, 1889-03-07

form. We accept a man as citizen with.
out any knowledge Of his fitness and he
assumes the duties Of a citizen without
any knowledge as 10 what they are. The
privileges OF American citizenship are so
great and so grave that we may we'll in.
sist upon good knowledge of everyone
applying for citizenship and q good know
ledge by him OF our constitution. We
should not cease TO be hospitable to immi-
grafton, but we should cease to be careless
as TO the character Of it. There are men
OF all races. even the best, whose coming
IL necessarily q burden upon our public
revenues or which Is threat to our social
order. These should be identified and ex-
cluded.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
We have happily maintainsi policy of
avoiding all interference with European
affairs. We have been only interested
spectators OF their contentious in diplo-
macy and in war and ready to use our
friendly offices to promote peace. but new
or obtrudinR our advice and never at
tempting unfairly to turn the distress of
other powers into commercial advantage
to ourselves. We have q just right to ex-
pect our European policy to be the Ameri-
can policy of European courts. 1t Is 80
manifestly incompatible with those pre-
cautions for our peace and safely, which
all great powers habitually observe In
matters affecting themselves that a short.
or waterway between our Eastern and
Western seaboards should be dominated
by any European government, that we
may confidently expect that such purposes
will not be entertained by any friendly
powers. We shall in future as in the past
use every endeavor 10 maintain and en-.
large our family relations with all the
great powers, but they will not expect US
would leave us subject to the dangers Of
hostile observation or environment. We
have not sought to dominate or absorb any
OF our weaker neighbors, but rather to aid
and encourage them to establish free and
etable government resting upon the con.
sent OF the people. We have clear right
TO expect, therefore, that no European
government will seek to establish q col.
onial dependency upon the territory of
these indepeudent Apericau states. That
which sense tof justice restrsins rs from
seeking they may be reasonably expected
willingly to forego. IL must not be as
sumed, however, that our interests are 90
exclusively American that our entire mat
tention to any events that may transpire
elsewhere can be taken for granted.
trade in all countries and in many of the
have our adequate care in their
personal and commercial rights.
The necessity of our navy may re-
quire convenient coaling stations and dock
and harbor privileges. These and other
tra65uR privileges We will feel free to OBJ
tain 'bnly BY means that do not In any de-
Rreef yartake Of coercion. however feeble
the eywernmsut from which we ask such
consf hions. But having fairly obtained
ther.s' ny methods and for purposes entirely
coMistent with the most friendly DISPOSE
tion toward all other powers, our consent
will he necessary to any modification or
impairment Of such q concession. We
shall neither fail TO respect the flag Of any
friendly nation or the just rights Of its
citizens, nor to demand like treatment for
our own. Calmness, justice and consider.
alton should characterize our diplomacy.
The Offices OF intelligent diplomacy OF
friendly arbitration In proper cases should
be adequate to the peaceful adjustment Of
all International difficulties. BY such
methods we will make our contribution Ia
the worlds peace, which a nation values
most highly, and avoid the opprobrium
whi,e must fall upon nation that ruth
lesfy breaks it.
us,CryIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS.
The duty devolved by law upon the
president to nominate and by and witt
point Ill public officers whose appointment
Is not otherwise provided for IN the con
stitution or by act Of congress has become
very burdensome and its wise and efficient
discharge 10 full of difficulty. The civi
service Ia 80 large that q personal knowl-
edge Of any large number of applicants II
impossible. The president must rely upo1
the representations of others, and thes,
are often made inconsiderately and with
out any sense of responsibility. have
right, think, to insist that those wht
vol. .yteer or are invited to give me advice
asssctappointments shall exercise that con
sidcration and fidelity with high sens
of duty. An ambition to improve tn,
service should characterize all public of
6cers. There are many ways in which
the convenience and comfort of those wht
have business with our public officers ma.
be promoted BY thoughtful and obli9
ing officer and shall expect those whom
conspicuous efficiency In the discharge o
their duties. Honorable party service vii
certainly not be esteemed by me disqual
i6cation for public office, but it will in n
case be allowed to serve as shield for Of
fetal negligence, incompetency or delin
quency. IL is entirely creditable to see
public Office by proper methods and wit
proper motives, and applicants should b
treated With consideration. But l sha
need heads of departments who will nee
time for inquiry and deliberation. Persil
tent Importantly will not. therefore, b
the beat support Of an application for o
Office. Heads of departments and bureau
and all other public officers having an
duty connected Herewith will be expecte
to enforce the civil service law fully an
without evasion. Beyond this obvior
duty hope to do something to advant
the reform of the civil service. ! sha