Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-03-10

them ont In the practical administration OF the
government SO far as depends, under the con-
stltution and laws, on the chief executive 81
the nation, the permanent pacihcation of the
country upon such principles aud by such
measures as will secure the complete protec-
tion'of all its citizens in the free enjoyment OF
all their constitutional rights is now the one
subject in orr public affairs which all thought
iul and patriotic citizens regard as Of supreme
importance.
Many Of the caamitous effects Of the ire
mendous revolution which has passed over the
Southern States still remain. The immeasur-
able benefits which will surely follow, sooner
or later, the hearty aud generous acceptance
of the legitimate results Of that revolution have
not yet leeu realized D.nicult and cmhar-
RAISING questions meet US at the threshold OF
this subject.
The people Of those States are still impover-
ished, and the inesiimable blessing Of wise,
honest and peaceful local Selfgovernmen. is
not fully enjoyed. Whatever difference Of
opinion may exist as 20 The canse OF this con-
di,iou Of things, the fact is clear that, in the
progress Of events, the time has come when
such government is the imperative necessity
required by all the varied interests, public and
private, Of those States But il must not be
forgotten that Only local government which
recognizes and maintains inyioaie the rights
Of ali is a true sell-government. With respect
10 the two distinct races whose pecnliar rea-
ions to each other have brought upon us the
deplorabls complications and perpltxlties
which exist in those States, il must be 60
vernmcnt which guards the interests Of both
races carefully and equally. Il must he go
vernmont which submits Loyalty and heartily
to the constitution and the laws, the laws OF
the nation and the laws Of q c States them
selves, accepting and oheying faithfully the
whole constitution MS il is. Resting upon this
sure and substantial foundation, the superstTnc-
ture Of benificcnt local governments can be
built up and not otherwise. In fnrtherance oil
such obedience 10 the letter and the spni OF
the constitution. md in behalf Of all that lis
attainment implies, all S,-called party inter
ests lose their apparent importance, and party
| lines may we'll be permitted 10 fade into ibSig-
niicance. 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 tho
| peaceful industries and the happiness ihnt be-
longs 10 it. or return 10 barbarism. IL Is
| question in which every citizen Of the naiion
is deeply interested and wiki respect to which
we ought not 10 be, in a partisan sense, either
republicans or democrats, bat ftlluwcitizcns
and fcllow-men, to whom the interests of
common country and common humanity are
dear The sweeping revolution OF tie entire
labor system Of a large portion Of our country,
and the advance Of four millions Of people
from condition Of servitu.,c to that Of citizen
ship, upon an equal footing with their former
masters could NOT occur without presenting
problems of tie cravcst moment to be dealt
with by the emancipatcd race, by their former
masters, and by the general government, the
author Of the act Of emancipation.
That it was a wise. inst aud provi'lentisl act,
fraught with good for all concerned, is now
generally conceded throughout the county
That a moral obligation rests upon the nation
al government to employ lis constitutional
power and influence to establish the rights Of
The people it has emaneipated, and to protec:
them in the enjoyment Of those rights when
they ave infringed OF assailed is also generally
admitted
The evils which nfllict the Southern States
can only De removed on reu.eded by ihe united
aud harmonious efforts u both races, aCtuaied
by motives Of mutual sympathy and regard (;
and, while in duty bound and fully determined
t. protect the rights Of all b. eggfy coastitn-
! tjoual means at the disp Js,l OF my aImlnstrn-
! Ton an sincerely alxions to use every To-
| Ultimate infucrce in favor Of honest and ettl-
! cient local enlightenment as the true resource
Of hose States for the promotion Of the con-
tentment and prosperity of their citizens. In
! the e;fort shall make 10 accomplish this pni-
/ pose ! ask the cordial cooperation Of all who
| cherish an interest in the welfare OF the coun-
! tIy, trusting That party ties ana the prejudice
Of race will te freely surrendered 10 behalf Of
the great purpose u be accomplished. In the
! important work Of restoring the South it is not
! the political situation alone that merits atten
/ ton. The material development of that sec
| ton Of the conntry hos ben arrested by the
! social and political revolution through which
| it has passed, and now needs aud deserves the
considera,e care Of the national government
within the iusi limits prescribed 10y the en-
situtan and wise public economy. But at
| The basis Of all prosperity tof that as well rs
/ for every other part Of the country lies the i'm
pruvemcnt Of the intellectual and moral condi-
| ton Of the people. Universal suffrage should
rest upun universal education. To this end
I liberal and permanent provision should be
! made for the support Of free schools ny the
| State governments, AID if need be- supple
mcntcd by legitimate aid from national au-
/ thority. Let ne assure my countryncn of the
| southern States that it is my chrnest desire 10
regard and promote their truest interests, tie
/ Interests Of the white and Of the colored people
/ both and equally. and to put forth my best
efforts in behalf Of a civil policy which will
/ forever wipe on; in cur political Affairs the
| color line and the distinction between North
and South, to the end that we may have not
merely a united North or united South, but
/ a united country.
ask tie attention Of tie public 70 tie para
mount necessity Of reform IN orr civil service,
/ reform not merely as to certain abuses and
practices Of so-called official patronage, which
/ nave come to have the sanction Of usage in the
several departments Of our government, but
| change in the system Of appointment itself,
| reform that shall he thorough, radical and
complete 4 return 10 the principles and pTac-
! tees Of the founders OF the government. They
neither expected nor desired from public oti
GERS any partisan service. They meant that
public officers should owe their whole service
I 10 the government and 20 the people. They
meant that the officer should be secure in his
/ tenure as long as his personal character re-
NAMED untarnished and the performance OF
/ his duties satisfactory. Thcy held that ap-
/ poin,meu;s TO Office were not TO be made nor
/ expected merely as rewards for partisan ser
vicps nor merely IN the nomination Of mem