The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-03-13
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
An Able and Amiable D0cu-
- - na0nf.

WASHINGTON, March g. President
Hayes delivered his inaugural address
as follows:
FELLow CITIzESs: We have assem-
bled TO repeat the public ceremonial
begun by Warrington. observed by all
my predecessors, and now a time-hon-
ored custom which marks the COM
mencement of q new term IN the Presi-
Dental Office.
Called 10 the duties OF this great
trust 1 proceed, in compliance with
usage, to announce some OF
THE LEADING PRINCIPLES
on the subjects that now chiefly engage
the public attention by which Il is my
desire tn be guided In the discharge OF
those duties. / shall not undertake
to lay down irrevocably principles or
measures OF administration, but rather
10 speak OF the motives which should
animate us. and to suggest certain i'm
portant ends To be attained in accord
ance with our institutions. aud essen
| tial 10 thu welfare OF our country. At
| the outset Of the discussions which
proceeded tha recent Presidential cleo
ton. Il seemed to me fitting that ]
should fully make known my senti-
ments in regard to several OF the i'm
portant questions which then appeared
to demand the consideration OF the
country. Following the example and
in part adopting the language OF one OF
my predecessors I wish now, when
every motive for misrepresentation has
passed away. to repeat what was said
before election, trusting that my conn.,
trymen will candidly weigh and under
stand il and that they will feel assured
that the sentiments declared in accept
ing the nomination for the Presidency
will be NHfN H0F
THE STANDARD OF MY ooSDrcr
in the path before me, charged as /
now am with the grave and difficult
task OF carrying them out in the practi-
cal administration OF the Government.
So far as depends, under the Consti-
tuition and laws. on the Chief Execu-
tive OF the nation the permanent paci-
iication OF the country, upon such
principles and by such measures as
will secure complete protection Of all
its citizens Ia the free enjoyment OF all
their Constitutional rights, is now the
one subject in our public affairs which
all thoughtful and patriotic citizens re-
gard as Of supreme Importance. Many
of the calamitous effects OF the trsmen-
.dous revolution which has passed over
TIE SOUTHERN STATES
still remain. The immeasurable bene-
fits which will surely follow sooner or
later the hearty and generous accep-
tance of the legitimate res9lts of that
revolution have not yet been realized.
Difficult aud embarrassing questions
meet ms at the threshold OF this snb-
iect. The people OF these States are
still impoverished, aud the inestimable
blessing Of wise, honest and peaceful
local self-government is not fully en-
joyed. Whatever difference Of opin-
ion may exist az 10 the causs Of this
condition OF things, thel 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, public and private
Of these States. But il must not be
forgotten that only local government
which recognizes and maintains invio-
late the rights Of all Is true self.gov-
ernment. With respect to the two dis
tinct races whose peculiar relations TO
each other having brought upon us the
deplorable complications and perplexi-
ties which exist IN these Slater, il must
be a government which decides the in
! terests OF
DOTH RACES CAREFULLY AND EQUALLY.
4 IL must be government which sub
lnits Loyalty and heartily TO the Consti-
tuition and laws OF the nation and the
laws of the States themselves accepting
and obeying faithfully the whole CON
stitution as it is. ~
Resting upon this sure and substsn-
tial foundation, the superstructure OF
benefcient local governments can be
Luilt up, aud not otherwise. In fur
therapee OF snch obedience to the let
ter and the spirit Of the Constitution
aud in behalf Of all that its attainment
implies, so called party interests lose
their apparent importance and party
lines may well be permitted 10 fall into
insignincsncs.
The question we have to consider for
the Immediate welfare of those States
of the Union is the question OF govern
ment or no government: Of social or.
/ der, and all the peaceful industries aud
happiness that beleng to it, or a re-
/ turn TO barbarism. IL is a question in
which every cit izen Of the nation 10
deeply interested, and with respect 10
l which we onght not To he. in . partisan
sense, either Republicans or Demo
crate. bat fellow-citizsns aud V
FELI,ow.AHS,
10 whom the interest of a common
country and common humanity are
dear.
The sweeping revelation oi the en7
tire systsm of large portion OF our
country, aud the advancement OF -four
millions Of our people from condition
OF seryitude To- that of citizenship mp
on an equal footing with their former
masters, could not occnr without pre-
senting problems of grnvest moment
To be dealt with by the eniancipated
race by their former masters aud by
the general Government The saying
Of the author Of the act Of emancip.
iion, that it was q wise aud providen-
tial act, iraught with good for all cum
cerned, is now generally conceded
throughout the country.
I That f# a
MORAL OBLIoATlOs
rests upon the National Government
10 employ its constitutional power aud
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