The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

who holds in His hands the destinies of
nations, for the continued bestowal, dur
ing the last year, of countless blessings
upon our country.
We are at peace with all other nations.
Our public credit has greatly improved.
and is, perhaps, now stronger than ever
before. Abundant harvests have re-
warded the labors of those who till the
soil, our manufacturing industries are
reviviag, and it is believed that general
prosperity, which has been so long anx-
iously looked for is at last within our
reach.
The enjoyment of health by our peo-
pie generally, has, however, been inter-
rupted, during the past season, BY the
prevalence of fatal pestilence. the yell
low fever, in some portions of the SOUTH
ern States, creating an emergency which
called for prompt and extraordinary
measures of relief. The disease appear
at other places on the lower Mississippi,
soon after midsummer. twas rapidly
spread by fugitives from the infected
cities and towns, and did not disappear
until early in November. The States of
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee
have suffered severely. About one hum
dred thousand cases are believed to have
occurred. of which about. twenty thou
sand, according to intelligent estimates,
proved fatal. 1t is impossible to esti-
mate with any approach to accuracy the
loss to the country occasiOned by this
epidemic. 1t is to be reckoned by the
hundred millions ofdollars. The suffer-
ing and restitution that resulted, excit-
ed the deepest sympathy in all parts Of
the Union. Physicians and nurses has
tened from every quarter to the assis-
lance of the afflicted communities
Voluntary contributions of money and
supplies ill every needed form, were
speedily and generously furnished. The
Government was able to respond in some
measure to the call for help, by provid-
ing tents, medicines, and food for the
sick and destitute, the requisite direc-
tons for the purpose being given, in the
confident expectation that this action of
the Executive would receive the sane
ton of Congress. About eighteen hum
bred tents, and rations of the value of
about twenty five thousand dollars, were
sent to cities and towns which applied
for them, full details of which will be
furnished to Congress by the proper De-
partment.
The fearful spread of this pestilence,
has awakened very general public sen.
timent in favor of national sanitary adj
ministration, which shall not only con-
troll quarantine, but have the sanitary
supervision of internal commerce in
times of epidemics, and hold an advisory
relation to the State and municipal
health authorities, with power to deal
with whatever endangers the public
health, and which the municipal and
State authorities are unable to regulate.
The national quarantine act approved
April %, 1878. which was passed too late
in the last session of Congress to provide
the means for carrying it into practical
operation, during the past season, is a
step in the direction here indicated. In
view of the necessity for the most effec-
tive measures, by quarantine and other
wise, for the protection of our seaports,
and the country generally from this and
other epidemics, it is recommended that
Congress give to the whole subject early
and careful consideration.
The permanent pacificatiOn of the
country by the complete protection of
all citizens in every civil and political
right continues to be of paramount in-
terest with the great body of our people.
Every step in this direction in welcom-
ed with public approval, and every in
terruption of steady and uniform pro-
gress to the desired contamination
awakens general uneasinels and wide
spread condemnation. The recent Con-
gressional elections have furnished di-
rect and trustworthy test of the advance
thus far made in the practical establish
ment of the right of suffrage, secured by
the Constitution to the liberated race in
the southern States. All disturbing in
fiuences. real or imaginary, had been
removed from all of these States.
The three constitutional amendments,
which conferred freedom and equality
of civil and political rights upon the col
ored people of the South, were adopted
by Tie concurrent action of the great
body of good citizens who maintained
the authority of the National Govern
ment and the integrity and perpetuity
of the Union at such cost of treasure
hand life, as wise and necessary en-
hodiment IN the organic law of the just
esuts of the war. The people of the
rmer slave-holding States accepted
ese results, and gave, in every prac-
cable form, assurances that the thir-
enth, fourteenth and fifteenth amend
tents, and laws passed in pursuance
hereof, should, in good faith, be enforc-
rigidly and impartially, in letter and
kirit, to the end that the humblest citi-
b, without distinction of race or color,
luld, under them, receive full and
u protection in person and property
In political rights and privileges
hese constitutional amendments,
pthern section of the Union OBJ
alarge increase of political power
gess and in the Electoral Col
the country justly expected
pns would proceed, as to the
race, upon the same circum-
egal and constitutional free
rejection which obtained in
States of the Union. The
W and order looked forward
let of these elections, as of
be general judgment of the
important opportunity to