The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-12-08
Presidents Message.
10 ahe Senate and Hou.s Of R.Prsssntasis'


In submitting my eighth and last annual |
message to Congress, it seems proper that |
it should refer to and in some degree re-
capitulate the events and official acts of
the past eight years. Il was my fortune,
or misfortune, TO be called to the Office of
ChiefExecutiye without any previous polit |
ical training. From the age Of seventeen
had never witnessed the excitement at
tending Presidential campaign but twice
Anteeedent to my own candidacy, and at
but one of them was l eligible as voter.
Under such circumstances it is but reason
able to suppose that errors of judgment
must have occurred. Even had they not,
differences of opinion between the Execu-
tive, bound by an oath to the strict per.
Torrance of his duties, and writer's and
debaters must have arisen. Il Is not neces-
sary evidence of blunder on the part of
the Executive because there are these differ
ences of views. Mistakes have been made
as all can see, and admit, but It seems to
me oftenest in selections made of assist
ants appointed to aid in carrying out the
Official duties Of administering the govern
ment. IN nearly every case selected without
. personal acquaintance with the appoint
ees, but upon recommendations Of Repre-
resentatiVes chosen thereby by the people.
i IL impossible, Wherea 30 many trusts are
allotted that right parties should be chos-
en- in every instance. History shows that
no administrations from the time of Wash
ington 20 the present, has been free from
mistakes.
LEAVE COMPARISONS TO HISTORY,
claiming only that have acted in every in
stance from . conscientious desire to do
what was right and constitutional With
in the law and for the very best
interest of the whole people. Failures have
been errors of judgment, not of intent.
Ny civil career commenced at the utmost
critical and difficult time; less than four
years before, the country had emerged from
. conflict such as no other nation had ever
survived. Nearly one half of the States
had reVolted against the government, and
in those remaining faithful to the Union
large percentage of the population SYM
pathized with the rebellion and made an
enemy in the rear almost as dangerous as
the more terrible enemy in the front. The
latter committed errors of judgment, but
they maintained them openly and courage
ously. The former received the pro-
lection of the government they would
see destroyed and reaped all the pc
euniarY advantage to be gained
out of the then existing status of affairs,
many of them by obtaining contracts and
by sWindlinR the Government in the de.
cessation of hostilities the then noble
President who had carried the country so
far through its perils fell a martyr to his
patriotism at the hands of an assassin.
The intervening time to my first Inaugural.
ton was filed up with wranglings between
Congress and the new executive as to the
best mode of reconstruction, or, to speak
plainly, IS to whether the control of the
Government should be thrown immedi-
ately into the hands of those who had
recently aud persistently attempted to de-
stroy it, or whether the victors should con-
tinue to have an equal voice with them in
this control Reconstruction as finally
agreed upon, means this, and only this,
except that the late slave was enfranchised,
giving an increase, as was supposed, to the
Union loving and Union supporting votes
of the free, in the full sense of the word.
Hence at the beginning of my first ad-
ministration the work of reconstruction,
much embarrassed by long delay, virtually
commenced. It was the work of the leg
islative branch of the government. MY
province was wholly in approving their
acts, which 1 did most heartily, urging that
the Legislatures of States that had not
done so, ratify the Fifteenth Amend
ment to the Constitution. The country
was laboring under an enormous debt,
CoutEoCtc0 III buc suppression vi rcDol-
lion, and taxation was so oppressive as to
discourage production. Another danger
also threatened us, foreign war. The
last difficulty had to be adjusted, and was
adjusted without war, in g manner highly
honorable to all parties concerned.
THE TAXES HAVE BEEN REDUCED
within the last seven years nearly $780,
100000, and the national debt has been
reduced in the same time over $435, 00O, 900.
By refunding the six per cent bonded debt
for bonds bearing FIVE and four and one. half
per cent. interest respectively. the annual
interest has been reduced from over $780,
100000 in 1869, to but little over $780,
100000 in 1876.
TIE BALANCE OF TRADE Has BEEN CHANGED
from over $3.50, zoo, 900 against the United
States in 1869 to more than $4,000 900
in our favor in 1876. It is confidently be-
ieved that the balance of trade in favor of
the United States will increase, not dimin-
ish, and that the pledge of Congress to re-
sumo specie payments in 1879 will be read
lily accomplished, even in advance of the
much desired further legislation on the
subject.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
A policy has been adopted toward the
Indian tribes, inhabiting q large portion of
the territory Of the United States, which has
been humane, and has substantially ended
the Indian hostilities in the whole land, ex-
cept in q portion of Nebraska, Dako
-, Wyoming and Montana territories, the
Black Hills region and approaches thereto.
HOstilities there have grown out of the av.
arice of the white man who has violated
our treaty stpulAtions in his search for
gold. The question might be asked why !
the Government has not enforced obedience
40. Nka A. ~ h L.
occupation of the Black Hills region by
Whites2 The answer is simply: The first |
emigrants to the Black Hills were removed |
by troops, but rumors and fresh discoveries |
of gold took into that region increased |
numbers. Gold had actually been found |
in paying quantities, and the effort to re. !
move the miners would only result in the |
destruction of the bulk of troops that |
might be sent there to remove them. All |
difficulties in this matter have, however, /
beer removed, subject to the approval of
Congress by q treaty ceding the Black /
Hills and approaches to settlement by
citizens. The subject of the Indian policy |
and treatment is so fully set forth by the |
Secretary of the Interior and the Commis, |
sioner of Indian Affairs, and my views are |
80 fully expressed by them that l refer to /
their reports and recommendations as /
my own.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States /
with foreign powers continue on friendly
footing. Questions have arisen from time
to time in the foreign relations of the gov
eminent, but the United States have been
happily free, during the past year, from the
complications and embarassments which
have surrounded some Of the foreign Pow.
srs. The diplomatic correspondence sub