Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-12-19
BOZEMAN MONTANA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 49, 1878.

amendments and laws passed in pursuance
thereof should, in good faith. be enforced
rigidly and impartially in letter and spirit
to the end that the humblest citizen. with
out distinction to race or color, should,
under them. receive full and equal protec-
ton in person and property and in political
rights and privileges. BY these constitll-
tional amendments, the increase of political
power IN Congress. and the electoral col
lege, the country justly expected that the
elections would proceed, as to the enfran-
chised race. upon the same circumstances
of legal and constitutional freedom and
protection which is obtained in all other
States in the Union. The friends of law
and order looked forward to the conduct
Of these elections as offering, to the general
Judgment of the country, an important
opportunity to measure the degree in
which the right of suffrage could be exer-
cised by the colored people and would be
respected by their fellow citizens. But a
more general enjoyment of the freedom of
suffrage by the colored people. and TIE
more just and generous protection Of that
freedom by communities OF which they
form part. were generally anticipated
than the election record discloses. In some
States the colored people have been unable
to make their opinions felt in the election.
This result is mainly due to influences not
iAH " IQr
tection But in the States Of Louisiana
and South Carolina at large. and in some
particular Congressional districts outside
of these States. the record Of elections
seems to compel the conclusion that the
rights of the colored voters have been over
ridden. and their participation in elections
not permitted to be either general or free.
1t will be for Congress, for which these
elections are held. to make such eXamina-
tons into their conduct rs may be apprO-
pirate to determine tie validity of the
claims of members to their seats. In the
meanwhile it becomes the duty of the En-
ecutive and Judicial departments of the
Government. each in its province, to in
quire into and punish the violations OF the
laws Of United States which have occurred.
can but repeat what said in this connec-
ton in my last message. that whatever att
thOrity rests upon me. to this end shall
not hesitate TO put forth. and am unwill-
ing to forego the renewed appeal to the
legislature. courts. the executive authOri-
ties. and the peOp;e of the States where
these wrongs have been perpetrated, to
give their assistance toward bringing to
Justice the offenders. and preventing 4
repetition of the crime. No means within
my power will be spared to obtain a full
and fair investigation OF the alleged crimes.
and to secure the conviction and lust pun
ishment OF the guilty.
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF VOTERS.
! 1t is TO be observed that the principal ap-
preparation made for the Dey artment OF
Justice. at the last session. contained the
following cla,ls.c: 'And for defraying the
expenses which may be incurred in the en-
forcement Of the act approved Feb. 2sth,
1871. entitled An act to enforce the rights
of citizens of the United States to vote in
the several States of the Union. and for
other purposes, or any acts amendatOry OF
supplementary thereto 1t is the opin-
ion of the Attorney General that the ex-
pcnses of these proceedings will largely
exceed the amount which was thus pro-
vided. and rely confidently upon Con-
gress to make adequate appropriations to
en- lble the executive department to enforce
the laws. respectfully urge upon your
attention that the Congressional elections
in every district. in an important sense, are
Justly matters fpolitical interest and con.
cern throughout the whole country. In
each State every political party is entitled
| to the share of power which is conferred
by legal and constitutional suffrage 1t is
the right of every citizen. possessing the
qualifications prescribed by law. to cast one
unintimidated ballot, and to have his bal
lot honestly counted. So long us the ex-
ercise of this power and enjoyment of this
right are common and equal, practically as
well as formally. submission to the results
of the suffrage will be accorded Loyalty and
cheerfnlly, and all the departments of the
Government will feel the true vigOr of the
popular will thus expressed. No tempo
;ary or administrative interests of the Gov
ernment, however urgent or weighty. will
ever displace the zeal of our people in the
defense of the primary rights of citizen
ship. They understand that protection OF
liberty requires the maintenance in full
vigor, of the manly methods of tree speech
free press and free suffrage, and will sus-
tain the full authority of the Government
to enforce tie laws which are framed to
preserve these inestimable rights. The
material progress and welfare Of the States
depend on the law of protection afforded
to their citizens. There can be no peace
without such protection; no prosperity
without peace, and the whole country is
deeply interested in the growth and pros.
perity of all its parts. While the country
has nOtreached a cOmpleteApity OF feeling
and a reciprocal confidence between the
communities SO lately and so seriously es-
tranged. | feel an absolute assurance that
the tendencies are in that direction, and
| WIFI PO"OA ~ PssoAA>
opinion will override all political prejudice
and al! sectional or State attachments, in
de,lai,aing, all over our wide territory,
that the name and character of a citizen OF
the United States shall mean one and the
same thing. and carry with them security
and respect.
| PEACEFUL RELATIONS.
| Our relations with other countries con-
tinue peaceful. Our neutrality in contests
between foreign powers has been main
tained and respected.
PARIS EXPOSITION.
The Universal Exposition held at Paris
during the past summer has been attended
by large numbers of our citizens. The
| brief period allowed for the preparation
and arrangement Of the contributions Of
our citizens to this Exposition was well
employed in energetic and judici0us efforts
to overcome this disadvantage. These ef
torts, led and directed by the Commission.
er, were remarkably successful, and the
Exhibition OF the products of American In
dustry was cretlitable and gratifying In
| scone and character. The reDOrt Of thu