Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-04
TEE pREsrnEnr,a MEssAaE.

WeeHty-fOSt0ye JFee'
TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
This document, which was read upon
the assembling, at noon yesterday, OF
the second session of tie Forty.hfth
congress, is SO voluminous that we have
neither space nor inclination to publish
it. 1t is evidently the result Of much
calm deliberation, and is q very credit-
able State paper. The President con
graduates the aountry upon the state oil
peace and reconciliation between the
actions which prevails, and adheres
firmly to the line of paei6caiion upon
which be started out: THE course TO
be pursued, in my Judgment, which
seems wisest, in the presence of this
emergency, was plainly indicated in my
inaugural address. 1t pointed to the time
which all our people desire to see, when
a genuine love of our whole country and
of all that concerns its true welfare shall
supplsnt the destructive force Of mutual
luminosity Of races and Of sectional hos
tility. Opinions have differed widely as
10 the measures best calculated to secure
This great end. This was to be expected.
The measures adopted by the admins
tration have been subjected to severe
aad varied criticisms. Any course,
whatever, which might have been entered
upon would certainly have encountered
distrust and opposition. These meas
Tres were, in my judgment, such as were
most in harmony with the constitution
and with the genius of our people,
and best adapted, under all the circum
stances, to attain the end in view. Bene-
fcent results, already apparent, prove
that these endeavors are not 20 be re-
garded as mere experiments and should
sustain and encourage us in our efforts,
Already in the brief period which has
elapsed, the immediate happy effect no
less than the justice Of the course pur.
sued il demonstrated, and l have an
abiding faith that time will furnish its
ample vindicstion in the minds of the
great majority of my fellow eitizsns.
The discontinuance of the use of tie
army for the purpose Of upholding local
governments in two States OF the Union
was no less q constitutional duty and re-
q%uirement under the circumstances ex-
listing at the time, than it was a needed
measure for the restoration of local self.
government and the formation of ma
tional harmony. The withdrawal Of the
troops from such employment was
effected diligently and with SOLICITORS
care for the peace aud good order Of
society and the protection of the prop.
erty and persons and Of every right OF
all classes Of citizens. The results that
have followed are indeed significant and
encouraging. All apprehension OF dan.
ger from renting those States to local
self. government is dispelled, and a most
salutary change in the minds Of the
people has begun, and is in progress 10
every part Of that section OF the country
which has been once the theater OIL
unhappy, civil strife, substituting for
suspicion, distrust and aversion con.
cord, friendship and patriotic attschmtn n
TO the Union. No unprecedented minc
will deny hat the often fatal collisions
which for several years have been IF fire.
quent occurrence, and have alarmed tht
peoples mind, have almost entirel,
ceased, and that a spirit of mutual for
besrance and hearty national interes
has succeeded. There has been a gen
eral establishment Of order and o
the orderly administration Of Justice
Instances Of revenue law.breakers hav
become Of rare Occurrences; politica
turmoil aud turbulence have disau
peared; useful Industries have resumed
public credit in the Southern States ha
been gradually strengthened, and tn
encouraging benefits Of a revival of com
merce between the sections of the couu
try lately embroiled in civil war ar
fully enjoyed. Such are some Of 4he re
suits already attained, upon which th
country is to be congratulated. The,
are Of such importance that we ma,
with confidence patiently await the de
sired contamination that will surel,
come with the natural progress O
events"
In regard TO the resumption Of speci
payment he says: Upon a most snz
ious and deliberate examination which
have felt it my duty to give the subject
I am but more confirmed in the opinio.
which | expressed in accepting the non
inatiou for the Presidency, and 'gai
upon my Inauguration, that the policy {
resumption should be pursued by ever
suitable mean; thai no legislation woul
be wise that should disparage the impor
ance or retard the at .ainmeut Of that r