The Russellville Democrat., 1892-10-06
Highest Of an IN Leavenng Power-Latess u Govt nspe
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AR<Na HElN raamH
ABSOLUTELY PURE

ventures, we wage no exterminating war
against any American interest. We be-
lieve re-adjustment can be accomplished
IN accordance with the principles we pro-
fess without disaster or demolition We
believe that the advantages of free raw
materials should be accorded TO our manu-
faeturers, and we contemplate fair and
careful distribution of necessary tariff
burdens rather than the precipitation of
free trade. We anticipate with ealmness
the Misrepresentation of our motives and
purposes, instigated by selfshness which
seeks to hold in unrelenting grasp its un-
fair advantage under the present tariff laws
We will rely upon the intelligence of our
fellow countrymen to reject the charge that
party comprising majority of our
people is planning the destruction or injury
of American interests; and we know they
cannot be frightened by the sceptre of i'm
possible free trade The administration
and management Of our government de.
pend upon the popular will. Federal
power is the instrument of that will, not
its master Therefore the attempts of the
opponents of Democracy to interfere with
and control the suffrage of the states
through federal agencies develops a design
which no explanation can mitigate to re-
verse the fundamental and safe relations
between the people and their government.
Such an attempt cannot fail to be re-
garded by thoughtful men as proof Of
bold determination to secure the ascen-
deney of a discredited party in reckless
disregard of a free expression Of the popu-
lar will. To resist such a scheme is an
impulse of Democracy. At all times and
at all places we trust the people. As
against a disposition to force the way to
federal power, we present to them our
claims to the confidence and support
steady championship of their rights.
The people are entitled to sound and
honest money, abundantly sufficient in
volume to supply their business needs.
But whatever may be the form of the
peoples currency, national or state,
whether gold, silver or paper, it should be
so regulated and guarded by governmental
ae tion or by wise and careful laws that no
one can be deluded as to the certainty and
stability of its value. Every dollar put
into the hands of the people should be of
the same intrinsic value or purchasing
power. With this condition absolutely
guaranteed, both gold and silver can be
safely utilized upon equal terms in the adj
justment of our currency. In deal
ing with this subject no selfish
scheme should be allowed to in
tervene and no doubtful experiment
should be attempted. The wants of our
people arising from the deficiency or inn
perfect distribution os money circulation
ought to be fully and honestly recognized
aud efficiently remedied. 1t should, how
ever, be constantly remembered that the
inconvenience or loss that might arise from
such situation can be much easier borne
than the universal distress which must
follow a discredted currency.
Public officials are the agents of the peo-
pie. 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 ascertained fitness in the selec-
tion of government employees. These
considerations alone are sufficient
justification 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 unthink-
ing party utilization to the advocacy of
party principles by reason and argument.
The American people are generous and
grateful, and they have impressed these
characteristics upon their government.
Therefore all patriotic and just citizens
must commend liberal consideration
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 a roll Of
honor, uncontaminated by illdesert and
unvitiated by demagogic use. This is due
to those whose 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 allowed to hear reverently and lovingly
| the story of American patriotism and forti
tude 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 capable and worthy their claim TO
the helpful regard and gratitude of their
countrymen should be ungrudgingly ac-
knowledged.
The assurance to the people of the ut
most individual liberty with peace and
good order is a cardinal principle of our
government. This gives no sanction to
vexatious, sumptuaTy laws, which unneces
sarily interfere with such habits and Gus
toms of our people os are not offensive to
a just neral sense, and are not ineonsis-
tent with good citizenship and the public
welfare. The same principle requires that
the line between the subjects which are
properly within governmental control and
those which are more fttingly left to
parental regulation should be carefully
kept in view. An enforced education
wisely deemed a proper preparation for
citizenship, should not involve the impair
ment of wholesome parental authority nor
do violence to the household conscience.
| PAternalism in government finds no ap-
proval in the creed of Democracy. II Is a
symptom Of misrule, whether 1t is mani
tested ia unauthorized gifts or by an un-
warranted control Of personal and family
affairs
Our people, still cherishing the feeling
of human fellowship which belonged to our
beginning as a nation, require their gov
ernment to express for them their sympa-
thy with all those who are oppressed under
any rule less free than ours. A generous
hospitality, which is one of the most prom
inent OF our national characteristics,
prompts us to welcome the worthy and in
dustrious Of all lands to homes and citi-
zenship among us. This hospitable senti-
ment is not violated, however, by careful
and reasonable regulations for the protec-
tion of the public health, nor does il just
ify the reception Of immigrants who have
no appreciation Of our institutions and
whose presence among us is a menace to
peace and good order.