Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-07-19
,uplic opinion OF the country regards them as ex-
optional and hopefully trusts that each viii prove

troyersy. AS much as any part of the north the
which the republican party offers. Some OF the
southern states have already entered upon career
OF Industrial development and prosperity. These,
StrOy their own future
Any effort to unite the southern states upon Is
sues that grow out OF the memories OF the war will
sertion OF that nationality which was their inspira
ton In the civil struggle And thus great energies
which should be united in common Industrial de-
velopment will be wasted In hurtfui strife The
democratic party shows itself foe to southern
prosperity by always invoking and urging southern
political consolidation. Such policy quenches the
rising instinct OF patriotism in the heart OF the
southern youth; 1t reylyes and stimulates prejudice
IL substitutes the spirit OF barbara vengeance for
the love VI 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 collection
ana disbursement OF revenue - the record OF
fidelity has never been surpassed in any nation.
With the almost fabulous sums which were re-
ceived and paid during the late scrupulous in
tegrity was the prevailing rule Indeed through
out that trying period 1t be said to the honor
OF the American name that unfaithfulness and dis
honesty among civil officers were 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
c1ent and impracticable and earnest efforts have
been made to separate the great mass Of minis
ter1al officers from partisan influence and per-
sonal control Impartiality in the mode OF APP
cur1ty OF tenure, to be based on faithful discharge
OF outy, are the two ends to be accomplished.
Inc pubic business will be aided by separating
the legislative branch of the government from all
control OF appointments and the Executive de-
ments to fixed rules and thus removing them from
the caprice OF 1avOritfSm. But there should be
rigid observance OF the law which gives in all
OF equal competency the preference to the soldiers
who risked their lives in defense OF the Union.
l entered Congress In 1853, and In q somewhat
prolonged service never found it expedlent to re-
except IN four instances, and then for non-potica
reasons which were instantly conclusive with the
appointing power. The Officers in the district, ap-
pointed by Mr.. Lincoln in 1861 upon the recon-
mendation OF my predecessor, served, as a rule
ginning % sesee t6e test Of az DE-
animation for appointments to West Point, and
maintained it so long as had the right by law to
nominate a cadet. In the case OF many officers
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
tiai modification of that law would be in many re-
spects advantageous.
confirmed the conclusions OF my legislative eX-
perience and impressed me with the conviction
that the rule OF impartial appointment might
with advantage be carried beyond any existing
provision OF the civil service law. 1t should be
applied to appointments In the consular service.
COnsulS should be commercial SentinelS-encir-
cling the globe with watchuness for their coun-
try's interests. Their intelligence and eompe-
tency become, therefore, matters OF great public
concern No man should be appointed to an
American consulate who is not well instructed
IN the history and resources OF his own country
ana In the requirements and language OF COM
MERGE In the country to which he Is sent The
same rule should be applied even more rlgidly to
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
anu Interior consideration.
MORMON OrzSrIoN
Religious liberty is the right OF every citizen OF
the republic. Congress is forbidden by the COnsti-
tuition to make any law prospecting the establish
ment Of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof" For century, under this guarantee,
Protestant and Catholic, jew and Gentle, have
worshipped God according to the dictates OF con-
science. But religious liberty must not be pervert-
ed to the justification OF Offenses against the law
religious sect strongly tnrenched in OF the
rltorles OF the Union. and spreading rapidly into
lOuf Otner territories claims the right to destroy
the great safeguard and imminent Of social order,
ana to practice as religious privilege that which
is 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 government as The source or orderly ad-
m'n1stration, as the surcSt guarantee of moral
purity
The claim of the Mormons that they are divinely
authorized TO practice pOlygamy should no more be
admitted than the claim OF certain heather tribes,
IL they should come among US, TO continue the
rite OF human sacrifice The law does not interfere
Wlth what man believes; it takes cOgniZance only
OF what he does. AS citizens the Mormons are en-
titled TO the civil rights as others and to these
they must be confined. Polygamy can never re-
ceve national sanction or federation by admitting
the community that uphods it a state In the
Union Like others, the MOrmons must learn that
the liberty OF the individual ceases where the
rights OF society begin.
OUR CURRENCY.
The people of the United States, though often
urged and tempted, have never seriously contem-
plated the recognition of any other money than
gold and sver-and currency directly convertible
into them. They have not done so. they will not
do so, under any necessity less pressing than that
OF desperate war. The one special requisite for the
completion OF our monetary system is the fixing OF
the relative values OF silver and gold. The large
use OF silver as the money of account among Asiatic
nations taken In connection with the increasing
commerce of the world gives the we1ghtiest rea-
sons for an international agreement In the prem
this measure until q common standard Of value
shall be reached and established-a standard that
shall enable the United States to the silver from
It's mines as an auxiliary to gold In settling the
balances OF commercial exchange.
THE PUBLIC LANDS
The strength OF the republic is increased by the
multiplication OF land-hOlderS Our laws should
look to the 1udicious encouragement OF actual SET
tiers on the public domain, which should hence
forth be held as sacred trust for the benefit of
those seeking homes The tendency to consolidate
or corporations Should with proper regard to vested
rights, be discouraged. One hundred thousand
acres OF land In the hands of one man is far less
profitable to the nation in every way than when its
ownership is divided among one thousand men.
the evil OF permitting large tracts OF the national
domain to be consolidated and controlled by the
FEW against the many is enhanced when the per-
sons controlling II are aliens 1t is but fair that
the public land should be disposed OF only to actual
settlers and to those who are citizens OF the repub
Lie or willing to become SO.
OUR SHIPPING INTEREsTs.
Among our national interests one languishes-
the foreign carrying trade. 1t was very seriously
crippled in our civil war, and another blow was
given to 1t in the general substitution OF steam for
sail In ocean traffic. With frontage on the two
great oceans with frelghtage larger than that OF
any other nation, we have every 1nducement to re-
store our navigation. Yet the government has hith-
erto refused its help small share of the encOur-
tomanufactureS and small share of the capital and
the zeal given by our citizens to those ENTERPRISES
would have carried our ships to every sea and to
every port law just enacted removes some OF the
burdens upon our navigation and inspires hope that
this great interest may at last receive its due share
OF attention. All efforts in this direction should
receive encouragement.
SASREDNRSS OF THE BALLOT
This survey OF our condition as nation reminds
us that material prosperity is but mockery II
1t does not tend to preserve the liberty of the
people. free ballot Is the safeguard of republi-
can institutions, without which national welfare
Is assured popular election, honestly conducted
emoOd1eS the very majesty OF true government Ten
millions OF voters desire to take part in the pending
Integrity of the ballot, upon the security OF suffrage
TO the citizen. TO deposit fraudulent vote is no
worse crime against constitutional liberty than
10 ohStruct the deposit OF an honest vote. He who
corruptS suffrage strikes at the very root OF free
government. He Is the arch-enemy Of the republic.
others he fatally imperis his own rights at is a
good land which the Lord our God doth Give ,ls -