Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-03-15
HAYES INAUGURAL kD-
DRESS.

| ReZloso Citisens We have as
sembled to repeat the public ceie-
monials begun by Washington, OBJ.
served by all lmy predecessors, and
now a time -honored custom which
marks the commencement of a
new term OF the Presidential Office.
Called TO the duties of this, great
trust, proceed. in accordance With
usage, to announce some of the
leading principles on the subjects
that now chiefly engage the public
attention, by which it is my desire
to be, guided in the discharge Of
these duties. @
/ shall cot undertake to lay
down irrevocably principles or
measures OF administration but
rather to speak of the motives
which should animate US and to
suggest certain important ends to
be attained in accordance with our
institutions and essential to the
welfare of our country.
| At the outset of the discussions
| which preceded the recent presi-
Dental election, it seemed to me
fitting that / should fully make
known nv sentiments in regard to
several of the important questions
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 of misrepre-
sentation has passed away, to re
peat what was said before the cleo
trusting that my couptrymen
will candidly weigh and understand
it, and that they will feel assured
that tho sentiments declared in &C /,
ceptin9 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 ont in the practical admins
t. alton of the government, so far
as depends under the Constitution
and laws on the Chief Executive of
the nation.
| SOUTHERN POLICY.
The permanent paci6cation OF
the country, upon sGch principles
and by such measures as will Sc
cure the complete protection Of all
it's citizens in the free enjoyment Of
all their constitutional rights, is
now the one subject in our public
affairs which all thoughtful anu
patriotic citizens regard as of su-
preme Importance. Many of the
calamitous effects of the tremen-
dous revolution which has passed
over the Southern States still re-
main. The Unreasonable benefits
which will surely follow, sooner OF
later, the hearty and generous ac'
ceptance of the legitimate results
of that revolution have not YET
been realized. Difficult and en-
barrassing questions meet us a.
the Threshold of this subject. The
people of those States are still i'm
poverished, and the inestimablt
blessing of wise, honest and loca
self.government is not fully en-
joyed. Whater difference of opin
: ION may exist as to the cause o
this condition OF things, the fac
is clear that in the progress o
events the time has come whei
such government is the imperative
necessity required by all the valiet
r interests, public ard private, o
those States. But it must not b.
forgotten that only local govern
e ment which recognizes and main
tains inyiolate the rights of all i
a true self government. With re
spect to the two distinct race
whose peculiar relations to eacl
other have brought upon us tn
deplorable complication and per
plexities which exist in thos
: States, it must be a government
which guards the interests of boil
races carefully and equally. |
must be government which sub
:, mits loyalty and heartily to th
Constitution and laws; the laws O
the nation and the laws Of th
State themselves, accepting an,
obeying faithfully the whole Cor
stitution as it is; and resting upo
these sure and substantial ,founda
: tions The superstructure Of benef
q cent local governments can b
built up and. not otherwise. l
furtherance of such obedience. t
the letter and spirit of the Consti
tuition, and in behalf Of all that it
attainment implies, all, SO ,calle
party interests lose their, apparer
Importance and party lines ma
x x well be permitted to fade into in
" significance. The question - "
have to consider for the immed
ate welfare of those States of th
Il Union, is the question of govern
p ment or no goYernment. of secii
h order and all the peaceful indus
tries and the happiness that belon
to it., or o return to barbarism.
4 is question in which ieveay cit
3 zen of the nation is deeply inte
Al j..