The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-12-07
THE MESSAGE
Annual Communication OF
the President to
Congress.
The Southern, Oivil-Service, FL
uancial and Other Cues
tons Discussed

E<<lcw-Citxens OF tho Senate and House Of Repre-
seetatives:
wsth great gratitude 10 the Bountlfui Oliver OF All
-<zccd, congratulate you that ct the beginning OF
ysssr lrst regular session, you ind our country
'ass~scd with health and peace, and abundant hsr-
v.sss. aud With encouraging prospects OF IN early
ssesarn Of general prosperity.
Tho Southern Policy.
To complete and make permanent ths psoihcs-
sssc of the country continues 10 be, and, until IL Ii
accomplished, must remain the most important Of
90 our national interests The earnest purpose OF
ssd citizens generally TO unite their efforts In those
sssscavors il evident. 1t found decided expression
Z. enc resoiations announced In 1875. by the ma
'sSs1ai conventions Of the leading political par
sses Of the country. There was Q widespread
szprehension that the momsntous results In
-ssse progrsS - . nation, married. By The
rcceat amendments TO the constitution, in i'm
sasent jeopardy; that the good understanding which
Is,onpted their adoption in the interest OF loyal
sS<woeion TO the general welfare might prove bar
rs, truce and that the sections Of the country
engaged In civil strife, might be again almost rs
wssely severed and dsunited as they were when ar
rn5ssd In arms against each other The course to
~ pursued which, In my Judgment, seemed the
'e8ecst I'm the presence OF this emergency, was
vasniy indicated in the inaugural address. 1t
puGnted to the time, which all people desire to
ere, when genuine love Of our whole country and
oG all that concerns its true welfare shall suppant
tRs destructive forces of mutual animosity Of the
r--ces and OF sectional hostility. Opinions have
.fsxcred widely a. to the measures best calcu-
El<ssa TO secure this great end. This was to
sne expected. The measures adopted by the admin
sssfraton have been subjected to and varied
.s.rfticisms Any course whatever which might have
'neen entered upon would certainly have encoun-
sSered distrust and opposition. These measures
ssssr-s I'm my judgment, such as were most In har-
xsony with the constitution and with the genius Of
eur people, and best adapted, under all crcum-
IN tain md in Ram re-
salts already apparent prove that these endeavors
asure not to be regarded q mere experiment, and
rsxhouid sustain and encourage in our efforts al
useady in the brief period which has elapsed. The
Nzacdate effectiveness, no less than the justice Of
stc course pursued, is demonstrated, and have an
zbiding faith that time will furnish ample vndca-
eaoa In the minds Of the great majority Of my fell
.tow-citzens.
The discontinuance Of the use Of the army for the
,purppse OF UNFOLDING tho local Governments in two
AZ the States of the Union less constitution
a duty and requirement, under the circumstances
existing at the time, than 1t was much-needed
sneasure for the restoration Of local self-gov-
~rrnznent and the promotion Of national harmony.
Tho withdrawal of the troops from such employ
,rnaut WIS effected deliberately, and with solictous
scare for the peace and good order Of society and
'1she protection Of property and persons and every
right OF all classes Of citizens. The results that
iaAve followed are indeed significant and encourage
hng. All apprehension Of danger from renting
these States to local self-government is dispeed,
&nd most salutary change in the minds
of the people has begun, and Is in prog
In every part of that section Of country,
the theater Of unhappy civil strife, substi-
tnting for suspicion, distrust ana aversion, con-
cord. friendship and patriotic attachment to
the Union. No unprejudiced mind will deny that
Che often fatal collisions which for several years
nave been of frequent occurrence, and have alarmed
the public mind, have almost entirely ceased, and
Sshat spirit of mutual forbearance and hearty ma
Sional interest has succeeded. There has been
general re-estabishment Of order, and Of the or
Derby administration of justice Instances Of re-
manning lawlessness have become of rare occur
renee political turmoil and turbulence have dsap-
frl fvatu ria has,
hc$redit in the Southern States has been greatly
strengthened, and the encouraging benefits of q
yiya OF commerce between the sections OF the coun-
Such some of the results already attained upon
which the country is TO be congratulated. They are
Of such nnportance that may with confidence pa
aeutay await the desired contamination that will
surely como with the natural progress of events.
The Emancipated Race.
1t may not be improper here to say that II should
re our fixed and unaterable determination to pro-
tect, by ali available and proper means, under the
constitution and the laws, the ey-emancpated
race in the whole of their rights and privi-
.eges, and urge upon those to whom heretofore
the colored people have sustained the relation of
bnndsmen the wisdom and justice of humane and
liberal local legislation, with respect to their educa-
sion and general welfare; q firm adherence TO the
vvs both national and State, TO the civil and POI
tical rights Of the coored people, advanced to
full and equal citizenship; the immediate repres-
son and sure punishment, by the national and local
authorities within their respective jurisdctions Of
every instance Of lawlessness and violence towards
required for the security alike OF both
\ lxxd justly demanded by the public opinion OF
Sne country and the age. In this way the
restoration Of harmony and good will, and
tse complete protection Of every citizen in the full
cnioyment of every constitutional right, will sure
~ be attained. Whatever authority rests with me
20 this end shall not hesitate to put forth. What
ever belongs to the power of Congress and the jurs-
dicton of the courts Of the Union, they may conf
IDENTIFY be relied upon to provide and perform, and
90 the Legislatures, the courts, and the executive
authorities of the several States earnestly appeal
60 secure by adequate appropriate and seasonable
.aeans within their borders these common and uni
form rights OF united people when loves liberty
abhors oppression, and reveres justice. These OBJ
iects are very dear to my heart. l shall continue
most earnestly to strive for their attainment. The
cordial cooperation of all classes OF ell sections OF
the country and of both races is required for this
purpose and with these blessings assured, and not
otherwise, we may safely hope to hand down ON
free institutions Of government unimpaired TO the
generations that will succeed us,
assumption OF Specie Payments.
Among the other subjects of great and genera
importance to the people Of this country, canno
be mistaken, think, in regarding as pre-eminen
the policy and measures which are designed TO Sc
cure the restoration Of the currency TO that norma
and healthful condition In which, by the resump
ton of specie payments, our internal trade ana Tor
c5Qn commerce may be brought into harmony will
ystle system OF exchanges which is based upon tn
precious metals the intrinsic money OF the world
IN the public Judgment. That this end should ..
sought and compassed "a speedily and as secured!
the resources Of the people and the wisdom o
che Government can accomplish, there Is mucl
greater degree OF unAnlfnlty IN iOuuu W COu
cur in the specific measures which will bring tn
country to this desired end, the rapidity OF tn
steps by which IL can be safely reached. Upon mos
-znTious and deliberate examination which hav
rfelt Il my duty TO give TO the subject am but tn
more confirmed in the opinion which expressed II
accepting the nomination for the Presidency, and
again upon my Inauguration, that the policy OF re
sumption should be pursued by every suitable
rlmeans and that no legislation would be wise tina
should disparage the Importance or retard the at
tzinment Of that result. have no disposition, ant
certainly right, TO question the sincerity or tn
integrity Of opposing opinions, and would neithe
5unceal nor undervalue the considerable difficulties
and even occasional distress, which may attend thu
progress Of the nation toward this primary condi
zion Of Its general and permanent prosperity.
must, however, adhere 10 my most earnest convtc
don, that any wavering in purpose, or unsteadi
ussss In methods, so far from avoid
ing or reducing the Inconvenience insep
israbie from the transition from IRE
deemable TO redeemable paper currency
would only tend to an increased and prolonged dis
surbance In values, which. unless relieved. mus
end In serious disorder, dishonor ond disaster il
the financial affairs OF the Government and of tn
people. The mschiefs which / apprehend an,
urgently deprecate, confined 10 no class of tn
people; indeed, they but seem to me most Ger
calmly TO threaten the industrious Masses whethe
nheir occupations are Of skilled or common labor
10 them, II seems TO me, Il IL Of prime importanc
chat their labor should be compensated IN roono
which Ia, I'm itself fixed in exchangable value Inv M.
ing irrevocably measured by the labor necessarv 4
dts production. This permanent quality on Ali IN
money OF the people Is sought for and can onIv d
gained by the resumption Of specie pavment tn