The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-03-10
President Hayes Inaugural.

Fellow Citizens We have Assem-,
bled to repeat u public ceremony begun
by Washington. observed by all my
predecessors, AID now the ime-honored
custom which marks the commences.
lncu. Of a new term Of tho Presidential
office. Called to tho duties of thi,
great trust, | proceed ia compliance
with usage to announce some of the
leading principles on the subjects that
now engage public attention, by which
it is my desire to be guided in the dis
charge OF these duties. / shall not I'm.
dortaka to lay down irreyocablo princi.
Piles or measures Of administration, bu,
prefer to speak of the motives which
should animate us, ind to suggest cor.
tain ends to DO obtained in acco rdauce
with the spirit Of our institutions, aud
essential to tho welfare of our country
At the outset Of the discussions which
preceded tho recent Presidential cleo.
ton, it seemed to mo fitting that /
should mako fully known my seuti.
msnts III regard to important questions
which then appeared to demand the
consideration Of the country. Follow.
ing tho example. and III part adopting
Tho language Of my predecessor. | wish
now wherever d motion for misrepre.
senlatlun bus passed away to repeat
what wus suid before tue election, trust.
ing that my country men vii! caudId!y
weigh aud understand it They will
feel assured that the sentiments declur-
cd ia accepting the domination tor the
Presidency will be the standard Of my
Conduct III the puIh before mt, chargeu
US | now an WITH tho grave aud dIti.
cult task Of carrying them out in the
pFe'ent administration vt The govern
meut so fur as it depends uudcr The
constitution and laws gu tho Chief tx.
ecutiye Of the nation. The PERMANENT
pac.fcatiOn Of tho country upon such
principles and by such measures as will
secure tho complete protection Of all its
citizens in the enjoyment Of all their
constitutional rights, is now tho one
subject in our public affairs which all
thoughtful and patriotic citizens regards
as OF supreme importance.
Many Of the caIamiIous effects Of the
tremendous revolution which has passed
over tho Southern States still remain,
and the immeasurable benefits which
will surely follow, sooner or later, aud
the hearty and generous acceptance Of
the legitimate results hayG not yet been
realized, SO that difficult and embaras.
sing questions meet Us at tho thresh.
Loll Of this subject. The people Of
these States are s,lil impoverished, and
the estimublO blessings Of wise, homes,
and peaceful local seIf.goyernmeut is
not fully enjoyed. Whatever differ.
Cacc OF opinion may exist US to the
cause OF thls Condition OF things, tho
fact is clear that in the progress Of
events the time has come when such
government is tho imperative Necessity
required by all the varied instruments,
public and private, Of those States.
But it must not be forgotten tLat on.
ly u local government which recognizes
aud maintains inViOlate the right u true
self.govcrnment with respect 10 the two
distinct races whose peculiar relations
10 each other have brought upon US the
deplOrab;e complications aud perpIexi.
tics which exist in these States will
meet tho case. It must be u govern.
nAeut which guards the interest y ( both
races carefully and equally; and it
must DO a government which submits
legally aud heartily to the Constitution
aud tho law Of nations. and tho law Of
States themselves accepting aud obey.
ing tho whole Constitution Us it is.
Testing upon this sure und substantial
foundation, tho supsrs,rusturo Of bsu.
efrent local gOyernmtn. eau be bull,
aud not otherwise. la tho furtherauce
Of such obedience to the spirit Of The
Constitution, in ths gulf Of all that its