The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-03-16
PRESIDENTS INAUGURAL.
Inaugural Address or President Hayes,
Delivered March ., 1877.

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Inaugural Address OF President Hayes.
Delivered March ., 1877.
FELLOW CITIZENS: We have assembled
70 repeat the public ceremonial begun by
Washington, observed by all my predesces-
sors, and now time honored custom
which marks the CONNIE nceme Mt OF new
term OF the Presidential Office. Called to
the duties Of this great trust, proceed, In
compliance with usage, 10 announce some
OF the
LEADING PRINCIPLES
on the subjects that now chiefly engage the
public attention, by witch II Is my desire
10 be guided In the discharge Of these du-
ties. ! shall not undertake 10 lay down ir-
revocable principles or measures Of admin.
ministration, but rather 10 speak OF the mo.
tiyes which should animate US, 10 Auggest
certain important ends To be attained In ac-
cordance with our institutions and essen
tisl to the welfare OF our country. At the
outset OF the discussions which preceded
the recent Presidential election, II seemed
to me fitting that ! should fuzzy make
known my sentiments In regard TO several
OF the important questions which then ap-
peared 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 coun-
trymen will candidly weigh and understand
IL. and that they will feel assured that the
sentiments declared IN accepting the nom
ination for the Presidency will be the STAN
dard Of my conduct In the path before me,
charged ~ ! am now with the grave and
difficult taskof carrying them out in the
practical administration OF the Government
30 far - depends, under the Constitution
and laws, on the Chief Executive OF the Ma
ton. The permanent
PAcIFICATION or THE COUNTRY.
upon such principles and BY such means as
will secure the complete protection Of all
its citizens In the free Enjoyment Of all their
constitutional rights, il new the one SUBJ
ject In our public affairs which all thought
Iul aud patriotic citizens regard n of SUI
preme importance. Many OF the calam-
Itons effects OF the tremendous revolution
which passed over the Southern States still
remain. The immeasurable benefit which
viii surely follow sooner or later the hearty
and generous acceptance ~ the legitimate
results OF that revolution have not Yet been
realized. Difficult and embarrassing ques-
tions meet US AZ the threshold OF this sub
ject. The people Of these States are still
Impoverished. and the inestimable blessing
OF wise, honest and peaceful local self-goy-
ernnent Is not fully enjoyed. Whatever
difference Of opinion may exist as 10 the
clear, that in the progress Of events the
time has come when such government j. an
imperative necessity, required Nv all the !
varied interests. public and private, OF
these States. But II must not be forgotten |
that only local government which recog- |
nizes and maintains inyiolate the rights OF
all i true self government, with re-
spect 10 the two distinct races, whose pc.
culiar relations to each other have brought |
upon Us the depl0rable complications and /
perplexities which exist in these States. 1t
must be government which decides the /
interest Of both races carefully and equally. |
IL must be = government which submits /
Loyalty and heartily 10 the Constitution and
laws Of the Nation and the laws Of the |
States themselves, accepting and obeying |
faithfully the whole Constitution a. IL IL. |
Resting upon this sure and substantial
foundation, the superstructure Of
DESErIcEST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
can be bull. up, and not otherwise. In fur
therancc OF such obedience TO the letter and
the spirit OF the Constitution, and in behalf
or all that lis attainment implies. all So
called party interest loses apparent import
ance, and party lines may well be permitted
10 fall into insignihcance. The question
we have to consider for the immediate well
fare OF those States OF the Union il the
question OF government or no government,
OF social order and AL the peaceful indus
$500" ",tA thO naHHtItrr tutk UEAOl- 10 urt
or return 70 barbarism. tits a question
In which every citizen OF the nation Is deep
~ interested, and with respect 10 which
we ought not % be, In a partisan sense,
either Republicans or Democrats. but fell
iow-ctizens and fellow-men, 70 whom the
interests ~ common country and common
humanity are dear.
The sweeping revolution OF the entire la
Dor system OF large portion Of our country
ana the advance of four millions OF people
from condition OF serviiude 10 that Of cit
izenshp upon an equal footing with their
former masters, could not occur without
presentinga
PROBLEM or GRAvEsT MOMENT,
70 re dealt with by the emancpated race,
~ their former masters. and b. the Gener-
Al government, the author OF the act OF
emancipation. Thatlt was wise, just and
proyidential act, fraught with good fer all
concerned, "a now generally conceded
throughout the country. That moral OBJ
legation rests upon the National Govern
mant 70 employ its constitutional power and
influence 10 establish the rights OF the pe0-
PIE y has emancipated, and TO protect them
10 the en1oyment OF those rights when they
are infringed or assaulted. n also generally
admitted. The evils which affect the south
ern states can only be removed or remcdied
~ tne harmonious efforts Of botn races, ac-
tuated by motives Of mutual sympathy and
regard; and while In duty bound fully de-
teImined 10 protect the rights Of all by
every constitutional means ~ the disposal
o. my administration, am sincerely anx-
ious % use every legitimate influence In IA
vor OF honest and efficient local govern
ment a. the true resource OF those States
LOT the promotion Of contentment and pros
periiy o. their citizens. In the effort |
snail make to accomplish this purpose, |
ASK the cordial cooperation Of all who
cherish an interest In the welfare " the
country, trusting that party ties and preju-
uice q race will be freely surrendered In
vehalf Of the great purpose 70 he accom-
pushed IN the important work or 4
RESTORATION or THE SOUTH.