Bismarck weekly tribune., 1888-09-14

ldllly CllGCLlv6ly WlCl CUcS0
and other abuses connected with this sub
ject.
PENSIONS FOR OUR HEROES.
1t can hardly be necessary for me to say that
I am heartily in sympathy with the declar-
alton OF the convention upon the subject of
pensions to our soldiers and sailors. What
they gave and what they suffered l had
some opportunity to observe and in small
measure to experience. They gave un-
grudgingly. 1t was not trade but an Of
fering. The measure was heaped up and
running over. What they achieved only a
distant generation can adequately tell.
Without attempting to discuss particular
propositions may add that measures in
behalf OF the surviving veterans of the war
and OF the families of their dead comrades
should De conceived and executed in q
spirit of justice and OF the most grateful
liberality, and that in the competition for
civil appointment, honorable military SER
vice should have appropriate recOgni-
ton.
REFORM IN THE CIVIL SERVICE NEEDED.
The law regulating applicants to the clas-
sified civil service received my hearty sup
port in the senate, in the belief that it
opened the way to much needed reform.
l still think so and therefore cordially ap-
prove the clear and forcible expression of
the convention upon the subject. The
law should have the aid of friendly in
depreciation and be faithfully and vigOr-
ously enforced. All appointments under
it should BE- free from partisan con
slderatiOns and influence. Some extensions
OF the classified list are practicable and
desirable and further Legislation extending
the reform to other branches of service to
which it is,applicable would receive my ap-
proval. In appointment to every grade
and department, fitness and not party SER
vice should be the essential and discrimin-
ating test, and fidelity and efficiency the
only sure tenure of Office. know the
to apply the civil service rules to all ap-
pointments and removals. It will, how
ever, be my sincere purpose, if elected, to
advance the reform. lnOtice with pleasure
that the convention did not omit to express
its solicitude for the promotion of virtue
and temperance among our people. The
republican party has always been friendly
home life of our people free, pure and
prosperous, and will in the future be true
to its history in this respect.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with foreign powers
should be characterized with friendll-
ness and respect. The right of CUR
people and of our ships to hospitable treat
ment should be insisted upon with dig
nifty and firmness. Our nation is too great,
both in material strength and moral power,
to indulge in bluster or to be suspected of
timorousness. Vacillation and inconsist-
ency are as incompatible with successful
diplomacy as they are with national dig
nifty. We should especially cultivate and
extend our commercial relations with Cen
tral and South American States. Our fish,
cries should be fostered and protected.
The hardships and risks that are the nec-
essary incidents of the business should not
be increased by an inhOspltable exclusion
from the near lying ports. The res ,urces
of firm, dignitied and consistent diplO-
macy are undoubtedly equal to the prompt
and peaceful solution of the difficulties
that now exist. Our neighbors will surely
pitality that they deny to us in theirs. I
cannot extend this letter by special ref
erence to other subjects upon which the
convention gave an expression. In re.
spect to them as well as those have no
ticed am in entire agreement with the
declarations of the convention. The reso-
lutiOns relating to the coinage. to the re-
building OF the navy, to the coast defenses
and to public lands express conclusions to
all of which gave my support in the sem
ate. Inviting calm and thoughtful con-
sideratiOn of these public questions we
submit them to the people. Their intelli-
gent patriotism and good providence that
made and has kept us nation will lead
them to wise and safe conclusions. Very
Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
BENJAMIN HARRISON.