Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-03-08

ministration, but in preserving for their local
communities the benefits of social order and
economical and honest government. At least
until the good offices of kindness and educa-
ton have been fairly tried, a contrary cOnclu-
sion cannot be plauslbly urged.
POLICY FOR THE WHOLE COUNTRY
7 have altogether rejected the suggestion of
a special executive policy for any section of
our country. 1t is the duty of the Executive
to administer and enforce, in methods and by
instrumental ities pointed out and provided by
the Constitution, all laws enacted by Con-
gresS These laws are general and their adj
ministration should be uniform and equal
As citizen may not elect what laws he will
obey neither may the Executive elect which
he Will enforce. The duty to obey and so eX-
ecute embraces the Constitution in its entirety
and the whole code Of laws enacted under it
The evil example of permitting individuals.
corporations OF communities to nullify the
! laws because they cross some selfish OF local
interests OF prejudiceS is full of danger, not
. only to the nation at large but much more to
those who use this perniciouS eXpedient to es-
cape just obligations or to obtain an unjust
advantage over others. They Will presently
themselves be compelled to appeal to the law
for protection and those who use the law as q
defence must not deny that use of it to others
Ii our great corporations would more scrupu-
ously observe their legal limitations and
duties they would have less cause to complain
of unlawful limitations of their rights or OF
violent interference WlUn UlltlE operations.
The community that by concert open OF
secret, among its-citizens denies to portion
of its members their plain rights under the
law has severed the only safe bond of social
order and prosperity. The evil works, from
bad centre both ways. 1t demOraliSes
those who practice it and destroys the faith OF
| those who suffer by it in the efficiency of law
as a safe protector. The man in whose breast
that faith has been darkened, is naturally the
subject of dangerous and uncanny suggestions
| mil rf,,j M
by no higher motives than the selfshness that
prompted them, may well stop and inquire
what is to be the end of this? An unlawful
eXpedient cannot become a permanent condi,
ton of Government. If the educated and in
fluential classes in a community either prac-
tice OF connive at the systematic violation OF
laws that seem to them to cross their cOnye-
nience, what can they expect when the lesson
that convenience OF supposed class interests is
a sufficient cause for 1aWleSSnesS has been
we'll learned by the ignorant classes? A
community where law is the rule of conduct
and where courts, not m0bs, execute its penal
ties, is the only attractive field for business
investments and honest labor
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The duty devolved by law upon the Presi-
dent to nominate by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, to appoint all public
officers whose appointment is not otherwise
provided for in the Constitution or by act OF
Congress, has become very burdenSome, and
its wise and efficient discharge full of diff
Guilty. The civil list is so large that per
sonal knowledge of any large number OF APP
plicants is impossible. The President must re-
are often made inconsiderately and without
any just sense of responsibility. | have a
right, | think, to insist that those who vOlun-
teer or are invited to give advice as to appoint
mentS shall exercise consideration and fidel-
ity. A high sense Of duty and ambition tC
improve the service should characterize all
public officers. There are many ways in
which the convenience and comfort of those
who have business with our public Offices
who may be promoted by thoughtful and
obliging officer, and | shall expect those
whom may appoint to justify their selection
by conspicuous efficiency in the discharge OF
their duty. Honorable party service will GER
tainly not be esteemed by me disqualification
for public office, but it will in no case be al
lowed to serve as a shield of official negli
gence. incompetency OF delinquency. 1t is
entirely creditable to seek public office by
proper methods and with proper motives, and
all applicants will be treated with considera-
ton. But shall need, and heads of depart
ments will need, time for inquiry and delib
GRAFTON. Persistent importantly will not,
therefore, be the best support of application
for office. Heads OF departments, bureaus and
all other public officers having any duty con
nected Herewith, will be expected to enforce
the civil service law fully and without evas
ion. Beyond this obvious duty | hope to do
SOtlleunlllS more 10 duNduce Il reform Ol CIVIL
service. The ideal, OF even my own ideal, ]
shall probably not attain. Retrospect will
be safer basis Of Judgment than promises.
We shall not, however, am sure, be able to
put our CIVIL service upon non partisan basis
until we have secured the encumbency that
the fair-minded men of the opposition will
approve for impartality and integrity. AS
the number of such in the civil list is increas-
ed removals from office Will diminish. While
the Treasury surplus is not the greatest evil il
iS 0lII J,0Xr Snn an ha nm
|. pie to meet ordinary demands upon our Treas
ury, with sufficient margin for those eXtrordi-
nary but scarcely less imperative demands
which arise now and then.
NEW LAWS FOR CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS.
The national Congress has not as yet taken
control of elections in that case over which
the Constitution gives it jurisdiction, but has
accepted and adopted election laws of the sev
eral States, provided penalties for their viola
ton and a method OF supervision. Only inef-
ficiency of the State laws or unfair OF partisan
administration of them could suggest depar-
ture from this policy. 1t was clearly, how
ever, i'll contemplation OF the trainers OF the
Constitution that such an exigency might arise
and the provision was wisely made for it.
The freedom of the ballot is a condition of our
national life, and no power vested in Con-
gress OF in the Executive to secure OF perpet
uate it should remain unused upon the occa-
sion. The people of all congressional districts
have an equal interest that the election in
each case shall truly express the views and
wishes OF a majority of the qualified electors
residing within it. The results of such cleo
lions are not local, and the insistance of the
electors residing in other districts that they
shall be pure and free does not SAVIOR at all
of impertinence. 1t in any of the States the
public security is thought to be threatened by
| ignorance among the electors the obvious
remedy is education. The sympathy and hell
of our people will not be withheld from any
community struggling with special embar
easements OF difficulties connected with suf
frage, if the remedies proposed proceed upon
a lawful line and are promoted by. just anC
honorable methods. How shall those who
practice election frauds recover that respect
for the sanctity of the ballot which is the frs
condition and obligation of good citizenship
| The man who has come to regard the ballo
box as jugglers' lat has renowned his allie
glance
Let us exalt patriotism and moderate oul
party contentious. Let those who would die
for the flag on the field give better proof Of
their patriotism and higher glory to theil
A party success that is achieved by unfair
methods or by practices that partake of reve
olution, is hurtful and evanescent. Even from
party standpoint we should hold our differ
| ing opinions in mutual respect, and having
submitted them to the arbitrament of the bal
lot should accept an adverse Judgment witt
the same respect that we would have demand
ed of our opponents if the decision had beer
i'll our favor. No other people have a govern
ment more worthy of their respect and love O.
land so magnificent in extent, so pleasant tt
look upon, and so full of generous suggestion
to enterprise and labor. God has placed upon
our head diadem, and has laid at our fee
power and wealth beyond definition OF calcu
Iation.
But we must not forget that we take thest
! gifts upon the condition that justice and mercy
Shall hold the reins of power and that up
ward avenues of hope shall be free to all peo
pie. | do not mistrust the future. Danger:
have been in frequent ambush along oul
paths, but we have uncovered and vanquishe(
communities, but only to give us new de
monstration that the great body of our people
| are Stahle natIiOtic and lava hilin0 N