Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1877-03-17
PRESIDENT HAYES.
His Inaugural Address.

FELLOW CITIZENS-We have assem-
bled to repeat the public ceremonial
begun by Washington, observed by all
my predecessors and now a time honored
custom, which marks the commencement
of a new term to the presidential office.
Called to the duties of this great trust, /
proceed, in compliance with usages, to
announce some Of the leading principles
on the subject that now chiefly engages
public attention, by which it is my desire
to be guided in the discharge OF these
duties. / shall cot undertake to lay
down irrevoce3ly principles or measures
of administration, but rather to speak of
matters which should animate us to sug-
gest certain important ends to be at
tanned in accordance with our institu-
tions and essential to the welfare of our
country. At the outset of the discus
sions which preceded the recent presi-
dental election it seemed to me fitting
that l should fully make known my sen-
timents in regard to several of the most
important questions which then appeared
to demand the consideration of the cOun-
try. Following the example, and in some
part, adopting the language of one of my
predecessors, / wish now, when every
motive for misrepresentation has passed
away, to repeat what was said before the
election, trusting 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 path
before me, charged as | am now, with
the grave and difficult task of carrying
them out in the practical administration
of the government, so far as depends, un-
der 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 complete protection of all its
citizens in the free enjoyment of all their
constitutional rights is the one subject
in our public affairs which all thought
full and patriotic citizens regard as of
supreme Importance. Many of the ca
lamitOus effects of the tremendous revo-
luton which has passed over the south
ern states still remain. The immeasura-
BILE benefits which will surely follow,
sooner or later, the hearty and generous
acceptance of the legitimate results of
that revolution have not yet been real
lied. Difficult and embarrassing ques-
tions meet us at the threshold Of this
subject. The people of these states are
still impoverished, and the insetimable
blessing of wise, honest AMI peaceful
local self-eovernment is not fully en-
joyed. Whatever difference of opinion
may exist as to the cause of this con.
dition of things, the fact is clear that
in the progress of events the time has
come when such government is an i'm
perative necessity required by all the
varied interests, public and private, of
these states, but 1t must not be forgotten
that only local government which rec
Ognized and maintained inviOlate the
rights Of all, is true seltgovernment,
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 must be a government
who decides the interest of both races
carefully and equally; it must I've a gov
eminent which submits loyalty and
heartily to the constitution and laws
the laws of the nation and the laws of
the states misunderstanding and
obeying faithfully the whole constitution
as it is. Resting upon this sure and SUBJ
stantial foundation the superstructure of
bene6cent local governments can be
built up, and not otherwise, in further
ance of such obedience to the letter and |
the spirit of the constitution, and in be-
half of all that its attainment implies.
All so-called party interest, lose their ap- |
parent Importance, and party lines may
we'll be permitted to fall into insignif-
canoe. The question we have to con-
slider for the immediate welfare of these |
states of the union is the question of
government or no government, Of social |
order and all the peaceful industries and |
the happiness that belong to it. or q re-
turn to barbarian. It is q question in |
which every citizen OF the nation is deeply |
interested, and with respect to which we |
ought not to be, In q partisan sense,
either republicans or democrats, but |
fe,low-citizens and fellow.men. to whom |
the interests of the common country and |
common humanity are dear. The sweep
ing revolution of the entire labor system
Of large portion Of our country, and the
advance Of four millions of people from
condition of servitude to that of citi-
eenship upon An equal footing with their
former masters, could not occur without
presenting problems of the sravest mo-
nent, to be dealt with by an emancipated
race, By their former masters and By the !
general government, the author of the
oct Of emancipation. That it was q wise,
just and providential act, fraught with
good for al concerned, IL now gem
orally conceded throughout the whole