Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-10-04

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The administration and management OF
our government depend upon popular will.
Federal power is the Instrument of that
will-not its master. Therefore the at
tempt of the opponents of Democracy 70 in
terfere with and control the suffrage of the
states through federal agencies develops a
design, which no explanation can mitigate,
to reverse the fundamental aud safe rela-
lions between the people and their govern,
ment. Such an attempt cannot fall to be
regarded by thoughtful men as proof of a
bold determination to secure the ascend
ancy of discredited party in reckless dis
regard Of free
EXPRESSION OF THE POPULAR WILL.
To resist such a scheme is an impulse of
Democracy. AT all times and in all places
Wc trust the people. As against disposi-
ton to force the way to Federal power, we.
present to them IS our claim to their conf
dence and support steady championship
of their rights.
The people are entitled to sound an hon
est money abnndantly sufficient in volume
to supply their business needs. But what
ever may he the form of the peoples cur
rency, national or State-Whether gold,
silver or paper-ft should be SO
regulated and guarded by govern
mental action, 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 peo-
pie should be OF the same intrinsic value or
purchasing power. With this condition
absolutely guaranteed, both gold and sill
yer can be safely utilized upon euual terms
in the adjustment OF our currency. In
dealing with this subject no selfish scheme
should be allowed 10 intervene and no
doubtful experiment should be attempted,
The wants of our people arising from the
deficiency or imperfect distribution OF
money circulation ought to DO fully and
honestly recognized and efficiently rene
died. II should. however, De constantly
remembered that the Inconvenience, or loss
min q a al fHFN m
be much easier borne than the universal
distress which must follow discredited
currency.
Public officials are the agents of the peo-
pie: II 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 SELECTION
of government en- ployes. These consider
ations alone are Sufficient justification for
an honest adherence TO the letter aud spirit
of civil service reform. There are, how
ever, other features of this plan which
abundantly commend 1t. Through its op-
GRAFTON 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
stated standard OF political activity from
spoils hunting and unthinking party affilia-
ton to the advocacy of party principles by
ID
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 com
plant should be made of the amount OF
public money paid to those actually dis
abled or made dependent by reason of army
services. But our pension roll
SHOULD BE ROLL OF HONOR,
uucontamfnated By i'll desert and unvitiated
by demagogic use. This is due to those
whose worthy names adoru the roll and 10
all our people who delight to honor the
brave and true. II is also due to those who
in years to come should be allowed to hear,
reverently ana lovingly the story of
American patriotism. and fortitude, illus
trated by our pension roll. The preferences
accorded to veteran soldiers in public en-
ploTment should be secured to them hon
| nstly and without evasion, and when
capable and worthy, their claim to the
helpful regard and gratitude of their coun-
trymen should be ungrudgingly acknowl-
edged.
The assurance to the people of the ut
most individual liberty consistent with
| peace and gooo order, is cardinal pcinci
| pie of our Government. This gives no
| sanction to vexatious sumptuary laws
which unnecessarily interfere with such
habits aud customs Of our people as are not
offensive to Just moral sense and are not
inconsistent with good citizenship and the
| public welfare. Tho same peInci-
| tween the subjects which are
properly within governmental control and
| those which are more htttngly left to pa
rental regulation should be carefully kept
in view. An enforced education, wisely
deemed proper preparation for citizen
| ship should not involve the impairment of
wholesome parental authority nor do vio-
lence TO- the household conscience. Pater-
l Ns-er
the creed of Democracy. 1t is symptom
of misrule, whether it is manifested ia un-
| authorized gifts, or by an unwarrf.nted
control of personal and family affairs.
Our people, still cherishing the
FEELING OF HUMAN FELLOWSHIP
which belonged to our beginning az n ma
| ton require their government to express
| for them their sym patty with all those who
are oppressed under any rule less FREQ than
| ours. a generous hospitality, which is one
OF the most prominent Of our national char
| acteristlcs, prompts us to welcome the
worthy and industrious of all lands, TO
homes and citizenship among us. This
hospitable sentiment is not violated, how
for the protection of the public health, nor
does IL Justify the reception of immigrants
who have no appreciation OF our institu-
tions and whose presence among US is a
| menace to peace ana good order,
The Importance of the construction of
the Nicaragua ship canal as means of
promoting commerce between our S tates
and with foreign countries, and also as a
contribution by Americans TO the exter-
prises which advance the interests of the
world OF civilization, should commend tho
project to governmental approval and en-
dorsement.
Our countrymen not only expect from
those who represent then In puolic places a
| sedulous care for the things which are
directly and palpably related to their ma
| terial interests, but they also fully appre-
| ciato the value of culiVating our national
pride and maintaining our national honor.
Both their national pride and honor arc in
VolYed in the success of
Tas COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
and they win not be inclined to condone
any neglect of effort on the part of their
government to make the grandeur of this
event fitting exhibit OF American growth
and greatness and splendid denenstra-
ton OF American patriotism.
In an imperfect and incomplete nanner
have thus endeavored to state some of the.
things which accord with tho creed and in
I tentions OF the party to which have given
| my life long allegiance My .attampt has
not been TO instruct my couTtruunen