Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-03-08

c, nd uct in the paths before me, charg-
ed as now am with grave and difficult
tasks of Carrying them out in the prsc-
ticaI administration Of the Government
SO far as depends under the constitu-
ton and laws and Chief Executive OF
the nation. The permanent pacifica-
ton of the country upoL such princi-
pies, and by such measures as will Sc
cure the complete protection OF all the
citizens in the free enjoyment OF all
their constitutional rights is now the
one subject in our public affairs, which,
all thoughtful and patriotic citizens
regard as 0i supreme importance. Many
of The ,alamitUus effects OF the tremend-
Gus revolution which has passed over
the Southern States still iemaln.
The immeasurable benefits which Will
surely follow sooner or later the
hearty and generous acceptance of the
legitimate results of that revolution
nave not yet been realized. Difficult
and em barrassing questions meet US at
the threshold of tbs subject. The peo-
pie OF these States are still impOverlsh-
ed and the ine5tiInable blessings OF
wise, hunest and peaceful local self
government Is not iuliy enjoyed, and
whatever difference CT opinion may
exist as to the Cause of this condition
of things, the fact is clear that in the
progress of events the time has come
when such government Is an lmpera-
tive necessity, required by all tine
varied interests, public aud private. OF
those States. But il must not be for
gotten that only a local government
when recognizes and maintains invio-
late the rights of all is a true self gov
ernmeut.
With respect to the two distinct
races Whose peculiar relations to each
other have brought upon US deplora
BILE complications and perplexities
which exist ia those States, it must
be government which decides the
| interests of both races carefully and
equally. Itmust be government which
submits loyalty and heartily to the
constitution and laws-the laws of the
nation and the laws of the States them
selves, accepting and 0beying faith
| fully the whole constitution as 1t Is.
Resting upon this sure and substantial
foundation, the esuperstructure of benifi-
cent local government can be built up
and not otherwise. In the furtherance
Of such obedience to the letter and
spirit of the constitution and in behalf
Of ali that its attainment implies, ali
sO-calied party interests lose theil
apparent importance and party lines
may we'll be permitted TO fall into
insignifcanre. The question we have
to consider for the immediate welfare
OF those States OF tie Union is the ours
tion of government or no government
of solid order and all the peaceful in
dustries and The happiness that belongs
To it, Or return to barba.
ism. 1t is question in which
every citizen of the nation is deeply
interested, and with respect to
which We ought not to be, in par
'ttisan sense, either Republicans OF
Democrats, but fellow citizens and
fellow men, TO whom the Interests o
the common country and common hu
manIty are dear. The sweeping rev0-
Il luton of the entire labor system OF Z
large portion oi our country, and the
advance of four millions of p"Ople from
a condition of servitude to that U
citizenship, upon AN equal iOotins with
their former masters, could not occul
without presenting problems OF the
sraveSt moment, to be dealt with BY
The emancipaled races, by their former
masters, and by the general govern
ment, the author of the act of emanci
patton. That il was wise, just ano
lprevidential act, fraught with good ioi
all concerned, is generally conceded
l lhrOus huut the country. That {
; moral obligation rests upon the
National government to employ III
constitutional powers aud influence Il
establish the rights Of the people 1t has
,Iemancipated, and to protect them II
The enjoyment of those rights WheL
they are infringed or assaulted, is also
generally admitted. The evils which
affect the Southern States Can only bt
removed or remedied by the united
and harmonious efforts of both races
actuated by motives OF mutual sym
pathy and regard, and while in duty
bound and fully determined to rroteci
the rights of all by every constitutions
4 al means at the disposal of my admin
iStration, L am sincerely anxious tt
use every legitimate influence in favor
i of an honest and efficient local govern
ment AS the true resource OF thOSt
Estates foT the promotion, contentmen'
and prosperity of their citiZeDs. LII
| the effort l shall work to accomplish
his purpose, l ask the cordial co
operation OF all who cherish an III
| terest in the welfare OF the country,
! trusting that party ties and prejudice
4 of races will be freely surrendered in
behalf of the great purpose to be ac-
complished. In the important work oil
| The restoration of the South it is not
only the political situation that merits
attention. The material development
| of that section of country has been ar
rested by the social and political revo-
luton through which it has passed.
1t now needs and deserves the consi:
derate care of the national government
within the just limits prescribed by
the Constitution and wise public econ,
Omy. But at the basis of all prOsperi.
F.. ty, for this, as well as for every Other
part of the country, lies the improve
ment of the intellectual and moral con-
dition of the people. Universal sutfrage
should rest upon universal etucatlon.
To this end liberal and permanent
provision should be made for the sup,
port of free schools by the State govern.
ment, and, if need be, supplemented
by legitimate aid from the national
authority. Let me assure my country
men Of the Southern States that it is
my earnest desire to regard and pro-
mote their interests, the interests OF
the whites and of the colored people
both equally, and to put forth my best
efforts IN behalf os II civil policy which
will forever wipe out in our political
affairs the color line, ard the distinc.
ticn between the North and South, to
the end that we may have mot merely
united North and a united South,
but united country.
CIVIL SERVICE.
7 ask the af,antiOn of the public TO the