The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1877-12-12
Fe1oso Citizens Of the Senate and House of

Representatives: 4
With great gratitude to the Bountiful
Giver of all good, l congratulate you at the
beginning Of your first regular session that
you find our country blessed with health
and peace and abundant harvests, and with
encouraging prospects Of an early return Of
general prosperity. To complete and make
permanent the E'4 .2
FABRICATION OF THE COUNTRY
continues TO be, and, until it is fully accom-
plished, must remain the most important of
all our national interests. The earnest pur-
pose Of good citizens generally to unite
their efforts in these endeavors is evident.
1t found decided expression in the resokl.
tions announced in 1875 by the national
conventions of the leading political parties
of the country. There was wide
spread apprehension that the moment
Gus results in our progress as
a nation, marked by the recent amend.
ments to the constitution, were in imminent
jeopardy; that the good understanding
which prompts their adoption in the interest
of loyal devotion to the general welfare
might prove barren truce, and that the Sec
tons of the country once engaged in civil
cred and disunited as they we're when
The course to be pursued, which in my
Judgment seemed wisest in the presence of
the emergency, was plainly Indicated in my
inaugural address. 1t pointed to the time
which all our people desire to see, when a
genuine love Of our whole country, and Of
all that concerns its true welfare, shall sup
plant the destructive forces of mutual ami
mostly of races, and of sectional hostility.
Opinions have differed widely as to the meas
ures best calculated to 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 entered upon would certainly have
encountered distrust and opposition.
These measures were, in my Judgment. most
in harmony with the constitution and with
the genius of our people, and best adapted,
end in view. The benefcent results already
apparent prove that these endeavors are not
to be regarded as mere experiment, and
should sustain and encourage US in
our efforts. Already, in the brief time
which has elapsed, the immediate effective
ness no less than the justice OF the course
pursued is demonstrated, and | have an
abiding faith that time will furnish its ample
vindication in the minds of the great ma
jority OF my feliow-citizens.
The discontinuance of the use of the army
for the purpose of upholding local govern
ments in the states Of the union was no less
constitutional duty and requirement, un-
der the circumstances existing at the time,
than it was much-needed measure for the
restoration of local self-gevernment and
the promotion of national harmony.
The withdrawal of the troops from employ.
ment was effected deliberately and With So
icitous care for the peace add g0Od siof
society, and the protection of the property,
and persons, and every right of all classes of
citizens. The results that have followed are
indeed significant and encouraging. All
apprehension of danger from remitting
those states to local self-government is dis
PEELED, and a most salutary change in the
minds Of the people has begun, and is in
progress in every part OF that section OF
the countrv once the theatre Of unhappy strife,
substituting for suspicion distrust and aver.
sion, concord, friendshipaand patriotic at:
tachment to the Union. No unprejadicei
ions which for several years have been of
frequent occurrence and have alarmed the
public mind, have almost entirely
ceased and that spirit of mu-
tual forbearance and hearty national
interest has succeeded. There has been
general re.estab lishment of order and ofthe
orderly administration of justice. Instances
OF remaining lawlessness have become of
rare occurrence, political turmoil and
turbulence have disappeared, useful in
dustries have been resumed, public
credit in the southern states has
been greatly strengthened, and the encour-
aging benefits of revival OF commerce be-
tween the sections Of the country lately eua-
broiled in civil var are fully enjoyed. %Such
are some of the results already attained,
upon which the country is to be congratu.
lated. They are of such importance that
we may with confidence patiently await the
desired eonsunmation that will surely come
with the national progress of events.
It may not be improper here to say that
il should be our fixed and unalterable de-
termination to protect by all available and
proper means under the constitution and
helavs, 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 rela.
ton of bondsmen the wisdom and justice OF
humane and liberal local legislation with
respect to their education and general
welfare. A firm adherence to thelaws, both
national and state, as to the civil apd politi-
cal rights of the colored people, now ad-
SAuCcu ~ tull c4uAl CAtAA0u5AAPj sti.e SAic
immediate repression and sure punishment
by the national and local authorities within
their Respective jurisdictions. Of every in.
stance of lawlessness and violence toward
them is required 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
complete protection of every citizen in
the full enjoyment of every constitutional
right will surely be attained. Whatever
authority rests with me to this end shall
not hesitate to put forth; whatever belongs
to the power of Congress and the jurisdic-
ton Of the courts Of the Union, they may
confidently be relied upon to provide and
perform, and to the legislatures, the courts
and the executive authorities OF the several
states I earnestly appeal TO secure, by ade-
quate, appropriate and Reasonable means,
within their borders, these common and uni.
form rights of united people, which loves
liberty, abhors oppression and reyeres JUS
] tice. These objects are very dear to my heart.
shall continue most earnestly to strive
for their attainment. The cordial co-oPera-
ton OF all classes Of all sections Of the
country, and of both races il required. For
- ~ n ~-AS- y