The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-03-09
President Hayes's Inaugural Address.


President Hayes's Inaugural Address.
The inaugural address of President Hayes
is as indefinite and uncertain as the oracles
at Delphi. He promises, in The outset to be
guided by the principles laid down in his let,
ter OF acceptance, and rightly says that the
permanent pacification of the country upon
such principles and by such measures as will
secure the complete protection of all its citi-
zens in the free enjoyment of all their con-
stitutional rights, is now the one subject in
our public affairs which all thoughtful and
patriot ic citizens regard as of supreme i'm
portance"
Just here we might ask what the Republi-
can party have been doing since the war
closed. now twelve years ago, that the coun-
try has not been restored to peace, and that
the people of Louisiana and South Carol ina
are not now in the " free enjoyment of their
constitutional rights" the same as are the
citizens of New York or Massachusetts?
The main feature of his address is setting
forth of his Southern policy. He refers to
the fact that the people of the Southern
States care still impoverished and the nest-
mable blessing of wise, honest and peaceful
local self-govelnment is not fully enjoyed"
He does not venture to explain the reason
for this, and ignores the FACT that all the
Southern States, except South Carolina and
Louisiana, are in the enjoyment of peace
and prosperity, and the rights of all classes
respected under the law. In the two
States named, similar results would follow
if The people were allowed to exercise their
brthright of local selfgovcrnment, free from
federal interference.
He asserts that the general government
which emancipated the negro, must see that
he is protected in the enjoyment of Lis rights.
If it is necessary for the general government
to take patcrnal interest in the celored
race, it would seem equally important that
| it should protect the rights of the white peo-
| pie of the Southern States. Ii colored men
| had been elected Governors of South Caro-
lima and Louisiana, does any one doubt that
| President Hayes would feel constrained to
see that they we've seated? Then, to be con-
sistcni, the new President should with equal
aIacrily defend the rights of the white people
by recognizing Governors Nichols and
Hampton, who were undoubtedly elected by
the people, white and black.
He advocates the wiping out of party lines
in the Southern States-a consummalion that
would doubtless be gratifying 10 him as o
Republican, his party being in hopeless
minority in that portion of the country.
On the subject Of civil service reform he is
as emphatic as was President Grant, and
let us hope, his course, in this respect, may
be more In accordance with his promises
He advocates II six years term for the Pres
ilent, and no reelection.
On the subject of finance lie rC-iterates his
position aslaid down before, that the only safe
currency is one which rests upon coin
basis, and is ut all times convertible into
con-a theory so plainly true, that it will
not be disputed. He recommends legislation
by Congress in behalf of an early resumption
of specie payments.
Ile CoiIHeuus anu pIOpUstS 10 continue
the policy pursued by President Grant of
settling our disputes with foreign nations by
peaceful arbitration, 1t is scarcely to be
wondered that Mr.. Hayes should lie in
favor of arbitration at all times, seeing that
is the bridge over which he crossed to the
Presidency, and which, therefore, he should
praise
He refers to the contest for the Presidency.
and speaks of the closeness and CONSEQUENT
uncertainty of the result. II can scarcely be
considered very close, when Governor Til
den had 1876 electoral votes,s and had be.
sides a popular majority of 100000. He
praises the electoral commission, as well he
may, and concludes with The prayer, in which
all can heartily join, that all things may be
so ordered and settled upon the best and
surest foundations that peace and happiness,
truth and justice, religion and piety, may be
established among us for all generations"
Taken altogether, the add ess is not n very
satisfactory document. 1t is non committal,
and has not the clear, ringing tone of a
man who feels he is right and means to pur-
sue a traightforward, honest course, The
best VIC can say of 1t Is, it will give offence
10 nobody.