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whether of metal or paper, should stand the test of the world's fixed standard.

The value of popular education can hardly be overstated, although its interests of necessity must be chiefly confided to voluntary effort and the individual action of the several States. They should be encouraged, so far as the constitution permits, by the generous co-operation of the national government. The interests of the whole country demand that the advantage of our American school system should be brought within the reach of every citizen, and that no revenue of the realm or of the State should be devoted to the support of sectarian schools. Such changes should be made in the present tariff and system of taxation as will relieve any overburdened industry or class, and enable our manufacturers and artisans to compete successfully with those of other lands. The government should aid works of internal improvement national in their character, and should promote the development of our watercourses and harbors, wherever the general interests of commerce require it. Four years ago, as now, the nation stood at the threshold of a presidential election, and the Republican party founded its hope of success, not upon its promises, but upon its history. Its subsequent course has been such as to strengthen the claims which it then made to the confidence and support of the country. On the other hand, considerations more urgent than have ever before existed forbid the elevation of their opponents to power. Their success, if success attends them, must chiefly come from the

united support of that section which sought the forcible disruption of the union, and which, according to all the teachings of our past history, will demand ascendancy in the councils of the party, to whose triumph it will have made by far the largest contribution. There is the gravest reason for apprehension that exorbitant claims on the public treasury, by no means limited to the hundreds of millions already covered by bills introduced in Congress, within the past four years, would be successfully urged if the Democratic party should succeed in supplementing its present control of the national legislature, by electing the Executive also. There is danger in intrusting the control of the whole law-making power of the government to a party which has, in almost every Southern State, repudiated obligations quite as sacred as those to which the faith of the nation now stands pledged. I do not doubt that success awaits the Republican party, and that its triumph will assure a just, economical and patriotic administration. I am respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. A. ARTHUR.

To Hon. GEORGE F. HOAR, President of the Republican National Convention.

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