The National tribune., 1889-03-07

protector. The man in whose breast that fat has
been darkened is naturally the subject OF danger
Gus and uncanny suggestions.
THE LAW MUST BE RESPECTED.
Those who use unlawful methods, If moved by |
higher motive than the sefshness that prompt |
ed them may well stop and inquire What is to be |
the end of this? An unlawful expedient cannot |
become permanent condition of government. II |
the educated and influential classes in commune
ty either practice connive at the systematic vio-
lation of laws that seem TO them to cross their |
convenience, what can they expect when the |
lesson that convenience a supposed class inter
est is sufficient for lawle wlessness has been
well learned by the ignorant classes? A communi-
" where law is the rule of conduct, and where
courts, not mobs execute its penalties Is the only
attractive field for business investments and honest
labor.
Our naturalization laws should be so amended as
10 make the inquiry into the character and good
disposition of persons applying for citizenship more
careful and searching. Our existing laws have
been in their administration unimpressive and
often an unintelligbe form. We accept the man
citizen without any knowledge to what
they are. The privileges of American citizenship
are so great and its duties so grave that we may
well insist upon good knowledge of every per-
son applying for citizenship, and a good knowl-
edge by him of our institutions. We should not
cease to be hospitable to emigration but should
to be careless to the character oft There
are men of all races even the best, whose coming
is necessarily burden upon our public revenue, or
threat TO social order. These should be ldentl-
fled and excluded.
FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS.
We have happily maintained policy of avoid
ing all interference with European affairs. We
have been only interested spectators of their con-
tention in diplomacy and in war, ready to use our
friendly offices TO promote peace, but never OBJ
truding our advice and never attempting unfairly
to coin the distresses of other powers into CONNER
cial advantage to ourselves. We have just right
to expect that our European policy Will be the
American policy of European courts. 1t IS so man
festly incompatible with those precautions for our
peace and safety which all the great powers habit
ualy observe and enforce in matters affecting
them that shorter waterway between our East
ern and Western seaboards should be dominated
hXy an lnTt we nj fi-
IDENTIFY expect that such purpose will not be en-
tertained by any friendly power. We shall, in the
future, as in the past, every endeavor to main
tain and enlarge friendly relations with all the
great powers, but they will not expect us to look
kindly upon any project that would leave us sub
ject to the dangers of hostile observation or envi
ronmant We have not sought to dominate or to
absorb any of our weaker neighbors, but rather to
aid and encourage them to establish free and stable
governments, resting upon the consent OF their
own people. We have clear right to expect,
therefore, that no European Government will seek
to establish colonial dependencies upon the terri
tory of these independent American States. That
which a sense of justice Festrains from seeking
they may be reasonably expected willingly to fore
go.
RESPECT DEMANDED FOR OUR FLAG.
1t must be assumed, however. that our interests
are so exclusively American that our entire mat
tenton to any events that may transpire elsewhere
can be taken for granted. Our citizens domiciied
for purpose of trade in all countries and in many
of the islands of the sea, demand and will have
our adequate care In their personal and CONNER
cial rights. The necessities of our Navy require
convenient coaling stations aud dock and harbor
privileges These and other trading privileges we
will feel free to obtain only by that do not
IN any degree partake of coercion, however feeble
the Government from which we ask such eonces-
sons. But, having fairly obtained them. by meth
ods and for purposes entirely consistent with the
most friendly disposition toward All other powers
our consent will be necessary TO any modification
or impairment of the concession.
We shall neither fail to respect the flag of any
friendly nation the just rights OF its citizens,
to exact the like treatment for our own Calmness
slOuld characterize
diplomacy. The Offices of an intelligent diplomacy
or of frieuC arbitration in proper cases should be
adequate &c the peaceful adjustment of ali nterna-
toual difficulties. BY such methods we will make
our contribution to the worlds peace, which
nation values more highly, and avoid the oppro-
brium which must fall upon the nation that ruth
lessly breaks it.
THE APPOINTMENTS TO OFFICE
| The duty devolved by law upon the President to
nominate, and by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate to appoint all public officers whose
appointment Is not otherwise provided for III the
! Constitution by act OF Congress, has become
very burdensome, and its wise and efficient dis
charge full of difficulty. The civil list large that
a personal knowledge OF any large number of the
applicants is impossible. The President must rely
upon the representations of others aud these
often made inconsideretely and without any just
! sense OF responsibility.
! have a right. think, to insist that those who
volunteer or are invited to give advice as TO APP
ponmeuts shall exercise consideration and fidelity
| A high sense of duty and ambition to improve
the service should characterize all public officers.
There are many ways in which the convenience
| and comfort of those who have business with
public offices may be promoted by thoughtful
and obiiging officer and shall expect those whom
l may appoint to justify their selection by con-
spicuous efficiency in the discharge of their duties
Honorable party service will certainly not be
teemed by disqualification for public office, but
it will in case be allowed 10 serve a shield of
official negligence, incompetency or delinquency.
1t Is certainly creditable to seek public office by
proper methods and with proper motives, and all
applicants will be treated with consideration. But
shall need and the heads of the Departments will
| RPd for md deliberalOn
importantly will not therefore, be the best support
of an application for Office. Heads of Departments,
| duty connected Herewith, will be expected to
force the Civil Service law fully and without
| evasion.
REFORMING THE CIVIL SERVICE.
| Beyond this obvious duty hope to do something
more to advance the reform of civil service The
| ideal even my own ideal shall probably not
attain. Retrospect will be safer basis of judg
mcnt than promises. We shall not, however, am
| sure, be able to put our civil service upon q nom
partisan basis until we have secured an incumbency
( that fair-mnded men of the opposition will ap-
prove for impartiality and integrity. AS the num-
ber of such in the civil list is increased removals
from office will diminish.
While Treasury surplus is not the greatest evil
it is a serious evil Our revenue should be ample
TO meet the ordinary annual demands upon our
Treasury with sufficient margin for those extra
ordinary but scarcely less imperative demands
which arise now and then Expenditure should
always be made with economy, and only upon
public necessity. Wastefulness protiigacy or fa-
yoritism in public expenditure is criminal. But
there is nothing in the condition of our country or
OF our people to suggest that anything presently
necessary to the public prosperity, security or
honor should be unduly postponed. II will be the
duty of Congress wisely to forecast and estimate
these extraordinary demands, and having added
them TO ordinary expenditures, to so adjust our
revenue laws that no considerable annual surplus
win remain.
We will fortunately be able to apply to the re-
demption of the public debt any smaller and un-
foreseen excess of revenue. This is better than to
| reduce our income below necessary expendi-
lures with the resulting choice between another
change of our revenue laws and an increase of the
public debt. II is quite possible sure, to ef-
feet the necessary reduction in our revenue with
out breaking down our protective tariff or serious
IS injuring any domestic industry.
The construction of n sufficient number of mod
ern war ships and of their necessary armament
should progress as rapidly is consistent with
care and perfection in plans and workmanship.
OUR FLAG ON THE SEAS.
The spirit, courage and skill of our naval officers
| and seamen have many times in our history given
30 weak ships and insufficient guns rating great.
! ly beyond that OF the naval list That they will
again do upon occasion do not doubt but they
ought not by premedtaton neglect, to be left tC
the risk and exigencies OF an unequal combat. VIZ
. should encourage the establishment of American
T steamship lines. The exchanges of commerce de
nand stated, reliable andrapid means of communi
cation, and until these provided the develop
ment of trade with the States lying south of III
| is impossible.
Our pension laws should give more adequate anC
discriminating relief to the Union soldiers and sail
! ors and to their widows and orphans. Such oeca