Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-07-19

speaking of two sections of our common coun- |
try; butthe regret diminishes when l see that |
the elements which separated them are fast dis |
appearing Prejudices have yielded and are
yielding, while a growing cordiality warns the |
Southern and the Northern heart alike, Can |
any one doubt that between the sections conf |
dence and esteem are to-day more marked than |
at any period in the sixty years preceding the |
election of President Lincoln? Thisis the result
in part OF time, and in part of Republican prin-
ciples, applied under the favorable conditions |
of uniformity. Ii would be great calamity TO |
change these influences, under which the |
Southern commonwealth are learning TO vindi- |
cate civil rights, and adapting themselves to |
the conditions of political tranquility and indi
vidual progress If there be occasional and
violent outbreaks in the South against this
peaceful progress, the public opinion of the
country regards them as exceptional, and nope
fully trusts that each viii prove the last The
South needs capital and occupation, not contro
yersy, as much as any part of the North.
The South needs the full protection of the
revenue laws, which the Republican party
offers. Some of the Southern States have al
ready entered upon q career of industrial de-
velopment and prosperity. These at least should
not lend their electoral votes TO destroy their
own future. Any effort to unite the Southern
States upon issues that grow out Of the memo
ries of the war viii summon the Northern
States to combine in the assertion OF that ma
tionality which was their inspiration in the late
civil struggle, and thus great energies. which
should be united in common industrial devel
opment, viii be wasted in huTtful strife. The
Democratic party shows itself a foe to Southern
prosperity by always evoling and encouraging
political consolidation. Such policy quenches
the rising instinct OF patriotism in the heart of
the Southern youth. 1t reyives and stimulates
prejudice 1t substitutes the spirit of barbaric
vengeance for the love Of peace, progress and
harmony
TIRE CIVIL SERVICE.
The general character of the civil service of
the United States, under all administrations.
has been honorable In the one supreme test
the collection and distribution and disburse-
ment of revenue-the record of fidelity has
never been surpassed in any nation.
With the almost fabulous sums which were
lous integrity was the prevailing rule. Indeed,
throughout that trying period it can be said to
the honor of the American name that unfaith-
fitness and dishonesty amony civil officers were
as rare as misconduct and cowardice were on
the field of battle. The growth of the country
has continually and necessarily enlarged the
civil service, until it includes vast body of
officers. The rules and methods of appoint
ments which prevailed when the number
was smaller has been found insufficient
and impracticable, and earnest efforts have
been made to separate the great mass of
ministerial officers from partisan influence and
personal control. Impartiality in the mode of
| appointment to be based on qualification, and
the security of tenure TO be based ON the faith
full discharge of duty, are the two ends to be
| accomplished The public business viii be
aided by separating the legislative branch of
the Government from all control of appoint
ments, and the Executive Department will
be relieved by subjecting appointments by
| fixed rules, and thus removing them from the
caprice of favoritism. But there should be a
rigid enforcement of the law, which gives in all
cases of equal competency the preference TO
the soldiers who risked their lives in the
defense of the Union. I entered Congress in
1868, and in a somewhat prolonged service
never found it expedent to request or recon-
mend the removal of civil officer, except in
| few instances, and this for n-political rea
sons, which were instantly conclusive with The
appointing power. The officers in the District
appointed by Mr.. Lincoln in 1861, upon the rec
ommendation of my predecessor, served as q
rule until death or resignation / adopted, al
sle beginning of my service, the test of com
petitiye examination for appointments to Wes
Point, and maintained it, so far as
had the right by law to nominate
Il cadet. In the case Of many officers
/ found that the present law, which arbitrarily
limits the term Of the Commission, offered ,
constant temptation TO changes for mere politi
cal reasons, have publicly expressed the be
lief that the essential modification of that Law
would be in many respects advantageous. NJ!
observation in the Department of State con
firmed the conclusions of my legislative expert
| ence and impressed me with the conviction
that the rule of impartial appointment
might with advantage be carried be
You'd any existing provision of tn
civil service law. 1t should be applie
to appointments in the consular service. Con
suls should be commercial sentinels, encircln
the globe with watchfulness for the country
interests. Their intelligence and competene
becomes, therefore, matters of great public col
Germ No man should be appointed to an Amel
! lean Consulate who is not well instructed in tn
history and resources of his own country an
the requirements and language of commerce
S the country to which he is sent. Tn
2 same rule should be applied, even MOI
: rigidly to Secretaries of Legation in OF
diplomatic service. The people have the rigl
to the most efficient agents in the discharge
public business, and the appointing powt
should regard this as the prior and Interior col
sideTation.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
t Religious liberty is the right of every citize
e in the republic. Congress is forbidden by tn
d Constitution to make any law respecting the e
e adjustment of religion or prohibiting the frc
e exercise thereof For a century, under IN
: guarantee Protestant and Catholic, Jew an
Gentle, have worshiped God according to tn
dictates of their own conscience. 81
/ religious liberty must not be perverted to t1
9 justification of offenses against the law.
: religious sect is strongly intrenched in one
i the Territories OF the Union, and spreadir
rapidly into four other Territories, claiming ii
right to destroy the great safeguard and mon
: ment of social order, and to practice as a
= 1igious privilege that which is a erin
punished with severe penalty in eve
state Of the Union. The sacredness al
unity of the family must be preserve
as the foundation of all civil governments.
the source of orderly administration, as Il
c,-raet or,ts-autee nf moral nuritv Tho claim
: the Mormons that they are divinely authoriz
:. to practice polygamy should no more be a
: mitted than the claim of certain heather trib,
: if they should come among US to continue t
rite of human sacrifice. The law does not int
fere with what a man believes. 1t tax
cognizance of what he does as citize