Year: 1877

LIZ
end liberal and permanent provision
should be made for the support OF free
schools by the State governments, and.
II need be, supplemented by legitimate
aid from the national authority.


The south.


Let me assure my countrymen OF the
Southern States that it is my earnest
desire to regard and promote their
truest interests-the interests Of the
white and OF the colored people, both
and equally affd to put forth my bestr
efforts In behalf OF civil policy which
will forever wash out, on our political
affairs, the color line, and the distinc-
tion between North and South, to the
end that we may have not merely q
united North or q united South, but q
united country.


civil service Reform


/ ask the attention Of the public to the
paramount necessity Of reform in our
civil service, reform not merely as to
certain abuses and practices of so-called
official patronage, which have come to
have the sanction Of u5uage In the
several departments Of our Government,
but change in the system Of appoint
ments itself; reform that shall be
thorough, rational and complete; u re-
turn to the principles and practices OF
the founders Of the Government; they
never expected nor desired from public
officers any partisan service; they meant
that public officers should owe their
whole service to the Government and to
the people; they meant that the officer
should be secure in this tenure as lorg
as his personal character remained un-
tarnished, and the performance Of his
duties satisfactory; they held that ap-
pointments to office were not to be
made, nor expected, merely as rewards
for partisan services, nor merely on the
nominations Of members Of Congress,
as being entitled in any respect to the
control OF such appointments.


The fact that both the great political
parties Of the country, in declaring their
principles prior to the election, gave q
Of our civil service, recognizing and
strongly urging its necessity in terms
almost Identical Of their specific import
with those have. here employed, must
be accepted as a conclusive argument
in behalf Of these measures. 1t must
be regarded as the expression OF the
united voice and will OF the whole coun-
try, upon this subject, and both polit-
ical parties are virtually pledged to
give 1t their. unreserved. support. Ihe
President Of the United States, OF ne
cessity, owes his election to office to
the suffrage and jealous labors Of a po-
litical party, the members Of which
cherish, with ardor and regard as OF
essential Importance, the principles OF
their party organization; but he should
strive to be always mindful OF the fact
that he serves his party.best who serves
the country best.


A Proposed Amendment to the C0nstf-


tuition.


In furtherance OF the reform we seek
and in other important respects q
change Of great importance-I recon-
mend an amendment to the constitu-
ton prescribing term Of six years for
the presidential Office and forbidding q
reelection.


The Depression in Business.


With respect to the financial condi-
tion OF the country, shall not attempt
an extended history Of the embarrasS-
ment and prostration which we have
suffered during the past three years.


The depression in all our varied COM
mercial and manufacturing interests
the country, which began In
1873, still continues. 1t Is
very gratifying, however, to be able to
say that there are indicationsalla around
US Of coming change to prosperous
times.


The currency.


Upon the currency question, inti-
mately connected as it is with this
topic, may be permitted to repeat here
the statement made in my letter OF
acceptance, that in my judgment the
feeling OF uncertainty, inseparable from
az irredeemable paper currency, with
its fluctuations OF values, is one OF the
greatest obstacles to q return to pros
porous time.. The only safe paper cur
rency is one which rests upon coin
basis, and Is at all times and promptly
convertible into coin. [ adhere to the
views heretofore expressed by me In
favor OF congressional legislation In
behalf Of an early resumption OF specie
payment, and / am satisfied not only
that this is wise, but that the interests
as we'll as the public sentiment OF the
country imperatively demand 1t.


Our Foreign Relations.


Passing from these remarks upon the
condition of our own country to consider
our relations with other lands, we are
reminded by the international compii-
cations abroad, threatening the peace
of Europe, that our traditional rule Of
on-interference in the affairs OF foreign
nations has proved of great value In
past times, and ought to be strictly OBJ
served.


The policy inaugurated by my honor
ed predecessor, President Grant, Of sub
mitting to arbitration grave questions
in dispute between ourselves and
foreign powers, points to a new and in
comparably the best instrumentality
for the preservation Of peace and Will,
as believe, become a beneticent exam
pie Of the course to De pursued IN SINH
lar emergencies by other nations:


II, unhappiiy, questions OF differences
should at any time during the period OF
nv administration arise between the
United States and any foreign govern
ment, it will certainly, be my DISPOSE
ton and my hope to aid in their settle
ment in the same peaceful and honor
able way, thus securing to our country
the great blessing Of peace and mutual
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