The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-03-05

deserve to realize all tho benefits which our
happy form Of government can bestow.
On this auspicious occasion We may we'll re-
new the pledge OF our devotion TO the Constitu-
ton. which. launched by the founders OF the
republic. and consecrated by their prayers and
patriotic devotion. has for almost q century
borne the hopes and the aspirations Of a great
people through prosperity and peace and
through the shock Of foreign conflicts and the
perils OF domestic strife and vicissitudes.
By the Father OF his Country our Uonstitu.
ton was commended for adoption "a the re-
suit OF spirit OF amity and mutual conces-
| sion." In that same spirit II should be admin
istered. in order to promote the lasting welfare
OF the country and to secure tho full measure
OF It's priceless benefits to us and to those who
will succeed to the blessings Of our national
life. The large variety of diverse and com pct
ing interests subject to Federal control per-
sistently seeking the recognition OF their
claims. need give US no fear that " the greatest
good to the greatest number " will fail TO be ao-
complished II. in the halls OF national legisia-
ton. that spirit OF amlty and mutual conces-
sion shall prevail In which the Constitution
had Its birth. II this involves the surrender or
postponement OF private interests and the
abandonment OF local advantages. com pensa-
ton will be found In the assurance that thus
eral welfare advanced.
In the discharge Of my official duty shall
endeavor to be guided by Just and unstrained
construction OF the Constitution, q careful OBJ
servance OF the distinction between the pow
ers granted to the Federal Government and
those reserved to the Statos or to the people.
and by O cautious appreciation OF those func-
tions which. by the Constitution and laws. have
boon especially assigned to the executive
branch Of the Government.
But no who takes the oath to. day to preserve.
protect. and defend the Constitution OF the
United States. only assumos the solemn oblra-
ton which every patriotic citizen on the farm,
In tho workshop. In the busy marts of trade.
and everywhere. should share with him. The
Constitution which prescribcs his oath. my
countrymen, Ia yours; the Government you
have chosen him to administer for o
time is yours; the suffrage which exc
cutes the will OF froemen Is yours; the laws
and the entire scheme of our civf1 rule. from
the town meeting to the State Captols and the
national Capitol Is yours. Your every voter.
az surely rs your Chief Magistrate. under tho
same high sanction. though In a different
sphere. exercises public trust Nor is this all:
Every citizen owes to the country q vigilant
watch and close scrutiny OF its public servants.
and n fair and reasonable estimate OF their
fidelity and usefulness. Thus is the peoples
will impressed upon the whole framework Of
our civil polity. municipal. State. and Federal
and this is the price OF our liberty and the In
SEPARATION of our faith in the republic.
1t is the duty OF those serving the people in
public place to closely limit public expendi-
lures TO tho actual needs OF the Govern
mont. economically administered. because this
bounds the right OF the Government to exact
tribute from tho earnings OF labor or the prop
erty Of the citizen. and because public extrava-
Rance begets extravaganza among the people.
We should never be ashamed OF the simplicity
and prudential economies which are best
suited to the operation Of republican form Of
government. and most compatible with the
mission OF the American people. Those who
are selected. for a limited time. to manage pub
lie affairs are still OF the people. and may do
much by their example to encourage. consist
emily with the dignity OF their official functions
that plain way OF life which among their fellow
citizens aids integrity and promotes thrift and
prosperity.
The genius OF our institutions. tho needs OF
our people in their home life. and the attentio
which Is demanded for the settlement and de-
| veiopmsnt of the resources OF our vast terri
tory, dictate the scrupulOus avoidance OF any
departure from that foreign policy commended
by the history, tho traditions and tho pros
perity Of our republic. It Is the policy OF in
| dependence. favored by our position and de-
Tended 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 reject
ing any share in foreign broils and ambitions
upon other continents. and repellinG their in
trusion here. 1t is the policy OF Monroe. oil
Washington. and Jefferson: Peace. commerce
and honest friendship with al nations; entan-
| Cling alliances with none"
| A due regard for the interests and prosperity
| OF all tho people demands that our finances
| shall bs established upon such n sound and
| sensible basis as shall secure the safety and
| confidence OF business interests and make tho
wages of labor sure and steady. and that our
| system Of revenue shall be adjusted as to re-
| lieve the people from unnecessary taxation
having due regard to tho interests OF capital
| Invested and workingmen employed In Ainsri-
| can industries and preventing the accumula-
| ton Of a surplus in the Treasury to tempt ex.
| travagance and waste Care for the property oil
| the nation. and for the needs Of future settlers
| requires that the public domain should be pro.
| footed from purloining schomos and unlawful
| occupation:
| Tho conscience OF tho people demands thai
| tho Indians within our boundaries shall be
| fairly and honestly treated rs wards OF the
| Government and their education and civiza
| ton promoted with view to their ultimat.
| citizenship; md tina polygnmy in the Terrific.
ries. destructive Of the family relation and Of.
| fensive to the moral sense OF the civilized
world shall be repressed. Tho laws should BE-
rigidly enforced which prohibit tho immigra
| ton OF II scrvi.e class to compete with Ameri
can labor with no intention OF acquiring citi
zsnship. and bringing with them and retaining
habits and customs repugnant to our civilian
| ton.
The people demand reform in the admin.
istrstion Of tho Government and the appica
ton Of business principles to public affairs. Al
| q means to this end. civil service reform should
| DO in good faith enforced. Our citizens have
| the right to protection from the Incompetence
| Of public employees who hold their places
solely as the reward Of partisan service. and
| from the corrupting influence OF those who
promise and the vicious method OF those who
expect such rewards. And those who worthily
seek public employment have the right to in.
| sist that merit and competency shall DO recog
| nized instead OF party subserviency. or the sur
| render OF honest political belief.
In the administration OF q Government