Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-08
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS +!
The Olive Branch to the South.

"With respect to the two distinct races, whose
peculiar relations TO each other have brought up
on us the deplorsble complications and perplexi-
ties which exist 10 those States, 1t must be Gov
eminent which guards the interests of both races
carefully and equally. 1t must be Government
which submits Loyalty and heartily TO the Consti-
tuition and the laws Of the Nation and the laws Of
the States themselves, accepting and obeying
faithfully the whole Constitution as it Is. Resting
upon this sure and substantial foundation the sup
erstructure of benefcent local governments can
be built up, and not otherwise.
That moral obligation rests upon the National
Government TO employ its constitutional power
and influence to establish the rights of the people
il has emancipated and to protect them in the en-
joyment of those rights when they are infringed
OF assailed, Is also generally admitted. '-Prssident
Hayss' Inaugural
Ifanybody had any doubts that Presi-
dent Hayes would commence his Admins
trstion by the avowal Of liberal as well
Is kind aud just national views in respect
to Southern questions, they cannot well
misunderstand the plain import of the
language of his Inaugural Address. While
its broad and catholic Republicanism
ought to be satisfactory 10 all those who
voted to place him in the Executive Chair
Of the Republic, its liberality of sentiment.
its charity towards all, cannot fail to COM
mend it to the true men of all sections of
the Union irrespective Of party.
The two extracts at the head
of this article contain the gist and import
of the Address on the two great questions
State Government and the National Du-
ty OF protecting Citizenship. The President
says plainly, that State Government
must guard the Interests Of both races
carefully and equally. II must be Coz
ernmea wh,ch submits ioyaliy and hearti-
y TO the constitution and laws Of the Ma
ton"
The President declares with equal en-
phasis and significance that it is the duty
Of the National Government to employ its
constitutional power to protect the eman-
cipated race wherever and whenever as
sailed-that citizenship is national, and
must be protected by the broad shield of
the Republic wherever Municipal or State
authority fails to give it protection.
II receiving this olive branch in the
kind and liberal spirit in which it
Is offered. the Nichols and Wade
Hampton organizations of Louis
lana and South Carolina will quiz
city dissolve and give unobstructed oper-
alton TO State and National laws, they
will never have occasion to regret action
thus loyal and patriotic, and the influence
of such an example would tell powerful
ly in their favor throughout the country
The Republicans of the North have an
earnest desire to see the South entirely
pacified and her material interests fostered
in every practical way. The Inaugural OF
the President is genuine expression of
this desire, and all sincere men in the
South may rest assured that they will not
be deceived by giving their hearty conf
dence to the Republicans and all others
OF the North who cherish the generous
opinions of President Hayes.