The Mineral argus., 1884-07-31

"A1
owes 1t loyaIty-protection at home, and
protection which shall follow him abroad,
into whatever lands he may go upon a law
full erTand.
H SOUTHERN STATES.
recognize, not without regret. the neces-
sity for speaking of two sections of our com
mon country. But the regret diminishes
when l see that the elements which separ-
ated them are fast disappearing. Prejudices
ave yielded and are yielding, while a grow
ing cordiality warns the Southern and the
Northern heart alike. Can any one doubt
that between the sections confidence n
esteem are to-day more marked than at any
period in the sixty years preceding the cleo
ton of President LIncolny This is the result
in part of time and in part of Republican
principles applied under the favorable con-
ditions of uniformity. 1t woul be a great
calamity to change these influences under
which Southern commemorative are learning
to vindicate civil rights, and adapting them
selves to the conditions of political tranquil
lily and industrial progress. II there be oc-
casional and violent outbreaks in the South
against this peaceful progress, the public
opinion OF the country regards them as ex-
ceptlonal and hopefully trusts that each will
prove the last.
The South needs capital and occupation,
not controversy. AS much as any part of
the North, the South needs the full protec-
ton of the revenue laws which the Repub-
lican party offers. Some of the Southern
states have already entered upon a career of
industrial development and prosperity.
These, at least, should not lend their cleo
toral votes to destroy their own future.
Any effort to unite the Southern states
issues that grow out of the memories
of the war, will summon the Northern states
to combin in the assertion of that national
ity which was their inspiration in the civil
struggle. And thus great energies which
should be united in a ommon industrial de-
will be wasted in hurtful strife.
The Dpm0prafio Marty shows itcalf q foo 70
prosperity by always invoking and
urging Southern political consolidation.
such a policy quenches the rising instinct
of patriotism in the heart of the Southern
youth; it revives and stimulates prejudice;
it substitutes the spirit of barbaric ven
for the love of peace, progress and
harmony.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The general character of the civil service
of the United States under all administra-
has been honorable. In the one su-
preme test-the collection and disbursement
of revenue-the record of fidelity has never
been surpassed in any nation. With the
Utmost fabulous sums which were received
and paid during the late war, ~scrupulous in
tegritY. was the prevailing rule. Indeed.
throughout that trying period it can be said
to the honor of the American name, that IN
fa~ithfulness and dishonesty among civil Off
GERS were as rare as misconduct or cowardice
on the field of battle.
1u6 gIOWbu Vi buE COul UTN has continually
and necessarily enlarged the civil service,
until now it includes a vast body of officers.
Rules and methods of appointment which
prevailed when the number was smaller
nave been found insufficient and impractical
BILE, and earnest efforts nave been made to
the great mass of ministerial officers
from partisan influence and personal control.
Impartiality in the mode of appointment to
be based on qualification, and security of
to be based on faithful discharge of
duty, are the two ends to be accomplished.
public business will be aided by separ-
ating the Legislative branch of the govern
ment from all control of appointments, and
the executive department will be relieved by
subjecttng appointments to fixed rules, and
thus removing them from the caprice of
favoritism. But there should be rigid OBJ
van of the law which gives in all cases
OF equal competency the preference to the
soldiers who risked their lives in defense of
The Union.
what prolonged service l never found it ex-
to request or recommend the re-
moval of a civil officer except in four in
stances, n then for ~non-political reasons
which were instantly conclusive with the
appointing power. The officers in the dis
.rict, appointed by Mr.. Lincoln in 1861 upon
he recommendation of my predecessor,
as a rule, until death or resignation.
adopted at the beginning of my service the
of competitive examination for appoint
TO West Point and maintained it so
ong as l had the right by law to nominate a
In the case of many officers ] found
hat the present law which arbitrarily limits
he term of the commission offered a con-
temptation to changes for mere po-
1tical reasons. | have publicly expressed
he belief that the essential modification of
hat law would be in many respects advan-
ageous.
My observation in the department or state
the conclusions lof my legislative
experience, and impressed me with the con-
yiction that the rule of impartial appoint
nent might with advantage be carried be-
yond any existing provision of the civil ser
nee law. 1t should be applied to appoint
nents in the consular service. Consuls
hould be commercial misunderstanding
he globe with watchfulness for their coun-
RVS interests. Their intelligence and COM
'etency become, therefore, matters of great
'ubIc concern. No man should be appointed
o an American consulate who is not well in
in the history and resources of his
country, and in the requirements and
anguage of commerce in the country to which
e is sent. The same rule should be applied
ven more rigidly to secretaries of legation
n u diplomatic service. The people have
he right to the most efficient agents in the
discharge of public business and the appoint
ag power should regard this as the prior and
lterior consideration.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
Religious liberty is the right of every citi-
en- of the republic. Congress is forbidden
y the constitution to make any law "re-
the establishment of religion, or
rohibiting the free exercise thereof" For a
entury, under this guarantee, Protestant
Catholic, Jew and Gentle, have wor-
God according to the dictates of
But religious liberty must not
e perverted to the justification of offenses
gainst the law. A religious sect, strongly
ltre in one of the territories of the
Union, and spreading rapidly in four other
erritories, claims the right to destroy the
reat safeguard and imminent of social
rider, and to practice as a religious privil-
that which is punished with severe pen
lfU in nunru ctnfn Of tho ITninrn Hnn nrarna |