The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-03-08

nv "io IA hOionOiue progeny OF DaternaI-
ism. This Is the bane OF republican insti-
tutions and the constant peril of our gov
eminent by the people. 1t degrades to the
purposes OF willy craft the plan of rule our
fathers established and bequeathed to us AZ
an object of our love and generation. 1t
perverts the patriotic sentiment of our coun-
trymen, and tempts them to a ptiful calcu-
lation OF the sordid gain to be derived from
their governments maintenance 1t I'M
dermines the self-relance OF our people
and substitutes in its place dependence
upon governmental favoritism. 1t stiles
the spirit OF true Americanism and stupe.
hes every ennobling trait of American citi-
zenship. The lessons Of paternalism ought
to be unlearned and the better lesson taught
that while the people should periodically
and cheerfully support their Government,
its functions do not include the support OF
the people.
The acceptance of this principle leads to a
refusal OF bounties and subsidies, which
burden the labor and thrift of a portion of
our citizens, to Ill advised aid or anguish
ing enterprises In which they have no con.
troll. 1t leads also to a challenge of wild and
reckless pension expenditure, which over
leaps the bounds OF grateful recognition of
patriotic service, and prostitutes to vicious
uses the peoples prompt and generous i'm
pulse to aid those disabled in their country's
defence, Every thoughtful American must
realize the importance of checking az its he
ginning any tendency in public or private
station, to regard frugality and economy as
virtues which we may safely outgrow, The
federation of this idea results In the waste
OF the peoples money by their chosen SER
wants and encourages prodigality and ex-
travagance in the home life OF our country.
men.
Under our scheme of government the
waste OF public money is a crime against
the citizen; and the contempt of our people
Tor economy and frugality in their personal
affairs deplorably saps the strength and
sturdiness OF our national character. 1t is
plain dictate of honesty and good govern
ment that public expenditures should be
limited by public necessity, and that this
should be measured by the rules of strict
economy; and it is equally clear that frugal
lty among the people Is the best guaranty
OF contented and strong support OF free in
stltutions. One mode Of the misappropria-
ton of public funds is avoided when an
pointments to office, instead of being the
reward OF partisan activity, are awarded to
those whose efficiency promises fair return
OF WORK Tor the compensation paid to them
To secure the fitness and competency of
aappointees to office, and to remove from 10.
litical action the demoralizing madness for
spoils, civil service reform has found a
place in our public policy and laws. The
dement's already gained through this instru-
mentality, and the further usefulness it
promises, entitle it to the hearty support
and encouragement of all who desire to see
our public service well performed, or who
nope ior the elevation of political sentiment
and the publication Of political methods.
Inc existence OF immense aggregations OF
kindred enterprise and combinations of
business interests, formed for the purpose
OF limiting production and fixing prices, is
Inconsistent with the fair field which ought
to be open to every independent activity.
Legitimate strife in business should not be
superseded by an enforced concession TO
deman in To- tl,at
power to destroy, nor should the people to
be served lose the benefit of cheapness
which usually results from wholesome com.
petition. These aggregations and combina-
lions frequently constitute conspracies
against the interests OF the people. and in
all their phases they are unnatural aud Oh.
posed to our American sense of fairness.
10 the extent that they can be reached and
restrained by Federal power, the general
government should relieve our citizens
from their interference and exactions.
Loyalty to the principles upon which our
government rests positively demands that
the equality before the law which it guar
antees to every citizen should be Justly and
IN good faith conceded in all parts of the
land: The enjoyment of this right follows
the badge OF citizenship wherever found,
and unimpaired by race or color. 1t appeals
for recognition to American manliness and
fairness.
The people of the United States have de-
creed that on this day the control Of their
government, in their legislative and execu.
i've branches, shall be given to political
party pledged in the most positive terms to
the accomplishment of tariff reform. They
have thus determined in favor OF more
Just and equitable system of federal taxation.
The agents they have chosen to carry out
their purposes are bound by their promises,
not less than by the command of their mas
tiers, to devote themselves unremittincly to
this service. While there should be no sur.
render OF principle, our task must be under
taken wisely and without vindctiveness.
Our mission is not punishment, but the rec
LITIGATION Of wrongs. If, in lifting burdens
from the daily life of our people, we reduce
inordinate and unequal advantages too long
enjoyed, this is but necessary incident Of
our return TO right and justice.
III we exact from unwilling minds acquies.
cence in the theory of an honest iistribu-
ton of the fund of governmental beneficence
treasured up for all, we but insist upon a
principle which underlies our free institu-
tions. When we tear aside the delusions
ana misconceptions which have blinded our
countrymen to their condition under vicious
tariff laws, we but show them how far thew
have beeu led away from the paths of con-
tentment and prosperity. When we pro-
claim that the necessity for revenue to
support the government furnishes the only
Justification for taxing the people, we an
nounce truth so plain that its denial
would seem to indicate the extent to which
judgment may be influenced by familiarity
with perversions of the taxing power; and
when we seek to reinstate the self conf
dence and business enterprise of our citi-
zens by discrediting an abject dependence
upon governmental favor, we strive to
stimulate those elements Of American
character which support the hope OF Ameri.
can achievement
Anxiety for the redemption OF the pledges
which my party has made, and solicitude for
the complete justification OF the trust the
people have reposed in us, constran me to
remind those with whom am to cooperate
that we can succeed In doing the work
which has been especially set before US
only by the most sincere. harmonious and
DISTINGUISHED effort. Even il insuperable
obstacles and opposition prevent the con.
summation of our task, we shall hardly be
excused; and il failure can be traced to our
fault or neglect. we may be sure the people
will hold us to swift and exacting ac-
countability.
The OATH now take to preserve, protect
and defend the Constitution OF the United
States not only impresslvely defines the
great responsibility 1 assume, but suggests
obedience TO constitutional cofnmands as
the rule by which my official conduct must
be guided. l shall to the best of nv abil-
ity and within my sphere of duty preserve
the Constitution by loyalty protecting every
grant of Federal power 1t contains, by de-