning the controversies
OF the past generation, and fifty years hence
our children will not be divided ii their opin-
ions concerning our controversies. They Will
tcr~sl W hIxco 4toir ta4b,~r n,l +Io:- g,rnor3S
Goa that the Union was preserved hat sla-
very was oyerthroWn, and that both races
were made equal before the law. We may
hasten or We may retard, but we cannot pre-
vent the final reconciliation, 1t is not pos
slbIe tor us 0 to make q truce with time,
by anticipating and accepting its inevitable
verdict. Enterprises OF the highest impoT-
lance TO our moral and material Well-being
invite US and offer ample scope for the en-
ployment OF our best powers. Let all our
people leaving their battle field Of dead is
sues-move forward, and in the strength of
liberty and a restored Union, win grander
victories OF peace.
The prosperity which now prevails is With
out parallel in our history. Fruitful seasons
have done much to secure it, but they have
not done all. The preservation Of the public
credit and resumption Of specie payments,
So successfully aLtdiICa$ Ny LiC dALl1AlStL dl1oA
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
a monetary system. Grave doubts have been
entertained as to whether Congress is author
lied by the constitution to make any form OF
paper money q legal tender. The present
issue Of United States notes has been sus-
tanned by the necessities of work, but such
paper should depend for IFS value and cur
rencY upon its convenience in use and its
prompt redemption in coin at the will of the
holder, and not upon its compulsory circula-
ton. These notes are not money, but prom.
Uses to pay money if the holders demand it,
and the promise should be kept. The refund
ing Of the national debt at a lower rate of in
terest should be accomplished without COM
polling the withdrawal Of the national bank
notes and thus disturbing the business Of the
country. | venture to refer to the position [
have occupied on financial questions during
my long service IN Congress, and to say that
time and experience have strengthened the
opinions [ have SO often expressed on these
subjects. The finances of the government
shall suffer no detrinent which it may be
possible for my administration to prevent.
Confusion has recently been caused by vari-
atoms il the relative value Of the two metals,
but I 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 re-
CURED by law should not disturb our none
tary system by driving either metal out of cir
c%ulatlon. If possible such an adjustment
should be made that the purchasing power of
every coined dollar will be equal to its debt
| paving power il all the markets Of the world.