Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-12-11

Other Important Questions Discussed
Felioso Citizens Of the Senate aud House Of Rep
| TeSeHtdt,Ues
With devout gratitude 10 the Bountifu
Giver of all good, congratulate you at tn,
beginning of yeur first regular session thu
you find our country blessed with health snd
peace, and abundant haryests, with encour
aging prospects of an early return of general
prosperity.
The Southern Policy.
To complete and make permanent
the pacifcstion of the country continues
to be and, until il IL fully accomplished, must
remain the most important of all our national
interests. That the earnest purpose of good
citizens generally is TO unite their ef-
forts in this endeavor is evident.
Ii found decided expression in the resolu-
tons announced in 1876 by the natiohal con-
ventiOns Of the leading political parties of
the country. There was wide spread ap-
prehension that the momeutOus results in our
progress rs a nation, marked by the recent
amendments TO the constitution, were in i'm
minent jeopardy; that the good understand
ing which prompted their adoption in the in
,erest of loyalty and of the general welfare
might prove a barren truce, and that the two
sections Of the country once engaged in civil
strife might be again almost as widely sever
ed and disunited as they were when arrayed
in arms against each other.
The course TO be pursued which in my
| Judgment seemed wisest in the presence Of
the emergency, was plainly indicated in my
inaugural address. IL pointed TO the time
which all 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 force OF mutual animosity of
races and of sectional hostility.
Opinions have differed widely rs to the
measures hest calculated to secure this, as
was to be expected. The measures adopted
by the administration have been subjected TO
severe and varied criticism Any course
whatever which might have been entered
upon, would certainly have encountered dis
trust and opposition.
These measures were in my Judgment such
as were most in harmony with the constitu-
ton, and with the genius of our people, and
best adapted under all circumstances to at
tain the end in view. Benehcent results, al
Ready apparent, prove that these endeayors
are not to be regarded AS a mere experiment
and should sustain and encourage US in our
efforts.
the immediate effectiveness no less than JUS
ticc OF the course pursued is demonstrated,
and | have an abiding faith that time will
furnish It's ample yindicatlOn IN the minds oil
the great majority Of my fellow citizens.
The dscontinuance of the use Of the army
Tor the purposes of upholdinS local govern
uents in two states of the Union, was no less
a constitutional duty and requirement under
gtf,tr M
was II much needed measure for the restor-
alton of local self-government, and the pro-
motion of national harmony.
The withdrawal of the troops from such en-
plovments 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 are
indeed significant and encouraging; all
apprehensions Of danger from renting
these states 10 local self-government is
dispelled, and most salutary 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 of unhappy
civil strife, substituting for suspicion, distrust
and aversion, concord, friendship AMI patri-
otto attachment TO the Union.
No unprejudiced mind will deny that the
terrible. and often fatal collision which for
several years have been of frequent occur
renee, and have agitated and alarmed the
public mind, have almost entirely ceased, and
that spirit of mutual feeling and hearty
national interest has succeeded. There has
been general re-establishment OF order ana
Of the orderly administration OF justice.
Instances of remaining lawlessness have
become of rare occurrence.
Political turmoils have disappeared, useful
industries have been resumed, public credit
in she Southern states has been greatly
strengthened, and the encouraging benefits OF
a revival of commerce between the sections
of country lately embroiled in civil war, are
fully enioyed. Such are some of the results
already attained upon which the country is TO
be congratulated, and they are Of such im-
portance that we may with confidence patient
ly await the desired contamination that will
surely come with the natural progress of
events.
The Freedmen TO he Protected
However, il may not be improper here 10
say that il should be our fixed and unaltera-
BILE determination To protect by all available
and proper means under the Constitution and
the laws, the lately emancipated race IN
the enjoyment of their rights and PRIV
ileges, and | urge upon those TO whom
heretofore the colored people have sustained
the relation of bondmen, adherance 10 the
laws both national and state as TO the civil
and political rights of the colored people,
now advanced 10 full and equal citizenship.
The immediate repression aud sure punish
ment by the national and local authorities
within their respective jurisdictions OF every
instance of lawlessness and violence toward
them, is required for the security alike oil
both races, and is justly demanded by the
public opinion of the country and the age.
In this way restoration of harmony and good
will, and complete protection OF every citizen
in the whole enjoyment of every consutu-
tional right, will surely be sttained.
Whatever authority rests with me to tins
end, shall not hesitate TO put forth; what
ever belongs 10 the power OF Congress ana
the jurisdiction OF the courts OF the Union,
they may confidently be relied upon TO pro-
vide and perform land to the legislatures, the
courts and the executive authorities of the
several states, / earnestly appeal 10 secure
| by adequate appropriate and reasonable
means within their borders, those common
and uniform rights of united people which
| loves liberty, abhors oppression and re-
reres Justice. These objects are very
dear to my heart, and | shall continue
most earnestly to strive for their attainment.
The cordial cooperation of all classes OF all
sections of the country, and of both races, Is
required for this purpose, and with these bless
lings secured, and not otherwise, we may
safely hope TO hand down our full institutions