The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-09-19

trary the condition Of trade among our citA-
zens' is in harmony with tho views enter
tained and publicly expressed by me long
before the assembling of the convention.
Ordinarily capital shares the losses OF idle
ness with labor, but under the operation Of
the trust, In some of its forms, the wage
worker alone suffers loss, while idle capital
receives its dividends from trust fund.
Producers who refuse To join the combina-
ton are destroyed, and competition, as an
element of prices is eliminated. 1t cannot
be doubted that Sthe legislative authority
should and will find method OF dealing
fairly and effectively with these and other
abuses connected with the subject.
ut can hardly be necessary for me to say
that am heartily in sympathy with the de-
claration of the convention upon the subject
OF pensions 10 our soldiers and sailors.
What they gave and what they suffered
had some opportunity 20 observe, and in
small measure, ID experience. They gave
ungrudgingly; il was not trade, but an
Offering The measure was heaped up, run
ming over What they achieved only dis
tant generation can adequately tell. With
out attempting to discuss particular PROPOSE
tons l may add that measures In behalf OF
the surviving veterans of the war and or the
families of their dead comrades should DO
conceived and executed in a spirit of justice
and of the most grateful liberality, and
that, in the competition for civil appointment,
honorable military service should have APP
propriate recognition.
The Civil Service.
''The law regulating appointments to the
classified civil service received nay support
in the Senate, in the belief that it opened
IL II eli
think so, and, therefore cordially approve
the clear and forcible expression of the con-
vention upon this subject. The law should
have the aid of a friendly Interpretation and
be faithfully and vigorously enforced. All
appointments under it should be absolutely
free from partisan considerations and infiu-
ence Some extensions of the classified list ara
practicable and desirable, and further legis-
lation extending the reform - otheC
branches Of the service, TO which it
Is applicable, would receive my approval.
In appointments 70 every grade and depart
ment fitness, and not party service, should
be the essential and discriminating test, and
fidelity and efficiency the only sure tenure or
office. Only the interests of the public SER
vice should suggest removal from Office.
know the practical difficulties attending the
attempt To apply the spirit of the civil ser
vice rules TO all appointments and removals.
1t will, however, be my sincere purpose, IL
elected, to advance the reform. !
Il notice with pleasure that the conven-
ton did not omit 70 express its solicitude for
the promotion of virtue and temperance
among our people The Republican party
has always been friendly to everything that
tended TO make the 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 De characterized by friendliness and
respect. The right of our people and Of
our ships 90 hospitable treatment should be
insisted upon with dignity and firmness.
Our nation is too great, both in material
strength and in moral power to indulge in
bluSter or to be suspected of timorousness.
Vacillation and inconsistency are as
incompatible with successful diplomacy
as they are with the national dignity.
We should especially cultivate and
extend our diplomatic and commercial
relations with the Central and South
American States. Our fisheries should be
fostered and protected. The hardships and
risks that are the necessary incidents of the
business should not be increased by an in
icopiNdbio tACAuSloH liOIil INC
ports The resources of firm, dgnified
and consistent diplomacy are undoubtedly
equal 70 the prompt and peaceful solution
or the difficulties that now exist. Our
neighbors will surely not expect in our ports
a commercial hospitality they deny to US in
theirs
Il cannot extend this letter by a special
reference to other subjects upon which tho
convention gave an expression. In respect
10 them as well as 20 those have noticed, I
am in entire agreement with the declarations
of the convention. The resolutions relating
70 the coinage, 20 the rebuilding of the
navy, 70 coast defenses and to public lands
express conclusions to all of which | gave
my support in the Senate.
Inviting a calm and thoughtful consd-
Grafton Of these public questions, we submit
them to the people. Their intelligent patri-
otism and the good Providence that made
and has kept us nation will lead them TO
wise and safe conclusions. Very respectful
ly, your obedent servant,
BENJAMIN HARRISON.