Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-03-07

of the country. Followingthe exam
pie and in part adopting the language
of one of my predecessors. l wish
now when every motive for mis-
statement and Misrepresentation has
passed away, to repeat what was said
before election, trusting that my
will candidly weigh and
understand it, and that they will feel
assured that the sentiments declared
by me at the time Of my nomination
for the Presidency, will be the stand
ard of my conduct in the path before
me, charged as l now am with the
grave and difficult task of carrying
them out in the practical administra-
tion of the government, so far as de-
ponds, under the Constitution and
laws, upon the chief executive Of the
nation.
The permanent pacification of the
country upon such principles and by |
such measures as will secure the COM
pletc protection of all its citizens in
the free enjoyment of all their con-
stitutional rights, is now the one SUBJ
ject in our public affairs which all |
thoughtful and patriotic citizens re-
gard as of supreme importance.
Many of the calamitous effects of the
tremendous revolution which has
passed over the Southern States, still
remain, and the Unreasonable bene-
fits which will surely follow sooner
or later the full and generous accept
ance of the legitimate results of that
revolution, have not yet been realized.
This difficult and embarrassing ques-
ton meets us at the Threshold. The
people of those States are still inn
poverished, and the inestimable bless
ing of wise, honest and peaceful local
self-govcrnment is not fully enjoyed.
Whatever difference of opinion may
exist as to the cause Of this condition
of things, the fact is clear that in the
progress of events the time has come
when such government is an
imperative necessity, required by all
the varied interests both public and
private of those states. But it must
not be forgotten that only local
government which recognizes and
maintains inviolate the rights of all,
is a genuine self-government. With
respect to the two distinct races whose
peculiar action towards each other
have brought upon us the deplorablc
complications and perpleNities which
exist in those states, it must be gov
eminent which decides interests of
both races carefully and equally {;
it must be a government which
submits loyalty and heartily
to the constitution and laws.
Resting upon this sure substantial
foundation, the superstructure of be-
neticent local governments can be
built up, and not otherwise. In fur
therance of such obedience to the let
ter and spirit of the constitution, and
in behalf of all that its attainment
implies, so-called party interests lose
their apparent importance and party
lines may well be permitted to fade
into insignificance. The question we
have to consider for the immediate
welfare of those states of the Union
is the question of government or no
government. of social order, and all
the principal industries and the hap
piness that belong to it, or return
to barbarism. 1t is question in
which every citizen of this nation is
deeply interested, and with respect to
which we ought not to be, in parti-
san sense, either republicans or dem
ocrats, but fellow citizens and fellow
townsmen, to whom the interests of q
common country and common hu.
mainly are dear. The sweeping rev.
olution in the south from slave to free
labor and to the advance of 4, 900, 900 Of
.. people from condition ofservitudet t.
that of citizenship, upon an equal foot
, ing with their former masters, coult
, not occur without presenting prob
lens of the greatest moment, to bt
dealt with towards the emancipatet
race by their former masters and by
, the general government.
That the act was wise, just ant
providential, fraught with good fol
all concerned, is now generally con
coded throughout the country tina
moral obligation rests upon thu
national government to employ it
!; constitutional power and influence t.
preserve the rights of the people j
has cmancipated and to protect then
in the enjoyment of these rights
when they are infringed or assailed
is also generally admitted. The evi
: which afliicts the southern States car
only be removed or remedied by til,
united and harmonious efforts Of boil
races, actIated by motives of mutua
1, sympathy and regard, and while il
duty bound and fully determined t.
protect the rights of all by ever,
: constitutional means at the dispose
of my administration, l am sincerel.
|, anxious to use every legitimate influ
! ence in favor of honest and ef1icien
local governments, which is the true
!. resource of those States for the pro
motion of the coatentment and pros
perity of their citizens. In the eff,or
J. [ shall make to accomplish this pur
pose, l ask the cordial cooper
alton of all who cherisl
an interest in the welfar,
g of the country, trusting that part.
j ties and prejudice of race, will b.
I freely surrendered in behalf of tn
I great purpose to be accomplished il
G the important work of the restoration
of the Sonth.
! 1t is not the political situation
= alone that merits attention. The ma
. terial development of that section o
= = the country has been arrested by tn
q severe political revolution through
: which it has passed, and now need
!, and deserves the considerate care o
- the National Government, within tn
i just limits prescribed by the Consti
" tuition and wise public economy
I but at the basis of all prosperity TO
e that, as well as for every other par
of the country, lies in the improve
. ment of the intellectual and mora
= condition of the people. Universe
= suffrage should rest upon universe
, - education. To this end liberal an,
> permanent provisions should be mad
!. for the support of free schools b.
State Governments, and, if need be
! supplemented by legitimate aid fron
= the National authority. Let me as
!, sure my countrymen of the Souther
) States that it is my earnest desire t
:, promote their true interests, tn
. interests Of the white and of the col
i ored peoplc-both and equally
|, and put forth my best efforts in be
: half of civil policy which will for
: ever wipe out in our political affairs
i the color line and the distinction be
:. tween the North and the South, {
- the end that we may have not merel
- united North or united Soutf
- but united country. l ask the al
= tention of the public to the para
\ mount necessity of reform in our civ
- il service-a reform not merely as t
! certain abuses and practices of SC
q called official patronage, whic
I, have come to have the sanction G
y usage, in several departments of on
4 government, but change of the sys
). tenn of appointment itself-reforr
= that shall be thoroughly radical an
h complete; return to the principle
: and practices of the founders of tn
! government. They neither expects
q nor desired from public officers an
r. party service; they. meant that tn
- public officers should owe their Who'll
. service to the government, and to til
ls people they meant that the office
: should be secure in his tenure, as Ion
@ @ as his personal character remain
=, ed untarnished and pcrformanC
- A ~ -