New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-09-19
Grams of the war and Of the families Of their

Grams Of the war and of the families Of thei1
dead comrades should be conceived and exc
cuted in spirit of Justice and of the most
grateful liberality, and that in the compet1-
ton for civil appointme emit, honorable military
service should have appropriate recognition.
The law regulating The appointments to the
classified civil service received my support in
the senate, in the belief that it opened the
way to much needed reform. IstiIl think
so. and therefore cordially approve the clear
and forcible expression of the convention
upon this subj ect The law should have the
aid OF a friendly interpretation. and be
faithfully and vigorously enforced All APP
pointments under it should be absolutely
free from partisan considerations and in
fuence. Some extensions of the classified
list are practicable and desirable. and fur
ther legislation extending the reform to
other branches of the service, to which it is
applicable, would receive my approval In
appointments to 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 Of
Office. Only the interests of the public serv-
ice should suggest removals from Office.
know the practical difficulties attending the
attempt to apply the spirit of the civil serv-
ice rules to all appointments and removals.
1t will, however, be my sincere purpose, If
elected, to advance the reform. I notice
with pleasure that the convention did not
omit to express its solicitude for the promo
ton 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 prosp erous, and will in the future be
true to it's history in this respect Our rela-
lions with foreign powers should be charac-
terized by friendliness and respect The right
OF our people and of orr ships to hospitable
treatment should be insisted upon with dig
nifty and hrmness.
OUR NATION Is TOO GREAT,
both in material strength and in moral
power, to indulge in buster OF to be sus-
pected of timorousness. Vacillation and in
consistency are as incompatible with sue
cessful diplomacy as they are with the
national dignity. We should especially cult
vate and extend our diplomatic and CONNER
cial relations with the Central and South
American states. Our fisheries should be
fosUered and protected. The hardships and
risks that are the necessary incidents of the
business should not be increased by an in
hospitable exclusion from the near lying
ports The resources of firm, dlgnified
and consistent diplomacy are undoubtedly
equal to the prompt and peaceful solution
OF the difficulties that now exist Our neigh
bors will surely not expect in our ports a
commercial hospitality they deny to us in
theirs. / cannot extend this letter by a spe-
c1al reference to other subjects upon which
the convention gave an expression. In re-
spect to them. rs well as those have no.
ticed, am in entire agreement with the
declarations of the convention. The resolu-
lions relating to the coinage, to the rebuild
ing of the navy, to coast defenses and to
public lands express conclusions to all of
which I gave my support in the senate In
viting calm and thoughtful consideration
OF these public questions, we submit them to
the people. Their intelligent patriotism and
the good Providence that made and ha kept
us a nation will lead them to wise and safe
conclusions Very respectfully, your ODE,
dent servant, BENJAMIN HARRISON.