The Portland daily press., 1888-09-12

nucleus Of our best immigration and kha
home Of the most potent asslmllating force
in our civilization. Objections 10 Chinese i'm
migration are distinctive and conclusive and
are now 50 generally accepted as such that
the question has passed entirely beyond the
subject would. II should be charged with
their enforcement be faithfully executed.
Such amendments or further legislation as
may be necessary to prevent eyasi0ns Of the
laws and stop further Chinese immigration
rsss1oa wosid also 70 me meet my approval The sx
ject Is In entire harmony with my views.
Our civil compact Is government By ma
j0rities and the law loses Its sanction and
the magistrate our respect, when this com
frauds do not expend themselves upon yot-
ers who are robbed of their rightful influence
In public affairs. The individual or cOmmu-
nifty, or party that practices OF connives at
election frauds, has suffered irreparable in
jury, and win sooner or later realize that to
exchange the American system OF majority
rule for minority control. Is not only uniaw-
Iul and gnpatTi0tic, but very unsafe Tor
those who promote IL. The dlsfranehlse-
nent Of single legal elector by fraud or In
tinidati0n Is crime too grave to DO regard
~ nShtly. The right OF every qualified
tl&etOr 70 east one free ballot and TO have it
honestly counted must not be questioned
ENeiy constitutional power should be used
w tnAs Athutt secure anu PUNISH IIAuu3
upon the ballot Our e0lOred people do not
ask special legislation In their interest, but
only 70 De made secure in the common rights
OF American citizenship. They will. how
ever, naturally mistrust the sincerity Of those
party leaders who appeal 10 their race for
support only In those localities where suf-
frage Is Tree and election results doubtful
ana compass their Acknowledgement where
lhs. lhsir votes would be controlling II their
choice cannot be cOerced.
The Nation, not less than the States, Is de-
pendent Tor prosperity aud security upon the
Intelligence and morality Of the people. This
common interest very early suggested ma
ti0ndl aid In the establishment and endOw-
ment Of schools and colleges In the new
states. Fhere -, -bcffrvr. ~ prrsent en-.
igency that calls for still more liberal and
direct appropriations In aid OF common
school education In the s. ties.
The territorial form Of government Is a
temporary expedient, not a permanent civil
condition. Ii Is adapted to the exigency that
suggested 1t, but becomes inadequate and
even oppressive, when applied to liked and
are well able to bear the burdens and dis
charge the duties OF free commonwealth In
the American union. To exclude them Is 10
deny the Just rights Of their people and may
question Of the political preference OF the
people OF territory should close against
them the h0spltabe door which has opened
TO two-tnirds Of the existing States. But ad-
lul5olUu Sutulu TtoOluLtiY refused TO HnN
territory, majority OF whose people cherish
institutions that are repugnant TO our civil
lzation or Inconsistent with a Republican
form OF government.
The declaration OF the convention
against 'all combinations Of capital ORGAN
lied In trusts or otherwise, 10 control arbi-
trarily the condition OF trade among our cit
lzenS Is In harmony with the views enter
tanned 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 capita
receives Its dividends from a trust fund.
PRODUCERS who refuse to join the cOmbina-
ton are DESTROYED, and competition, as an
element OF prices. Is eliminated. IL cannot
be doubted that the legislative authority
should and will find a method Of dealing
fairly and effectively with these and other
abuses connected with this subject.
Ii can hardly be necessary for me 10 say
that am heartily In sympathy with the
declaration OF the convention upon the sub
lect OF pensions TO our soldiers and sailors.
What they gave and what they suffered. 1
small measure, TO experience. They
gave ungrudglngy. 1t was not a trade but
an onering The measure was heaped up
and running over. What they achieved.
only distant generation can adequately
tell. Without attempting to discuss particu-
lar propositions. 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 a
| spirit OF justice and Of the most grateful
liberty and that In the competition for civil
/ appointment honoroble military service
should have ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
| Inc law regulating appointments to the
ate, In the belief that it opened the way 70 a
much needed reform. still think so, and,
therefore, cordially approve the clear and
forcible expression Of the convention upon
THIS subject. The law should have the aid
| OF friendly Interpretation and be faithfully
and vigorously enforced. All appointments
under it should be absolutely free from parti-
san considerations and influence. Some extern
slons Of the classified list are practicable and
desirable, and further legislation extending
the reform to other branches OF the service.
TO which It Is applicable, would receive my
approval. In appointments TO every grade
| ana department, fitness. and not party SER
| VICE, should be the essential and discrimin-
ating test, and fidelity and efficiency tie only
sure tenure OF Office, Only the interests
OF the public service should suggest removals
from otfiee. know the practical difficulties
attending the attempt to apply the spirit Of
the civil service rules 10 all appointments
and removals. IL will, however, be my sim
i form.
l notice with pleasure that the convention
dld not emit 70 express its sOlicitude for the
II
our people. The Republican party has al
ways been friendly to everything that tend
1 ed 70 make the home LIE NJ our people free
pure ami prosperous. and Wiz. In future, BE-
1 true TO Us history In this respect.
| Our relations with foreign powers should
1e characterized BY friendliness and respect.
i The right * our people and OF our ships to
1 hOsptable treatment should be insisted on
with dignity and hrmness. Our nation Is
| too great. both In material strength and in
moral power, 70 indulge In buster or to be
| suspected Of tim0rousness. VacillatiOn and
| inconsistency are Incompatible with success
tul diplomacy, as they are with the national
| dignity. We should especially cultivate and
| extend our diplomatic and commercial Tela-
1 tions with the Central and south American
4 States Our fisheries should BE- fOstered and
| protected. The hardshlps and risks that are
| The necessary incidents Of the business,
should not be Increased by an inhOspitable
exclusion from the near-ying ports. The re-
| sources Of firm, dignifed and consistent d.
1 plomaey aTe undoubtedly equal to the prompt
and peaceful solution Of the difficulties that
now exist. Our neighb0rs will surely not
expect In our ports commercial hospitality
| they deny 20 Us In theirs.
cannot extend this letter by a special ref
erence 10 other subjects upon which the con-
yention gave an expression. In respect 70
them, as well as to those 1 have noticed,
am In entire agreement with the declara-
l ti0nS OF the convention. The resolutions re-
lating to the coinage, to the rebuilding Of
| the navy, TO coast defences and to public
lands express conclusions 10 all Of which
gave my support in the Senate. Inviting a
calm and thoughtful consideration to these
i pubic questions, we submit them to the
| people. Their Intelligence. patriotism and
/ the good providence that made and has kept
us nation will lead them to wise and safe
/ conclusions.
| Very respectfully,
Your Obedlent servant,
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
The Metropolitan DaIIIes.