The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

our country Dlcsscu WIFI HcHllH anu Pe''' =, "'''
abundant harrests and with encouraging pros
poets of an carly return of general prosperity
PACIFICATION.
70 complete and make permanent inc paclH-
cation of the country continues To DE, ana, uil-
til it is fully accomplished, must remain, the
most important of all our national interests.
The earnest purpose of good citizens generally
TO unite their efforts in those cndeayors is evil
ident II found decided expression in the rcso-
lutions announced i'm 1876 by the national con-
yentions of the leading political parties Of the
country There was widespread aFprchcn-
sion that the momentous results in our progress
as a nation, marked by the recent amendments
to the constitution, were in imminent jeopardy I;
that the good understanding which prompted
their adoption in the interest al loyal devo-
ton to the general welfare might prove bar
rem truce, and that sections OF the country, once
engaged in civil strife, might again be almost
as widely severed and dsunitcd as they were
when arraycd in arms against each other. The
course to be pursued which, in my judgment,
seemed the wsest in the presence of tins cmcr-
gency, was plainly indicated in the inaugural
address 1t pointed to the time, which All
desire to see, when genuine love OF our WhOlc
country and Of all that concerns It's True wei
fare shall supplant the destructive forces OF
mutual luminosity of the races and of sectional
hostility Opinions have differed widely rs to
the measures best calculated to secure this
great end This was TO be expected The
measures adopted by the administration have
been subjected to severe and varied criticisms.
ANY course whatever which might have been
entered upon would certainly have encounter
ed distrlist and opposition. These measures
were, in my Judgment, such as were most In
harmony with the constitution and with the &c
MUS OF the people, and best adapted, under all
circumstances, to attain the end invicw BENEFIT
cent results already apparent prove that these
cndeayors are not to be regarded us mere cN-
pertinent and should sustain and encourage us
in our efforts already in the brcf period Which
has elapsed The immediate effectiveness no
less than the justice, Of the course pursued, is
demonstrated, and have an abiding faith that
time will furnish its ample vindication in the
minds Of the great majority Of my fcow.citi'
zcns.
THE DIsCoNTINUANCE
of the use of the army for the purpose OF up
holding the local governments in two OF the
states Of the Union was no less constitutional
duty and requirement, under the circumstances
existing at the time than it was much-need-
ed measure for the restoration of local self
government and the promotion of national
harmony. The withdrawal Of the troops from
such employment was effected deliberately,
and with soictous care for the peace and good
order of society and the protection Of property
and persons and every right of all classes of cit
liens. The results that have followed are in
deed significant and encouraging. All apprc
hension of danger from renting these states
TO local scf-goyernment is dispclled, and n
most salutary change in the minds of the pco-
pie has begun, and is in progress in every part
Of Of that section Of the country, once the thea
ter Of unhappy civil strife, substituting for sus
piciOn distrust and aversion, concord, friend
ship and patriotic attachment to the Union.
No unparalleled mind will deny that the often
fatal collisions, which for several years have
been Of frequent occurrence, and have alarmed
the public mind, have almost entirely ceased,
and that
SPIRIT OF MUTUAL FOEBEARANCE
and hearty national interest has succeeded.
There has been a general rc-cstabishmcnt Of
order, and Of the orderly administration Of JUS
tice, Instances OF remaining lawlessness have
become Of rare occurrence; political turmoil
and turbulence have disappeared; useful indus
tries have been resumed; public credit in the
Southern States has been greatly strengthened,
and the encouraging dement's 0i revival oil
commerce between the sections OF the country
lately embrOlcd in civil war are fully enjoyed.
such are some Of the results already attained
upon which the country is to he congratulated.
They are Of such importance that we may with
confidence patiently await the desired consum-
nation that will surely come with the natural
progress Of events.
THE EMANCIrATED RACE.
II may not be improper here 10 say that it
should be our fixed and unaltcrablc determine
ton to project, by all available and proper
means, under the constitution and the laws,
the lately cmancipatcd race in the enjoyment
Of their rights and privileges, and urge upon
those TO whom heretofore the colOrcd people
have sustained the relation Of bOndmcn, the
wisdom and Justice of humane and liberal local
legislation, with respect to their education and
General welfare; a firm adherence To the laws,
both national and state, as to the civil and p0-
itical rights of the cOlorcd people, now ad-
vanccd TO full aud equal citizenship; the lmInc-
date repression and sure punishment by the
national and local authorities within their re
speciivc Jurisdictions of every instapcc Of law
lcssncss and violence toward them, rs required
for the security alike of both races and Is Justly
demanded by the public opinion of the country
and the age. In this way the restoration of
harmony and good will, and the complete pro
lection Of every citizen in the full enjoyment of
every constitutional right, will surely be OBJ.
,alnCd. Whatever authority rests with me to
this end, shall not hesitate to put forth. What
ever belongs TO the power of congress and the
Jurisdiction of the courts of the Union, they
may confidently by relied upon to provide and
perform, and to the legislatures, the courts and
The executive authorities Of the several states,
learncstly appeal To secure by adequate, APP
propriatc ana seasonablc means within their
borders these common and uniform rights Of
q united people which loves liberty, abhors op-
preston ana rcvcrcs Justice These objects are
very dear to my heart. ! shall continue most
earnestly to strive for their attainment. The
cordial cooperation of
ALL CLASSES oF NIL SECTIONS
OF the country, and Of both races, is required
for this purpose, and with these blessings AS
.urcd. and not otherwise, We may snicly hope
10 hand down our free institutions of govern
ment unimpaired TO the generations that will
succeed Us.
Among the other subjects of great and gen.
cral importance To the people of this country
cannot be mistaken, ] think, in regarding rs
prc-cmincnt the policy and measures which arc
now designed 10 secure
THE RESTORATION or THE CuHENCl
ta that normal and hcalthiul condition In which.
by the resumption of specie payments, our in
iernal trade and foreign commerce may bc
brought into harmony with the system of eN-
changes which is based upon the precious met
ais as the intrinsic money Of the world, in the
public Judgment. That this end should he
sought and compasscd As speedily and rs secure
" a. the resources Of the people and the wis
dom 81 the government can accomplish, there
is much greater degree Of unanimity Than IS
found 10 concur In the specific measures which
will bring the country to this desired end, or
the rapidity Of the steps by which u can he
safely reached. Upon most anXiOu, and de
Hberatc examination which have felt il my
duty 30 give 10 the subject, ! am but the more
confirmed IN the opinion which J expressed Ia
acceptipg the nomination for the presidency,