Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-04

~~>>ss o0ter.
tanned BY any friendly power. We shall, in the
future, az in the past, use every endeavor to
maintain and enlarge our friendly rela-
tons with all the great powers, but
they viii not expect us to look kindly
upon any project that would leave us subject
to the dangers of a hostile observation or en-
vironment. 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 sense Of justice Restraints us from
seeking, they may be reasonably expected will
ingly to forego
1t must not be assumed, however, that our
interests are 30 exclusively American that our
entire inattention to any events that may trans
pire elsewhere can be taken for granted. Our
citizens, domiciled 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 commercial
rights. The necessities of our navy require
convenient coaling stations and dock and harbor
privileges. These and other trading privileges
We viii feel free to obtain only by means that do
not in any degree partake of coercion, however
feeble the government from which we ask such
concessions. But, having fairly obtained them
by methods 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 conces-
sion.
We shall neither fail to respect the flag of
any friendly nation or the just rights Of its
citizens, nor to exact the like treatment for our
own. Calmness, justice and consideration
should characterize our diplomacy. The off,
ces of an intelligent diplomacy to the
peaceful adjustment Of all internation-
al difficulties. BY such methods we
will make our contribution to the worlds peace,
which no nation values more highly, and avoid
the opprobrium which must fall upon the nation
that ruthlessly breaks it.
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 in the Constitution or by act of
Congress, has become very burdensome, and
its wise and efficient discharge full of difficulty
The civil list is SO large that
personal knowledge of any large number
OF the applicants is impossible. The President
must rely upon the representations of others,
and these 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 fidelity,
A htrha Of 1rrtx arxI
prove the service should characterize all pub
lie officers. There are many ways in which the
convenience and comfort Of those who have
business with our public offices may be pro-
noted by thoughtful and obliging
officer, and I shall expect those whom
may appoint to justify their selec-
ton by conspicuous efficiency in the dis
charge Of their duties. Honorable party serv-
ice will certainly not be esteemed by me dis
qualification for public Office, but it will in no
case be allowed to serve as a shield Of official
negligence, incompetency or delinquency. 1t is
entirely credtable to seek public Office by proper
methods and with proper motives, and all APP
plicants viii be treated with consideration.
But shall need, and the heads of the depart
ments will need, time for inquiry and delibera-
ton. Persistent Importantly will not, there
fore, be the best support of an 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 evasion.
Beyond this obvious duty hope to do some
thing more to advance the reform of civil
service. The ideal or even my own ideal
/ shall probably not attain. Retrospect
will be a safer basis of Judgment
than promises. We shall not, however,
I am sure, be able to put our civil
service upon a non-partisan basis
until We have secured an incumbency that fair
minded men Of the opposition will approve for
impartiality and integrity. As the number of
such in the civil list is increased, removals from
Office will diminish
While treasury surplus is not the greatest
evil it Is q serious evil. Our revenue should be
ample to meet the ordinary annual demands
upon our Treasury with a sufficient margin for
those extraordinary but scarcely less
imperative demands which arise now
and then. Expenditure should always be
made with economy and only upon public
Wastefulness, profigacy or favorit-
ism in public expenditures is criminal. But
there is nothing in the condition of our country
or Of our people to suggest that anything pres
sently necessary to the public prosperity,
security or honor should be unduly post
poned 1t will be the duty of Con-
gress wisely to forecast and estimate
these extraordinary demands, and having added
them to our ordinary expenditures, to SO adj
just our revenue laws that no considerable an
nual surplus viii remain. We will fortunately
be able to apply to the redemptiono Of the public
debt any sTnaller and unforeseen excess
Of revenue. This is better than to
reduce our income below our necessary
with the resulting choice between
another change Of our revenue laws and an in
crease Of the public debt. 1t is quite possible,
am sure, to effect the necessary reduction in
our revenues without breaking down our pro-
tective tariff or seriously injuring any do
nestle industry. The construction of a suf-
dcient number of modern war ships and
of their necessary armament should progress
- rapidly a. is consistent with care and per-
lection in plans and workmanship. The spirit,
courage and skil of our naval officers and sea-
men have many times in our history given to
weak ships and inefficient guns Q rating
greatly beyond that Of the naval list
That they win again do 20 upon occs-
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