The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-12-04
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE


Civil Service RefOrm-RemOnetiz
tiOn OF siIver-Foreisn Relations
Border Raids, DC.
Fsllot0 Citizens Of the Senate and House or
ReDreSentatives:
With devout gratitude to the bounti-
ful Giver Of all Good, congratulate you
that at the beginning of your first regu-
lar session you find our country blessed
with health aad peace and abundant
hsrveets, and with encouraging prospects
of an early return of general prosperity.
Southern Policy.
To complete and make permanent the
psclfcstion Of the country continues TO
be, and until it is fully accomplished
must remain the most important OF all
national interests. The earnest purpose
of good citizens generally to unite their
efforts In this endeavor is evident from
the decided expression il the resolutions
announced in 1876, in the National Con-
vention OF the leading political parties
of the country. There was widespread
apprehension that the momentous re-
sults OF our progress as q nation, marked
by the recent amendments 10 the con-
stltutIon, were III imminent jeopardy,
that the good understanding which
prompted their adoption in the interest
Of loyal devotion TO the general welfare
might prove barren truce, aud the two
sections Of the country, once engaged In
civil strife, might be again as widely
severed aud dlsunited as they were when
srrslgned in ARMS against each other.
TRe course TO be pursued, which in my
Judgment seemed the wisest IN tie pres
ence of this emergency, was plainly in
dicated in my inaugural address. L.
pointed TO the time which all our people
desired to see, when genuine love Of
our whole country and OF all that
concerns its true welfare shall sup
plant the destructive forces Of mu-
tusl animosity OF races and sectional
hostility. Opinions have differed widely
as TO the measures best calculated to Sc
cure this great end. This was to be ex-
pected. The measures adopted by the sd-
mInistrstion have been subjected TO Sc
we're and varied criticisms. Any course
whatever which might have been en-
tered upon would certsiniy have encoun-
tered distrust and opposi!Ion. These
measures were, in my judgment, such ss
were most in harmony with the consti-
tuition, and with the genius Of our peo-
pie, and best adapted, under all clrcum-
stsncea, to attain the end. In view OF
the benefcent results already apparent,
it proves that these endeavors are not 10
be regarded as mere experiment, and
sustain and encourage us IN our efforts
already made. In the brief time which
has elapsed, the immediate effectiveness,
no less than the justice of the course
pursued, ia demonstrated, and l have an
abiding faith that time vii! furnish its
ample vindicalion in the minds Of great
majority of my fe low citizens. The dis
continuance OF the use OF the army for
the purpose OF upno!dlug local govern
ments in two States OF the Union, was
no ess constitutional duty, and q
requirement under the circumstances
existing at the time, than 1t was much
needed measure for the restoration OF
local seif-government, and the promo
ton of harmony. The withdrawal OF the
troops from such sn employ ment was
effected deliberately, and with soliciLIous
care for the peace and good order OF
society, and the protection OF the prop
erty and persons, and every right of all
classes OF citizens. Tne results that
have followed are, indeed, Hgnif
cant and encouraging. All spprehen-
sion of danger from remitting those
States to local self-government ia dis
peled, and most satisfactory change
in the minds OF the people has begun
and is IN progress. In every part OF that
section of the country, once the theatre
OF unhappy strife, subslsting on suspicion.
distrust and aversion, we see concord,
friendship and patriotic attach
ment TO the Union. No unprejudiced
mind will deny that the terrible and
often fatal collisions which for several
years have been OF frequent occurrence,
and have agitsted and alarmed the public
mind, have almost entirely ceased and
that q spirit OF mutual forbesrsnce and
hearty national interest has succeeded.
There has been q general re establish
ment of order aud OF the orderly admin
istration Of justice; instsr ces OF remain
ing lawlessness have become OF rare
occurrences; political turmoil and turbu.
lence have disappeared; useful industry
has been resumed; public credit in the
Southern States has been greatly strength
ened, and the encouraging benefits OF
revival of commerce between the sections
of the country lately emoroi!ed IN civil
war, are fully enjoyed. Such are some of
the results already attained, upon which
the country is to be Congratulated. They
are OF such Importance that We may with
confidence patiently awsit the desired
consummstion that will surely come
with the natural progress OF events. II
may not be improper here 70 say thst 1t
should be our fixed aud uuaiterable de.
termination 10 protect, by all available
and proper meals under the &C Institution
and the laws, the lately emsncipsted race
in the enjoyment OF their rights and
privileges, ard l urge upon those 70
whom heretofore the colored people have
sustained the relation OF bondsmen the
wisdom and Justice OF humane and lie
ersl local legislation with respect TO their
education and general welfare. A firm
adherence to the laws, both national and
State, as to the civil aud political rights
Of the coiored people, now advanced 10
full aud equal citizenship; the Immediate
repression snd sure punishment By the
national and local authorities within
their res espective Jurisdictions OF every H.
stance Of lAwle:sness and violence toward
them, is required for the security alike Of
both races, and ls justly demanded by the
public opinion OF the country snd the
age. In this way the restoration Of har.
mony and good will aud the com.
plese protection OF every ci.izen IL
the full enjoyment OF every Constitution
al right Will surely bo s:tsined. What
ever authority rests with me to this end,
snail not hesitate TO put forth. Whss-
ever belongs 10 the power Of Congress
and the jurisdiction OF the courts o.the
/ Union, they may confidently oe relied
upon to provide snd perform, and TO the
! la~,.Ia,r-ae tha ro,l-tz and the aIAcutlye e