The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-12-11

ted than the record of the elections
discloses. In some of those States
! in which the colored people have
been unable to make their opinions
felt liz the elections, the result is
mainly due to Influences not easily
measured or remedied by legal pro.
lection but in the States of Louisi-
ana and South Carolina at large, and
in some particular Congressional dis-
tricts outside of those States, the
records of the elections seem to COM
pei the conclusion that the rights of
the colored voters have been over
ridden, and their participation in the
elections not permitted to be either
general or free.
1t will be for the Congress for
which these elections were held, to
make such examinations into their
conduct as may be appropriate to de-
termine the validity of the cIsims of
members to their seats. In the
meanwhile it becomes the duty of the
Executive and Judicial Departments
of tie Government. each in its prov
ince, to inquire into and punish vio-
lations of the laws of the United
States which have occurred. | can
but repeat what l said in this coa-
nection 10 my last message, that
whatever authority rests with me to
this end l shall not hesitate to put
forth, and l am unwilling to forego a
renewed appeal to the Legislature,
the Courts, the Executive author
tiles, and the people of the States
where these wrongs have been per-
petrsted, TO give their assistance to-
wards bringing to justice the offend
ers and preventing repetition of the
crimes. No means within my pow
er will be spared TO obtain full and
fair investigation of the alleged
crimes, and to secure the conviction
and just punishment OF the guilty.
INADEQUATE APPROPRIATION.
1t is to be observed that the prin-
cipsl appropriation made for the De-
partment of Justice at the last session
contained the following clause "And
for defrayiDg the expenses which
may be incurred in the enforcement
of the act approved February %,
1871, entitled, AN act to amend an
act approved May so, 1870, entitled,
AN act to enforce the rights of citi-
zsns of the United States to vote in
the several States of the Union, and
fer other purposes,' or any acts
amendatory thereof or supplementary
thereto"
1t is the opinion of the Attorney
General that the expenses of these
proceedings will largely exceed the
amount which was thus provided,
and rely confidently upon Congress
to make adequate appropriations to
enable the Executive Department to
enforce the laws.
respectfully urge upon your at
tention that the Congressional elec.
tons. In every district, in very i'm
portant sense. are justly matter of
political interest and concern through
on. the whole cosnsry. Each State,
every political party, is entitled to
the share OF power which is conferred
by the legal and constitutional suf-
frage 1t is the right of every citi.
zen, possessing the qualifications pre-
scribed by law, to cast one unintimi-
dated ballot, and to have his ballot
honestly counted. So long as the
exercise of this power and the enjoy
ment of this right are common and
equal. practically as well as formally,
submission to tie results of the suf-
frage will be accorded Loyalty and
oheerfully, and all the departments of
Government will feel the true vigor
of the popular will thus expressed.
No temporary or administrative in
terests of Government, however ur-
gent or weigbty, will ever displace
the zeal Of our people in defense of
the primary rights of citizenship.
They understand that the protection
of liberty requires the maintenance,
in full vigor, of the manly methods of
free speech, free press, and free suf-
frsge, aod will sustain the full author
| ity OF Government to enforce che
laws which are framed TO preserve
these inestimable rights TIE mate
rial welfare and progress of the
States depend on the protection sf-
forded to their citizens. There can
be no peace without such protection,
no prosperity without peace, and the
whole country is deeply interested in
the growth and prosperity of all its
parts.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
While the country has not yet
reached complete unity of feeling and
reciprocal! confidence between the
communities so lately and 30 serious
ly enstranged, l feel an absolute as
surance that the tendencies are in
that direction, and with increasing
force. The power of public opinion
will override all political prejudices,
and all sectional or State attachments,
in demanding that all over our wide
territory the name and character of
citizens of the United States shall
mean one and the same thing, and
carry with them unchallenged securi.
ty and respect.
Our relations with other countries
continue peaceful. Our neutrality in
contests between foreign powers has
been maintained and respected.
The Universal Exposition held at
Paris during the past summer has
been attended by large numbers of
our citizens The brief period al
lowed for the preparation and ar
rangement of the contributions Of
our citizens to this great Exposition
was well employed in energetic and
iudicious efforts to overcome this
disadvantage. These efforts. led aud
directed by the Commissioner Gener-
al, were remarkably successful, and
the exhibition of the products of
American industry was creditable
and gratifying in scope and charsc-
ter The reports of the United States
Commissic ners, giYing it's results in
detail, will be duly laid before you.
Our participation in this information
al competition for the favor and trade
of the world may be expected to pro-
duce useful and important results,
| in prnmotin0 infcroourno friend.