The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1877-03-16
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
PRESIDENT HAYES.

PRESIDENT HAYES.
FELLOW CITIZENs-We have Assem- hlel t
repeat the public ceremonial begun by Wash
ington, observed by all my predecessors and
now time hOnOred custom, which marks
the commencement of q new tern to the
presidential Office. Called to the duties of
this great trust, | proceed, in compliance
with the usages, 20 announce some OF the
leading principles on the subject that now
chiefly engages public attention, by which
it is my desire TO be guided in the discharge
of these duties. shall not undertake to lay
down irrevocably principles or measures OF
administration, but rather to speak OF mat
ters which should animate US TO suggest GER
tain important ends to be attained in accord
ance to our institutions and essential TO the
welfare of our country. At the outset of the
discussions which proceeded the recent pres
idential election it seemed 10 me fitting that
l should fully make known my sentiments in
regard to several Of the most important
questions which then appeared todemand
the consideration of the country. Following
thethe example, and in some part ,adopting the
language of one OF my predecessors, / wish
now, when every motive of misrepresenta-
ton has passed away, to repeat what was said
before the election, trusting that my coun-
it, and that they will feel assured that the
sentiments declared in accepting the nomi-
nation for the presidency will be the stand
ard of my conduct in the path before me,
charged, as ] am now, with the difficult task
of carrying them out in the practical admin
istration of the government, so far asdepends,
under the constitution and laws, on the chief
executive of the nation. The permanent
pacifcation OF the country upoRsuch princi-
pies and by such measures as viii secure the
complete protection of all its citizens in the
free enjoyment of their constitutional rights
is the one subject in our public affairs which
all thoughtful and patriotic citizens regard rs
of supreme importance. Many OF the calam-
itous effects of the tremendous revolution
which has passed over the southern states
still remain. The imm easurable benefits
which will follow, sooner or later, the hearty
and generous acceptance of the legitimate re-
suits of that revolution have not yet Dcen re-
allied. Difficult and embarrassing questions
meet us at the threshold of this ject. The
people Of these states are still impoverished,
and the inestinIable blessing of wise, honest
and peaceful local self-gOv ernment is not full
ly enjoyed. Whatever difference OF opinion
may exist as to the cause of this condition of
things, the fact is clear that IN the progress
or events, the time has come when such gov
ernment is an imperative necessity required
by all the varied interests, public and private,
of these states, but il is not be forgotten that
only local government which recognized
and maintained inviolate the rights of all, is
true self-government, with respect to the
two distinct races, whose peculiar relations
to each other, having brought upon US de-
plorable complications and perpiexities
which exist in these states; it must be q gov
ernment who decides the interest oi both
races carefully and equally; it must be
government which submits Loyalty and heart
ily to the constitution and laWs-the laws OF
fba1 Of flag atf ~
accepting and obeying the whole con- titu-
ton as 1t is. Resting upon this sure and
substantial foundation, the superstWctIre Of
benehcent local governments, can be built
up, and not otherwise, in furtherance of such
obedience to the letter and spirit of the con-
stitution, and in behalf of all that its attain
ment implies. All so-called party interest,
lose their apparent importance, and party
lines may well be permitted TO fall into IN
significance. The question we nave to con-
slider for the immediate welfare Of these
states OF the union is the question of gov
ernment or no government, OF social order
and all the peaceful industries that belong tC
it, or a return TO barbarism. 1t is aquestion
in which every citizen of the nation IS deep
ly interested, and with respect TO which we
ought not TO be, in partisan sense, either
republicans or democrats, but feliow-citizens
and lellOwmen, to whom the interest OF the
common country and common humanity are
dear The sweeping revolution OF the entire
labor system of a large portion of our coun-
try and the advance of four millions of peO-
pie from condition of servitude TO that OF
citizenship upon an equal footing with their
former masters, could not occur without pre-
sentln2 problems of the gravest moment, TO
be dealt with by an emancipated race, by
their former masters and by the act Of eman.
clEatiOu. That il was a wise, Just and prov
idential act, fraught with good for all con-
cerned, is now generally conceded through
out the whole country, and that moral OBJ
legation rests upon the national governmental
employ its constitutional power and inilu-
ence to establish the rights of the people il
has emanCipated; to protect them in the en-
ioyment Of those rights when they are in
fringed or assaIled is also generally admitted.
The evils which afilct the southern states
c IN only be removed or remCdied BY the
united and harmonious efforts Of both races,
actuated by motives of mutual sympathy
ana regard and while in duty bound and
fully determined to protect the rights Of all
by every constitutional means at the dispO-
sal OF my administration, am sincerely anX-
iOus to use.every legitimate infuen1. in IA !
vOr of honest and efficient local government
rs the true resource of those states for the
promotion of contentment and prosperity of
their citizens. In this effort shall make to |
accomplish this purpose, | ask the cordial !
of all who cherish an interestin |
The welfare of the country, trusting that par !
in behalf of the great purpose |
10 be accomplished in the important work of |
of the south.
It is not the political situation alone that |
merits attention. The material development !
IF that section Of the country has been aT-
-esteI by the social and political revolution |
through which it has passed, and needs and
deserves the cOnsiderate care Of tie nation
II government within the Just limits pre-
5cribed by the constitution and wise public
economy; but at the basis Of ail prosperity,
or that IS well as Tor every other pat Ol the
Intellectual and mora condition OF the people J
Universal suffrage should rest upon univer-
,al education. To this end liberal and
permanent provision should be made for the
support of free schools by the state govern
nents, and, If need be, supplemented by
legitimate aid from the national authority.
Let me assure my countrymen OF the south
,rn states that il is my earnest desire to re-
gard their truest interests the Interests OF |
he white and of the cOlored people, both
equally, and to put forth my best efforts
n behalf of civil policy which will for
ever wipe out in our political affairs the
color line and the distinctions between
north and south, and IN the end that we
nay not have merely a united north or q
lnited south but a united country. / ask
he attention of the public to the paramount
necessity Of the reform Of our civil service,
PRACTICES of so-cailed official patronage
which have come to have the sanction of
Usage in several departments of our govern
nent, but a change of the system OF appoint
rents itseli-a reform that shall be thor
,uGh, radical and complete; n return 20 the
principles and practices of the founders of
he government. They never expected nor
iesired from public officers any partisan
service; they meant that the public officers
,hould owe their whole service to the gov
srnment and to the people; they meant that
N OfIicer should be secure in his tenure as
ong as his personal character remained
and the performance OF ms
iuties satisfactory; they held that appoint
nents to officecTere not to be made nor cX-
'ectec merely as regards for partisan scr
7icss nor merely on the nomination OF mem
jers OF congress as being entitled in any
.especL 10 the control OF such appoint
nents. The fact that both the political par
les OF the country in declaring their prIn-
,iples prior TO the election gave prominent