The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-24


civil rights, and adapting themselves TO the con-
ditions of political tranquility and industrial pro-
gress Ifthere be occasional and violent outbreaks
in the South against this peaceful progress, the
public opinion of the country regards them
ceptional and hopefully trust that each will prove
the last.
DEVELOPING THE SOUTH
The South needs capital and occupation, not con-
troversy. As much 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 already entered upon 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 as
sertion of that nationality which was their inspra-
ton in the civil struggle And thus great energies
which should be united in a common industrial
development will be wasted in hurtful strife. The
Democratic party shows itself foe to Southern
prosperity by always invoking and urging South
ern political consolidation Such policy quenches
the rising instinct of patriotism in the heart OF the
Southern youth; it revives and stimulates preJu-
dice it substitutes the spirit of barbarc vengeance
for the love OF peace, progress. and harmony
CIVIL SERVICE.
The general character of the civil service Of the
United States under all administrations has been
honorable In the supreme test-the collec-
ton and disbursement 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, serupulous Integrity
was the prevailing rule. Indeed, throughout that
trying period, it be said TO the honor of the
American name that unfaithfulness and dishonesty
among civil officers misconduct and
cowardice on the field of battle.
The growth of the country has continually and
necessarily enlarged the civil service, until now 1T
includes a vast body of officers. Rules and methods
of appointment which prevailed when the number
was smaller have been found insufficient and inn
practicable and earnest efforts have been made to
separate the great mass of ministerial officers from
parzan influence and personal control. Impartial
y in the mode of appointment to be based on quali-
4 me- of n
full discharge of duty the two ends to be accom-
plshed. The public business soiH be aided By Sepdrdt-
ing the Legislative branch of the Government from Gu
control of appointments and the executive department
sci be reeuedby su6ectnG appointments to red rules
and thus renaoring them from The caprice Of ia
coritiSnl But there should be rigid observance Of
the dU scich giues in all Of equal competency
the preference 10 the soldiers ,ho rsed their hues in
defense Of the Union.
/ entered Congress in 1868, and in somewhat
prolonged service never found it expedent to re-
quest recommend the removal of civil officer
except in four instances, and then for political
reasons which were instantly conclusive with the
appointing power The officers in the district APP
pointed by Mr.. Lincoln in 1861 upon the recon-
mendation of my predecessor served, as rule I'M
til death resignation. / adopted at the begin
ming of my service the test of competitive examna
ton for appointments to West Point and maintained
1t so long L 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 constant temptation to changes
! for mere political reasons / have publicly ex-
pressed the belief that the essential modification of
that law would be in many respects advantageous
My observation in the Department of State
frned the conclusions of my legislative experience
and impressed me with the conviction that the rule
OF impartial appointment might with advantage be
carried beyond any existing provisions of the civil
service law. 1t should be applied to appointments
/ in the consular service. Consuls should be COM
mercial sentinels-encircling the globe with watch
fulness for their eountrys interests Their intelli
| gence and competency become, therefore, matters
| OF great public concern. No man should be APP
| pointed to an American consulate who is not well
in ann nf WIN
country, and in the requirements and language of
commerce in the country TO which he is sent. The
same rule should be applied even more rigidly 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 consideration.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
Religious liberty is the right of every citizen of
| the Republic. Congress is forbidden by the Consti-
tuition to make any law respecting the establish
ment of religion, prohibiting the free exercise
| thereof" For a century, under this guarantee,
| Protestant and Catholic Jew and Gentle, have
worshipped God according to the dictates of con-
science Put religious liberty must not be peryert-
ed to the justification of ofenses against the law.
a religious Sect strongly intTenched in of the
Territories Of the Union and spreading rapidly into
four othef Territories claims the right to destroy
the safeguard and lnuRiment of social order and to
| practice religious privilege that which is a
| Of the Union. The sacredness and unity OF the
family must be preserved as the foundation Of all
CIVIL COVER ffleHL, the OF orderly
istration, the surest guarantee of moral purity.
The claim of the Mosmons that they divineiy
| authorizes Q practice polygamy should no more
be admitted than the claims of certain heather
tribes, if they should come among US to continue
the right of human sacrifice. The law does not
| interfere with what man believes; it takes cog
nizance only of what he does As citizens the Nor
mons are entitled to the civil rights others,
| and 10 these they must be confined. Poiygamy
can never receive national sanction or liberation
by admitting the community that upholds it a
State in the Union. Like others, the Mornons
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 contenl-
plated the recognition of any other money than
gold and silver-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 The special requisite fof
| the completion of our monetary system is the fix
ing OF the relative values OF silver and gold. The
| large use OF silver the money of account among
| Asiatic nations taken in connection with the in
creasing commerce of the world gives the weight
lest reasons for international agreement in the
premises. Our Government should not cease to
urge this measure until common standard of value
shall be reached and established-a standard that
shall enable the United Slates to use the silver
from its mines auxiliary to gold in settling
the balance of commercial exchange.
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
The strength of the Republic is increased by the
multiplication of landhoders. Our laws should
look to the judicious encouragement of actual set
tiers on the public domain which should hence
forth be held sacred trust for the benefit O
those seeking homes. The tendency TO consolidate
large tracts OF land in the ownership of individuals
coriksatons should with proper regard TO vestee
rights, be discouraged. One hundred Thousand
| acres of land in the hands of one man is far les
profitable to the Nation in every way than when i'd
| ownership is divided among 600 men. The evil o
permitting large tracts of the national domain to bs
consolidated and controlled by the few against tht
many is enhanced when the persons controlling i
are aliens Il is but fair that the public land should
be disposed of only actual settlers and to those
, | who citizens of the Republic, willing II
become so.
QUE COMMERCE.
Among our national interests one languishes-th
foreign carrying trade. II very seriously Grip
/ pied in civil war. and another blow giyer
10 IL in the general substitution of steam for sail in
traffic With frontage the two grea
oceans with freightage larger than that Of All,
other nation, we have every inducement to restor
refused its help. small share of the encourage
ment given by the Government to railways and I.
manufactures, and small share of the capital ans
the zeal given by citizens to those enterprises
would have carried ships TO every and &
r every port. A law just enacted removes some
that this great interest may at last receive its du
share of attention. All efforts III this direction
should receive encouragement
A FREE BALLOT.
The survey of our condition as nation remind
us that material prosperity is but Tnockery if
does not tend to preserve the liberty of the people
A free ballot is the safeguard Of Republican nstitu
tions, without which national welfare is assured
, A popular election honestly conducted, enbodie
) the very majesty of true government. Ten mil
lions of voters desire TO take part In the pending
safn ~ he Repuhiio sfS M mn