The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-12-15
YHEPRESIDEN'I'S MESSAGE
PiCIFlcATI0N OF THE COUNTRY.
SPECIE RESUMPTION.
FOREIGN MATTERS.
THE MEXICAN QUESTION.


FELLOW. CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, With great
gratitude t. the Bouutifal Giver of sill good,
/ congfasu'ate y1u, he beginning oil your
first regular ssiou. You fad our country
blessed with wealth and peace and abundant
harvests, aud With encouraging prospects of
an early return OF general prosperity.
THE PAoIFIcATIoN OF THE COUNTRY
continues, aud Until it is fully accomplished
Pnust Temeia the most important of all our
National interests. The earnest purpose of
good citizens generally to unite their efforts
in those endesvors is evident. 1t found de-
cidt d expression in the resolution an
nouDced in 1876 by the National Couven-
tons of the Leasing political parties OF the
country. There was a widespread apprehen-
sion that momentcus results in our progress
as o nation marked by the recent amend
ments to the Constitution were in imminent
jeopardy, that the good understanding which
prompted their adoption in the interest OF a
loyal devotion 10 the general welfare might
prove barren truce, and that the sections
of the country once engaged in civil strife
might be again almost as widely severed
and disunited as they were WHEN arrayed in
war.
The course to be pursued, In my judgment
was plainly indicated in my inaugural al
dress. Ii pointed 10 the 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 destruc-
tive force of mutual luminosity OF races and
OF sectional hostility. Opinions have diff
fered widely as to the measures best cal
custed to secure this greatend. This was to
be expected. The measures adopted by the
Administration nave been subjected to
severe and varied criticisms, and any course
whatever which might have been entered
upou, would certainly have encountered
distrust and opposition.
These measures were, in my judgment,
such as were most in harmony with the Con-
stitution, aud with the genius OF our people,
and best adapted, under ell the circum-
stances to attain the end in view.
The beneicent results already apparent
prove that these endeayors are not to bere-
gafded as mere experiment and should
sustain and encourage us in our efforts. AL
ready, in the b ief time which has elapsed,
the immt diate effectiveness, no less than the
justice CT the course pursued, is demon
stral6 d, aud | have an abiding faith that time
will furnish lis ample vindication in the
minds of the great msjoiity OF my fellow
citizens.
The discontinuance of the use of the army
fof tie purpose of upholdiug LEGAL govern
mems III Two Oedtts VI INC ODlon " 40 III lCoS
II constitutional duty and requirement un-
der the circumstances existing at the time,
than it was needed measure for the restor-
alton o local self-government aud the pro-
motion OF national harmony.
l TIE Withdrawal of the troops from such
employment was effected diligently, and
with so icitous care for the peace and good
order Of society and the protection of the
prosperity and every right of persons of all
classes of citizens. The results that have
joftowtd are indeed significant aud encour-
aging. ikF tt~
All apprehension of danger from remit
ting those States to local self-government is
dispelel aud the most salutary change in
the minds of the people has begun, and in
progress in every part of thas section OF
country, once the theater of unhappy civil
strife, substituting for suspicion, distrust
and aversion concord, frieD dship, and pat
riotic attachment to the Union.
No unprejudiced mind will deny that the
often fatal collisions which, for several
years, have been of frequent occurrence,
and have alarmed the public mind, have
almost entirely ceased, and that spirit of
mutual forbearance and hearty national
interest has succee ded. There has been a
gen eral accomplishment of orderly admin
letration OF Justice. Instances OF remaining
lawiessuets nave become of rare occurrence.
Political turmoil aud turbulence have
disappeared. Useful industries have been
resumed public credit in the Southern
States have been greatly strengthened, and
TIE encouraging benefits of revival Of
commerce between sections OF the country
lately embroiled in civil war are fully en-
ioyed.
Such are some of the results already at
tanned, upon which the country is to be con-
graduated. They are of such Importance
that we may, with confidence, patiently
ba danivad ma that will
surely come with the natural prog ess of
events.
1t may not he improper here to say that
it should be our fixed and unalterable deter.
mination to protect, by all available and
proper means under the Constitution and
the laws, the lately emancipated race in the
experiment of their rights and privileges
and urge upon those to whom heretofore
the colored people have sustained the
relation OF bondme }, the wisdom and jus.
tice of humane and liberal local legislation
with respect to their educational and general
welfare. A firm adherence to the laws,
both National and State, as to the civil and
political rights of the colored people now
advanced to full and equal C tizenship; the
imme diste repression aud sure punishment
by the National and local authorities, within
tneir respective jurisdictions, of every in
stance Of iawlessness and violence toward
them, is rsquired for the security alike of
both races, and is justly demanded by the
public opinion of the country and the age.
In this way the restoration of harmony and
good will, and the protection of every citi-
zen in the full enjoyment of every constitu-
tional right, will surely be attained. What.
ever authority rests W tn me to this end
shall not hesitate to put forth. Whatever
belongs to the power of Congress and the
jurisdiction of the courts OF the Union, they
may confidently be relied upon to provide
aud perform; and to the legislatures, the
courts, and the executive authorities Of the
several States earnestly appeal to secure,
by adequate, appropriate, and reasonable
means within tleir borders, these common
aad uniform rights of united people
which loves liberty, abhors oppression, and
reveres justice. These objects are very
dear to my hea t, and shall most earnestly
strive for their attainment. The cordial CO
operation of all classes, of all sections Of
the country, and of both races, is required
for this purpose, and with their blessingl
assured, and not otherwise, we may safe }
hope to hand down our free institutions Of
government unimpared, to the generation
that will follow us.
THE FINANCIAL QUESTION.
Among the subjects Of the greatest ant
most general Importance to the people O
this country l cannot be mistaken, l think
in regarding as pre-eminent the policy ane
measures which are designed to secure tn,
restoration of the currency to that norma
and healthful condition in which, by the re
cu,s,ptiop ~ cuaoia ravu, mt ox1r iut