Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-12-11


Dec. End:
INTRODUCTORY.
FelloU- citizens of the Senate and House Of Repre-
Our heartfelt gratitude is Que to the Supreme
Being who holds in his hands the destinies of ma
ions, for the continued bestowai during aSt year
at peace with all other nations, public credit
than ever before; abundant harvests have reward
ed the lapOrS of those who till the soil; our man
lieved that the general prosperity. which has been
50 long andanXiously looked for is at last within
our reach.
YELLOW FEVER.
The enjoyment of health by our people generally
s by ne 9ssn of ss he
yell w fever, in some portions OF the southern
prompt and extraordinary measures of relief, The
disease appeared as an epidemic at New orleans
after mid summer it was rapidly spread by fugi-
tives from the infected cities and towns and aid
of Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee have suf-
eed have OF wc IS
600. according to intelligent estimates, proved
proach to accuracy, the loss to the country oeca-
stoned by this epidemic 1t is to be reckoned by
and restitution that resulted excited the deepest
sympathy in all parts or the union. Physicians
sistance of the afflicted communities. Contribu-
lions of money and supplies In every needed form
were speedily and generously furnished. The gov
ernment was able to respond in some measure to
oe e ff the h SEEK and Ges@ the
lions for the purpose being given in the confident
receive the sanction of congress. About eighteen
hundred tents and rationS of the value of about
applied for them, full details of which will be fur
nIShed to congress by the proper department The
very general public sentiment in favor of nation
al sanitary commission which shall not only control
quarantine, but have sanitary supervision of inter
national commerce in times of epidemic and hold
an advisory relation to state and municipal health
authorities with power to deal. with whatever
dangers the public health ana which the mnnl-
Tie national quarantine act approved April 18th
1878 which was passed too late in last session of
practical operation during the past seasons step
in the direction here indicated In view of the
necessity for the most effective measures by quar-
antine and otherwise for the'protecton of our sea-
ports and the country generally from this and
give to the whole subject early and careful consld
Grafton.
THE SOUTHERN. QUESTION.
The permanent pacification of the country by the
complete protection of all citizens i'll every civil
and political right continues to,Ge OF paramount
step in this direction is welcomed with public APP
form progress to the desired Contamination
awakenS general uneaSineSS and wide spread con-
have furnished direct and trustworthy test of the
advance thus far made in the practical establish
stituton to to the liberated race in tie SOUTH
ern states. All disturbing influences real
or imaginary had been removed from all of these
states. The constitutional amendments, which con-
ferred freedom and equality of civil and political
rights upon the coored people of the South,
adopted by the action of the great body
of good citizen who maintained the authority of
tional government and the integrity and perpetuity
of the union at such cost of treasure and life,
wise and necessary embodiment in the organic law of
the just results of the The people of the former
slave holding states accepted these results and gave
in every practicable form assurance that the 18th,
I4th and 18th amendments and laws passed in pur-
thereof should ia good faith be enforced rig
idly and impartay, in letter and spirit, to the end
that the humblest citizen. without distinction of
raca color lnlpr her ful nd
equs protection in person and property and in pO
tcal rights and privileges. BY these constitutional
amendments the southern section of the union OBJ
tanned large Increase of political power In congress
and in the electoral college, and the country justly
pected that elections would proceed as to the
franchised upon the conditions of legal and
constitutional freedom and protection which obtained
all the other states of the union. The friends of
law and order looked forward the conduct of these
elections offering to the general judgment of the
country an important opportunity to measure the de-
gree in which the right of suffrage ccHld be exercised
by the colored people and would be respected by
their fellow citizens but more general enjoyment
of freedom of suffrage by coored people and more
just and generous protection of that freedom by the
communities of which they form part general
y anticipated than the record of the elections dis
closes In some of these states in which the coored
people have been unable to make their opinions felt
elections the result is mainly due to influences not
easily measured remeded by legal protection, but
IN the states of Louisiana and South Carolina at
large and in particular congressional districts
outside of those states the records of the elections
seem compel the conclusion that the rights of the
colored voters have been overridden and their par
cpation in the elections not permitted to be either
general free. 1t will be for the congress
for which these elections were had to
make such examinations into their conduct
may be appropriate to determine the validity
of the claims of members to their seats. Mean
while it becomes the duty of the executive and
judicial departments OF the government, each in
its province to inquire into and punish violations
of the laws of the United States which have
Cured can but repeat what said in this
nection in my last message: that whatever au-
thority rests with me TO this end shall not hest
tate to put forth, and l am unwilling to fOregO
renewed appeal to the legislatures, the courts,
the executive authorities. and the people Of the
states where these wrongs have been perpetrated,
to give their assistance towards bringing to jus
tice the Offenders, and preventing repetition of
the crimes. No means within my power Will be
spared to obtain full and fair investigation of
the alleged crimes, and to secure the conviction
and just punishment of the guilty. -
1t is to be observed that the principal appropri-
alton made for the department of justice at the
last session contained the following clause ''and
for defraying the expense which may be incurred
in the enforcement Of the act approved February
%, 1871 entitled an act to amend an act approved
May Goth, 1870, entitled an act to enforce the
rights Of citizens of the United States to vote in
the several states of the union, and for other pur
poses, or any acts amendatory thereof or supple
mentary thereto 1t is the opinion Of the
attorney general that the expenses of these pro-
ceedings will largely exceed the amount which
was thus provided and rely confidently upon con-
Che executive department to Enforce the laws
respectfully urge upon Your attention that the con-
greSSiOna elections in every district is in very i'm
portant sense are justly a matter of political IN
terest and concern throughout the whole country.
Each state and every political party is entitled to
a share of the power which is conferred by the
legal and constitutional suffrage 1t is the right Of
every citizen possessing the qualifications pre-
scrbed by law to cast one ballot and
to have his ballot honestly counted. SO long the
exercise Of this power and the enjoyment of this
formally submission to the results of suffrage will
be accorded Loyalty and cheerfully, and all the de-
partments of government will feel the true vigor
of the popular will thus expressed No temporary
or administrative interests of government, how
ever urgent weightv. will ever displace the zeal
Of cit zenship; they understand that the protec-
ton of liberty requires the maintenance in full
yigor of the manly methods of free speech free
press and free suffrage, and Will sustain the full
authority of the government to enforce the laws
which are framed to preserve these inestimable
rights. The material progress and welfare of the
States depend on the protection afforded to their
citizens There can be peace without
such protection. no prosperity without
peace. and the whole country is deeply interested
in the growth and prosperity of all it's parts
While the country has not yet reached complete
unity of feeling and reciprocal confidence be-
tween the communities SO lately and so seriously
estranged, feel an absolute assurance that the
tendencies are in that direction, and with in