The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS
Annual Message.

yuu ind our country bies cd with health
ard peace and abundant liaryeSts, and " 18th
encouraging prospects Of an early return OF
general prosperity.
THE FABRICATION OF THE COUNTRY
continues 10 be, until it is fully accomplish.
Cd. and must II main the mosi important OF
our national inicrests The earncsi purpose
of coed citizens generally to unite their
Efforts in these endeavors is evident Ii
found decided explosion in The resolutions
announced in 1876 10y lhe national conyen-
tIons of The leading political parties Of the
country. There WAS Widespread appre-
hcnsion thai The momentous results III our
progress as a nation, marked by the recent
amendments to the constitution, were in
imminent jeopardy; that the good under
Standing which prompted their adoption in
the INTEREST of devotion to the general wei.
fare, might prove barren truce: and that
the sections of the country once engaged in
civil strife might be again almost as widely
severed and disunited as they were when
airayed IN arms against each other The
course 10 be pursued, in my judgment
seems wise, and the presence of This emer.
gency was plainly indicated IN my inau.
glIral address. 1t pointed 10 lifetime, which
oil our people desire TO see, when genuine
love OF our whole country, and all that con.
Germs lis true welfare, shall supplant the
destructive force OF mutual anlmosity OF
races and OF sections. Political opinions
have differed widely as to the measures
best calculated 10 secure this great end
This WIS 10 be expected. The measures
adopted by the administration have been
subjected to severe and varied criticism
Any course whatever which might
have been entered upon would cel tainly
have encountered disuust and oppoSiuon.
These measures wele, in my judgment
such Ms were most in harmony with the
constitution and with the genius OF our
people, and best adapted under all the cir
cGmsiances to attain the end in view. The
beneficent results already apparent prove
that these endeavors are not 10 be regarded
o. mere experiment, and Should sustain
and encourage us in our efforts Already,
in The lrlef Time 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 great majority of my
fellow citizens, the dlsconlinuance OF the
governments in Two of the states OF the
Union WAS no less a constitutional duty
and requirement, under The circumstances
existing al The time, than II was needy
measure for The restoration of local SELF
govtinmeni and The promotion OF national
harmony. Tie Withdrawal OF the troops
nom such employ meni was effected dill
gently, and with sOlicitous care for the
peace and good oTdu OF scciety, and the
protection of the prosperity and persons OF
every right Of all CLASSES OF ciiiztDs.
The Iesulls that have followed are indeed
significant ard encouraging. All spprc-
bolsions CT Danger iIcm Itmiiung ,lose
states 10 lot al sell government, is disreilod,
aDo mCst salutaIy change in tie minds
OF The people is Dtgun and IL in progress in
every parl OF that section Of country, once
the theatre Of unhappy civil strife, sulstiiut-
ing for suspicion, oistlusi ana aversion,
coIccId, friendship, patriotism, and attach
ntnt 10 the union. No unpTejudiced mind |
will deny that The fatal collisions which for |
several years have Teen Of frequent occur |
'ence, and have alarmed the public mind, !
nave almost entirely ceased, and that spi- |
1t OF mutual forbearance and hearty ma |
loDal Interest has succeeded, and there has |
zen a general re-establisbment of order |
md OF the orderly administration of justice. |
Instances of remaining lawlessness have |
,ecome of rare occurrence; political strife !
md turbulence have disappeared; the usual /
have been resumed public credit /
n the southern states has been greatly |
and the encouraging bene- /
IFS al a revival OF commerce between The |
ections Of the country lately embroiled in |
ivi war, are fully enjoyed. Such are some
II tie results already obtained, upon " hich
he county is 10 be congratulated. They |
lie Of such importance that We may with !
patiently await the desired con-
that will surely come with the
natural progress Of events.
Ii may mol lie improper here TO say tina,
should be cur liked and unalicrable
discrimination 10 protect by all available
nd proper means under the constitution
nd The laws. the lately enfranchised race,
q the enjo, ment OF their rights and privi-
eyes; and urge upon ihose 10 whom here
ufdre the colored people have sustained the
elaiIoD Of bondsmen, the wisdom and jus.
ice of humane and liberal local legislation
riti respect 10 their educational and gene
al welfare; firm observance OF laws,
9th national and state, as 10 the civil and
olitical rights Of the colored people, now
dvanced Ia full and equal citizenship; the
nliieuia,c repression ana sure punishment
y ,ne naionaI anu local au'horities. WITH
{ ,nelr respeS,ife Jurisuicliohs' OF every
1s'ahce oi iawiessness anu Violence toward
hem, is required for the security alike of
9th races, and is justly demanded by the
ublic opinion of the country and the age.
this way the restoration OF harmony and
nod feeling, and the complete protection
every citizen IN the full enjoyment of
very constitutional right will surely be at
sined. Whatever authority SIS with me
, this end shall not estate to put forth
'hsiever belongs 10 the power of congress
nd the jurisdiction OF the courts of this
mon, they may confidently he relied upon
provide and perform and 10 the legisla-
Tres, the courts and the executive author-
es of the several STATES earnestly appeal
secure by adequate, appropriate and rea-