Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-24

to cultivate friendly relations with all and are
Iree from poSSlb entanglementS IN the quarrcls
OF eny. The United States has no cause and no
desire to engage in conflict with any power on
earth, and we may rest IN assured confidence that
no power desires to attack the United States
with the nations OF the western hemisphere we
should cultivate closer relations and for our COM
mon prosperity and advancement We should in
yte them all to iOn with us in an agreement that
Tor the future, all international troubles in North
or South America shall be adjusted by impartial
arbitration and not by arms. This project was
part of the fixed policy of President Garfield'S
administration, and 1t should. in my Judgment.
be renewed. Its accomplishment ON this CONT
Dent would fayOrably affect the nations beyend
the sea, and thus powerfully contribute, at no dis
tant day, to the universal acceptance of the phil
anthrOpic ana christian principle of arbitration
Inc effect even of suggesting 1t for the Spanish
American states has been most happy, and has
increased the confidence Of these people in our
friendly disposition. 1t fell to my lot as
secretary of state in June, 1881 to quiet APP
prehensiOn ia the republic of Mexico, by
giving the assurance in an official dispatch that
'therd is not the faintest desire III the United
States for territorial extension south of the Rio
Grande. The boundaries of the two republics
have been established in conformity with the best
juriSdictiOnal interests of both. The line of de-
marcatiOn is not merely conventional. 1t is more.
1t separates q SpaniSh-American people from
SaXon-American people. 1t divides one great
nation from another with distinct aud natural
fidelity"
We seek the conquests of peace. we desire to
extend our commerce. and in an especial degree
with our friends and neighbOrS on this continent.
We have not improved our relations with Spanish
America as wisely and as perSiStenty as we might
have done. For more than generation the SYM
patty of those countries has been allowed to drift
away from us. We should now make every effort
to gain their friendship Our trade with them is
already large. During the last year our eX-
changes in the Western hemisphere amounted
to three hundred and fifty millions of dollars
nearly One-fOu} tn OF our entire foreign COM
merce. To those who may be disposed to undev-
rate the value of our trade with the countries of
North and South America, it may be well to state
that their population is nearly or quite fifty
mlllonS-and that, IN proportion to aggregate
numbers, we import nearly double as much from
them as We do from Europe. But the result of
the whole American trade is in a high degree nm
satisfactory. The imports during the past wear
exceeded two hundred and twenty-five millions.
while the exports were less than one hundred and
us of more than one hundred millions OF dollars.
But the money does not go to
Spanish America. We send large sums to Eu-
rope IN com or ITS equivalent to pay European
manufacturers for the goods which they send to
Spanish America We are but paymaSterS for
this enormous amount annually to European fac
torS-an amount which is 4 serious draft, in
every financial depression, upon our resources of
specie.
Cannot ths condition of trade in great part be
changed? Cannot the market for our products
be greatly enlarged? We have made a beginning
IN our effort to Improve our trade relations with
Mexico, and we ShOUld not be content until SINH
lar and mutually advantageous arrangements
have been successfully made with every nation
of North and South America. While the great
colonial domination in Asia and Africa ii is the
especial province of this country to improve and
expand its trade with the nations of America.
No field promises so mach No field has been
cultivated SO little Our foreign policy should be
an American policy in its broadcast and most
COMPREHENSIVE sense-a policy OF peace, of
friendship, Of commercial enlargement.
The name Of American. Which belongs to us in
our national capacity, must always eXalG the
just pride of patriotism Citizenship of the re
public must be the panOpy and safeguard of him
who wears it. The American citizen, rich or poor,
native or DaturalZed, white or cOlOred, must
everywhere walk secure in his personal and civil
rights The republic should never accept a lesser
duty, it can never assume a nOber one, than tRe
protection of the humblest man who owes it 10y
alty-protection at home and protection which
shall fellow him abroad into whatever land he
may go upon q lawful errand.
Rp% THE SOUTHERN STATES.
l recognize, not without regret the necessity
fer speaking Of two sections Of our common
country But the regret diminishes when see
that the elements which separated them
are fast disappearing. Prejudices have yielded
and are yielding, while q growing cor
diality warns the Southern and the Northern
heart alike. Can any one doubt that between
the sections comic ence and esteem are to-day
more marked than at any period in the sixty
years preceding the election Of President Lincoln?
This is the result in part of time and in part of
republican principles applied under tho fay CRADLE
conditions of uniformity. 1t would be a great ca
lamity to change these influences under which
southern commonwealth are learning to vind-
cate civil rights, and adapting themselves to the
conditions af political tranquility and industrial
progress. If there be occasional and violent out
breaks in the south against this peaceful progress
the public opinion of the country regards them as
exceptional, and hopefully trusts that each will
prove the last.
The south needs capital AID occupation, Eot
controversy. 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 Save already entered upon a
career of industrial development and prosperity.
These, at least, should not lend their electoral
votes to destroy their own future
Any effort to unite the southern states upon is
sues that grow out Of the memories of the war,
will summon the northern states to combine in
the assertion of that nationality which was their
inspiration in the civil struggle. And thus great
energies which should be united in a common in
duStrial development will be wasted in hurtful
strife The democratic party shows itself a foe
to southern prosperity by always invoking and
urging southern political consolidation. Such O.
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 vengeance for the love of peace progress
and harmony.
THE 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 collec
ton and disbursement of revenue-the record
OF fidelity has never been, surpassed in
any naliOn. With the almost fabulous
sums which were received and paid dur
ing the late war, ScrupulOuS integrity
the prevailing rule. Indeed, throughout that
American NAME that unfaithfulneSS and dis
honesty among civil officers were as rare as mis-
conduct and cOwardice on the field of battle
The growth of the country has continually and
necessarily enlarged the civil service, until now
it includes vast body Of officers. Rules and
methods of appointment which prevailed when
the number was smaller have been found insult
tcient and impracticabe, 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
security OF tenure to be based on faithful dis
charge of duty are the two ends to be accom-
plshed The public business will 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 to
fixed rules and thus removing them from the
caprice of favoritism But there should be rigid
observance of the law which gives in all cases of
equal competency Che preference to the soldiers
VINO risked their lives in defense of the union.
entered congress in 1863, and in a somewhat
prolonged service never found it eXpedient to
request or recommend the removal of civil Off.
Ger except in four instances, and then for non
political reasons which were instantly conclusive
with the appointing power. The officers in the
district, appointed by Mr.. Lincoln in 1861 upon
the recommendation of my predecessor, served,