The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-10-06

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can be safely utilized upon equal ter m
| in the adjustment of our currency.
| In dealing with this subject no Sc Ifs
|scheme should be allowed to interv enc
and no doubtful experiment should b
attempted. The wants of our people
arising from the deficiency OR imper
feet distribution of money circulation
ought to be fully and honestly recog
nized and efficiently remedied. L
should, however, be constantly remem
bered that the inconvenience or los:
that mi ght arise from such a situation
can be much easier borne than the
universal distress which must follow a
discredited currency.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
Public officials are the agents of the
people. 1t is, therefore, their duty to
secure for those whom they represent
the best and most efficient performance
of public work. This, plainly, can be
best accomplished by regarding ascer-
tanned fitness in the selection of
Government employees. These con-
siderations alone are sufficient justifi-
cation for an honest adherence to the
letter and spirit of civil service reform
There are, however, other features of
this plan which abundantly commend
it. Through its operation worthy
merit in every station and condition
of American life is recognized in the
distribution of public employment,
while its application tends to raise the
standard of political activity from
spoils hunting and unthinking party
aftlliation to the advocacy of party
principles by reason and argu-
ment.
PENSION FRAUDS.
The American people are generous
and grateful, and have impressed these
characteristics upon their Government.
Therefore all patriotic and just
citizens must commend liberal cosider-
alton for our worthy veteran soldiers
and for the families of those who have
died. No complaint should be made
OF the amount Of public money paid
to those actually disabled or made
dependent by reason of army service,
but our pension roll should be roll of
honor, uncontaminated by i'll desert
and unvitiated by demagogic use.
This is due to those who's. worthy
names adorn the roll and to all our
people who delight to honor the brave
and the true. 1t is also due to those
who IN years to come should be al
lowed to hear, reverently and lovingly,
the story of American patriotism and
fortitude, illustrated by our pension
roll. The preferences accorded to
veteran soldiers in public employment
should be secured to them honestly
and without evasion, and when capa-
Bile and worthy, their claim to the
helpful regard and gratitude of their
countrymen should be ungrudgingly
acknowledged.
The assurance to the people of the
utmost individual liberty consistent
with peace and good order is car
dinal principle of our Government.
This gives no sanction to vexatious
sumptuary laws which unnecessarily
interfere with such habits and customs
of our people as are not offensive to
just moral sense and are not incon-
sistent with good citizenship and the
public welfare. The same principle
requires that the line between the
subjects which are properly within
government control and those which
are more httingly left to parental
regulation should be kept carefully in
view. An enforced education, wisely
deemed a proper preparation for
citizenship, should not involve the
impairment OF wholesale parental
nor do violence to the
household conscience. Paternalism in
government finds no approval in the
creed of Democracy. 1t is symptom
of misrule, whether it is manifested in
gifts or unwarranted
control OF personal and family
affairs.
OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS.
Our people, still cherishing the
feeling of human fellowship which
belongs to our beginning as nation,
require their Government to express
for them their sympathy with all those
who are oppressed under any rule less
free than ours.
A generous hospitality, which is one
of the most prominent OF our national
characteristics, prompts US to welcome
the worthy and industrious of all lands
to homes and citizenship among US.
This hospitable sentiment is not
violated, hawever, by careful and
reasonable regulations for the protec-
ton of the public health or does it
justify the reception of immigrants
who have no appreciation of our instl-
tutions and whose presence among us
is menace to peace and good
order.
The importance of the construction
Of the Nicaragua ship canal as means
of promoting commerce between our
States and with foreign countries, and
also as contribution by Americans to
the enterprises which advance the
interests of the world of civilization,
should commend the project to
Governmental approval and endorse
ment.
Our countrymen not only expect
from those who represent them in
public places sedulous care for the
things which are directly and palpably
related to their material interests, but
thew also fi,1lv apDreciaea the value of