Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-09
President Hayes's Inaugural.


Fellow Citizens: We have assembled to
repeat the public ceremonial, begun by
Washington, observed by all my predeces-
sors, and now a time honored custom which
marks the commencement of a new term of
the presidential office. Called 10 the duties
OF this great trust proceed, in compliance
with usage, TO announce some OF the lead
ing principles on the subjects that now
chiefly engage the public attention by
which it is my desire TO be guided in the
discharge of those duties. / shall not I'M
dertake to lay down irrevocable principles
or measures of administration, but rather
to speak OF the motives which should ami
mate us and TO suggest certain important
ends TO be attained, in accordance with our
institutions and which are essential TO the
welfare ofour country. At the outset Of
the discussions, which preceded the recent
presidential election it seemed TO me fitting
that should fully make known my senti-
ments in regard TO several OF the important
questions which then appeared TO demand
the consideration of the country. Follow
ing the example and in part adopting the
language of one of my predecessors, l wish
now, when every motive for lnisrepresen-
taiion has passed away, 10 repeat what was
said before the election, trusting that my
countrymen will candidly weigh and UNI
derstand it, and that they will feel assured
the nomination for the presidency will be
the standard of my conduct in the path be-
fore me, charged, as / now am, with the
grave and difficult task of carrying them
out in the practical administration of the
government so far as depends, under the
constitution and laws, on the chief execu-
tive of the nation.
THE SOUTHERN QUESTION.
The permanent pacifcation of the coun-
4
ures as will secure the complete protection
of all its citizens in the free enjoyment of
all their constitutional rights, is now the
ono subject in our public affairs, which all
thoughtful and patriotic citizens regard as
of supreme Importance. Many of the ca
lamitouS effects of the tremendous revolu-
ton which has passed over the Southern
States still remain. The immeasurable
benefits which will surely follow, sooner
or later, the hearty and generous accept
ance of the legitimate results of that revo-
luton have not yet been realized. Difficult
and embarrassing questions meet us at the
threshold of this subject. The people of
those States are still impoverished and the
inestimable blessing of wise, honest and
peaceful local self-government is not fully
enjoyed. Whatever difference of opiuion
may exist as TO the cause of this condition
of things, the fact is clear that in the prog
ress of events the time has come, when
such government is the imperative necessi-
ty, required by all the various interests,
public and private, OF those States, But it
must not be forgotten that only a local gov
eminent which recognizes and maintains
Inviolate the rights of all, is true self-gov
eminent With respect to the two distinct
races whose peculiar relations to each other
have brought upon us the deplorable COM
plicatons and perplexities which exist in
those States, it must be government
which guards the interests of both races
carefully and equally. 1t must be Il gov
eminent which submits loyalty and heart
lily to the constitution and the laws-the
laws of the nation and the laws of the States,
hemselves-accepting and obeying faith
fully the whole constitution as ii is. Resting
upon this sure and substantial foundation,
the superstructure of benefcent local gov
ernments can be built up, and not other
wise. In furtherance of such obedience to
the letter and the spirit OF the constitution,
aud in behalf of all that its attainment inn
plies, all so-called party interests lose their
apparent importance, and party lines may
we'll be permitted TO fade into insigniti-
canoe.
The question we have TO consider for the
immediate welfare of those States of the
Union, is the question of government or no
government, of social order and all the
peaceful industries and the happiness that
belong TO it or a return to barbarism.
Ii is q question in which every citizen of
the nation is deeply interested and with re-
spect to which we ought not to be in a par
iisan sense either republicans or democrats,
but fellow citizens and fellow-men to
whom the interests ola common country
and n common humanity are dear. The
sweeping revolution of the entire labor sys-
tenn of large portion of our country, and
the advance of four millions of people from
condition of servitude TO that of citizen
ship upon an equal footing with their
former masters, could not occur without
presenting problems of the gravest moment
TO be dealt with by the emancipated race,
by their former masters, and, by the gem
eral government, the author of the act of
emancipation. That it was a wise, just and
providential act iraught with good for all
concerned, is now generally conceded
throughout the country. That moral OBJ
legation rests upon the national govern
ment to employ its constitutional power
aud influence to 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 af-
ilict the Southern States can only be re-
moved or remedled by the united and har-
monious efforts of both races, actuated by
motives of mutual sympathy and regard
and while in duty bound and fully deter
mined to protect the rights of all by every
constitutional means at the disposal OF my
administration, l am sincerely anxious ia
use every legitimate influence in favor OF
honest and efficient local self government,
as the true resource of those States for the
promotion of the contentment and prosper
ity of their citizens. In the effort / shall
make TO accomplish this purpose, ask the
cordial cooperation Of all who cherish an
interest in the welfare of the country, trust
ing that party ties and the preudices oil
raoo will be fully surrendered in behalf oil
ihe great purpose 10 be accomplished in ths