The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-03-06
INAUGURAL ADDRESS


Washington, March 5.-Following is
President Hayes inaugural address:
FELLOW CITIzENs:-We have assem-
bled to repeat the public ceremonial be-
gun by Washington, observed by all my
predecessors, and now n time-honored
custom which marks the commence
ment of n new term of the presidential
office. Called to the duties of this great
trust, | proceed, in compliance with
usage, to some of the leading
principles of the subjects that now
chiefly engage the public att ention and
by which it is my desire to be guided in
the discharge of those duties. / shall
not undertake to lay down irrcvocably
principles or measures of administra-
ton, but rather to speak of the motives
which should animate us, and 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 discussions
which preceded the recent presidential
election, it seemed to me fitting that |
should fully make known my senti-
ments in regard to several of the impor-
tant questions which then appeared to
demand the consideration Of the coun-
try. Following the example, and in
part adopting the language of one of my
predecessors, | wish now, when every
motive for Misrepresentation has pass
ed away, to repeat what was said before
the election, trusting that my country
men will candidly weigh and under
stand it, and that they will feel assured
that the sentiments declared in accept
ing the nomination for the presidency
will be the standard of my conduct in
the path before me, charged as
l now am with the grave and difficult
task of carrying them out in tho practi-
cal administration of the government
SO far us depends under the constitu-
ton and laws upon me as the chief ex-
ecutive of the nation. The permanent
pacification 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 now the
n subject in our public affairs which
all thoughtful and patriotic citizens re-
gard rs of supreme Importance. Many
of the calamitous effects of the tremen-
dous revolution which has passed over
the Southern States still remain. The
Unreasonable benefits which will surely
follow, sooner or later, the hearty and
generous acceptance of the legitimate
results of the revolution, have not been
realized. Difficult and embarrassing
questions meet us ut the threshold of
this subject. The people of those states
are still impoverished, and the inesti-
mable blessing of wise, honest and
peaceful local government is not fully
enjoyed. Whatever difference of opin-
ion 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 the
Imperative necessity required by all the
varied interests, public and private, of
those states, but it must not be forgot
ten that only a local government which
recognizes and maintains i~nviolate the
rights of all, is Il true self-government.
With respect to the two distinct races
whose peculiar relations to each other
have brought upon us the deplorable
complications and perpleXities which
exist in those states, it must be Il gov
eminent which decides the interests of
both races carefully. 1t must be a gov
eminent which submits Loyalty and
heartily to the constitution and the
laws of the nation, and the laws of the
states themselves, accepting and obey
ing faithfully the whole constitution as
it is. Resting upon this sure and sub
stantial foundation, the superstructure
of beneficient local governments can be
built up, and not otherwise. In furth-
GRANGE of such obedience to the letter
and the spirit of the constitution, and
in behalf of all hat its attainment i'm
plies, all so-ealled party interests lose
their apparent Importance, and party
lines may well be permitted to fade into