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

speaking oftwo sections ofour common coun-
try; butthe regret diminiSheS when 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? This the result.
in part, OF time, and in part of Republican prin-
| eiples, applied under the favorable conditions
OF uniformity. 1t would be u great calamity to
change these influences, under which the
southern commonwealth are learning 10 yindi-
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 hope
fully trusts that each viii prove the last. The
South needs capital and occupation, not contro-
versy, 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 d career of industrial de
velopment and prosperity. These at least should
not lend their electoral votes 10 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 u common industrial devel-
| opment, will be wasted in hurtfil strife The
Democratic party shows itself foe to Southern
prosperity by always eyoking and encouraging
political consolidation Such policy cyquepches
the rising instinct OF patriotism in the heart of
the Southern youth. It reviyes and stimulates
prejudice 1t substitutes the spirit of barbaric
vengeance Tor the love Of peace, progress and
harmony.
TIE 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 dsburse-
ment Of reyenue-the record of fidelity has
never been surpassed in any nation.
With the almost fabulous sums which were
received ana paid during the late war, scrupu-
lous integrity was the prevailing rule Indeed,
| throughout that trying period it can be said to
the honor of the American name that unfaith-
fulness 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 a 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 10 be based on the faith
ful 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 viii
be relieved by subjectiug appointments by
fixed rules, and thus removing them from the
caprice of favoritisn. But there should be
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
lS65, and in a somewhat prolonged service I
never found it expedient to request OF recon-
mend the removal of civil officer, except in
few instances, and this for non 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 a
rule until death or resignation / adopted, at
-le beginning Of my service the test of com
petitive examination Tor appointments to West
Point, and maintained it, so far as I
had the right by law to nominate
cadet. In the case Of many officers
1 found that the present law, which arbitrarily
limits the term of the Commission, offered 4
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. My
| observation in the Department of State CON
frmed 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-
yond any existing provision of the
civil service law. It should be applied
to appointments in the consular service Con
suls should be commercial sentinels, encircIing
the globe with watehfUlness for the country's
interests Their intelligence and competency
becomes therefore, matters of great public CON
| cern. No man should be appointed to an Amer
lean Consulate who is not well instructed in the
history and resources Of his own country, and
the requirements and language of commerce in
the country to which he is sent The
same rule should be applied, even more
rieidly to Secretaries of Legation in our
diplomatic service. The people have the right
| TO the most efficient agents in the discharge of
public business, and the appointing power
should regard this as the prior and Interior con
sideIation.
TIE MORMON QUESTION.
Religious liberty is the right OF every citizen
in the republic. Congress is forbidden by the
| Constitution to make any law respecting the es-
tGblishment of religion or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof For n century, under this
! guarantee, Protestant and Catholic, Jew and
Gentle, have worshiped God according to the
dictates of their own conscience But
religious liberty must not be perverted to the
| justification OF offcnses against the law
| religious sect is strongly intrenched in one OF
the Territories Of the Union, and spreading
rapidly into four other Territories claiming the
right to destroy the great safeguard and monu-
! ment of social order, and to practice as d re-
| ligious privilege that which is a crime
punished with severe penalty in every.
state OF the Union. The sacredness and
unity of the family must be preserved,
as the foundation of all civil governments. as
the source of orderly administration, as the
surest guarantee of moral purity. The claim of
the Mormons that they are divinely authorized
to practice polygamy should no more be ad-
mitted than the claim of certain heather tribes,
if they should come among Us to continue the
rite of human sacrifice. The law does not inter-
| Gere with What q man helinEes n tnI-as