The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-03-20

lished in the South may yet find that the free
ballot of the workingman, without dis.
tinction Of race, is needed for their defence
as well as for his ownz do not doubt that
if these men in the South who now accept
the tariff views of Clay anil thu con-
stitutioaal e1posltioas Of Webster would
courageouSly avow and defend their real
convictions, thoy would not find it ditft-
cult, by friendly instruction and co-opsra-
tion. to make the black man their efficient
and safe ally. not only in establishing correct
principles in our national Administration,
but in preserving, for their local communi
ties. the benefit of social ordsr and economi-
cal and honest government At least until
the good Offices OF kindness anil education
have been fairly tried, the contrary conclu-
sion cannot be plausib!y urged
l have altogether rejected the suggestion
Of 4 special executive policy for any section
of our country. II is the duty of the E1ecu-
tive to administer and enforce, in the meth
DDS and by the instrumentalities pointed out
and provided by the Constitution, all the
laws enacted by Congress. These laws are
general and their administration should be
uniform and equal. As q 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 Consti-
ton in it's entirety and the whole code Of
permitting individuals, corporations or com.
munities to nullify the laws because they
cross some selfish or local interests or pre-
judices, is full of danger, not ouly to the
nation at large but much more to tnoss who
use this pernicious e1pedient to escape their
Just obligations or to obtain an unjust ad-
vantage over others. They will presently
themselves be compelled to appeal to the law
for protection and those who Wouti use
the law rs i. defence must not
deny that use Of it to others If our
great corporations would more scrupulously
observe their legal obligations and duties,
they would have less cause to complain or
the unlawful limitations of their rights or or
violent interference with their operations.
The community that by concert, open or
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 center, both ways. 1t demorallzes those
who practice it, and destroys the faith OF
those who suffer by it in the efficiency OF
the law as a safe protector. The man in
whose breast that faith has bsen darkened is
naturally the subject of dangerous and un:
canny suggestions. Those who use unlawful
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 eIpeiient cannot becoms
o permanent condition Of government.
If the educated and influential classes
in q community either practise or
connive at the systematic violation
of laws that seem to them to cross their con-
venience. what can they expect when the
lesson that convenience or a supposed class
interest is sufficient cause for lawlessness
has been well learned by the ignorant classesi
A community where law is the rule Of con"
duct, and where courts, not mobS, execute
the penalties. is the only attractive field for
business investments and honest labor.
Our naturalization laws should be so amended az
10 make the inquiry into the character and good dis
position of persons applying for citizenship moro
careful and searching. Our existing laws have been
in their administration all nnimprcssiye and often
an form ws Ss sae man ana as b
assumes tho duties Of citizenship without any
knowledge as to what they ure. The privileges oi
American citizenship are so great aud It's duties 50
grave that we play we'll insist upon u good knowt
edge Of every person applying for citizenship and
good knowledge by him of our institutions. We
should not cease to be hospitable to immigration
but we should cease to be careless as tn The char
best. whose coming is necessarily burden upon
our public revenues or q threat to social ORDER
These should be identified and excluded.
Wc have happily maintained policy of avoiding
been only interested spectators of their contentious
In diplomacy and in war. ready to use our friendly
offices to promote peace. but never obtrudlnS our
ndvico and never attempting unfairly to coin the dis.
tresses Of other Powers into commercial advantage
to ourselves. We have Just right to expect that
our European policy will be the American policy OF
European courts 1t is so manifcstly incompatible
with those precautions for our peace and safety,
which all the great Powers habtually observe and
enforce In matters affecting theru that shorter
waterway betwern our eastern aud western sea.
boards should be dominated by any European Gov.
ernment, that we may confidently expect that such
ri hn frienlly
Power. We shall, in the future, as in the
past, use every endeavor to maintain and enlarge
our friendly relations with all the great Powers,
but they will not expect us to look kindly upon
dangers of hostile observation or environment
We have not sought to dominate or to absorb any of
our weaker neighbors. but rather to aid and en-.
courage them to establish free and stable govern
pie. We have a clear right to expect, therefore.
that no European Government will seek 10 establish
colonial dependencies upon the territory of these
independent American States That which sense
of justice rcstrains us from seeking they may bo
reasonably expected willingly to forego.
It must not be assumed. however. that our inter-
csts are 30 exclusively American that our entire in
attention to any events that may traaspire else.
where can be taken for granted. Our citizens domi
cied for purposes Of trade. in oil countries and in
many of the islands Of the sea, demand and will
have our adequate care in their personal and COM
merca rights. The necessities of our navy re.
quire convenient coaling stations. and dock and
harbor privileges. These and other trading privi-
leges We will feel free to obtain on,, by means that
dn ncs Il. any degree pattake 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 mod.
hcation or impairment of the concession
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 of our own. Calmncss,
justice and consideration should characterize our
diplomacy. The offices of an intelligent diplomacy
of friendly arbitration in proper cases. should bo
adequate to the peaceful adjustment of all interna-
tonal difficulties. Ry such methods we will make
our contributions to the worlds peace, which no na-
ton values more highly, ard avoid the oppro5rlum
which must fall upon the nation that ruthlessly
breaks it.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The duty devolvcd by law upon the President to
nominate and by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, to appoint all public officers whose
constntion o or A by sc act Of Congress- has becoo
very burdensome. and its wise ind efficient dis
charge full of difficulty. The civil list is so large
that personal knowledge of any large number Of
rely upon the representations of others, and these
are often made inconsderatcly and without any
just sense of responsibility. 1haye right, think,
TO insist that those who volunteer or ore invited TO
consideration and fidelity. a high sense
of duty and IN ambition to improve
the service should characterize all public
officers. There are many ways in which the
convenience and comfort of those who have busi-
ness with our public officers may be promoted by
thoughtful and obligng officer. and shall expect
those whom may appoint to justify their selection
hy conspicuous efficiency in the discharge of their
duties.
Honorable party service will certainly not be
esteemed by me disqualification for public Office.
But it will in no case be allowed to serve as shield
of official negligence, incompetency, or delin-
quency. 1t is entirely credtablc to seek public Of
and all applicants will be treated with considera-
ton. But shall need, and the heads of depart
ments will need. time for inquiry and deliberaton.
Persistent imDortunity will not therefore ba tba