The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-03-10
President Hayes, Inaughfal.

gun by Washington, observed by all
my predecessors, and now q timc-hon-
ored custom which marks the COM
mcncement of a new term Of the presi-
dental office. Called TO the duties of
this great trust, 1 proceed in compliance
with usage to some of the
leading principles on subjects that now
chiefly engage public attention, hS
which it is my desire TO be guided in
the discharge of those duties. | shall
not undertake TO lay down i%rrevocably
principles or measures of adminiatra-
ton. but rather to speak of motives
which should animate us, and 10 sug-
gcst certain important ends to he at
tanned in accordance with our institu-
tons and essential to the welfare of our
country. AT the outset of the discus
cussion which preceded the recent pres
idcntial election, ii seemed to me fitting
that should fully make known my SEN
timcnts in regard to several of the i'm
portant questions which then appeared
to demand consideration ofthc country.
Following the example, and in part
adopting the language of one of nv
predecessors, | wish now. when every
motive for misrepresentation has passed
away, to repeat what was said before
the election, trusting that my country
men will %candidly weigh and under
stand it, and that they will feel assured
that the sentiments | declared in accept
ing the nomination for the presidency
will be the standard of my conduct in
the path before me, charged as | am
with the grave and difficult task of car
rying them out i'll the practical admins
tration OF the government, so far as II
depends, under the constitution and
laws. III the chief executive of the ma
ton.
The permanent naciiicatioii of the
country upon such principles and by
such measures rs will secure the COM
plete security of all its citizens in the
free enjoyment of all their constitutional
rights, is now the one subject in orr
public affairs, which all thoughtful and
patriotic citizens regard as of supreme
importance. Many ofthe calamitous eff
fects of the tremendous revolution
which has passed over the southern
states still remain. The immeasurablc
benefits which will surely follow sooner
or later the hearty and generous accent
ance of the legitimate results oftlat rev
olution have not been realized. Diff
cult and embarrassing questions meet
us at the threshold ofthis subject. The
people of those states are still impoyer-
ished, and the ines Unable blessing of
+ wise, honest and peaceful local self
government is not fully enjoyed. What
ever difference of opinion may exist as
to the cause for this condition of things,
the fact is clear that in the progress of
events the time has come when such II
government is the imperative necessity
required by all the varied interests,
, pubic and private, of these states. But
1t must not be forgotten that only n To-
cal government which recognizes and
maintains inviolate the rights of all i. n
true seli-government, with respect to
. the two distinct races whose peculiar re-
lallons TO each other nave brought upon
us the deplOrablc complications md
pcrplcXities which exist in those states.
II must be n government which guards
the Interests of both races carefully and
equally, which submits %lovally and
heartily to the constitution and laws. the
, laws Of the nation and Of the states
themselves, accepting and obcyinp faith
fully the whole constitution rs il is.
g Resting upon This sure and substantial
: foundation, the supcrstructurc otbenef-
! cent local governments can be bnil, M.
ana not Otherwise. In iurthcrance of
such obedience 10 the letter and spirit of
the constitution, and in behalf of all that
its attainment implies. all so-called party
interests lose ilcirapparent importance,
and party lines may well he permitted
TO fade into insigniiicancc.
l The question We have TO consider for
: the immedl i! SMcclliare Of !hc.s sltqtleeS, is
= inent of social order and all the peace
tul industries and happiness that belong
| 10 II. or Il return 10 barbarism. II Is n
question i'll which every citizen of the
nationis deeply interested. and in respect
/ TO which we ought not 10 be in "A par
tsan sense, either republicans or demo
Gratis, but fellow citizens and fellow men
to whom the interest, Ola common coun-
Try and Il common humanity are dear.
The sweeping revolution of the entire
labor system Ola large portion Of our
country, II the advance of four mil
hons OF people from a condition ofscry-
llude TO that of citizenship. upon AN
equal footing with their former masters.
couiu MOI occur without presenting
problems OF the graveSt moment 10 be
dealt with by the emancipated race,
their former masters. and the general
government. The author of the act of
emancipation was Abraham Lincoln.
AAstA ~ ~ ~ " lNNs ItlNl III lDiDAluDlIln
act, iraught with good TO ali concerned.
Is nov generally conceded throughout
the country. That n moral obligation
rests upon the national government TO
employ its constitutional power and in
fluence TO establish The rights OF tho peo-
pie it has enancipated, and 10 protect
them in the enjoyment of those rights
when they are iniringed or assailed. is
also generally admitted. The evils
which atllict the southern states can only
be removed or remedied by the united
and harmonious efforts of both races.
actuated by motives of mutual svmpa-
thy and regard, and while in duty bound
and fully determined 10 project the
rights OF all by every constitutional
means at the disposal Of my administra-
ton, / am sincerely anxious to use every
legitimate influence in favor of honest
and efficient local eclf-gOvernment, as
the true %resources of those states for the
promotion of the contentment and pros
perlty of their citizens. In the effort I
shall make 10 accomplish this purpose.
| ask the cordial cooperation OF alt who
cherish nm Interest IN tho welfare of the
country, trusting that party ties and the
prejudice of race will be freely surren-
dered In behalf of the great purpose TO
be accomplished in the important work
of restoration of tho south.
1t is not the political situation alone
that merits attention. The material de-
velopment of that section Of The COUNTRY
has been arrested by the social and no.
litical revolutions through which il has
passed. and now needs and deserves the
c%onsiderate care Of the national govern
ment within the just limits prescribed
by the constitution and wise public
economy. But at the basis of ali pros
perity, for that ms welLas for every 9TH
Ell part Of the country, lies the improve
ment Of the intellectual and moral con-
dition Of the country, Universal snf-
frage should rest upon universal educa-
ton. To this end, liberal and perma-
ranr.t An.nrrfrA,.. El-.ll -