Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-03-11

the alarm in appalling figures which
mark how dangerously high the tide
of illitsracy has arisen among oul
voters and their children. To the
South the question is of supreme
importance, but responsibility fol
the existence of slavery did not rest
upon the South alone. The Nation
itself is responsible for the extension
of slavery and is under special obli-
CATION to aid in removing the litter
acy which it has added to the voting
population for the North and South
alike. = There is but one remedy.
All the constitutional power of the
Nation, of the States and all the
volunteer forces of the people should
be summoned to meet this infuenc Q
by the saving influence of uni
versal education. 1t is the high
privilege and sacred duty of
those now to educate their successors
and fit them, by intelligence and
virtue, for the inheritance which
awaits them. In this beneficent
work sections and races should be
forgotten and partisanship should
be unknown. Let our people find
a new meaning in the divine oracle
which declares that ga little child
shall lead them," for our little child
rem will soon control tho destinies
of tho Republic.
THE PAST AND FUTURE.
My countrymen, we do not now
differ in our judgment concerning
the controversies OF the past genera
ton, and fifty years hence our child
rem will not be divided in their opin-
ions concerning our controversies.
They will surely bless 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 may
retard, but We can not prevent the
final reconciliation. Is is not possi-
BILE for US now to make truce with
timt by anticipating and accepting
the inevitable verdict? Enterprises
of the highest importance 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 the battle
field of dead issues, move forward,
and in the strength of,liberty and
svax.svy~t3a E3nionrvi0 nd0r-viotOpsAA
of psace.
THE NATIONAL CURRENCY.
The prosperity which now pre-
walls is without parallel in our his
tory. Fruitful seasons have done
much to secure it, but they have not
done all. The preservation of pub
lie credit and resumption of specie
payments, so successfully attained
by the Administration of my pre-
decssor, has enabled our people to
secure the blessings which the sea-
son brought. By the experience OF
commercial Nations in all ages it has
been found that gold and silver af-
ford the only safe foundation for a
monetary system. Confusion has
recently been created by variations
in the relative value of these two
metals, but I confidently believe
that arrangements can be made
between leading commercial Ma
tions which will secure a general
use of both metals. Congress should
provide that the compulsory coinage
Of silver now required by law may
not disturb our monetary system by
driving either metal out of circula-
ton. If possible, such adjustment
should be made that the purchasing
power of every coined dollar will be
exactly equal to its debt-paying pow
or in all markets OF the world.
The chief duty of ths National
Government in connection with the
currency of the country is to coin
money and declare it's value. Grave
doubts have been entertained as to
whether Congress is authorized
by the constitution to make any
form OF money a legal tender.
Tho present issue Of United States
notes has been sustained by the
necessities of business; but such
paper should depend for its value
and currency upon it's convenience
in use and its prompt redemption in
coin at the will of tho holder and
not upon its compulsory circulation.
These notes are not money but
promises to pay money if the holders
demand it. The promises should
be kept.
The refunding of the national
debt at q lower rate Of interest should
be accomplished without compelling
the withdrawal of National banl
notes and thus disturbing the bust
ness OF tho country. I venture tt
refer to the position I have occu
pied on financial questions durinl
long service in Congress, and to BAY
that time and experience hsv'
strengthened the opinions I have *
often expressed on the subject. Th'
finances Of the Government shall suf
for no detrimsnt which it may b.
possible for my Administration K
prevent.