The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,

hentatlFeh
with great gratitude to the bountifui Giver OF al
good, I congratulate YOU at tue beginning OF your
nrst regular session. You mud our country blessed
with wealth and peace ami abundant haryests,
and with encouraging prospects OF an early re-
turn OF general prosperity. The pacihcanon OF
The country continue 10 be, and until II is fully
accomplished, must remain the most important
Of all our National interests. The earnest pur'
pose OF good citizens generally to unite
their efforts In those endeavOrs Is evident
1t found a decided expression in the resolutions
announced In 1876 by the National Conventions OF
The leading political parties Of the country. There
was q widespread apprehension that the moment
Gus results in our progress as q Nation, marked by
the recent amendments to the Constitution, were
In imminent jeopardy; that the good understand
Ing which prompted their adoption in the interest
of q loyal devotion 10 the general welfare might
prove a 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 we're when arrayed in arms against each other.
The course TO be pursued, 10 my judgment, which
seems wisest in the presence OF this emergency,
was plainly indicated IN my inaugural address.
1t pointed to the time which all our people desire
10 see, when a genuine love Of our whole country
and Of all that concerns It's true welfare shall sup
plant the destructive force OF mutual a~nir1osity OF
races and Of sectional hostility. Opinions have
differed widely as TO the measures best calculated
10 secure this great end. This was TO be expected.
The measures adopted by the Administration have
been subjected to severe and varied criticisms.
ANY course whatever which might have been en-
tered upon would certainly have encountered dis
trust and opposition. These measures were, In
my Judgment. such as were most IN harmony with
the Constitution, and with the genius OF our PEG
pie, and best adapted under all circumstances to
attain the end In view. The bene1cent results
ALREADY apparent prove that these enneavors are
not 10 be regarded as a mere experiment,
and should sustain and encourage us In
our efforts. Already in the brief period
which has elapsed, the immediate effectiveness,
no less than the justice OF the course pursued, is
demonstrated, and ] have an abiding faith that
time Will furnish its ample yindlcatiOn IN the
minds Of the great majority OF my tellow-clllzens'
SOUTHERN POLICY.
The discontinuance Of the use of the army for
the purpose Of unfolding local governments In two
States or the Union was no less n constitutional
duty and requirement under the CiTcum stances
existing at the time than IL was a needed measure
Tor the restoration Of local seli-goyernment
The withdrawal OF the troops from such employ
ment was effected diligently and with %sOlicltuus
care for tho peace and good order OF society.
the protection OF property ana persons, and
of every right Of all classes of citlZeUs. The results
that have followed are indeed significant ana en-
couraRing. All apprehension OF danger from re-
uniting those States TO local seli-QOvernment is
Oispelled, ana the most salutary change in the
minds Of the people has begun and is in progress
IN every part OF that section OF the country, once
The theater of unhappy Clvil strife, substituting for
suspicion, distrust and aversion, concord, friend
chip and patriotic attachment to the Union: No
unpreiudieed mind Will deny that the fatal
collisions. which for several years have been Of
frequent occurrence, and have alarmed the public
mind, have almost entirely ceased, and that a
spirit OF mutual tOrbearanCe and hearty National
interest has succeeded. There mas been a general
re. establishment Of order and OF the orderly adj
ministratIOn of Justice. Instances OF remaining
1awless ness have become " rare occurrences;
political turmoil and turbulence have disappeared;
useful Industries have been resumed; public credit
in the Southern States has been greatly strength
ened, and the encouraging benefits OF a revival OF
commerce between the sections OF the country
lately embr0lled In civil war are fully enjoyed.
Such are some Of the results already attained,
upon which the country ia 10 be congratulated.
They are OF such importance that We may
with confidence patiently await the de-
sired that will surely come
with the natural progress of events.
1t NAV not be improper here TO say that II should
be our fixed and uUalterGble determination to pro-
feet, by all available and proper means under the
Constitution and the laws, the lately emancIDated
race in the experiment Of their rights and privi-
1eges, and | urge npcn those 10 whom heretofore
the cOlored people have sustained the relation OF
bOndsmen, the wisdom and Justice OF humane and
liberal local legislation with respect to
their educational and general welfare. a firm
adherence 10 the laws. both National and State, as
co the civil ana political rights OF the colored
people, now advanced 10 full and equal citizen
chip. Tue immediate repression and sure punish
ment by the National ana local authorizes within
their respective Jurisdictions OF every instance OF
lawlessUess and violence toward them ls required
for the security alike OF both races, and is justly
demanded by the public opinion OF the country
ton Of harmony and GOOD viii, and
In the full enjoyment of every constitutional
right will surely be attained. Whatever autnori-
" rests with me to tins end | shall not hesitate 10
put forth. Whatever belongs TO the power of Con-
Rress and the jurisdiction Of the Courts Of the
Union, they may confidently be reI1ed upon TO
provide and TO perform; and TO the Legislatures.
the Courts and the Executive authorities OF the
several States / earnestly appeal to secure, by adj
e0uate appropriate and spasonable means, with.
In their borders these common ana uniform
rights Of the united people which love
liberty, abhors oppression aud reveres justice.
These objects are very dear TO my heart. | shall
most earnestly strive for their attainment, The
cordial cooperation of all classes, of all sections of
the country and OF botn races Is REQUIRED FOR ms
purpose, and with their Dressings assured, ANA not
otherwise we may safely nope to hand down the
free institutions of our Government unimpaired to
the generations that Will succeed ns.N
SPECIE RESUMPTION.
Among the other subjects Of great and general
importance to the people OF this country /
can not be mistaken, l think. IN regarding
as pre-eminent the policy and measures which are
designed TO secure the restoration of the currency
TO that normal and he0ltDful condition IN which
by the resumption OF specie payments our Internal
trade and foreign OmmeTC may be brought into
harmony with the system OF exchanges which Is
baBed upOu the precious metals as the intrinsic
money or tue WOrlu, lu Tue puDlC JUG menl' IuhI
this end should be sought and comprised as.
speedy and as securely as the re.
sources OF the people and the wisdom Of
their representatives can accomplish, there IS much
greater degree OF unaninity than Is found TO con
our in the specific measures which VIII bring the
country to this desired end, or the rapldity Of the
steps by which II can be safely reached. Upon a
most anxious and deliberate examination, which
4 have felt 1t my duty TO give the subject, j am but
more confirmed IN the opinion which | expressed
IN accepting the nomination for The Presidency,
and again upon my inauguration. that the policy
of resumption should be pursued by every
suitable menns, and that no legislation
would be wise that should disparage the import
have no disposition and certainly no right to ques.
ton the sincerity OF integrity Of opposing Opin-
ions, and would neither conceal nor undervalue
the considerable difficulties, and even occasional
distresses, which may attend the progress Of the
Nation toward this primary condition TO is gener-
al and permanent prosperity. | must, however,
adhere TO my most earnest conviction
that any waverlng Of purpose or I'M
eteadiuess in methods, 80 for from
avoiding or reducing the incOn venience insepara.
ble from transition from m irredeemable TO o re-
Increased ana prolonged disturbance in values,
and, unless relieved, must end in serious disorder,
disnOnor. and disaster in the financial affairs OF
The Government aud OF the people. the mischief
which | apprehend and urgently deprecate, Ia
confined TO no class Of the people, indeed,
70 threaten the industrious masses. whether
their occupation is Of skilled or common
labor. TO them II seems 10 me 10 Ia Of prime I'M
poTtanoe that their labor should be compensated
In money which IL In itsOlf fixed IN exohanGeable
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