Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-12-07

TIC average OI Such documents, vet
comprehensive enough to give in re-
sumo all the important operations of
government for the year, and to express,
with tact and firmness admirably min
gled, the very positive opinions which
the President has as to his duty in con-
nection with some leading questions
that seem to him to affect the common
welfare.
After an expression of gratitude to
the Divine Being tor countless III sings
bestowed upon our country, the Presi-
dent rapidly sketches the history of the
yellow fever epidemic, and of the boun-
ties it sci flowing lie claims that this
peslilence has awakened "a very gener-
al public sentiment in favor of national
sanitary administration, which shall not
only control quarantine, but have the
sanitary supervision Of internal COM
merce in times of epidemics, and hold
an advisory relation 20 the State and
municipal health authorities, with pow
er TO deal with whatever endangels the
public health and which the municipal
and State authorities are unable to reg
ulate." The quarantine act of last April
was step in this direction, but the
President thinks that it does not 90 far
enough, aud recommends Congress TO
give the suject early and careful consid-
Grafton.
The President insists that the perma-
nent pacifcalion of the country, with
the protection of all citizens in all polit-
ical rights under the constitution and
its amendments, ''coulinues to be of
paramount interest with the great body
of tie people" and that in this view of
the case the recent congressional cleo
tons have not been satisfactory. He
regards the acceptance of the amend
ments and the increased representation
/ given 10 the South, with tie reconstruc-
ton of those States and their restoration
TO civil government, as being in the ma
/ ture of compromise, which each party
is bound to observe in good faith. He
contends that the colored people otsome
! Of the States have been practically de-
priycd of the right of suffrage, and that
this is violation of the supposed com
pact. In the States of South Carolina
and Louisiana, lie says, "and in some
particular congressional districts outside
of those States, the records of tn cleo
ton seem to compel the conclusion that
the rights of the colorcd voters have
been overridden and their participation
in the elections not permitted to be
either general or free" The President
does not state upon what evidence he
makes these sweeping charges--in fact
he saws that the next Congress will
have il in hand to investigate these very
elections-but he declares it as the duty
and purpose of the executive and .judici-
ary to inquire into and punish such VIC
/ laions Of the law as have occurred. This
every right thinking person in the coun-
try will admit n thing can be more
true than that, as he saws, ''there can be
no peace without protection of citizens
in their rights, no prosperity without
peace, aud the whole country is deeply
interested in the growth and prosperity
of all its parts" Mr.. Hayes, however,
expresses his "abSolu,e assurance" that
this peace and prosperity are not remote.
Our country is on terms OF amlty with
all the world, and has kept its neutrality
strictly in late conflicts between foreign
States In spite OF hasty preparation
the United States made most cred!ta-
Die display at the Paris exposition, and
useful aud important results are promis-
ed from the impressions made by our
goods upon foreigners.
The President briefly recites the fail
ure of the international silver conference
proposed by this country, the only out
come of which was the general concIu-
sion that it was necessary to maintain
in the world the monetary functions of
silver as well as gold" he also notes the
payment, under protest, the Halifax
| award, the restoration of peace in Cuba
and the progress made towads the sat
isfacion of claims pressed by American
citizens tor injuries suffered during the
long war in that island. Nothing else
of importance is to chronicle in our Eu-
ropean relations The striking advance
made by Japan on the road to civiliza
ton is commented upon, and the need
of new commercial treaty with that
empire urged. The establishment of
the Chinese embassy at Washington is
thought to be advantageous to both
peoples; and the treaty with Samoa, Civ
ing us a new port on the Pacific, is an
nounced as ratified.
The President regards our present re-
lations with Mexico as full of good au-
guries of speedy, effectual and perma-
nent removal of all causes of unpleasant
ness between ourselves and that repub
lie. With Central and South America
our associations are stated to be entire
ly friendly and satisfactory.
The message contains rather copi-
Gus abstract of the report of the Sec
rotary of the Treasury, and states the
Presidents concurrence in all the secre-
tary's recommendations and particular
,ly that which suggests the issue of GER
tifcates Of deposits of the denomination
OF ten dollars, bearing interest at the
rate of 3.65 per cent, and convertible
into per cent. bonds. He counsels
abstention from all disturbing financial
legislation for year, so as TO give re-
sumption fair trial, and expresses his
entire confidence that it can and will be
maintained
The report Of the Secretary of War
shows, the President saws. that The army