The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1877-03-22
PRESIDENT HAYES INAUGURAL.


PRESIDENT HAYES INAUGURAL.
lie Promise. Peace Policy NJ the South---
Reform in the Civil service aud a one-Term
Amendment.
FrH9,r Citizens: We have assembled
TO repeat the public ceremonial, begun
hy Washington, observed 10y all my pre-
decessors and now time honored GUS
tom. which marks the commencement of
a new term Of the Presidential Office.
Called 20 the duties OF this great trust, |
proceed, IN compliance with usage, to
announce some Of the leading principles
on the subjects that now chiefly engage
the public attention, bv which Il is my
desire 60 hc guided in the discharge Of
those duties. shall not undertake to
lay down. irrevocably, principles or
measures Of administration. but rather
to speak of the motives which should
animate lis. and 60 suggest certain I'M
p0rt.nt ends 10 be attained, IN accord
auce with our institutions and essential
90 the welfare of our country. AZ the
outset oi the discussions which preceded
the recent Presidential election Il seem
cd 90 me fitting that | should fully make
known my sentiments IN regard e. sew
oml oi tho important questions which
then appclroj to dcmapd the couSlderl'
hou ui the country. Following the ex-
ample. and In part adopting the language,
Of one OF my predecessors, l wish now,
when every motive Tor misrepresentation
has passed away. 90 repeat what was
said before the election, trusting THAI my
countrymoa viii caudidly weigh and uu-
derstand jt. and that they viii feel as-
surei that the sentiments declared IN ac-
cepting the nomination for the PrSsl-
doucy viii be the standard of my cont
duct in the path before me, charged as |
now am with the grave and difficult task
of carrying them ont IN the practical AL
miuist0t5on Of the government, 80 fan aS
depends under the Constitution and laws
ON the Chief Executive oi the nation.
The permanent pacl6catlon ot the ooUn-
try upon such principles and by such
measures as Win secure the complete
protcction of all its citizens II the free
endowment Cf all their constitutional
rights. is the one subject in our public
affairs which all thoughtful and patri-
otic citizens r5Sard - Of supreme I'M
portance.
THE SOUTHERN STATES.
Many of the calamitous effects oi the
tremendous revelation which has paSSed
over the Southern States sUl remain,
The iwluraSurable benefits which VIII
surely follow. sooner or later, the hearty
and Eenrrous acceptance If the leglt2-
raste results az that revolution have
not vet been realizeL Difficult and en-
harrassiur questions meet rs 40 the
Threshold II this subject. The people
of those States are still impoverished,
and the incstmable blessing of wise,
honest and peaceful lOcsd sel-govern-
mtnt Is not fully enjoyed Whatever
differences ot opinion may exist as % the
cause oi tins condition Of things. the
fact Is clear that, in the progress Of
events, the tame has come when such
government is the imperative necessity
required bv all the varied interests,
public and private, ui these States. But
it must not be forgotten that only local
Government which recognizes and mann
tlius inviolate the rights Of all Is true
Sall-goyernmenL
With respect 10 the two distinct races
whose peculiar relations 70 each other
have brought upon rs the deplorble
compilations and perpleNucs which ex-
ist in those States. il must be govern
l2ent which guaris the interests Of both
races carefully and equally. Ii must be
a government which submits Loyalty and
heartily to the Constitution and the laws
the laws Of the nation and the laws OF
the States helnselves-accepting and
obeying faithfully the whole Consbtu-
ti0n rs il Is.
Resting upon TINS sure and substan-
tial foundation the superstructure OF
benefcieut local governments can be
built up. and not otherwise. In futher-
ance Of such obedience 10 the letter and
the spirit of the Constitution, and IN be-
half oi all that It's attainment implies all
so-called party interests lose their APP
parent importance. and party lines may
well be permitted 10 fade INTO insignih-
canoe The question we have 10 con-
siier for the immaiiate welfare OF those
States Ut the Union Is the question of
government or no government. OF social
order. and all the peaceful industries and
the happiness that belongs 10 il. or a
return ~ barbarism. Ii ls "a question IN
which every citizen Of the nation sdeep-
j. interested. and with respect to which
we ought not 10 be, IN a partisan sense,
either Republicans or Democrats, but
fellow citizens. and fellow men. to whom
the interests Of common humanity are
dear
CITIZENSHIP OF TIE NEGROES.
The sweeping revolution Of the entire
labor system Of a large portion Of Cur
country. and the advance Of four mil
lions Of people from a condition Of servi-
tude 10 that Of citizenship, upon an
equal footing with their former masters.
could not occur without presenting prob
lens Of the gravest moment 70 be dealt
with by the emancipated race, bv their
former masters, and by the general gov
eminent, the author Of the act Of eman-
cipation. That il was a wise. Just, and
PrOvidential act, fraught with good for
al concerned, Is now generally conceded
throughout the country. That a moral
obligation rests upon the national gov
ernment TO employ It's constitutional
power and influence 10 establish the
rights Of the people it has emancipated.
and to protect them in the enjoyment Of
those rights when they are infringed or
assailed is also generally admitted.
The evils which aifiict the Southern
States can only be removed or remedied
by the united and harmonious efforts OF
both races actuated by motives Of mutual
sympathy and regard, and while in duty
bound and fully determined 10 protect
the rights Of all by every constitutional
means at the disposal of my administra-
ton. / am sincerely anxious to use
every legitimate influence IN favor Of
honest and efficient local sell. govern
meut, Is the true resource OF those
States for the promotion of the content
ment and prosperity Of their citizens.
IL the effort / shall make TO accomplish
this purpose. | ask the cordial cO-opera-
ton of all who cherish All interest IL the
welfare Of the country, trusting that
party ties and the prejudice Of race will
be freely surrendered IN behalf Of the
great purpose To be accomplished. In
the important work Of restoring the
South it is not the political situation
alone that merits attention. The mate
rial Development OF that section Of the
country has been arrested by the social
and political revolution through which
it has passed, and now needs and de-
serves the considerate care Of the nation