The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-03-08

innate us, and to suggest certain impor-
tant ends TO be attained in accordance
with our institutions, and essential to
the welfare OF our country.
At the outset of the discussion which
preceded the recent Presidential election
il seemed to lie fitting that i should
fully make known my sentiments in re-
gard to several of the important ques-
tions which then appeared to demand
the consideration of the country.
Following the example. and in part
adopting the language of one of my
predecessors, / wish now. when every
motive for Misrepresentation has passed
away, to repeat what was said before the
election, trusting that my countrymen
will candidly weigh and understand it,
and that they will feel assured that the
sentiments declared in accepting the
nomination for the Presidency, will be
the standard of my conduct in the path
before 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 it depends,
under the Constitution and laws, on the
chief Executive Of the Nation.
The permanent pacification OF the
country upon such principles, and by
such measures as will secure the com
plete protection Of all its citizens in the
free enjoyment OF all their Constitutional
rights, is now the one subject in our pub
lie affairs, which all thoughtful and pa
triotic citizens regard as of supreme inn
portance. Many of the calamitous ef-
iects Of the tremendous revolution which
has passed over the Southern States, still
remain. The immeasurable benefits
L. 81 -
the hearty and generous acceptance of
the legitimate results of that revolution
have not yet been realized Difficult and
embarrassing questions meet US at the
threshold OF this subject. The people Of
these States are still impoverished, and
the inestimable blessing of wise, honest
and peaceful local selfgovernment is not
fully enjoyed Whatever difference Of
opinion may exist as TO the cause Of this
condition OF things the fact is clear that
in the progress of events, the time has
come when such government is an i'm
peratiye necessity, required by all the
varied interests, public and private, OF
these States But it must not be forgot
ten that only local government which
recognized and maintained inviolate the
rights OF all is a true self government.
with respect to the two distinct races
whose peculiar relations to each other
have brought upon US the deplorable
complications and peTplexities which ex-
ist in these States. lt must be a govern
ment which decides the interests OF both
races carefully and equally. 1t must be
government which submits loyalty and
heartily TO the Constitution and laws,
the laws of the Nation ana the laws OF
the States themselves. accepting and
obeying faithfully the whole Constitution
as it is. Resting upon this sure and sub
stantial foundation, the superstructive OF
benehcent local governments can be
built up. and not otherwise.
The iurtherance OF such obedience to
the letter and the spirit OF the Constitu.
ton and in behalf OF all that its attain
ment implies, all so-called party interests
lose their apparent Importance, and party
lines may we'll be permitted to fall into
insignificance. 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 indus
tries and the happiness that belong to 1t,
or a return to barbarism. 1t is a ques-
ton in which every citizen OF the Nation
is deeply int rested, and with respect to
which we ought not to be, in a partisan
sense. either Republicans or Democrats.
But, fellow-citIzens and fellow-men, to
whom the interests Of the common couu-
try and common humanity are dear, the
sweeping revolution of the entire labor
system OF a large portion of our country.
and the advance OF four millions Of peo-
pie from a condition Of seTvitude to that
OF citizenship, upon an equal footing
with their former master, could hot occur
without presenting problems of the
gravest moment, to be dealt with by the
emancipated race, by their former mas
ter, and by the General Government, the
author OF the act OF emancipation. That
it was q wise, Just and provideutial act,
fraught with good for all concerned, is
now generally conceded throughout the
country. That a moral obligation rests
upon the National Government to EN-
ploy its Constitutional power and infiu.
ence to establish the rights of the people
it has emancipated, and to protect them
in the enjoyment of those rights when
they are inlringed or assailed, is also
generally admitted. The evils which
affiict the Southern States can only be
removed and remedied by the united
and harmonious efforts Of both races, ac
tuated by motives of mutual sympathy
and regard and while in duty bound and
fully determined to protect the rights oi
all by every constitutional means at the
disposal OF my administration, ! am sin
cerely anxious to use e!ery Legitimate
influence in favor Of honest and efficient
local government, as the true resource ol
those States, for the promotion of con
tentment and prosperity of their citi
zens. In the effort ! shall make to ac
complish this purpose, ask the cordial
co operation Of all who cherish an inter
est in the welfare Of the country, trusting
that party ties and the prejudice of race
will be freely surrendered in behalf oI
the great purpose to be accomplished in
the important work of the restoration oI
the South.
1t Is not the political situation alone
that merits attention. The material de
velopment of that section of the country
has been arrested by the social and po
litical revolution through which il has
passed, and now needs and deserves the
considerate care of the National Govern.
ment within the just limits prescribed by
the Constitution and wise public econo-
my. But at the basis of all prosperity
for that, as well as for every other part
OF the country, lies the improvement ol
the intellectual and moral condition OF
the people. Universal suffrage should
rest upon universal education. To this
end liberal and permanent provision
should be made for the support of free
schools by tie State Governments, and il
needs be, be supplemented by Legitimate
aid from the National authority. Let
me assure my nountrymen of the South
ern States that it is iay earnest desire to
regard and promote their truest interest,
the interest OF the white and of the col
ored people, both and equally, and to
put forth my best efforts in behalf of a
civil policy which will forever wipe out
in our political affairs the color line and