The Republican journal., 1877-03-08


ance with Justice and law
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
PRESIDENT HAYES,
FELTON, CITIZENS We have assembled to
repeat the public ceremonial begun by Wash
ington, observed by all my predecessors, and
now a time-honored custom which marks the
commencement of a new term of the Presiden-
tial Office.
Called to the duties of this great trust, pro-
coed in compliance with usage to announce
some of the leading principles, on the subjects
that now chiefly engage the public attention,
by which it is my desire to be guided in the
discharge of those duties. | shall not under
take to lay down irrevocably principles or
measures of administration, but rather to speak
of the motives which should animate us, and
to suggest certain important ends to be attained
in accordance with our constitutions and essen
tial TO the welfare OF our country. At the out
set of the discussions which preceded the re-
cent Presidential election, it seemed to me fit
ting that l should fully make known my senti-
ments in regard to several of the important
questions which then appeared TO demand the
consideration of the country.
Following the example and in part adopting
the language of one Of my predecessors, l wish
now when every motive for misrepresentation
has passed away, to repeat what was said be-
fore the election trusting that my countrymen
will candidly weigh and understand it, and that
they will feel assured that the sentiments de-
clared in accepting the nomination for the
Presidency will be the standard of my conduct
in the path before me. charged as | now am
with the grave and difficult task OF carrying
them out in the practical administration OF the
Government so far as depends, under the Con-
gttution and law. On the Chief Executive of
the Nation.
The permanent pasihcaiion OF the Country
upon such principles and by such measures as
will secure the complete protection of all its
citizens in the free enjoyment of all their Con-
sttutional rights. i9 now the one subject in our
public affairs which all thoughtful and patriotic
citizens REGARDED of supreme importance.
Many of the calallious effects of the tremend-
ulls evolution which has passed over the South
ern states, Slil remain. The mmeasirabr
benefits which will surely follow sooner or
later the hearty and generous acceptance of the
Legitimate results Of that revolution, have not
vet been realized Difficult and embarrassing
questions meet us at the threshold of this sub
iccl. The people OF those States are still i'm
loyeri7hed and the nestimable blessing of wise,
honest and peaceful local seli-gOVernmPnt is
not fully enjoyed. Whatever difference Of
opinion may exist as to the cause of this con
dltion of things. the fact is clear that in the
progress Of events the time has come when
such government is the imperative necessity,
required BY all the varied interests, public aud
private. OF those States. But it must not be
forgotten that only local government which
recognizes and maintains inviOlate the rights of
all is Il true Self-government.
With respect to the two distinct races whose
peculiar relations to each other have brought
upon us the deplorabe complications and per-
pleNities which exist in those States, it must
he a government which guards the interests of
both races carefully and equally. 1t must be
government which submits Loyalty and heartily
10 the Constitution and the laws-the laws of
the Nation and the laws of the States them
selves - accepting and obeying faithfully the
whole Constitution as it is. Resting upon this
sure and substantial foundation, the SUPER
structure of beneficial local governments can
be built up, and not otherwise. In further
ance of such obedience to the letter and the
spirit of the Constitution and i'll behalf of all
that its attainment implies. all so called party
interests lose their apparent Importance, and
party lines may well be permitted to fade into
nsignicance.
The question we have to consider for the inn
mediate welfare of those States of the Union is
the question of government or no government
social order and all the peaceful industries and
the happiness that belongs to it, or Il return to
barbarism. 1t is Il question in which every cit
iZen of the Nation is deeply interested. and with
respect TO which we ought not to be in a parti-
San sense either Republicans or Democrats, but
teIlow-citZens and ftllow-men. to whom the ill.,
tcrests of common country and common hui
manity are dear
The sweeping revolution of the entire labor
system of a large portion OF our country. and
the advance Of four millions OF people from 4
condition of Servitudc to that OF citizenship
upon an equal footing with their former mas
tiers. could not occur without presenting prob
lens OF the graVeSt moment to be dealt with
by the cnancipated race, by their former mas
tiers, and by the General Government. the ait
thor of the act OF emancipation. That il was Il
wise, just and proyidentia act, fraught with
for "a nlr nr 1I,
coded throughout the country. That a moral
obligation rests upon the National Govern
ment 10 employ its Constitutional power and
Influence to establish the rights Of the people
il has emancipated, and to protect them in the
enjoyment Of those rights when they are in
trin%ed or assailed, is also generally admitted.
The evils which atct the Southern States
can only be removed or remedied by the unit
ed and harmonious efforts of both races, actu-
aied by motives of mutual sympathes and re-
card; and while in duty bound and fully deter
mined 10 protect the rights OF all by every Ion-
St!utional means at the disposal OF my admin
istration, am sincerely anxious 10 use every
legitimate influence in favor of honest and et-
cient local self government, a. the true re-
source Of those States for the promotion of the
contentment and prosperity Of their citixens
In the effort / shall make to accomplish this
purpose ! ask the cordial cooperation Of all
who cherish an interest in the welfare of the
country trusting that party ties and the prej-
half Of the great purpose 10 be accomplished.
In the important WOrl, OF restoration of the
South it is not the political situation alone that
needs attention. The material development OF
that section OF Tie country has been arrested
by The social and political revolution through
which if has passed and now needs and de
serves the considerable care of the National
government within the lust limits prescribed
by the Constitution and wise public economy
But at the basis of all prosperity, for that ~
,.7rII 60. =
lie1 the Improvement of the intellectual and
moral condition Of the people. Universal eui-
irage should rest upon universal education
70 this end liberal and permanent provision
should be made for the support OF free schools
by The State Governments, and if need be SUP
piemented by legitimate aid from National All
thOrity.
Let me assure my countrynen Of t he Southern
states that IL is my earnest desire to regard and
promote their truest interests, the interests OF
the white and OF the colored people BOTH and
to put forth my best efforts in behalf of a civil
policy which will forever wipe out in orr poii-
real AFFAIRS the color line and the dist motion be-
tween North and South, to the end thai we may
have not merely a united North or Il united
South, but a united Country.
ask the attention of the public to the para
mount necessity Of reform III our civil service:
4 reform not merely rs to certain abuses and
practices OF so-called official patronage which
have come to have the sanction of usage III the
several departments of our Governments but :.
change in the system Of appointment ITSELF "A
reform that shall be thorough radical and com
plete; return to the principles and practices
of the founders of the Government. They
neither expected nor desired from public Off
GERS any partisan service. They meant the pub
lie officers should owe their whole service to
the Government and to the people. They meant
that the officer should be secure in his tenure
as long rs his personal character remained I'M
furnished and the performance of his duties sat
i>factory. They held that appointments to Of
flee were not to be made or expected merely as
rewards for partizan services nor merely on the
nomination Of members OF Congress rs being
entitled in any respect to the control of such APP
pOntmentS.
The fact that both the great political parties
OF the country in declaring their principles
prior to the election, gave prominent place to
the subjects of reform of our civil service. re-
cognizing and strongly urging its necessity in
terms almost identical IN their specific import
with those | have here employed, must be ac-
cepted as a conclusive argument in behalf of
these measures. 1t must be regarded the ey.