Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-03-12

~
tuition was commended for adoption as the
result OF spirit of amity and mutual con-
ce,sion." lii that same spirit 1t should be
administered, in order to promote the lasting
welfare of the country and to secure the tull
measure of It's priceless dement's 10 us ana
10 those who will succeed to the blessings OF
our national life The large variety OF Ill
verse and competing interests subject 10
fe .eral control, p-Tsistently seeking the rec
ognition of their claims. need give us no
fear that the greatest good to the greatest
number" will fail TO be accomplished II IN
the halls Of national legislation that spirit
of amity aud mutual concession shall pre-
vail I'm which the constitution had It's birth.
II this involves the surrender or postpone
ment of private interests and the ABANDON
ment of local advantages, compensation
Ni.l Doe found in the assurance that thus the
common interest j. >ubsefyed and the gen
eral welfare advanced.
In the discharge of my official duty shan
endeaver 20 be guided by Il just and uns.raln-
ed construction of the constitution, care
nl observance Of the distinction between
the powers granted to the Federal govern
ment ana nose RESERVED q. =, the S,e.e .. -
the people, and by cautious appreciation
of those luacn0ns which by the constitution
.oA Law, have been especially assigned TO
the executive branc@. at the government
But he who takes the oath to-day to pre-
serve. protect and defend the constitution
of the United States, only ASSUMES 1he Sp.-
emn obligation which every patriotic cltl-
zen. on the farm, in the workshop, IN the
hu.y marts of trade. and everywhere, should
share with him. The constitution which
prescribes his oath, nay oountryman, IS yours;
The government you have chosen him toad
minister tor a time Is yours the suffrage
which executes the will Of iFeemen syourS,
fine laws and the entire scheme of our civil
rule from the town meeting to the state
rapitols and the national Capitol Is yours.
Your every voter, as surely as your Chlei
Magistrate under the same high sanction,
thong. in a different sphere, exercises .
pubic trust Nor Is this all. Every clu-
zen owes 10 the country a yieilant watch
and close scrutiny Of its public servants,
and "a fair and reasonable estimate OF their
idehtyand usefulness. Thus is the peoples
will impressed upon the whole framework
of our civil poity-munlcipal, State and
lederai-and this is the price of our liberty
and the inspiration of our faith IN the re-
public.
Il is the duty of those serving the people
I'm public place to close Y limit public eXpen-
ditures to the actual needs Of the govern
ment economically administered; because
this bounds the right of the government to
exact tribute from the earnings of labor, or
the property of the citizen. and because pub
lie extravaganza beget7 extravaganza among
the people. We should never be ashamed
of the simplicity and prudential economies,
which are best suited 10 the operation OF
republican form o. government aud most
compatible with the mission of the Ameri-
can people Those who are selected for
limited time to manage public affairs are
still of the people and may do much by
their example 20 encourage, consistently
with the dignity Of their official functions,
that plain way of life which among their
telluw-ctizeus aids integrity and promotes
thrift and prosperity.
The genius OF onr institutions, the needs
of our people in & ir home-liie and the at
ten,ion which is demanded for the settle
mcnt and deveopement of the resources of
our vast territory, dictate the scrupulouS
avoidance OF any departure from that for
eigu policy. commended 10y the history, the
traditions and the prosperity of our repub-
he. Tt +. the policy of independence favor
"a bv our position and defended by our
known love of Justice and by our power. 1t
+, the policy Of peace suitable to our inter
e,ts. IL is the policy of neutrality reject
ing any share in foreign broils and amhl-
tions upon other continents, and repelling
their intrusion here. Ii Is the policy OF
Monroe and of Washington and jefferson
" Peace commerce and honest friendship
with all nations. entangling alliance with
none" 4 due regard tor the interests and
prosperity of all the people demand that
our finances shall he established upon such
a sound aud sensible basis As shall secure
the safety and confidence of business inter
e,ts. and make the wage of labor sure and
steady. and that our system of revenue shall
b, So adjusted rs 20 relieve the people from
unnecessary taxation having due regard
to the interest of capital invested and work
inrmcn employed in American industries,
and preventing an accumulation of a sur
plus I'm the treasury 10 tempt extravaganza
and waste Care for the property of the
nation and for the needs of future settlers
require that the public domain should be
protected from purlOining schemes and un-
lawful occupation.
The conscience of the people demands
that the Indians within our boundaries shall
be fairly and honestly treated as wards Ct
the government and their education and
civilization promoted, with view to their
ultimate citizenship, and that polygamy in
the Territories destructive of the family re-
ation and offensive 10 the moral sense of
the civilized world shall be repreSSed. The
laws should be rigidly enforced which pro-
hibit the immigration ola servile class to
compete with American labor with no in
teution of acquiring citizenship, and bring
ING with them and retaining habits and
customs ropugnant to our civilization.
The people demand reform in the admin
i,tration of the government. and the appli-
cation of business principles to public II
fairs. As means 70 this end ciyilservice
reform should be in good faith enforced.
Our 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 cOrrupting
influence of those who promise, and the
vicious methods of those who expect such
rewards. And those who worlhly seek
public employment have the right to insist
that merit aud competency shall be recog
uized, instead of party Subservency or the
surrender of honest political belief.
In the administration of government
pledged to do equal and exact Justice to all
,o.n +Lara should he no frptpxt for ANXIETY /