The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-07-19


parties not the least 80 to the unhappy per-
sons who are made the subjects OF the con-
tract. The Institutions OF the United states
rest upon the Intelligence and virtue Of all the
people. Suffrage IL made universal az n Just
weapon OF eeltprotectlon TO every citizen. II
is not the interest OF the Republic that any
economic system should be adopted which In.
wolves tho reduction OF wages TO the hard
standard prevailing elsewhere. The Rcpub.
lican party aims to elevate and dignity LABOR
mot TO degrade II.
AS a substitute for the industrial SYSTEM
which under Republican administrations
has developed such extraordinary pros
perity, tho Democrats offer policy which
is but series of experiments upon our sys-
TEN Of revenue-a policy whose ends must
be harm 10 our manufacturers and greater
harm to our labor. We are on the eve of
revival Of prosperity. The only thing
that stands in our way is the dread OF n
change.
Our foreign relations favor our domestic
development. We can cultivate friendly
relations with all foreign powers, and are
free from possible entanglements with any.
With tho nations OF the Western Hemisphere
we should cultivate closer relations, and for
our common prosperity and advancement We
should invite them all to Join with us In an
that for the future s 81, n1Srns
ehall be adjusted by impartial arbitration and
not by arms. This project was part or tho
uAcu policy OF Grebluont thf0olub Aumlnl5-
tratlon, and 1t should In my Judgment be re-
newed.
1t Is not without regret, Mr.. Blaine says,
that the North and South are referred to as
two sections of the country, but that regret
diminishes when IL Is seen that the ele-
ments which separated them are fast
disappearing. Prejudices arc disappearing
and a growing cordiality warns the South
ern and Northern heart alike. Between
the sections confidence and esteem are to-
day moro marked than Mt any period pre-
ceding the election of President Lincoln.
If there be occasional violent outbreaks in
the South, they are regarded as exceptional.
There is q hopeful trust that each will be
the last. The South needs capital and occu-
patton, not controversy.
The Democratic party shows itself foe to
Southern prosperity by always invoking and
urging Southern political consolidation. Such
policy qucnches the rising Instinct OF patri-
otism In the heart OF the Southern youth; 1t
revives and stimulates prejudice; 1t uostl.
tutes the spirit OF barbaric vengeance for the
love OF pence, progress and harmony.
On the subject of the Civil Service the
letter says:
The general character OF tho Civil Service
ofthe United States under all administrations
has been honorable. In the one supreme test
the collection and disbursement OF revenue
the record Of fidelity has never been sur.
-
lous sums which were received and paid du-
ring the late war, scrupulous integrity was
tho prevailing rule. Indeed, throughout that
trying period It can be said In the honor of
the American name that unfaithfulness and
dishonesty among civil officers were as rare
as misconduct aud cowardice on the field OF
battle.
The growth OF tho country has continually
and necessarily enlarged the Civil Service, un.
III now II includes vast body OF officers.
Rules and methods OF appointment which pre-
vailed when the number was smaller have
been found insufficient and impracticable, aud
earnest efforts have been made to separate the
great maze OF ministerial officers from parti-
san influence and personal control. Impair.
TALLY In the mode OF appointment TO be based
on qualification, and security OF tenure to be
based on faithful discharge or duty are the two
ends to be accomplished. The public business
Will be aided by separating the legislative
branch OF tire Government from all control OF
appointments and the Executive Department
Will be relieved by subjecting appointments to
nxed rulee 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 the preference to
the soldiers who risked their lives In defense
OF the Union.
Referring to his own observation when
Secretary of State, Mr.. Blaine adds
My observation In the Department OF State
confirmed the conclusions or my legislative OK
perience, and impressed me with the convlc-
tion that the rule OF impartial appointment
might with advantage be carried beyond any
e4lbtlnG ptOVlblOu Oh tn6 OlVllSoTVlCb law. III
should be applied TO appointments In the con.
eular service. Consuls should be commercial
sentinels- oncircling the globe with watchful-
nees for their country's interests. Their In
telligence and competency become therefore
matters Of great public concern. No man
should be appointed to an American con-
sulate who Is not we'll instructed in the his.
tory and resources OF his own country, and in
the requirements aud language OF commerce
in the country TO which he is sent. The same
rule should be applied even more rigldly to
QnrrptRrtaA laNattOn
vice. Tho people have the right to the most
efficient agents In the discharge OF public
bueiness, and the appointing power should re-
gard this as the prior ana Interior consldera-
ton.
On the subject of the currency he says:
The people or the United States, though
often urged and tempted, have never seriously
contemplated tho recognition OF any other
money than gold and silver-and currency di.
rectly convertible into them. They have not
done 30, they Will not do 30, under any neces.
The ono 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
Aeiatic nations, taken In connection with the
increasing commerce OF the world, gives the
Meightlest reasons for an International agree
ment In the premises. Our Government should
not cease TO urge this measure until q common
standard OF value shall be reached and estab-
lished-a standard that shall enable the United
States to use the silver from Its mines as an
commercial exchange.
The evil Of permitting large tracts of the
public lands to be consolidated into the
possession of the few, he says, Is great. II
Is enhanced when the persons controlling
it are aliens. Our public lands should be
disposed Of only to actual settlers and to
those who are citizens of the Republic or
who are willing to become so.
Our foreign carrying trade is the one
National interest which languishes. With
frontage on two great oceans and with q
freightage larger than any other Nation
| we have every inducement to restore oul
navigation.
| Yet the Government has hitherto refused IT.
| help. small share OF the encouragement
| given by the Government TO railways and
| manufactures, and u small share OF the capt
tai and zeal given by our citizens TO those en-
terprises would have carried our ships 70 every
sea and 10 every port. law Just enacted re-
| moves some OF the burdens upon our nayiga.
tion and inspires hope that thls great interest
may at last receive Its due share OF attention
All efforts in this direction should receive on.
| enlargement.
| In conclusion Mr.. Blame says:
| This survey OF our condition as nation re
minds us that material prosperity is but q
liberty OF the people. A free ballot is the safe
| guard OF Republican institutions, without
which no National welfare is assured. pop
ular election, honestly conducted, embodies
| the very majesty OF true government. Tel
millions ofvoters desire to take part In thu
| pending contest. The safety OF the Republic
rests upon the integrity OF the ballot, upon thu
security OF suffrage to the citizen. To deposit
constitutional liberty than TO obstruct the de
posit OF an honest vote. He who corrupts SUI
| rage strikes at the very root OF FREQ govern
ment. he Is the arch enemy OF the Republic
hat .s.au ~ ssNNN