Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-12

crime too grave to be regarded lightly. The right
of every qualified elector to cast one free ballot
and to have it honestly counted must not be ques-
toned. Every constitutional power should De
used to make this right secure and to punish
frauds upon the ballot Our colored people do
not ask special legislation in their interest, but
only to be made secure in the common rights OF |
American citizenship. They will however, nat
urally miStrust the sincerity of those party lead
ers who appeal to their race for support only in |
those localities where the suffrage is free and |
election results doubtful, and compass their dis
franchisement where their votes would be con |
trolling and their choice can not be coerced.
The nation not less than the states, is depend |
ent for prosperity and security upon the intelli-
gence and morality of the people This common |
interest very early suggested national aid in the
establishment and endowment of schools and |
colleges in the new states. There is, believe,
present exigency that calls for still more liberal
and direct appropriations in aid Of common school
education in the states.
The territorial form of government is tenn
porary expedient, not permanent civil condi'
ton 1t is adapted to the exigency that suggested
it, but becomes inadequate-and even oppressive
when applied to fixed and populous communi-
ties Several territories well able to bear the
burdens and discharge the duties of free com
monwealths in the American union. To exclude
and may well excite their indignant protest. No
question of the political preference of the people
of territory should close against them the hos
! ptahle door which has opened to two thirds OF
the existing states But admission should be reso-
| lutey refused to any territory, majority OF
| whose people cherish institutions that are repug-
| naut TO our civilization or inconsistent with
| republican form of government.
The declaration Of the convention against AL
| 0f .nJif Al Jpd in tfs
| otherwise to control arbitrarily the condition of
| trade among cur citizens is in harmony with
the views entertained and expressed by me long
| before the assembling of the convention ordi-
narily capital shares the losses of idlenesS with
| labor; hut under the operation of trust in
some of its forms. the wage worker alone suffers
loss while idle capital receives its dividends from
| a trust fund. Producers who refuse to join the
combination are destroyed and competition
| an element of prices is eliminated 1t can not be
doubted that the legislative authority should and
will find method of dealing fairly and effective
| ly with these and other abuses connected with
this subject.
1t can hardly be necessary for me to say that
am heartily In sympathy with the declaration Of
the convention upon the subject of pensions to
soldiers and sailors. What they gave and what
they suffered had some opportunity TO observe.
and in a small measure to experience. They
gave ungrudgingly; it was not trade, but an Of
fering. The measure was heaped up running
over What they achieved only distant genera
zion can adequately tell Without attempting to
discuss particular propositions, l may add that
measures in behalf of the surviving veterans Of
the war and of the families Of their dead com
radeS should be conceived and executed in
spirit OF Justice and of the most grateful liberal
ity and that in the competition for civil appoint
ment> honorable military service should have
appropriate recognition.
The Law regulating appointments to the CLASH
fed civil service received my support in the Sen
ate in the belief that il opened the way TO
much needed reform still think so, and there
fore cordially approve the clear and forcibe eS-
preston of The convention upon this subject.
The law should have friendly Interpretation and
he faithfully and vigorously enforced. All ap-
pointinents under it should be absolutely free
from partisan considerations and influence. Some
extensions of the classified list are practicable
and desirable and further legislation extending
the reform TO other branches of the service to
which ii is applicable would receive my approval
In appointments 10 every grade and department.
fitness and not party service, should he the rs
sential and discriminating test and fd lily and
efficiency the only uure of office. Only the
interests of the public service should suggest re
movals from office know the practical Difficult
ties attending the attempt to apply the spirit Of
! the civil service rules TO all appointments aud re
movaS II will, however, he my sincere purpose
if elected. to advance the reform,
notice with pleasure that the convention did
not omit TO express its solcitude for the promo
, ton Of virtue aud temperance of our people The
Z, | Republican party has always been friendly t.
everything that tended to make the home life OF
our people free, pure and prosperous. and viii il
the future be true to its history in this respect
Our relations with foreign powers should IN
characterized by frieudiine>s and respect Tn,
right Of our people and Of our ships TO hospita
= ! bic treatment should be insisted upon with dig
. nity and frnness our nation is too great boti
{ in material strength and in moral power 70 in
dulge in hluster to be suspected Of timorous
ness Vasciilation and inconsistency as in
compatible with successful diplomacy a
they are with the national digui
ty We should especially cultivate and extent
our diplomatic and commercial relations with tn
= Central and South American states. our fisher
!, les should be fostrred an protected The hard
i ships and risks that are the necessary incidents @
I tn. business should not b., increased by an nhos
Il pitahle exclusion from the near lying ports. Tn
= resources If a firm, dignifed, and consistent d
e pIornAcv are undoubtedly equal to the promp
o and peaceful solution of the difficulties that no,
= exist oar neighhors will surely not expect i
I our ports a commercial hospitality they deny t
us in theirs.
/ can not extend This letter by a special refel
III ence to other subjects upon which the couventio
- gave an expression In respect to them As We
i7 as 10 those have noticed. am in entire aEre,
+ ment with the declarations of the convention
The resolutions relating to the coinage, TO the r.
ie builIing Of the navy, to coast defenceS and
IL public lands, express conclusions to all of which
h gave my support in the senate.
L Inviting calm and thoughtful consideration
or these public questions, submit them to ii
" people Their intelligent patriotism and the GOO
T. Providence that made and has kept natio
" will lead them 10 wise and safe conclusions Net