National Republican., 1877-12-04
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE cow
TRY

Defense Of the Cancellation Policy In the
South and Reiteration Of tho Views Of the
Executive Regarding Appointments to
Once.
Fellow Cdzns Of the Senate and Honse Of
Representatives
With devout gratitude to the bountiful
Gi,er of all good, congratulate you that,
at tho beginning of your frst regular ses-
sion, you find our country blessed with
health and peace and abundant harvests,
and with encouraging prospects Of an carly
return of general prosperity.
To complete and make permanent the
pacifcation of the country continues TO be,
and, until it is fully accomplished, must
remain, the most ofall our national
intersts The earnest purpose of good citi-
zens generally to unite their efforts in this
endcavor is evident.
II found decided expression in the resolu-
tions announced in 1875, by the national
conventions Of the leading political parties
of the country. There was q widespread
apprehension that the momcntous results in
our progress as q nation, marked by the re-
cent amendments to the Constitution, were
in imminent jeopardy; that the good un-
dcrstanding which prompted their adop-
tion, in the interest of a loyal devotion to
the general welfare, might prove barren
truce, and that the two sections of the
country, once engaged in civil strife, might
be again almost as widely severed and disu-
nited as they were when arrayed in arms
against each other.
The course to be pursued, which in my
Judgment seemed 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 q
genuine love of our whole country, and Of
all that concerns its true welfare, shall sup
plant the destructive forces Of the mutual
animosity Of races and Of sectional hostility.
Opinions have differed widely as to the
measures best calculated tosecure this great
end. This was to be expected. The meas
ures adopted by the Administration have
been subjected to severe and yaried criticism.
Any course whatever which might have
been entered upon would certainly have
encountered distrust and opposition. These
measures were, in my Judgment, such as
were most in harmony with the Constitu-
ton and with the genius Of our people, and
and best adapted under all the circumstances
to attain the end in view.
Benefcent results, already apparent, prove
that these endeavors are not to be regarded
as mere experiment, and should sustain
and encourage us in our efforts. Already,
in the brief period which has elapsed, the
immediate effectiveness, no less than the
Justice of the course pursued, is demon
strated, and have an abiding faith that
time will furnish its ample vindication in
the minds Of the great majority Of my fellow
citizens. The discontinuance of the use of
the Army for the purpose Of upholding local
governments in two States Of the Union was
no less constitutional duty and require
ment, under the circumstances existing at
the time, than II was n much-needed meas
ure for the restoration of local elfgovern-
ment and the promotion of national har-
mony. The withdrawal of the troops from
such employment was effected deliberately
and with solicitous care for the peace and
good order Of society and the protection Of
the property and persons and every right ol
all classes Of citizens.
The results that have followed are indeed
significant and encouraging. All apprehen
sion Of danger from rcmitting tbose State,
to local self-government Is dispelled, and {
most salutary change in the minds of tn,
people has begun and Is in pro
gress in every part Of that sec
ton Of the country once the theatre o.
unhappy civil strife, substituting for suspi
cion, distrust and aversion, concord, friend
ship and patriotic attachment TO the Union
No unprejudiced mind will deny that tn,
terrible and often fatal collisions which fol
several years have been Of frequent occur
renee, and have agitated and alarmed tn,
public mind, have almost entirely ceased
and that spirit of mutual fOrbearance, ant
hearty national interest has succeeded
There has been general re-cstablishment
of order, and of the orderly administration
of justice; instances Of remaining lawless
ness have become of rare occurrence; po
litical turmoil and turbulence have disap
peared; useful industries have been re
sumed public credit in the Southern State
has been greatly strengthened; and the en-
coumging benefits Of a revival Of commerce
between the sections Of the country, latel,
embroiled in civil war, are fully enjoyed
Such are some of the results already at
tained, upon which the country is to be con
graduated. They are of such importanc
that we may with confidence patiently awai
the desired consummation that will surel
come with the natural progress Of events
1t may not be improper here to say tina
1t should be our fixed and unalterable de
termination to protect, by all available ant
proper means, under the Constitution an,
the laws, the lately y.emancipated race il
the enjoyment of their rights and priyi
leges; and l urge upon those to whom here
tofore the colored people have sustained
the relation of bondsmen, the wisdom an,
justice of humane and liberal local legisla
tion with respect to their education an,
general welfare. A firm adherence to tn
laws, both, national and State, Ms to tn
civil and political rights Of the colored peo
pie. now advanced to full and equal citi
zenship; the immediate repression and sur
punishment by tho national and local au
thoritics, within their respective jurisdic
tions, of every instance Of lawlessness an
violence toward them, Is required for tn
security alike Of both races, and is iustl
demanded by the public opinion Of tn
country and tina age.
In this way the restoration of harmon,
and good win, and tho complete protection
of every citizen in the full enjoyment @
every constitutional right, will surely
attained. Whatever authority rests wit
me to this end shall not hesitate TO pu
forth. Whatever belongs TO the power Q
(nnuresa and the iuriadictinn nf the cnu ri