The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-12-06


whatever endangers the public health. and which
the municipal and state authorities are unable 10
regulate. The National Quarantine act. approved
April ~. 1875 which was passed too late in the last
session of Congress TO provide the means for carry
ing IL into practical operation during the past sea
son. j. step in the direction here indicated. In
view of the necessity for the most effective meas
ures 10y quarantine and otherwise. for the protec
ton Of our seaports and the country generally.
from ills and other epidemics. il is recommended
that Congress give 70 the whole subject early and
careful consideration.
The south.
The permanent pacihcati0n OF the country by the
complete protection OF all citizens in every civil
and political right continues 10 be Of paramount
interest with the great body of our people Every
step in this direction is welcomed with public APP
proval. and every interruption of steady and uni
form progress to the desired contamination awak-
ems general uneasiness and widespread condemna-
ton. The recent Congressional elections have fur
nished direct and trustworthy test OF the advance
thus far made in the practical establishment of the
right of suffrage. secured 10y the constitution To the
liberated race in the Southern states. All disturb
ING influences real or imaginary. had been removed
from all of these States.
Tlc three constitutional amendments. which con-
fcrrcd freedom and equality Of civil and political
rights upon the people of the South. were adopted
10y the concurrent action of the great body of good
citizens who maintained the authority OF the Ma
uonal Government and the integrity and perpetuity
of the Union at such cost Of treasure and fe as
wise ana necessary embodiment in the organic law
OF the Just results OF the war. The people of the
former slaNehOulng states accepted these results.
aud gave. in every practicable sorm. assurances
that the Thirteenth. Fourteenth and Fifteenth
amendments. and laws passedm pursuance thereof,
should. in good faith be enforced. rigidly and im-
partially. il letter and spirit. to the end that the
humb!cst citizen. without distinction OF race or
color should under them. receive full and
equal protection IN person and property and in po-
liucal rights and privileges. by these constitu-
tonal amendments the Southern section of the
Union obtained a large increase of political power
in Congress and in the Electoral College. and the
ef.1 luf gfa IL
coed. as To the entranchised race. upon the same
circumstances of legal and constitutional freedom
and protection which obtained in all the other
States OF the Union. The friends cf law and order
looked forward 10 the conduct OF these elections as
Offering 10 the general Judgment of the country an
important opportunity TO measure the degree in
which the right of suffrage could be exercised by the
colorcd people. and would be respected by their
fellow-citzens: but more general enjoyment of
freedom of suffrage by the colored people. and
more Just and generous protection of that freedom
by the communities of which they form part
were generally anticipated than the record of the
elections discloses. In some of those States in
which the coorcd people lave been unable TO make
thcir opinions felt in the elections the result is
mainly due to influences not easily measured or
rehedled by legal protection; but in the States OF
Louisiana and South Carolina at large and in some
particular Congressional districts outside of those
States, the records Of the elections seem 10 compel
e conclusion that the rights of the colorcd voters
nave been overridden and their participation in
free.
1t will be for the Congress for which these cleo
uons were held to make such examinations into
thclr conduct as may be appropriate 10 determine
the validity of the claims of members to their seats
In the meanwhile il becomes the duty of the Exec
utive and gudcial Departments of the Government,
each IN Its province, TO inquire into and punish
violations of the laws Of the United States which
have occurred. can but repeat what / said in
TINS connection in my last message. that whatever
authority rests with me to this end shall not hest
tate to put forth, and am unwilling to forego
renewed appeal TO the Legislatures. the
courts, the executive authorities, and the people of
the States where these wrongs have been per-
petraed. to give their assistance toward bringing to
Justice the offenders and preventing repetition of
the crimes. No means within my power will be
spared to obtain full and fair investigation of the
alleged crimes. and TO secure the conviction and
Just punishment of the guilty.
1t is TO be observed that the principal appropria-
ton made for the Department OF Justice al the last
session contained the following clause: And for
deiraying the expenses which may be incurred in
the enforcement of the act approved Feb. IS
1871. entitled, An act &c amend an act APP
proved May 30. 1S1C. entitled an act to en-
force the rights of citizens Of the United States 10
vote in the several States of the Unon and for
other purposes. or any acts amendatory thereof or
supplementary thereto"
1t is the opinion OF the Attorney Genercl that the
expenses OF these proceedings will largely exceed
rely confidently upon Congress 20 make adequate
appropriations TO enable the Executive Department
to enforce the laws.
Congressional Elections.
respectfully urge upon your attention that the
congressional elections. in every district in a very
important sense. are Justly matter OF political in
tercst and concern throughout the whole country.
Each state every political party is entitled to the
snare of power which is conferred by the legal and
constitutional suffrage. 10 is the right of every
citlzel. possessing the qualifications prescribed by
law: 70 cast one unintimidated ballot and 10 have
ms ballot honestly counted So long the exercise
OF TINS power and the enjoyment OF this right are
common and equal. practically we'll formally.
suplnlsslon 70 the results OF the suffrage will
De accorded Loyalty and cheerully. and all
the departments Of Government will feel
tne true vgor OF the popular will thus expressed.
NO temporary or administrative interests Of the
government, however urgent or weighty. will ever
MISPLACE the zeal OF our people in defense of the
primary rights OF citizenship. They understand
at the protection of liberty requires the mainten-
aice IN full vigor II the manly methods Of free
speech tfce press. and free suffrage and will sus-
.aih the tull authority of the Government TO enforce
ulc laws which are framed ~ preserve these in
Ssuhapie rights. The material progress and well |
mr. OF tic states depend the protection afforded
~ thelr cltzeAs. There Ice no peace without |
su'h proiecuon. no prosperity without peace and
.n' Whole country Is deeply Interested I'm the |
sr ,, and Prosperity Of all its parts.
Nflle Tue country has not vet reached coinrlcte |
unity on feeling and reciprocal confidence between
'ne communities so lately and so seriously |
,StmFeuei feel an absolute assurance that the |
Vh'ehclcs arr IN that direction. and with increas-
w ivrec. Inc power Of public opinion viii over
riu" az pohtica rreudccs. and all sectional or /
stare attachments. in demanding that all over our
VIZ terfitary the name and character ~ citizen Of