The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-07-30

safeguard OF MIN VINO wears IT, III
American citizen, rich or poor, na
tive OF naturalized, white or colored
must everywhere walk secure in hi
personal and civil rights. The Re
public should never accept lessee
duty, it can never assume a noble
one, than the protection OF the hum
blest man who owes il loyalty
protection at home, and protection
which shall follow him abroad, into
whatever land he may go upon :
lawful errand.
THE SOUTHERN STATES.
| recognize, not without regret
the necessity for speaking of TIVE
sections of our common country
But the regret diminishes when
see that the elements which separa
ted them are fast disappearing
Preiudices have yielded and are
yieleing, while a growing cordiality
warns the Southern and the North.
ern heart alike. Can any one doubt
that between the sections confidence
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 part of Republican prin-
ciples applied under the favorable
conditions of uniformity. 1t would
be q great calamity to change these
influences under which Southern
Commonwealths are learning to vim
dicate civil rights, and adapting
themselves to the conditions of po-
iitical tranquility and industrial
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 hopefully
trusts that each will prove the last.
The South needs capital and oc-
cupation, not controversy. As much
as any part of the North, the South
needs the full protection of the rev.
enue laws which the Republican
party offers. Some of the Southern
States have already entered upon a
career ofindustrial development and
prosperity. These, at least, should
not lead their electoral votes to de-
stroy their own future.
Any effort to unite the Southern
States upon issues that grow out Of
the memories Of the war, viii sum
mon the Northern States 70 combine
in the assertion of that nationality
which was their inspiration in the
Civil struggle. And thus great en-
ergies which should be united in q
common industrial development will
be wasted in hurtful strife. The
Democratic party shows itself foe
to Southern prosperity by always
invoking and urging Southern polit-
ical consolidation. Such a policy
quenches the rising instinct of patri-
otism in the heart of the Southern
youth it revives and stimulates the
spirit of barbaric vengence for the
love of peace, progress, and har-
mony.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The general character Of the civil
service Of the United States under
all administrations has been honor
able. In the one supreme
fact-the collection and disburse
ment of revenue-the record
of fidelity has never been
surpassed in any nation. With the
almost fabulous sums which were
received and paid during the late
war scrupulous integrity was the
prevailing rule, Indeed, through
out that trying period, it can be said
to the honor of the American name
that unfaithfulness and dishonesty
among civil officers were as rare as
misconduct and cowardice on the
field of battle.
The gr owth OF the country has
continually and necessarily enlarg-
ed the civil service until now it in
cludes a vast body of officers.
Rules and methods of appointment
which prevailed when the number
was smaller have been found insult
ficieEt and impracticable, and earnest
efforts have been made to separate
the great mass of ministerial officers
from partisan influence and person
al control. Impartiality in the mode
of appointment to be based on quail
ification, and security of tenure to
be based on faithful discharge of
duty, are the two ends to be accom-
plished. The public business will
be aided by separating the legislative
branch of the Government from all
control of appointments, and the
Executive Department will be re-
lieyed by sublecting appointments
to fixed rules, and thus removing
them from the caprice Of favoritism.
But there should berigid observance
of the law which gives in all cases
of equal competency the preference
to the soldiers who risked their
lives in defence of the Union.
] entered Congress in 1868, and in
o somewhat prolonged service nev-
er found it expedieut to request or
recommend the removal of civil
officer, except in four instances, and
then for non political reasons which
were instantly conclusive with
the appointing power. TIE officers
in the district appointed 90 Mr. Lin
coin in 1861 upon the recommends
ton OF nay predecessor. served, as
a rule until death or resignation.
/ adopted ct the beginning Of my
service the test ofcompetitive exami-
nation for appointments 10 West
Point, ana maintained It so long as
| had the right by law TO nominate
a cadet. In the case of many Off
GERS | found that the present law
which arbitrarily limits the term
Of the commission offered a constant
temptation to changes for mere
political reasons. | have publicly
expressed the belief that the essen
tial modification of that law would
be in many respects advantageous
NV observation in the Depart
ment of State confirmed the conclu-
sions OF my legislative experience,
and impressed me with the convic-
ton that the rule of impartial ap-
pointmeDt might with advantage be