The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1878-12-03
TELEGRAPHICl
Associated pr..s Di.p.seA...
OPENING OF CONGRESS
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Congress to-day lie said r4iaI
Thanks TO the Divine Being for His contin-
lea bestowafsof countless blcssisrs upon our
country. We are ut peace with all nations
our credit is probably stronger than ever he.
| fore; abundant harvests, revivipg Industries
and promised prosperity are reviews Of our
history. The yellow fever epidemic made a
| fearful spread, and this pestilepce has awaken
ed very general public sentiment In favor
| OF national sanitary administration, which
| shall not only control the quarantine but have
sanitary supervision of the internal commerce
In time OF epidemics, and hold an advisory
relation with state, municipal and health au-
authorities, with power to deal with whatev-
| err endangers the public health and which
municipal and state authorities are unable to
regulate. The national quarantine act, APP
proved April 10Th, 1878, which was passed too
late in the last session OF congress to provide
means for carrying 1t into practical operation
during the past season, is a step In the direc-
ton here indicated. In view Of the necessity
for the most effective measures by quarantine
and otherwise for protection of our seaports
and the country generally from this and other
epidemics, It is recommended that congress
give the whole subject an early and careful
consideration.
Permanent paciicnton of the country by
the protection ofali citizens of every civil land
and political right, continues IN he Of para
mount Interest with the great body Of our
people; every step in this direction Is well
coined with public approval, aud every inter-
ruptlon of steady anil uniform progress to the
desired contamination awhkens general unca-
siness and widespread condemnation. The
recent congressional elections have furnished
| direct and. trustworthy list of the advance
thus far made in the practical establishment
of the right Of suffrage, secured by the consti-
| tion To the liberated race In the Southern
| States, where all the disturbing Influences,
real or imaginary, had been removed from
all of these States by three constitutional
amendments. which conferred freedom and
equality of civil and political rights upon tho
I colored people OF the South, Were adopted by
concurrent action Of the great body Of good
citizens who maintained the authority of the
national government and the integrity and
perpetuity of the Union at such cost Of treas
ure and life as was wise aud necessary for the
embodyment in the organic law of Just results
of war. The people OF the former slavehoid-
| ing States accepted these results, and gave In
every practicable form assurances that the
| lHtNtttHtHr fburtttntn hnntnu-
| ments. and the laws passed in pursuance
thereof should, In good faith, be enforced
rigidly and impartially In letter and spirit tc
the end that the ,humblest citizen, no regard /,
race or color, should under them receive n,
and equal protection in person and propert,
and political rights, and privileges by thes,
constitutional amendments the Southern sec
ton of the Union obtained large increase o
political power in congress, and in the electo
raj college. and the country justly cxpecte,
that the enfranchised race upon the circum
stances OF legal and constitutional freedom
aud protection, which Is obtained In all othe
States Of the Union. The friends OF law and
order looked forward to the conduct of thes
elections as offering 10 the general judgmen
of the country an important opportunity {.
measure the degree In which the right of sui
, frage could be exercised by the coiored people
! and thought they would be respected by thei
fellow citizens, and q more general enjoymen
, Of freedom of suffrage by the colored people
and aware Of the just and generous protection
of that freedom by communities OF whicl
they form part were generally disregarded
as the records of the election will disclose
In some OF these States, in which the colore,
people have been unable 10 make their opin
ions felt lin the election results Is mainly due I,
influences not measured or remedied by lega
protection, but In the State of South Caroiin
at large and some particular congressional
oisuic.s' ou'siue VI THESE etates' the recoru
of elections seem to indicate that the rights o
the colored voters have been optional and thei
/ participation In elections not permitted 10 b.
either general or free. II will be for congress
TO ascertain where these elections were held
ana 10 make such examinations into their con
duct as VIII be appropriate, to determine thu
validity OF the claims OF members to thei
seats In the meahtime u becomes the dntl
OF the executive and Judicial department o
the government each In It's province, to In
quire into and furnish violations OF the law
IN tue united s'ates' which nave occurred.
can but repeat what said In this connection
IN my last message mat Whatever authority
rests upon me to this end, 1 shall not hesitate
10 put torth, and am unwilling 10 iorego
renewal OF appeal to the legislature, courts,
executive authorities and the people OF the
States where these wrongs have been perpe-
trated, TO give their assistance towards bring
ing to Justice Offenders, and preventing arepe'
tition oil me crimes, NO means within IN,
power VIII be spared TO obtain null and fail
investigation Oh alleged cfii' es, ana TO secure
eon',c'ion anu just p"nisnmen, OF Tue gniity'
"s 10 De ooserVeu 'hat 'he principal appro'
pfiation hlaae Tor 'he department OF Justice al
ne last session' ooh'"ineu 'he ioiiowne
ciause
| nu 'or aeitayins expenses which may DC
ihour,ca IN 'ne enforcement OIL 'he ac,appro'.
eu re''usI' 81, ,si' entitled an nc. 10 ai'ienc
n so' sr ~, May ",is.o' entitled an &c. .