Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-27

gated by selfshness which seeks to hold in
unrelenting grasp its unfair advantage under
present tariff laws. We will rely upon the in
teihgence of our fellow countrymen to reject
the charge that party comprising a Majority
OF our people is planning the destruction or in
Jury of American interests. and we know thew
cannot be frightened by the specter OF impossi-
BILE free trade.
FEDERAL ELECTIONS BILLS OPPOSED.
The administration and management Of our
government depend upon popular will. Fed
eral power is The instrument of that will-not
/ its master. Therefore. he attempt OF the OPP
Ponents of democracy to interfere with and
control the Suffrage of the states through fed
egai agencies develops 4 design which no cy-
PLANTATION mitigate to reverse The funda-
mental and safe relations between the people
and their government. Such an attempt can-
not fail to be regarded by thoughtful men as
proof pf Il bold determination to secure the as
cendatcy of discredited party in reckless dis
regard Of free expression of the popular will.
To resist such a scheme is an impulse Of
democracy. st all times and in all places we
trust the people. As against a disposition to
force the way to federal power we present to
them rs our claim to their confidence and sup
port steady championship of their rights.
HONEST MONEY.
The people are entitled to sound and honest
money, abundantly sufficient in volume to sup
ply their business needs. Bat whatever may
be the form of the peoples currency, national
ct state-whether gold. silver or paper-it
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 people should be of the same in
trim lie value or. purchasing power. With this
condition absolutely guaranteed. both gold and
silver can be safely utilized upon equal terms
In the adjustment of our currency.
In dealing viii this subject no selfish scheme
should be allowed to intervene, and no doubt
full experiments should be attempted The
wants of orr people, arising from III deficiency
or imperfect distribution of money circulation.
ought to be fully and honestly recognized and
efficiently remedied. 1t should. however. 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 discredited cur
rency.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
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 ascertained
fitness in the selection of government employees
These considerations alone are sufficient justi-
fcatiOn for an honest adherence to the letter
and spirit of civil service reform. There are,
however. Olncr features OF lnlS pan WHICH
abundantly commend it. Through its opera
ton WORTHY merit in every station and condi-
ton of American life is recognized in the dis
tribution of public employment. while its ap-
plication tends to raj the standard of political
activity from spoils-hunting and unthinkiug
party utilization to the advocacy of party prin-
ciples by reason and experiment.
PENSIONS FOR THE DESERVING.
The American people are generous and CRATE
full and they have impressed these characters
tics upon their government Therefore, all
patriotic and just citizens must commend lib
eral consideration for our worthy veteran SOL
diers 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 I'M
vitiated 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 wears 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 coun-
trymen should be ungrudgingly acknowledged.
NO PATERNALIsM IN GOVERNMENT.
The assurances to the people of the utmost
individual liberty consistent with peace and
good order is a cardinal principle of our
government. This gives no sanction to vex-
atious sumptuary laws which unnecessarily in
terfere with such habits and customs of our
people are not offensive to just moral
sense and are not inconsistent with good
citizenship and the public welfare. The same
principle requires that the line between the
subjects which are properly within govern
mental control and those which are more fit
tingly left to parental regulation should be
carefully kept in view. An enforced educa-
ton, wisely deemed proper preparation for
citizenship. should not involve the impairment
of wholesome parental authority nor do vio-
lence to the household conscience. Paternal-
ism in government finds approval in the
creed of democracy. 1t is a symptom of mis-
rule, whether it is manifested in unauthorized
gifts or by unwarranted control of personal
and family affairs
Our people, still cherishing the feeling of
human fellowship which belonged to our be-
ginning a nation, require their government
to express for them their sympathy with all
those who are oppressed under any rule less
free than ours.
IMMIGRATION AND OTHER MATTERS.
generous hospitality, which is one of the