The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-03-14


OF purely partisan zeal and effort and a
correct appreciation Of the time when the
heat OF the partisan should be merged in
the patriotism Of the citizen. To-day the
executive branch of the government is
transferred to new keeping. But this is
still government OF all the people and it
should be none the less an object OF their
affectionate solicitude. At this hour the
animOsitics of political strife, the bitterness
Of partisan defeat and the exultation OF
partisan triumph, should be supplanted by
ungrudging acquicsence in the popular will,
and a sober and conscientious concern for
the general veal. Moreover, if from this
hour we cheerfGlly and honestly abandon
all sectional prejudice and dstrust and de
termine with manly confidence in one an
other to work out harmoniously achieve
ments OF our national destiny, we shall de
serve to realize all the benefits which our
happy form OF government can bestow On
this auspiclOus occasion we may well
renew the pledge OF our devotion
to the constitution which, launched by the
founders OF the republic, and consecrated
by their prayers and patriotic devotion,
has for almost century borne the hopes
and aspiration OF 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 constitution was
commended for adoption as 1.-The result OF
a spirit OF amity and mutual concession" g."
In that same spirit it should be admins
tered in order to promote the lasting wei
fare OF the country and to secure the full
measure OF its priceless benefits to us and
to those who will succeed to the blessings
Of our national life.
The large variety of diverse and compet-
ing interests subject to federal control, per-
font tl,.,,
claims, need give us no fear that "the great
est good to the greatest number" will fail 10
be accomplished ii in the halls of rational
legislation, that spirit OF amity and mutual
concession shall prevail in which the consti-
tuition had its birth. Ii this involves the
surrender or postpOnement OF private in
terestS and the abandonment OF local ad-
vantages, compensation viii be found in
the assurance that thus the common in
terest is subserved and the general welfare
advanced.
In the discharge OF my official duty
shall endeavOr to be guided by a just and
unstrained construction of the constitutions
a careful observance Of the distinction be-
tween the powers granted to the federal
government and those reserved to the
states, or TO the people, and by Il cautious
appreciation Of those functions which, by
the constitution and laws, have been es-
peCially assigned to the executive branch of
the government. But he who takes the
oath to-day to preserve, protect and de-
iend the constitution OF the United States,
only assumes the solemn obligation which
every patriotic citizen, on the farm, in the
workshop, in the busy marts Of
trade and everywhere should share
with him. The constitution which pre-
scribes his oath, my countrymen, Is yours;
the government you have chosen him to
administrate for a time is yours. The suf
frage which executes the will of freemen, 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 voter as surely as your
chief magistrate, under the same high
sanction, though in q different sphere, eX-
erciScs u public trust. Nor is this all.
Every citizen owes TO the country vigilant
watch and close scrutiny OF the public serv-
ants and fair and reasonable estimate
of their fidelity and usefulness. Thus is
the peoples viii impressed upon the whole
framework OF our civil polity-m municipal,
state and iederal-and this is the price OF
our liberty and the inspiration of our faith
III the republic.
1t Is the duty OF those serving the peo-
pie in public place, to closely limit public
expenditures to the actual needs of gov
eminent economically administered, be-
cause this bounds the right of the govern
meut to exact tribute from the earnings of
labor or property OF citizens, and because
public extravaganza begets extravaganza
among the people We should never be
ashamed OF the simplicity and pruden-
tial 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 public affairs are still OF the peO-
pie 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 pros
perity.
The genius 81 our institutions. the needs
OF our people in their home life and the at
tention which is demanded for the settle
ment and development Of the resources of
our vast territory, dictate the scrupulous
avoidance OF amy departure from that for
eign policy commended by the history, the
tradition and the prosperity Of our repub-
lie. It is the policy of independence
favored 10y our position and defended by
our love OF justice and by our power. 1t is
the policy of peace suitable to our inter
csts 1t is the policy OF neutrality rejecting
any share in foreign hroils and ambitions
upon other continents and repel!ng their
intrusion here. II IS the policy Ot Monroe
and Washington aud jefferson peace,
commerce and honest friendship with all
nations entangling alliances with none
\ due regard for the interests and pros
perity OF all the people demand that our
finances shall hc established upon such q
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 wOrkingmcn employed III American in
dustries, and preventing the accumulation
OF a surplus in the treasury to tempt eX-
travagance and waste.
The care for the property OF the nation
and the needs for future settlers, require
that the public domain should be protected
from puTloiniug schemes and unlawful Occu.
patton. The conscience OF the people
demands that the Indians within our Dor
der5 shall be fairly and honestly treated as
wards OF the government, and their educa-
tiUu and civilization promoted with a view
to their ultimate citizenship; and that
polygamy in the territories, destructive Of
the family relation and offensive to the
moral sense Of the civilized world, shall be
represScd.
The laws should be rigidly enforced which
prohibit the emigration OF Il servile class
to compete with American labor, with no
intention OF acquiring citizenship, and
bringing with them the retaining habits and
customs So repuguant to our civilization.
The people demand reform in the admin
istratiou Of the government and the appli.
cation of business principles to public al
fairs. ~ Il means to this end civil serv-
ice reform Shoud-be i'm good faith enforced.
oar citizens have the right to protection
from the incompetency OF public employees
who hold their places solely as the reward
Of partisan service and from the corruptive
influence OF those who promise, and the
vicious methods of those who expect such
rewards and those who worthily seek pub
lie employment have thought TO insist that
merit and competency shall be recognized
instead # party sUbscryiency and tie sur.
render OF honest political belief in { ic nd
miastratjou OF a government pledged to 90
equal and exact justice to all men.
There should hc uu pretext for anxiety
touching the protection Of the freedmen in
their right, or their security or the enjoy.
nsat of their privileges under the consttu
tiuu 11td it's amendments All discussion
a~ u thcir fitness for the place accorded TO
thcu as American citizens, T. idle and Un-