Middletown transcript., 1892-09-29

should De aLtenpteu. 4ho vans -
our people, arising from the deficiency
OF imperfect distribution OF money
circulation, ought to be fully and
honestly recognized and efficiently
remedied. 1t should, however, be con-
stantly remembered that the lnconven-
ience or loss that might arise from
such a situation can be much easier
horne than the universal distress which
must follow discredited currency.
Public officials are the agents OF the
people. It 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 gov
eminent employees. These consider
ations alone are sufficient Justlncalloh
for on honest adherence to the letter
and spirit of civil service reform:
There are, however, other feat ureS OF
this plan which abundantly commend
it. Through its operation worthy
merit in every station and condition OF
American life is recognized in the dis
tribution of public employment, whlie
its application tends to raise the stand
ard of political activity from spolls
hunting and unthinking party afnia-
tion to the advocacy of party prlncl-
plies by reason and argument.
The American people are generous
and grateful, and they have impressed
these characteristics upon their govern
ment. Therefore all patriotic and
lust 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 roll OF
honor, uncontaminated by i'll desert
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
fortitude illustrated by our pension
roll. The preferences accorded to vet
eran 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 country
men should be ungrudginglY acknowl-
edged.
The assurances to the people of the
utmost individual liberty consistent
with peace and good order is II cardinal
principal of our government. This
gives no sanction to vexations sumptu-
uary laws which unnecessarily inter-
fere 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 principal
requires that the line between the SUBJ
.jects which are properly within govern
mental control and those which are
more fittingly left to parental regula-
tion should be carefully kept in view.
| An enforced education, wisely deemed
/ proper preparation for citizenship,
should not involve the impairment of
wholesome parental authority 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 unauthorized gifts or by
an unwarranted control Of personal
and family affairs.
Our people, still cherishing the feel
of huma fellowship which belonged
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, however, by careful and
reasonable regulations for the protec-
tion of the public health, nor does it
Justify the reception of immigrants
who have no appreciation of our in
stitutions and whose presence among
us is a menace to peace and good
| order.
The Importance of the construction
Of the Nicarauga ship canal as a
means of promoting commerce between
our States and with foreign countries
and also as contribution by Ameri-
cans TO the enterprises which advance
the interests of the world of civiliza-
tion, should commend the project ito
government approval and Endorsement.
Our countrymen not only exp3ct
| from those whos represent them in
public places sedulous care for the
things which are directly and palpably
related to their material interests, but
they also fully appreciate the value of
cultiyating our national pride and
maintaining our national honor. Both
their material interests and their ma
tional pride aud honor are involved in
the success of the Columbian EXPOSE
I tio1, and they will not be inclined to
condone any neglect of effort on the
part of their government to insure in
the grandeur of this event fitting
exhibit of American growth and great
ness, and a splendid demonstration of
American patriotism.
In an imperfect and incomplete man
ner I have thus endeavored to state
some of the things which accord with
the creed and intentions of the party
" hHlCu HdfO given my AihOIVuS
allegiance. My attempt has not been
to instruct my countrymen nor my
party, but to remind both that demo-
cratic doctrine lies near the principles
Of our government and tends to
promote the peoples good. am will
ing to be accused of addressing my
countrymen upon trite topics and in
homely fashion, for I believe that i'm
portant truths are found on the sur
face of thought, and that they should
be stated in direct and simple terms.
Though much is left unwritten, my
record as public servant leaves no
excuse for Misunderstanding my belief
and position on the questions which
are now presented to the voters OF the
land for their decision.
Called for the third time to repre-
sent The party of my choice in a con-
test for the supremacy of democratic
principles, my grateful appreciation of
its confidence less than ever effaces
the solemn sense Of my responsibility.
If the action of the convention you
represent shall be indorsed by the