The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-12-12
VALLEY YIRGLNIAN--

lue T6COEu Oa Cuo 0lcCtLOuB OlSClOS0S. III
some of those States in which the color
ed people have been unable to make
their opinions felt in the elections, the
result is mainly due to influences not
easily measured or remedied by legal
protection but In the Statas of Louisi-
ana and South Carolina at large, aud In
some particular congressional districts
outside of those States, the records of the
elections seem to compel the conclusion
that the rights of the colored voters have
been overridden. and their participation
in the elections not permitted to be 9TH
er general or free.
It will be for the Congress for which
these elections were held to make such
examinations into their conduct as may
be appropriate to determine the validity
of the claims of members to their seats.
In the meanwhile it becomes the duty
of the Executive and Judicial Depart
ments 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 this connection in
my last message, that whatever author
ity rests with me to this end snail not
hesitate to put forth, and I am unwill-
ing to forego renewed appeal to the
legislatures, the courts, the executive
authorities, and the people of the States
where these wrongs have been perpetrat-
ed, to give their assistance towards
bringing to justice the offenders and pre-
venting 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
appropriation made for the Department
of Justice at the last session contained
the following clause: "And for defray-
ing the expenses which msy be incurred
in the enforcement of the act approved
February %, 1871, entitled An act to
amend an act approved May 30, 1870,
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
thereof or supplementary thereto"
1t is the opinion of the Attorney Cen
eral that the expenses of these proceed
iDgs will largely exceed the amount
which was thus provided, and / rely
confidently upon Congress to make ad-
equate appropriations to enable the Ex-
ecutive Department to enforce the laws.
respectfully urge upon your attention
that the congressional elections, in ev-
cry district, in a very important sense,
are justly matter Of political interest
and concern throughout the whole coun-
try. Each State, every political party,
is entitled to the share Of power which
is conferred by the legal and constitu-
tional suffrage. It is the right of every
prescribed by law, to cast one unintimi-
dated ballot, and to have his ballot hon.
estly counted. So long as the exercise
of this power and the enjoyment of this
right are common and equal, practical
~ as well as formally, submission to the
results of the suffrage will be accorded
loyalty. and cheerfully, and all the de-
partments of Government will feel the
true vigor of the popular will thus ex-
pressed. No temporary or administra-
tive interests Of Government, however
urgent or wefghty, will ever displace the
zeal of our people in defence of the
primary rights of citizenship. They I'M
derstand that the protection of liberty
requires the maintenance, In full vigor,
of the manly:methods of free speech, free
the full authority Of Government to en-
force the laws which are framed to pre-
serve these inestimable rights. The
material progress and welfare of the
State depend on the 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
prosperity of all its parts.
While the country has not yet reach
ed complete unity Of feeling and recip-
rOcal confidence between the commune
ties SO lately and so seriously estranged,
l feel and absolute assurance that the
tendencies are in that direction, and
with increasing force. The power of
public opinion will override all political
prejudices, and all sectional or State at
tachments, in demanding that all over
our wide territory the name and charac.
ter of citizen of the United States shall
mean one and the same thing and carry
with them unchallenged security and
respect.
Our relations with other countries con-
tinue peaceful. Our neutrality in con-
tests between foreign powers has been
maintained and respected.
The Universal Exposition held at
Paris during the past summer has been
attended by large numbers of our citi~
zens. The brief period allowed for the
preparation and arrangement of the
contributions of our citizens to this great
Exposition was well employed in enere
getic and judicious efforts to overcom-
this disadvantage. These efforts, led
and directed by the Commissioner Gen.
eral, were remarkably successful, and
the exhibition of the products of Ameri-
can industry was creditable and gratify-
ing in scope and character. The reports
of the United States commissioners, Civ
ing Its results In detail, will he duly laid
before you. Our participation in this
international competition for the favor
and the trade of the world may be ex-
pected to produce useful and important
results, in promoting intercourse, friend
ship. and commerce with other nations.
I anaardo NTH