The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-03-06

states or to the people, and by a
cautious appreciation Of those func
tons which by the constitution and
laws have been especially assigned to
the executive branch of the govern.
ment. But he WHO takes the oath
to-day to preserve. protect and de-
fend the constitution Of the United
States, only assumes the solemn OBJ
legation which every patriotic citizen
on the farm, in the workshop, in the
busy mart OF trade. and everywhere,
should share with him. The consti-
tuition which prescribes his oath, my
countrymen, is yours, the govern
ment you cave chosen him to admin
lister for time is yours, the suffrage
which executes the will of free men
is yours. The laws, and the entire
scheme of our civil rule, from the
town meeting to the state capitols
and the national capitol, is yours.
Your every vote, as surely as your
chief magistrate under the same high
sanction, though in different sphere,
exercises public trust, nor is this
all. Every citizen owes to the coun.
try visilant watch and close scruti-
ny Of its public servants and final
and reasonable estimate of their
fidelity and usefulne,s. Thus is the
peoples will impressed upon the
whole frame work Of our civil policy
munich ,al, state and federal--and
this is the price of our liberty and
the inspiration of our faith in the re
public.
1t is the duty of those serving the
people in public places to closely
limit public expenditures to the
actual needs of the government
economically administered, because
this bounds the right of the govern
ment to exact tribute from the earn
ings of labor or the property of the
citizens, and because public extras-
agance begets extravaganza among
the people. We should never be
ashamed of simplicity and pruden-
tial economies which are best suited
to the operation of republican
form of government and most COM
patible with this mission Of the
American people. Those who are
selected for limited time to man.
age public affairs are still of the
people, and may do much by their
example to encourage consistently,
with the dignity of their official
functions, that plain way of life
which, among their fellow-citizens,
aids integrity and promotes thrift and
property. The genius of our insti-
tutions, the needs Of our people in
their home life and the attention
which is demInded for the settlement
and development of the resources of
our vast territory dictate the scrupu-
lous avoidance of any departure from
that foreign policy commended by
the history, the traditions and the
prosperity of our republic. 1t is the
policy of independence, favored by
our position and defended by our
known love of justice and by our
power. 1t is the policy Of peace,
suitable to our interests. 1t is the
policy of neutrality, rejecting any
part in foreign broils and ambitions
upon other continents and repelling
their intrusion here. 1t was the pol
icy Of Monroe and Washington and
Jefferson. "Peace, commerce and
honest friendship with all nations;
entangling alliances with none" A
due regard for the interests and pros.
perity of all the people demand that
our finances shall be established upon
such a sound and sensible basis as
shall secure the safety and confidence
Of business interests and make the
wages of labor sure and steady, and
that our system of revenue shall be
so adjusted as to relieve the people
from unnecessary taxation, having a
due regard to the interests of capital
invested and workingmen employed
in American industries, and prevent
ing the accumulation of a surplus in
the treasury to tempt extravaganza
and waste.
Care for the property of the nation
and for the needs Of future settlers
requests that the public domain
should be protected from purloinine
schemes and unlawful occupation.
The conscience of the people de.
mands that the Indians within oui
boundaries shall be fairly and honest.
iy treated as wards of the govern.
ment, and their education and civil.
cation promoted with view to their
ultimate citizenship, and that polyga.
my in the territories, destructive OF
the family relations and offensive to
the moral sense of the civilized
world, shall be depressed. The law
should be rigidly enforced which pro-
hibits the immigration of servile
class to compete with American
labor, with no intention of acquiring
citizenship, and bringing with them
and retaining habits and customs re-
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