The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-03-06
President Hayes Inaugural
Address.
WAsHISGroN, March s


WARRINGTON, March 5.
FELLOW CITIZENS We have assem-
bled here 10 repeat the public ceremo.
NAL begun by Washington, observed by
all my predecessors, and now u time
honored custom which marks the com.
mencement OF new term Of the Presi.
dental office. Called to the duties OF
this great trust proceed, in compliance
with usages, to announce some of the
leading principles, the subjects that now
chiefly engage the public attention, by
which it is my desire to be guided IN the
discharge Of those duties. | shall not
undertake TO lay down the principles or
measures OF the administration, but rath
er to speak Of the motives which should
animate us and to suggest certain i'm.
portant ends to be attained in accordance
with our institutions and essential 10 the
welfare Of our country.
At the out set Of the discussion which
preceded the record Of the Presidential
election, itseemed TO me fitting, that, |
should fully make known my sentiments
in regard to the several important oues.
tions which then appeared'to demand the
consideration OF the country. Following
the example and in part adopting the
language OF one OF my predecessors,
wish now when every motive for misrep.
re4entation has passed away to repeat
what was said before the election, trust
ing that my countrymen will candidly
weigh and understand it, and that they
will feel assured that the sentiments
declared in accepting the nomination for
the Presidency, will be the standard Of my
conduct in the paths before me, charged
as | now am with grave and difficult
tasks OF carrying them out in the practi.
cal administration Of the Government,
so far as depends under the constitution
and laws and Chief Executive Of the ma.
tion. The permanent pacifcation OF the
country upon such principles, and by
such measures as will secure the com.
plete protection Of all the citizens in the
free enjoyment oil all their constitutional
rights is now the one subject in our pub
lie affairs, which all thoughtful and pat
riotic citizens regard Ns OF supreme i'm
portance. Many OF the calumitous
effects Of the tremendous revolution
which has passed over the Southern
States shall remain and the immeasura.
bic benefits which will surely. follow
sooner or later, The hearty and
generous acceptance OF the legitimate
results Of that resolution have not yet
been realized. Difficult and embarrass.
ing questions meet US ut the threshold Of
this subject. The people Of these States
are still impoverished and the inestima-
BILE blessings Of wise, honest and peace.
iul local self-government is not fully en-
joyed, and whatever difference Of opinion
may exist as to the cause Of this condi-
tion Of things, the fact is clear that in the
progress Of events the time has come
when such government is an impera-
tive necessity, required by all the varied
interests, public and private, OF those
States. But it must not be forgotten
that only local government which rec.
ognizes and maintains inviolate the rights
Of all is true Self.government.
With respect to the two distinct races
whose peculiar relations to each other
having brought upon us deplorable COM
plications and perplexities which exist
in these States, it would be a government
which decides the interests OF both races
carefully Snd equally, it must be gov.
ernment which submits loyalty and hear.
tily to the constitution and laws-the laws
Of the nation and the laws OF the States
themselves, accepting and obeying faith.
fully the whole constitution as 1t is.
Resting upon this sure and substantial
foundation, the superstructure OF benif.
cent local government can be built up and
not otherwise. In the furtherence OF such
obedience TO the letter and spirit OF the
constitution, and in tehalf Of all that its
attainment implies, all so.caIled party
interests lose their apparent importance
and party lines may well be permitted 10
fall into insigni6Cance. The question
we have to consider for the immediate
welfare Of those States OF the Union is
the question OF government or no gov.
ernment, Of solid order and all the
peaceful industries and the happiness
that belong to it, or a return TO bar
barism il question which every
citizen Of the nation is deeply interested
and with respect 10 which we ought moi
to be, in a partisan sense, either Republi.
cans or Democrats, but fellow citizens
and fellow men, 10 whom the interests Of
the common country and common hu'
manity are dear. The sweeping revolu.
ton OF the entire labor system Of a large
portion Of our country, and the advance
OF four millions Of people from condi
tlon oi servitude TO that OF citizenship
upon an equal footing with their former
masters, could not occur without present
, ing problems Of the grayest moment, tC
be dealt with by the emancipated races
Dy their former masters, and by the gen,
eral government, the author of the act o
emancipation. That 1t was wise, Just
and ProVidential act, fraught with good
lor all concerned, is generally conceded
throughout the country. That renewal
oil the obligation rests upon the National
government TO employ its constitutional
powers and influence to establish tht
rights Of the people it has emancipated
and to protect them in the enjoyment oI
those rights when they are inifinped oi
~SsalIeush ALSO SeHeFalIy admitted. The
evils which'atiect the Southern States car
only be removed or remedied by the uni.
ted and harmonious efforts OF both races
actuated by motives OF mutual sympathy
and regard, and while in duty bound and
tnlly determined to protect the rights o.
all by every constitutional means at the
disposal OF my administration, l an
sincerely anxious to use every legitimat,
influence in favor Of an honest and eilici
ent local government as the true resourc,
oi those States for the promotion, con
tentment and prosperity Of their citizens
In this effort l shall work TO accomplish
this purpose. | ask the cordial co.ope
ration Of all who cherish an interest il
1.-The welfare Of the country, trusting thal