Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-03
raeaday Evening, Dec. 3, Is7s.
u THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

NN .AAAA AN6RA06NA @ANAN" ~" II
The annual message of President
Hayes was read yesterday at the open
ing of the third session of the forty
fifth congress. We will give a resume
of the more important points. The
first subject touched upon after the
introduction is the yellow fever. The
interesting statement is made that
about one hundred thousand cases are
believed to have occurred, Of which
about 10000, according to intelligent
estimates, proved fatal. The pecuni-
airy loss to the country is only to be
reckoned by the hundred million of
dollars. Eighteen hundred tents and
rations to the value of $4,000 we're
sent to the cities and towns which APP
piled for them. The President con-
cludes on this subject by saying:
The fearful spread of this epidemsc has
awakened a very general public senti-
ment in favor Of national sanitary admin
istration, which shall not only control
quarantine, but have the sanitary super
vision of internal commerce in times Of
epidemics, and hold an advisory relation
to the State and municipal health author
tiles, with power to deal with whatever
endangers the public health, and which
the municipal and State authorities are
unable to regulate. The national quaraR-
tine act approved April %, 1878, which
was passed too late in the last session Of
congress to provide themeans for carrying
it into practical operation during the past
season, is a step in the direction here in
dictated. In view of the necessity for
the most effective measures, byquarantine
and otherwise, for the protection Of our
seaports and the country generally for this
and other epidemics, it IS recommended
that congress give TO the whole subject
early and careful consideration.
The state of affairs political and the
recent congressional elections in the
South next receive attention. This
section Of the message will be read
with the greatest interest everywhere.
as it is supposed to have some bearing
on the next Presidential election. 1t
will, perhaps, disappoint some Of the
more rabid and stalwart Republicans
yet can be made to DO service by
partisan leaders and papers. The
President assumes that manufactured
or greatly Exaggerated reports coming
through party channels are facts. In
this he reveals the lingering prejudices
and partisan feeling Of the politician.
If the laws have been violated IN any
part Of the country the offenders
should be punished, but a President
goes out of the way when he bases a
message or a part Of it upon a mere
ruhor which originated with defeated
candidates or mendacious politicians
Mr.. Hays says, in referring to South.
ern elections:
The friends of law and order looked for
ward to tie conduct Of these elections a
offering to the general judgment of thu
country an important opportunity L
measure the degree in which the rights o
suffrage could be exercised by the coloreC
people, and would be respected by thei
fellow-citizens; but a more general enjoy
ment Of freedom Of suffrage by the coloret
people, and a more just and generou
PROTECTION Of that freedom by the commu
mites Of which they forma part, werl
generally anticipated than the record 0
the elections d~iscloses. In some of thos
States in which the colored people hay
been unable 10 make their opinions felt j
the elections. the result is mainly due t
influences not easily measured or remC
died by legal protection; but 10 the State
of Louisiana and South Carolina at largI
and in some particular congressional d.
tricts outside Of those States, the record
Of the election. seem to compel the conelt
sion that the rights Of the colored vote
have been oyerridden, and their particip,
ton in the elections not permitted to /
either general or free.
1t will be for the congress for Whic
these elections were held tomake such e.
aminations into their conduct as may |
appropriate to determine the validity
the claims Of members 10 their seats. |
the meanwhile II becomes the duty of Il
executive and judicial departments Of Il
government, each, in its province, to II
duire into and punish violations Of III
laws Of the United States, which hay
occurred. / can but repeat what | said
this connection in my last message, tn
whatever authority rests with me to Il
end ! shall not hesitate to put forth, and
am unwilling to forego a renewed appc
to the legislatures, the courts, the exec
tive authorities and the people Of t
States where these wrongs have been pc
petrated, to give their assistance iowa
bringing TO justice the offenders and pl
venting a repetition of the crimes. !
means within my power will be spared
obtain a full and fair inveStigation Of /
alleged crimes, and TO secure the conyi
tion and Just punishment Of the guilty.
respectfully urge upon your attentl
that the congressional elections, IN eve
district. JIM a very important sense,
;ustlv a matter of political interest a
concern throughout the whole COUNT
zach State, every political party, Is
,ifled 10 the share Of power which is GO
,erved bv the legal and constitutional 81
fsare. II is the right Of every .eitiz'
noe2estine the qualifications prescribed
~. Al cest one unintimidated ballot, a.
~ have his ballot honestly counted.
- mo e~xereise of this power and I
enieyment Of this right are common a