The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-06
Ell. \ Es s ,lll1 lsu A. !. !,
me- sRHITERATRs HIS LETTER o
7 .AGCErrAxCE.sf +. ~ 81
FoREsHAD0vfINGs or ms .AoslIETs-.
TRATI0H. !ss5{ Il
His Southern Policy.


FULLY ENJOYED IN THE SOUTH
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST
4 FAITHFULLY GUARD THE INTERESTS OF
BOTH RACES, WHICH HE EARNESTLY be
4 sIREs TO PRoMoTE-HE DESIRES NO DIS
TINcTIoN BETWEEN NORTH AND soUTt
BUT WANTsA UNITED CoUNTRY-APLEA
FOR REFORM IN THE CIVIL SERyICE-HF
FAvoRs A ONE TERM OF SIX YEARS FOE
THE PRESIDENTIAL SAFE PAPER CUR.
RENCY. SHOULD REST ON A COIN BASIS
OUR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN CoUE.
TEIEs-THE LATE POLITICAL CONTEST
. THE ACTION OF THE ELECTORAL COM
MISSION FULLY ENDORSED, &C, &C. ~
/ Fellow-citizens,- have assembled to
repeat the public ceremonial begun by
Washington, observed by all my predeces-
sors, and now time-honored custom,
which marks the commencement OF a new
term of the presidential office. Called to the
duties Of this great trust, I proceed, in
compliance with usage. to announce some
j OF the leading principles, on the. subjects
/ that now chiefly engage the public atten-
ton, by which it IL my desire to be guided
in the discharge OF those duties. / shall
not undertake to lay down irrevocabfy prin-
clples or, measures OF administration, but
rather to speak OF the motives which should
animate US, and to suggest certain import
ant ends to be attained, in accordance with
our institutions and essential to the welfare
of our country. At tie outset OF
the discussions which preceded the
recent presidential election it seemed
to me fitting that shouldiuIly make known
my sentiments in regard to several Of the
important questions which Their appeared
TO demand the consideration Of the country.
Following the example, and in part adopt
ing the language, OF enc of my predecessors,
wish now, when evesy motive for rsisrep-
resentation has passed away, to re-
peat what was said before tie eleaion,
trusting that my countrymen will can
didLy weigh and understand it. and
that they will feel assured that the senti-
ments declared in accepting the nomination
| for che presidency will be the standard OF
my conduct in the path before me, charged
as ! now am with the grave and difficult
task Of carrying them out in the practical
administration Of the Government so far as
! depend under fhe Constitution and laws, on
the Chief Executive Of the nation. The
permanent pacIfcation OF the country
upon such principles and by such
measures az will secure the complete
protection, of all its citizens in the
| free enjoyment Of all their consttu-
tional rights is now the one subject in our
public affairs which all thoughtful and pa
triotic citizens regard as Of supreme i'm
portance. Many of the caTamitous eff
fects of The tremendous revolution
which has passed over the south
ern States still remain. The unreasonable
| WIFI ~
later, the hearty and generous acceptance
of the Legitimate results OF that revolution
have not vet been realized. Difficult and
embarrassing questions meet lis at the
threshold Of this subject. The people Of
those States,are still Impoverished, and the
inestimahIe blessing Of wise, honest, and
| peaceful local self-goyernment is not fully
enjoyed. Whatever difference OF opinion
! NAV exist as to the cause OF this condi-
ton Of things, tue fact is clear that in
the progress of events the time has come
when such government is the imperative
necessity required by all the varied interests,
public and private, of those States; but it
must not be forgotten that only local gov
crnmens which recognizes and maintains
inviolase the rights Of all is true self-gor-
eminent. With respect to the two dis
tinct races whose peculiar relations
]
deploEable complications and perpleXities
which exist in those States, it must be a
government which guards the interests of
both races carefully and equally. It must
be government which submits Loyalty and
heartily to the Constitution and the laws
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 supcrstructure of beneticent
local governments can be built up, and not
otherwise. In furtherance OF such ODE
dience to the letter and the spirit OF the
Constitution, and in behalf Of all that its
attainment implies, all so-called party in
terests lose their apparent Importance, and
party lines may we'll be permitted to fade into
insignifcance. The question we have to
consider for the immediate welfare OF those
States Of the Union is the question Of goy-
eminent OF no government, OF social order
and all the peaceful industries and the hap
piness that belong to it, or return to bar
barism. It is a question in which every
citizen of the nation is deeply interested,
and with respect to which we ought not to
be. in q partisan sense, either Republicans
or Democrats. but fellow-citizens and fell
IoW-men, to whom the interests Of common
The sweeping revolution OF the entire labor
system Of large portion Of our country,
and the advance OF four millions Of people
from a condition OF servitude to that Of citi.
zenshiD upon an equal footing with their
former masters, could not occur without
presenting problems OF the gravest
moment to be dealt with by the emancipa'
ted race, by their former masters, and by the
General Government the author of the act
of emancipation. That it was wise, Just,
and providentlal act, fraught with good fol
all concerned, is now generally conceded
throughout the country. That moral obi
CATION rests upon the National Government
to employ ITS constitutional power and in
fluence to establish the rights OF the people
it has emancpated, and to protect them il
the enjoyment Of those rights when they
are infringed or assailed, Is also generally
admitted.
The evils which afflict the southern State!
can only be removed or remedied by thu
united and harmonious efforts OF both races
actuated by motives OF mutual sympath!
and regard. And while in duty bount
and fully determined to protect The
rights Of all by all constitutional mean!
at the disposal OF my administration
am sincerely anxious TO use every legiti
mate influence in favor OF honest and eff
cient local self-government as the true re
course OF those States for the promotion o.
the contentment and prosperity Of thell
citizens. In the effort i shall make to &C
complish this purpose I ask the cordial CO
operation OF all who cherish an interest In
1 the welfare of the country, trusting that
party ties and the prejudice OF race will be
| IN, ahoIp oF %J,a 90.