The Press., 1889-03-07
tFrom President Harrison,s inaugural address.l

nave alGOgoCnor fe1oCIoO the SuggeSGlOn of special executive policy for any section of our country. It is the duty of the ex- ecutive to administer and enforce, in the methods and by the instrumentalities pointed out and provided by the Constitu- tion, all the laws enacted by congress. These laws are general, and their admins tration should be uniform and equal. As 8 citizen may not elect what laws he will obey, neither may the executive elect which he will enforce. The duty to obey and to execute embraces the Constitution
 in it's entirety, and the whole code of laws enacted under it. The evil of permitting individuals, corporations or communities
 to nullify the laws, because they cross some selfish or local interests or preju- dices, is full of danger, not only to the na-
 tion at large, but much more to those who use this pernicious expedient to escape their just obligations, or to obtain an un- just advantage over others. They will presently themselves be compelled to ap- peal to the law for protection, and those
 who would use the law as defense must not deny that use of it to others. If our great corporations would more scrupulous-
 ly observe their legal obligations and du-
 ties, they would have less cause to con- plain of the unlawful limitations of their
 rights or of violent interference with their
 operations. The community that by con-
 cert, open or secret, among it's citizens,
 denies to 8 portion of it's members their
 plain rights under the law has severed the only safe bond of social order and prosper ity. The evil works from bad center,
 both ways. It demoralizes those who
 practice if, and destroys the faith of those
 who suffer by it in the efficiency of the law as safe protector. The man in whose breast that faith has been darkened is the subject of dangerous and un- canny suggestions. Those who use unlaw, full methods, if moved by no higher motive than the selfshness that prompts them, may we'll stop and inquire what is to be the end of this. An unlawful expedient cannot become 8 permanent condition of government. If the educated and inf1u- ential classes in community either prac- tice or connive at the systematic violation of laws that seem to cross their conven- fence, what can they expect when the les son that convenience or supposed class interest is sufficient cause for lawiessness has been well learned by the ignorant classes? A community where law is the rule of conduct, and where courts, not mobs, execute it's penalties, is the only at- tractive field for business investment and honest labor.
 It is very gratifying to observe the gen. eral interest now being manifested in the reform of our election laws. Those who have been for years calling attention to the pressing necessity of throwing about the ballot and about the elector further safe- guards, in order that our elections might not only be free and pure, but might clear ly appear to be 50, will welcome the acces- sion of any who did not so soon discover the need of reform. The national con- gross has not as yet taken control of cleo lions in that case over which the Constitu- ion gives it jurisdiction, but has accepted and adopted the election laws of the sev- oral states, provided penalties for their vi- olation and method of supervision. Only
 he ineficiency of the state laws, or an unt
 air or partisan administration of them, could suggest departure from this policy. It was clearly, however, in the contempla- .ion of the framers of the Consultation that Iuch an exigency might arise, and pro- 7ision was wisely made for it. No power vested in congress or in the executive, to Iecure or perpetuate it, should remain ul- lsed upon occasion. The people of all
 he congressional districts have an equal
 interest that the election in each shall truly express the views and wishes of majority # the qualified electors residing within it. The results of such elections are not local, md the insistence of electors residing in ,ther districts that they shall be pure and rec does not savor at all of impertinence. f in any of the states the public security s thought to be threatened by ignorance
 mong the electors, the obvious remedy is 'ducation. The sympathy and help of our ,eople will not be withheld from any com nunity struggling with special embarrass- nents or difficulties connected with the
 mirage if the remedies proposed proceed lpon lawful lines and are promoted by ust and honorable methods. How shall hose who practice election frauds recover hat respect for the sanctity of the ballot which is the first condition and obligation
 f good citizenship? The man who has ome to regard the ballot-box as iuggler's
 at has -renounced his allegiance.
 Let us exalt patriotism and moderate UT party contentious. Let those who vould die for the flag on the field of battle i've better proof of their patriotism and
 higher glory to their country by promot- az fraternity and justice. A party suc- ess that is achieved by unfair methods or y practices that partake of revolution is urtful and evanescent, even from party ;andpoint. We should hold our differing pinions in mutual respect, and, having them to the arbitrament of the allot, should accept an adverse judgment
 ith the same respect that we should have of our opponents if the decision ad been in our favor.