River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.



Fellow Citizens of the Senate and House O.
Representatives:
With great gratitude to the bountilul Giyel
of all good, / congratulate you. Al the be
| ginning Of your first regular session you find
our country blessed with health and peace
and abundant harvests, and with encouraging
prospects Of an early return OF general pro,
perity.
THE SOUTHERN POLICY.
To complete and make permanent the pa
citication of the country continues to- be and
until it is fully accomplished must remain the
most important Of all our national interests
The earnest purpose of good citizens gener-
ally to unite their efforts in these endeayOrs is
evident II found decided expression in the
resolutions announced in 1876 by the national
conventions Of the leading political parties of
the country. There was a widespread APP
prehensiOn that the momentous results in
eur progress as a nation marked by the re-
cent amendments to the constitution
were in imminent jeopardy; that the good uu'
Outstanding which prompted their adoption
IN the interest Of a loyal devotion TO the gen
eral welfare might prove barren truce, and
that the sections of the country once engaged
in civil strife might be again almost as widely
ieyered and disunitcd a. they were when ar
rRyed in arms against each other. The course
to be pursued which in my judgment seemed
wisest ia presence Of the emergency was
plainly indicated in my inaugural ad-
dress. Ii pointed TO the time which al
our people desire TO see when a genuine love
Of our whole country and Of all that concerns
its true welfare shall supplant the destructive
forces OF mutual luminosity, Of races and of sec
tiOnal hostility. Opinions have differed widely
as TO the measures best calculated TO secure
this great end This was to be expected.
The measures adopted by the administration
have been subjected 10 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 a. were
most in harmony with the constitution ana
with the genius Of our people, and best adapt
ed under all the circumstances to attain the
end in view. The benehcent results already
apparent prove that these endeayOrs are not
To be regarded as a mere experiment and
should sustain and encourage Us in our
efforts.
ITS RESULTS.
Already in the brief period which has elapsed
the immediate effectiveness, no less than the
Justice OF the course pursued, is demonstrated,
and / have an abiding faith that time
will furnish this ample Yindication
in the minds OF the great majority of my fellow
citizens. The discOntinuanceo OF the use OF the
army for the purpose Ofupho.ding local gov
ernments in two States of the Union was no
less a constitutional duty and require
ment under the circumstances existing al
the time than it was much needed meas
ure for the restoration of local self gov
eminent and the promotion Of National
harmony. The withdrawal OF the troops
from such employment 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 " all classes Of citizens. The re-
suits that have followed are indeed significant
and encouraging. All apprehension Of danger
from renting those States 10 local self
government is dispelled and most salu-
tary change In the minds OF the people
has begun and Is in progress in every part
Of that section Of the cOuntry-once
the theatre Ct alAappy civil strife
substituting for suspicion distrust and
aversion, concord, friendship and patriotic
attachment 10 the Union. No unparalleled
mind viii deny that the fatal collisions which
for several wears have been Of frequent occur
ence and have alarmed the public mind have
almost entirely ceased and that a spirit OF
mutual fOrbcarance and hearty national
interest has succeeded. There has been
general establishment Of order
and the orderly administration of justice
have become Of rare occurrence.
Political turmoil and turbulence hay, dis
appeared. Useful industries have been
resumed Public credit in the Southern States
has been greatly Strengthened and the eneour-
aging benefits OF revival Of commerce be-
lately cmbroiled in civil war are
fully enjoyed. Such are some Of the
results already attained, upon which the
country Is 10 be congratulated. They are Of
such importance that We may with confidence
patiently await the desired eonsummation that
will surely come with the natural progress Of
events.
THE RIGHTS OF THE FREEDMEN.
II NAV not be improper here 20 say that Il
should be our fixed and unalterable deteTIni-
nation TO protect, By ali available, and proper
means under the constitution and the laws
the lately emancipsfed race in the enjoyment
Of their rights and privileges, and / urge upon
those 70 whOme heretofore the colored people
have sustained tbs relation Of bOndmen the
wisdom ard Justice OF humane and liberal
local egislat IN with respect to their education
and general welfare; firm adherence to the
laws, both national and State, as 10 the civil
and political rights Of the colored people,
now advanced to full, equal citizenship;
the immediate repression and sure pun
ishment BIZ the national and local
authorities within their respective jurisdiction
OF every instance OF lawlessness and vio-
lence toward them, is required for the security
alike of beth races and is justly demanded by
the public opinion Of the country and the