Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


Feuoau citizens of the Senate and House
of Representatives. With great gratitude
to tn e bountiful Oliver of all good, l con-
graduate you at the beginning of your
first session. You find your country
blessed with health and peace and an
abundant harvest, and with encourag-
ing prospects of an early return of
general prosperity. To complete and
make permanent the pacification of
the country continues to be and must
remain until it is fully accomplished,
the most important of all our national
interests. The earnest purpose of good
citizens generally to unite their efforts
in these endeavors, is evident 1t is
found in decided expressions in those
resolutions announced in 1876 by the ma
tional conventions of the leading politi-
cal parties of the country.
THE SOUTHERN POLICY.
There was a widespread apprehen-
sion that mOmentuOus results In
our progress as a nation-marked by
the recent amendment to the const-i
tuition = were in imminent jeopardy ;
that the good understanding which
prompted their adoption in the inter
est of loyal devotion to the general well
fare might prove a barren truce, and
that the sections of the country once
engaged in civil strife might be again,
at most as widely severed and dis
united as they were when arrayed in
arms against each other. The course
to be pursued which, in my judgm ent
seemed wisest in the presence of emer-
gency, was plainly indicated in my in
augural address. 1t pointed to the
time which all our people desire
to see when a genuine love for
the whole country and Of all
that concerns its true welfare shall sup
plant the destructive forces of the mu-
tual animosity of the races, and of sec
tional hostility. Opinions have differed
widely as to the measures best calcu-
lated to secure this great end. This
was to be expected. The measures
adopted by the administration have
been subjected to severe and varied
criticism: any course whatever which
might have been entered upon would
certainly. have encountered distrust and
opposition. These measures were, in
my Judgment, such as were most in
harmony with the constitution and
with the genius Of our people, and best
adapted, under all the circumstances,
to attain the end in view. Beneficial
results already apparent prove that
these endeavOrs are not to be regarded
as a mere experiment, and should sus-
tain and encourage us In our efforts.
Already in this brief period the effect
iveness-no less than 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 majority of my fell
low citizens.
The discontinuance of the use of the
army for the purpose of upholding 10
cal governments in two states of the
Union, WAS no less a constitutional
duty and requirement, under the cir
cumstances existing at the time, than it
was q much needed measure, for the
restoration of local self government
and the promotion Of national harmo-
ny The withdrawal of the troops
from such employment was effected
deliberately and with soictous care for
the peace and good order of society
and the protection of the property and
persons and every right of all classes
Of citizens. The results that have fol-
lowed are indeed significant and en-
couraging; all apprehension Of danger
from renting those states to local self
government is dispelled, and most
salutary change in the minds of the
people has begun and is in progress in
every part of the section of country
once the theatre Of unhappy civil
strife; substituting for suspicion, dis
trust and aversion, concord, friendship
and patriotic attachment to the Union.
No unprecedented mind will deny that
the often fatal collisions which for sew
eral years have been of frequent occur
renee, and have alarmed the public
mind, have almost entirely ceased, and
that spirit Of mutual forbearance and
hearty national interest has succeeded
There has been general re-establish-
ment of order and of the orderly adj
mlnistration of justice. Instances of
remaining lawlessness have become of
rare occurrence; political turmoil and
turbulence have disappeared; useful in
dustr1es have been resumed, public
credit III the southern states has been
greatly strengthened, and the encour-
aging benefits of revival Of commerce
between the sections of country lately
embroiled in civil war are fully enjoyed.
Such are some of the results already
attained, upon which the country is to
be congratulated; they are of such i'm
portance that we may with confidence
patiently await the desired consumma-
ton that will surely come with the nat
ural progress of events It may not be
improper here to say that it should be
our fixed and unalterable detern1ina-
ton to protect by all available and prop
er means under the constitution and
the laws.
THE LATELY 'EMANCIPATED RACE
ID the experiment, In their rights and
privileges, and / urge upon those to
whom heretofore the colored people
have sustained the relation of bond
men, the Wisdom and justice of humane
andl LIBERAL local legislation with respect
to their education and general welfare;
a firm adherence to the laws, both ma
tlonal and state, as to the civil and 20
htical rights of the colored people, now
advanced to full equal citizenship; the