Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-12-13
The Presidents Message
" AsHINGToN, D. c., |
December 3. 1877.

, DOSOluOOt u, 400.
FeNoao- Citizens of the Senate ana
House Of Representatives. =
With devout gratitude to the
bountiful Giver of all good. con-
gratulate you that, at the beginning
of your first regular session, yor
find your country blessed will
healthand peace and abundant
harvests, and with encouraging
prospoctsof al early return of gen.
eral prosperity. To complete and
make permanent the pacifcation ot
the country continues to be, and un
til it is fully accomplished must re-
main the most important of all oul
national interests The earnest
purpose of good citizens generally
to unite their efforts in this endeav.
or is evident. 1t found decided
expression in the resolutions an
nounced in 1876 by the national
conventions of the leading political
parties of the country. There was
d widespread apprehension that
the momentous results in our prog
ress as nation, marked bv the re-
cont amendments to the constiu-
ton, we're in imminent jeopardy
that the good understanding thai
prompted their adoption in the
general interest of a loyal devotion
to the general welfare might prove
a barren truce, and that the two
sections of the country, once en-
gagged in civil strife, might be again
almost as widely severed and dis
united as they were when arrayed
In arms against each other. The
course to be pursued which in my
judgement, seemed wisest in the
presence of this emergency, was
plainly indicated in my inaugural
address. 1t pointed to the time
which all our people desire 10 see,
when a genuine love of our whole
country and of all that concerns
its true welfare shall supplant the
destructive forces cf mutual ami
mostly of races and of sectional
hostility. Opluions have differed
widely as to The measures best cal
culated to secure this great end
This was to be expected. The
measures adopted by the admins
tratioE have been subjected to se>
we're aud varid criticism. Any
course whatever which might have
have encountered disffhsat ffrd'iT' Aid op1
position. These measures were III
my judgemen, such as were most
in harmony with the constitution
and with the genious Of our people
and best adapted under all the cir
cumstances to attain the end IN
| view. Bene6cent results already
apparent prove that these endeav.
ors are not to be regarded rs a
mere experiment and should sus-
tain and encourage US in our efforts.
Already in the brief period which
has elapsed, The effectiveness, 70
less than the justice of the course
pursued, is demonstrated, and l
have an abiding faith that time
will furnish it ample vindication in
tie minds of the great majority of
my fellow citizens.
EFFECTS OF CANCELLATION.
The discontinuance of the use OF
the army for the purpose of up
holding local governments In two
States OF the Union, was no less a
constitutional duty and require
ment under the circumstances ex-
listing at the time it was much
needed measure for The restoration
of local self government aud the
promotion of national harmony
The withdrawal of the toops from
such employment was effected de-
liberately and with solictous care
for the peace and good order ot
society and the protection of the
property and persons and every
righ. of all classes of citizens.-
The results that have followed are
indeed significant and encouraging
All apprehension of danger from
remitting those States to local self
government is dispclled, and :
most salutary change in the minds
of the people has begun and is il
progress in every part of that sec
+ tion of country, once the theatre o
unhappy civil strife, substituting
, for suspicion, distrust and aversion
concord, friendship and patriotic
attachment to the Union. No un
prejudiced min! Will deny that thu
! terrible and often fatal collisions
t which for several years have becl
of frequent occurrence and have
agitated and alarmed the public
mind, have almost entirely ceased
/ and that spirit OF mutual torbear
! ance and hearty national interes
has succeeded. There has been
| general establishment of orde
' and of the orderly administration
: of Justice Instances of rcmainin:
lawlessncss have been Of rare occur
) renee. Political turmoil and tur
, bulence have disappeared, useful in
: dustries have been resumed, publ