The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-03-14
HAYES INAUGUR RAJ,

hied to repeat the pnbllC ceremonial
beppp by Washington, observed by all
rv predecessors, and now time hon
.orpd custom, which marks the com
nencement of a new term of the presi-
aortial office. Called to the duties of
,bis great trust, proceed, in c0mpli-
opce with usage, 10 announce some of
the leading principles on the subjects
that now chiefly engage the public at
.eution by which it is my desire to be
coidef in Che discharge of these duties.
shall NOS undertake to lay down, ir
reyocablj, principles or measures of
administration. but rather speak of the
natives which should animate us, and
10 suggest certaia important ends to
be attained, in accordance with our in
etitptions and essential to the welfare
ofour country, at the outset of the dis
crssion of which preceded the recent
presidential election.
II seems to he fitting that should
fnlly make known my sentiments in
,oea-d to several of the important
onestions which then appeared to de-
mand the consideration of the country.
Following the example and in part
adopting the language Of one of my
rredecessprs, ! wish Dow, when every
motive for misrepresentation has
psssed away, to repeat what was said
before the election, trusting that my
countrymen will candidiy weigh and
understand it, and that thew will feel
assured that the sentiment declared in
accepting the nomination for the Pres
idepcv will be the standard Of my con =
duct in the path before me, charged as
now am with the grave and difficult
task of carrying them out in the prac-
teal admlnistrations1f the government,
50 far as depends, under the consttu-
tiou and laws, on the Chief Executive
the nation.
THE PACIFICATION OF THE COUNTRY.
The permanent pacifcation of tie
country upon such principles and by
such measures as will secure the com
plete protection of all it's citizens in the
free enjoyment of all their constitu
tiona rights, is now the one
autiect in our public affairs which all
thoughtful aud patriotic citizens re-
gard as of supreme Importance.
THE SOUTHERN POLICY.
Many of the calamitous effects of the
tremendous revolution which has pass
cd over the Southern States still re-
main, the immeasurable benefits Of
which will surely follow, sooner or la
ter. The hearty and generous accept
aBce Of the legitimate results of that
revelution have not yet been realized.
DikicHlt and embarrassing questions
meet Va at the Threshold of this snh-
jet. The people ot those States are
slii impoverished and the inesti;nable
blessing of wise, honest and peaceful
l0cal government is not fully en-
jayed Whatever difference of opiu-
Ion may exist as to the canse of this
condition of things, the fact is clear
that in the progress Of eveuts, the time
has come when ench government is the
imperative necessity required by all
the varied interests. public and private
Of those States. But it must not he
forgotten that only local government
which r. cngnizes and maintains inyio-
late the rights of all, is q true self gov
eminent.
THE NEGRO QUESTION.
The sweeping revolution of the en-
tire labor system OF large portion of
our country and tile advance of four
millions of people from condition of
serytude to that Of citizensElipupon an
esaai footing with their former mas
tiers, cond rot occur without presenting
problems of the gravest moment to be
dealt with by the emancipated race 10y
their former masters and by the cen
tFat government the authOr of the /!
act OF emancipation. That it was Il
wise, q just and providential act,
wrought with good for all concerned,
lsnow generally conceded throughout
the country. That a moral obligation
tests upon the national government to
employ lis constitutional power aud in
huence to establish the rights of fhe
people it has enIancipated, and to pro-
tect them in the enjoyment of those
rights when they are infrinsed or as
sailed, is also generally admitted.
The evils which affect the Southern
states can only be removed or RENE
aed by the united and harmonious eff
iorts of both races, actuated by mo-
yves OF mutual sympathy and regard,
aad while in duty bound and fully de-
sefmlaed to protect the rights of all,
oy every constitutional means at the
disposal of my administration, | am
sincerely anxious to use every legiti-
mate influence in favor of honest and
encIent local seIf-government as the
Hne resource of these States for the
promotion of the contentment and |
prosperity of their citizens. In the eff