Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-04
The Presidents Message.

a telegraphlc summary or the fresldent
message was published in yesterdays Gazette.
The following is the text of the message upon
the subjects to which general attention Is now
more especially directed
To complete and make permanent the paclh
cation of the country, continues to be, aud, 10.
til il is fully accomplished, must remsio, the
most important of all our national interests.
The earnest purpose of good citizens generally,
to unite their efforts 10 this endeavor. is evil
dent. 1t found decided expression in the reso-
lutions announced 10 1876 by the national con-
ventions of the leading political parties OF The
country. There was wide spread appreher-
sion that the Momentous results In our progress
as a nation, marked by the recent amendments
to the Constitution, were In Imminent jeopardy;
that the good understanding which prompted
their adoption, 10 the interest OF a loyal deVo
ton to the general welfare, might prove bar.
rem truce, and that the two sections OF the coun
try, once engaged 10 civil strife, might be again
almost as widely severed and disunitcd, as they
were when arrsyed 10 arms against each other.
The course TO be pursued which 10 my jndg'
mept seemed wisest, 10 the presence Of this
emergency, was plainly Indicated 10 my lnaugu
raj address. 1t pointed TO time which all our
people desire to see, when genuine love ct
our whole country, ard of all that concerns its
true welfare, shall supplaut thu Destructive
forces of the mutual animos:ty Of races and OF
sectional hostility. Opinions have differed
widely az to the measures best calculated to Sc
cure this great end. Tnis was to be xptcted.
The measures adopted by the Administration
have been subjected to severe aud varied critl
cism. Any course whatever which might have
been cutered upon, would certainly have en-
countercd distrust and opposition. These
;,,, md
most 10 harmony with the Constitution and
with the genius Of our people. aud best adapt
ed, under all the circumstances, to attain the
end 10 view. Beuchcent results, already appa
rent prove that these eDdeavorS arc not to be
regarded IS mere experiment. and should sus-
tain and encourage US in our efforts. Already,
in the brief period which has elapsed, the in.
mediate etfectiveneness, no lees than the justice
of the course pursued, is demonstrated, and |
have az abiding faith that time will furoIsh its
ample viodcatioo 10 the minds Of the great ma
iority OF NY fellow citizens. The Giscon,lauarce
of the use Of the Army for the purpos: OF up
holding local governments lutWo States OF the
Uniou was no less constitutional duty and re-
uurement, under the circumstances existing at
| the time, than it was a much needed measure
for the restoration of local self government and
the promotion of national harmony The with
drawaI of the troops: rom such employment
was fl cted deliberately, aud wi!h s"l!cilrus
care for the peace and good order Of society,
and the prote ction of the property aad persons
and every right of all classes of citizens.
The results that have followed are indeed
significant ADD encouraging. al apprehension
of danger from RENTING those States 10 local
self government is dispclled, and most salute
~ change in the minds Of the people has begun
| and is 10 progress 10 every part Of that section
Of the couotry once the theatre of unhappy civ
il strife, substituting for suspicion, distrust and
aversion, concord. Friendship and patriotic at
tachment to The Uoion. No UMPIRE JUDGED mind
will deny that the terrible and often fatal COLI
sious which for several years have been OF fire.
uuent occurrence. and have agitated and alarm
ed the public mind, have almost entirely ceased
and that spirit of mutual forbcaraDca and
hearty national interest has succeeded. There
has been general reestabliShmcnt cf oder,
and of the orderly administration of justice; 10
stances OF remaining laWlcssless have become OF
! rare occurrence; political turmoil and turbulence
have Disappeared; useful Industries have been
resumed; public credit 10 the Southern States
has been greatly strengthened; and the cucour,
aging benefits CT revival Of commerce between
the sections of the country, lately cmbrolled 10
civil war, are fully enjoyed. Such arc some oil
the results already attained, upon which the
country is to be congratulated. They arc Of
such importance that We may with confidence
patiently await the desired o)nsumm alton. that
will surely come with the natura! progress Ct
| events.
1t may not be improper here to say that it
should be our fixed and unaterablc determine
ton to protect by all available and proper
means, uuder the Constitution aud the laws,
The lately emancipated race in the Enjoyment OF
their rights and privileges; and urge upon
those to whom heretofore the colored people
have sustained the relation Of bondsmen the
wisdom and justice of bumaEe and liberal local
legislation with respect to their education and
general welfare. A firm adherence to the laws,
both national and state, as to the civil and po
itioal rights of the colored people, now add
vanced to full and equal citizenship; the lmme.
diato repression and sure punishment by the
national and local authorities, within their re-
spective Jurisdictions, OF every Instance of law
essness 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. 10 this way tho restoration Of
harmony and good will and the complete pro-
lection of every citizen 10 the full ell ioymeut of
every constitutional right, will surely be at
tanned. Whatever authority rests with me to
tulS cuu, eulIl UUt ucSllalC " put lOltu
Whatever belongs to the power Of Congress
and the jurisdiction of the courts of the UOion,
they may confidently be relied upon to provide
and perform. Aud to the legislatures, the
c,ults, and the executive authorities of the
several states earnestly appeal to secure, by
adequate, appropriate, and seasonable means,
within their borders, these common and uni.
form rights of united people which loves lib.
erty, abbors oppression, and reVeres JUSTICE
These objects are very dear to my heart.
shall continue most earnestly to strive for their
attainment. The cordial co operation Of all
classes-ot all sections cf the country and Of
both races-is required for this purpose; and
with these blessings assured, aud not otherwise.
We may safely hope to hand down our free in
stitutions OF government uDimpaired to The
generations that will succeed u.s.
Upon most anxious and deliberate exami
nation which have felt it my duty 10 give 10
the subject, am but the more confirmed in
the opinion which | expressed 10 accepting the
nomination for the Presidency aud again upon
myinauguration,t that the policy ofresumption OF