Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-12-06
PRESIDENTS KnSsA2Ka!

Feloweitizens OF the Senate end House OF represent
atIves:
With great gratitude to the bountiful gIver OF
all good, 1 congratulate you at the beginning of
your first regular session.. Iou nru our country
blessed with wealth and peace and abundant
harvests. and with encouraging prospects of an
early return of general prosperity.
THE PAcIFIcATroS OF THE COUNTRY
continues to be, aud, until it is fully accom-
plished, must remain the most important of all
our national interests. The earnest purpose of
good citizens generally 10 unite their efforts in
those endeavors is evident. Ii found dec'ded ex-
preston in the resolutions announced in 1876 by
the national conventions Of the leading political
parties Of tho country. There was vide
spread apprehension that the momeptous re-
sults in our progress as a nation marked by the
recent amendments 10 tie constitution were in
imminent jeopardy; that the good understand
ing which prompted their adoption in the IN
terest Of loyal devotion TO the general welfare
might prove a barren truce. and that the sec
tions of the country once engaged in civil strife
might be again almost as widely severed and
disunited as they were when arrsyed in arms
against each other.
ment seems wisest in the presence of this emer-
rency, was plainly indicated in my i'm gural
address II pointed to tho time which all our
people desire to see, when genuine love of our
whole country. and Of all that concerns its true
welfare. shall supplant the destructive force of
mutual anmosity of races and of sectional hos
tility. Opinions have differed widely as to the
measures best calculated to secure this grea:
end. This was TO DC expected. The measures
adopted by the administration have been sub
jected to severe and varied criticisms
Any course whatever which might have been
entered upon would have certainly encountered
disirust and opposition. These measures were,
in my Judgment, such as were most in harmony
with the constitution and with the genius Of our
people. and best adapted. under all circum
stances, to attain tho end in view. The benefi-
cent results already apparent prove that these
endeayors are not to be regarded rs u mere ex-
pertinent, and should sustain aud encourage us
In our efforts Already, in the brief period
no less than the justice Of the course pursued
10 demonstrated, aud have an abiding faith
that time will furnish its ample vindication in
the minds of the great majority Of my fellow
citizens
The discontinuance Of the use of the army
for the purpose Of upholding local governments
IN two States of he onion was no less consii
allduty and requirement, under the cir
eImstances existing at the time, than it was a
needed measure for the restoration Of local self
government and the promotion Of national bar
mony. Tho Withdraw nj Of the TROOPS from such
employment was effected diligently, and with 40
heitcIs care, for the peace and good order Of
society and the protection of the property and
persons, and every right of all classes of citi-
zens. The results that have follow ed are indeed
significant and encouraging. All apprehension
Of danger from RENTING those States to local
selfgovernment is dispellsd, and tho most salu-
tary change in the minds Of the people has be-
gun, and 10 in progress in every pat Of that see
ton Of the country. once the theater
Of unhappy civil strife. substituting for
snspicion, dissrnst and aversion, concord. friend
ship and patriotic attachment to the Union.
No unprejpdiced mind will deny that the often
fatal collisions, which for several years have
been Of frequent oceurrenes. and have alarmed
the public mind. have almost entirely ceased,
and that spirit Of mutual forbearanes and
hearty national interest has succeeded. There
has been q general re-establishment Of order
and of the orderly administration of jus
tea. Instances of remaining lawiess
nsss haze beeom~ Of rare occurrence
political turmoil and turp,-n'e nave alsa.
pcared, useful industries have hs-- '@e,
public credit in the Sousnern States has
greatly strengthened, and the encouraging ben
Gifts of a revival If commerce between the sec
ti0ns Of the country lately embroiled In civil
war are fslly enjoyed. Such arc some OF the
results already attained, upon which the coun-
try Is TO be congratulated. They are OF suchiui-
portance that we may with confidence, patient
L~nt the desired contamination that will
surely come with the natural progress Of events.
RIGHTS on TnK coLoRED CITIZENS.
1t may not be improper here to say that il
should be cur fixed and uBalterable determine
ton to protect by all available and proper
means nnder the constitution and the laws the
lately emancipated race in the experiment Of
their rights and privileges, and 4 urge upon
those TO whom. heretofore, the colored poeule
have sustained the relation of bondmrn.
tho wisdom and justice of humane and
liberal local legislation. with respect TO
their educational and general welfare. q firm
adherence To the laws. both national aud State,
rs to the civil and political rights of the colore
people, now advanced 10 full aud eqnsl citizen
ship The immediate Repression and sure pun
i-hment by the national and local aufhoritio~
within their respective jurisdictions of every in-
stance of lawlessness aud violence toward them
10 required for the security alike of both races
and is justly demanded by the public opinion Of
the country and the age. Ia this way the
restoration Of harmony and good. will
and the complete protection Of every citizen
In the full enjoyment Of every constitutional
right viii surely be attained. Whatever ali-
thOrity rests with me to this end shall not hes-
itafe TO put ferfh. Whatever belongs to the
power of Congress and the jurisdiction of the
courts of the Union, they may confidently be re-
legislatures, the courts and the executive a,l-
thorities Of the several States. earnestly ap-
pealto secure, by adequate. appropriate and rea-
sonable means. within their borders. the common
and uniform rights of united people, which loves
liberality. abbors oppression. and reveres jus
tee. These objects are very dear my heart
shall most earnestly strive tor their att aim.
nient. The cordial cooperation Of all classes
of all sections Of the country. and both races Il
required for this purpose and with these blcss
ruOa ur..i md t.f.f <fff
hope to land down our free institutions of gov.
eminent nniDpaired TO the generations that viii
succeed Us.
THE CURRENCY QUESTION.
Among the other subjects of great and general
Importance 1, the people Of tbs countrv I can
not be mistaken, l think. in regarding
rs pre-eminen, the policy and measures which
arc desi: med to secure the restoration vi the
currency to that normal and healthful CONDITION
in which, by the resumption of specie payments
our internal trade nnd foreign commerce may be
brought into harmony with the system Of ex-
changes which il taSet uDou the pree:s,,a mat