The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-03-13
TIE INAUGURAL
Address of Rutherford B. Hay es.

TIE INAUGURAL-
Address of Rutherford B. Hayes.
FELLOW CITIZENS: We have assem-
bled to repeat the public ceremonial, be-
gun by Washington, observed by all my
predecessors, and now time honored
custom, which marks the commence
ment Of new term of the Presidential
office Called to the duties Of this great
trust, | proceed In compliance with
usage, to announce some OF the leading
principles on the subjects that now
chicf' engage the public attention, by
which it is my desire to be guided in the
discharge of those duties. shall not
undertake to hay down irrevocably prin
ciples or measures of administration,
but rather to speak of the motives which
should animate US, and to suggest GER
tain important ends to be attained in
accordance with our institutions and es
sential to the welfare of our country.
Atthe outset of the discussions which
preceded the recent presidential election,
it seemed to me fitting that l should
fully make known my sentiments in re-
gard to several Of the important ques
tions which then appeared to demand
the consideration OF the country. Fol
lowing the example, and in part adopt
ing the language of one of my prede.
cessors, l wish now, when every mo-
tive for Misrepresentation has passed
away, to repeat what was said before
the election, trusting that my country
men 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
I utIC Stuuttaru OF my cOndnCJ IN rrIr partr
before me, charged, as l am, with the
grave and difficult task of carrying
them out in the practical administration
of the Government so far as depends
under the constitution and laws on the
chief executive of the Nation.
The permanent paciication of the
country upon such principles and by
such measures as will secure the com
plete protection Of all its citizens in the
free enjoyment Of all their constitution
al rights, is now the one subject in our
public affairs, which all thoughtful and
patriotic citizens regard of supreme i'm
portance
Many of the calamitous fleets of the
| tremendous revolution which has passed.
over The Southern States still remain -
The immeasurahle benefits which will
surely follow, sooner or later, the hearty
and generous acceptance of the legiti-
mate results of that revolution have not
yet been realized. D.fficnit and embar-
RAISING questions meet US at the thresh-
hold of this subject. The people of
those States still Impoverished and the
inestimable blessing of wise, honest and
peaceful local self government is not
fully enjoyed. Whatever differences of
opinion may exist as to the cause ofthis
condition of things, the fact is clear that
in the progress of events the time has
come VIXEN such government is the i'm
perative necessity required by all the
varied Interests, public and private, OF
those States. But it must not be for
gotten that only a local government
which recognizes and maintains invio-
late the rights of all is q true self-gov-
ernment With respect tD the two dis
tinct races whose peculiar relations 10
each other have brought upon US the
deplorahle complications and perplexi
ties which exist in those States-it must
he government which guards the in
terests of both races carefully and
equally, II must be government which
submits Loyalty and heartily to the con,
stitution and the laws, the laws of the
Nation and the laws Of the States them
selves accepting and obeying faithful.
| ly the whole constitution as it is.
Resting upon this sure and substan
tial foundation, the superstructure of
benifcent local governments can be built
up, and not otherwise. In furtherance
of such obedience to the letter and the
spirit of the constitution, and in behalf
of all that its attainment implies, all So
called party interests lose their apparent
importance, and party lines may well be
permitted to fade into insigniicance -
rhe question We have to consider for
the immediate welfare of those States
of the Union, is the question of govern
ment or no government; Of social or
der and all the peaceful industries and
the happiness that belongs to il, or re-
turn to barbarism. 1t is a question in
which every citizen of the Nation Is
deeply interested, and with respect to
to which we ought not to be in parti-
zan sense, either Republicans or Demo.
Gratis, but fellow-citizens and fellowmen
to whom the interests of common
country and common humanity are
dear. E
The sweeping revolution of the entire
labor system of large portion of our
country, and the advance of four mill
ions of people from condition of SER
vitude to that of citizenship, upon an
equal footing with their former masters
could not occur without presenting prob
lens of the grayest moment to be dealt
with by the emancipated race, by their
former masters and by the General Gov
ernment, the author of the act of eman-
cipation. That it was wise, just and
providential act, fraught with good for
all concerned, is now generally conceded
throughout the country. That a moral
obligation rests upon the National Gov
ernment to employ it's constitutional
power and influence to establish the
rights of the people it has emancipated,
and to protect them in the enjoyment of
those rights, when they are infringed or
sssailed, it is generally admitted.
The evils which afiict the Southern
States can only be removed or remedied
by the united and harmonious efforts of
both races. actuated by motives Of mu-
tual sympathy and regard And while
in duty bound and fully determined to
protect the rights of all by every con-
stitutional means, / am sincerely anx-
ious to use every legitimate influence in
favor OF honest and efficient local gov
ernment as the true resource of those
States for the promotion of the content
ment and prosperity of their citizens
In the effort shall make to accomplish
this purpose ask the cordial co-opera-