Daily Kennebec journal., 1877-12-04
NO. 2S6


| With devout gratitude to the bountiful Gver of
all good, congratulate you at the beginning of
| your first regular session. You ind our country
blessed with health and peace, and abundant har-
vests, and with encouraging prospects of an early
return OF general prospt ry To complete aud
make permanent
THE PACIFICATIoN OF THE COUNTRY,
continues to be, and until it is fully accomplished
must remain, the most important OF all our nation
al interests. he earnest purpose of good cit zens
geneialy to unite their efforts in this endeayor is
evident. 1t found decided expression in the reso-
| utions announced in 1876 by the National Con-
vcntlons of the leading political parties of the
county. There was a wide spread apprehens nson
that the momentous results in our progress as a
nation maj ked by tie recent amendments to the
constitution were IN imminent jeopardy, that the
good rstsndlng which prompted their adop-
ton IN the interest of loyal devotion to the gen
tra welfare might prove barren truce, and that
the two sections OF the country once engaged in
evil sttlfe might be again almost widely sever
ed and disuuited as they were when arrayed in
arms galnst each other.
The course to be pursued which, in my iudg-
ment, seemed wlsest IN the presence OF this emer-
gency, was plainly indicated in my inaugural ad-
dress. 1t pointed to the time which all people
desire to see, when genuine love of our whole
country and OF all that concerns its true welfare,
shall supplant the destructive force Of mutual
animoslty OF races and of sectional hostility.
Opinions have differed widely as to measures best
calculated to secure this. As to be expected
the measures adopted by the administration have
been subjected to severe and varied criticism.
Any course whatever which might have been en-
tered upon would certainly have encountered dis
trust and opposition. These measures we're in
my Judgment such as were most in harmony with
the constitution and with the genius of people
and best adapted under all the circumstances to
attain the end IN view. BenetceDt results already
apparent prove that these endeavors are not to be
regarded az mere experiment, and should sus-
fan md tn .a+f. A ~.
the brief period which has elapsed the immediate
effectiveness no less than the justice of the course
pursued Is demonstrated, and have abiding
tah that time will fun nish Its ample vindcstiou
10 the minds OF the great majority OF my fellow
citizens.
The discontinuance of the use of the army for
the purpose of unfolding local governments ia
two States of the Union. no less constitu-
tlonal duty and requirement under the circum-
stances existing at the time thanit was much
needed me asuIe for the restoration of local self
government and the promotion OF national har-
nIony. The withdrawal OF the troops IRON such
employ yment was effected deliberately and with
solicItOus 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 followed indeed signif-
cant and encouraging All apprehension OF dan-
ger from remitling those States to local sef-gov-
eminent Is dispelltG, and most salutsry change
IN the minds of the people has begun, and is 10
progress in every part OF that section OF country,
once the theatre OF unhappy evil strife, substituting
for suspicion, distrust, aud aversion, coucord,
fIiendsbp, and patriotic stachme mt to the Unon.
No unpreiudced ind will deny that the terrible
and often fatal collisions which for several years
have beepof frequent occurrence, aud have agi-
tated andlWiarmed the public mind, have almost
entirely ceased, and that spirit of mutual fol-
beaIance and hearty national interest has sue
ceeded. There has been general re-establlsh-
ment of order, and of the orderly administra.
ION OF justice; instances of remaining lawless-
h.un Af
political turmoil and turbulence have disappeared
useful industries have been resumed public cred
it IN the Southern States has been greatly
Strengthened, aud the encouraging benefits of re-
Vival of commerce between the sections of
country late ly embroiled in civil war are fully Gu
loyed. Such are some of the results already at
tanned, upon which the country is to be congratu-
lated. 1hey are OF such importanc ce that we NAV
with confidence patiently await the desired con-
summation that viii surely come with the nat aral
progress of events. However, it NAV not be i'm
proper here TO say that 1t should be our fixed and
uualterabe deeImlna ion to pre- tect by all ayaab
and proper means under the Consultation and fb,,
laws the latcIsa mancipated race in the ENJOYMENT
OF their rights and PRIV leges, and | urge upop
those to whom heretofore the colored people have
sustained the relation OF bCndmen, the wisdom and
justice oil humane and liberal local legislation
with respect TO their education and general wei
fare. A finn adherence to the laws both national
and state, h to the civil and political rights of
the colored people now advauced to full and equal
ciuzenshp the immediate repression and sure
punishment by the uauonal and local authorize
within their respective Jurisdictions of every IN
stance of lawlessness and violence toward them
i, required for the security alike of both races
and Is justly demanded by the public opinion of
the country and the age. liz this way the res,ora
ton Of hsi mony and cd will and the complete
protection OF every citizen in the full enjoy ment
OF every constitutional right, will surely be AL
tained Whatever authority rests with me to thi,
end shall not hesitate to put forth.
Whatever belongs TO the power OF Congress and
the jurisdiction OF the courts OF the uuion they
may confidently be relied upon to provide and
favor, and to the legIslatures the eouIt. and the
executive authorities CT the several States. earn
estly appeal to secure by adequate, appropriate,
ana seasOnable means within their borders, these
common and uniform rights of a united people
which loves liberty above oppression and reveres
justice. These objects arc very dear to my heart,
and shall contlnue mo earnestly to strive for
then attainment The cordial cooperation of all
classes Of all sections of the country, and of bolh
races Is required for this purpose, aud with these
blessings assured, ard not otherwise we NAV
safely hope to hand down our full institutions of
government unimpalled to the generations that
will succeed us.
RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS.