Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-03-07

! happy form cg government can bestow. Uzs
this auspicions occasion we me may we'll re-
new the pledge Of our devotion to the CON
stitution which was launched by the found
ers Of our republic and, consecrated by their
prayers and patriotic devotion, has for al
| most century borne the hopes and aspira,
tions of q great people through and peace,
and through the shock Of foreign conflicts,
and perils Of domestic strife and vicissitudes
BY the father Of his country our constitu-
ton was commended for adoption as sThe
result Of spirit Of amity and mutual
concession" In that same spirit, it should be
administered in order to promote the lasting
welfare Of the country and secure full
measure Of its priceless benefits to us and
to those who will succeed to the blessings Of
our national life.
"a large variety OF diverse and competing
interests subject to federal control, persist
emily seeking recognition and claims, need
give us no fear that the Greatest good to the
greatest number will not fail to be accom-
plished, IT, in the halls of national legislation
that spirit of amity and mutual concession
shall prevail, in which the constitution had
its birth.
'sIf this involves the surrender or post
ponement of private interests, and abandon
ment Of local advantages, compensation viii
be found in the assurance that thus the com.
mon interest is subserved and the general vel
fare advanced. In the discharge of my OIL
cial duty, / shall endeavor to be guided bys
just and unstrained construction Of the con.
stitution and careful observance of the dis
tinction between the powers granted to the
federal government and those reserved to the
states or to the people by courteous appre
citation of their functions, which by the con
stitution and laws, has been especially as
signed to the executive branch of the gov.
eminent.
ssBut he who takes the oath to-day to pre-
serve protect and defend the constitution OF
tho United States only assumes the solemn OBJ
legation which every patriotic citizen, ON the
farm, in the workshop, in the busy marts Of
traf.e any everywhere, should share with
hirl The constitution which prescribes his
oath, my countrymen, is yours; the suffrage
which executes the will of freemen is yours;
the laws and entire scheme of our civil rule,
from town meeting to state capital, and ma
tional capital, is yours. Every voter a
surely as your chief magistrate, under tn.
high sanction, though in a different sphere,
exercises public trust Noi
is this ALL Every citizen owes to the coun
try a vigilant watch and close scrutiny of ita
Iniblic servants and a fair and reasonable es
innate of fidelity and usefulness. Thus is the
peoples will impressed upon the whole frame
work of civil policy-municipal, state and
federal-and this is the price of our liberty
and the inspiration of our faith in the repub
lie. 1t is the duty of those serving the people
in public places to closely limit the public
expenditures to the actual needs of the gov
eminent economically administered, becaus,
this bounds the right of the government tt
exact tribute from the earnings of labor Oh
prosperity, and citizens, and because the pub
lie extravaganza begets extravaganza amons
the people.
We should never be ashamed of the sim
plicity and presidential economy which ar
best suited to the operations of a republican
form of government, and most compatitl
with the mission of the American people
Those who are selected for limited time Z
manage the public affairs are still of the PEG
pie and may do much by their example t,
encourage, consistently with dignity, theil
official positions that plain way of life which
7 among fellow citizens aids integrity and pro
notes thrift and prosperity. Genius
in our institutions needs our people
in home life, and attention is
demanded for the settlement and develop
| ment of the resources of our vast territory
to dictate scrupulous avoidance of any de-
parture from that foreign policy and COM
mended by history, the traditions and pros
perity of our republic. Its policy and indie
pendence is favored by our position and de-
Tended by our known love of justice and by
our power. Its policy of peace, suitable to
our interests. It's policy of neutrality
rejecting any share in foreign broils
and other aminition upon other conti-
I'D ipt, c;n
is the policy of Monroe, Washington and JEFF
ferson, ''peace, commerce and honest friend
ship with all nations, entangling alliances
with none"
"A due regard for the interests and prosper
ity of all people, demands that our finances
shall be established upon such sound, sensible
basis as shall secure the safety and confidence
of business interests Make the wage labor
sure and steady that our system of revenue
be 50 adjusted as to relieve the
people from unnecessary taxation, having
due regard to the interest of capital invested
and workingmen employed in American in
dustries, and preventing accumulation of a
surplus in the treasuary to tempt extrava-
gence and waste. Care for the property of
the nation and for the needs of future settlers
requires that the public domain shall be pro
tected from purloining schemes and unlawful
occupations
"The conscience of the people demands
that the Indians within our territory shall
be fairly and honestly treated as the wages
of government, and their education and civ
ilization promoted with view to ultimate
citizenship.
THAT polygamy in the territories is de-
| structive to family relations, and offensive to
the moral sense of the civilized world, and
shall be repressed
"The laws should be rigidly enforced which
prohibit migration of servile class TO compete
with American labor, with no intention of
acquiring citizenship, and bringing with them
and retaining habits and customs repugnant
to our civilization.
1.-THE people demand reform in the admin
istration of the government and an applica