Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-12-02

snt opportunity to, measure The degree in
which the right Of suffrage could be exer.
cisco Nv the colored people and would he
rsspet ted by their fellow citizens. But the
more general enjoyment of the freedom of
euataRe oy The col0red people and the ius,
ana generous protection of that freedom bv
communities Of which they form
part we're more generally anticipated
1han tho record Of elections disclose
In 90 me of those states in which colured
people have been unable to make their opin-
IONS felt in elections, their result il mainly
due to itttueuces not easily measured OF
remedied by.legal protection, but in tue
states OF Louisiana and South Carolina at
large, ana in some particular congressional
d!stricts outside Of those states the records
OF elections seem to compel the conclusion
that the
RIGHTS OF THE co1oRED VOTERS
have been overridden and their psrticipa.
tlon IN elections not permitted to be either
general or free. 1t will be for con-
greas. for which these elections were
held, to make much 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 departments Of the government.
saci, in:ita province, to inquire into ri 4
punish violations Of the laws Of the United
States whibh have occurred. l can but re-
peat what said in this connection in nv
last message, that whatever authority rests
with me to this end shall not hesitate 10
put forth, and am unwilling to forego a
renewed appeal 10 the legit latures, the courts,
the executive authorities and the people OF
the etates where these wrongs have been
perpetrated, to give their assistance
towards bringing to justice the offenders
and preventing repetition Of the crimes.
No means within my power will be spared
to obtain a full and fair investigation of
alleged crimes and secure.,he conviction aud
|just eae H.., tias ;
r. PUSIsHMENT OF THE GUILTY. ae
1t is to be observed that the principal
appropriation, made for the department oi
justice at the last session contained the fol.
lowing claims: ( ] -
"And for defraying expenses which may
be incurred in the enforcement of the acl
approved February f2sth, 4 1871, entitled an
act TO amend an act approved May 30th,
1870, entitled an act to enforce therishts
of citizens IL the Uniteds States to Sdte in
the several states Of the union and for other
purposes or any acts -amendatory thereof, OF
supplementary thereto."
1t is the opinion oflths attorney general
that the expenses of these proceedings will
largely exceed the amount which was thus
provided, and rely confidently on con sress
to make adequate appropriations, 10. go able
the executives department 10 .enferce f,he
laws. respectfully urge on your attention
that congressional eleclfons in every disiric,
in very important sense are Justly a mat.
ter Of politiesl interest and concern
Throughout the whole country, each state
and every political garty is. entitled to the
share Of power which Is conferred by legal
and constitutional suffrage. 1t ia the right
Of every citizen possesaing the qualifications
prescribed BY laF o east q :.
.ls ONE uNIErtsllDATI D BALLOT
and to have his ballot honestly oounted
So long as the exercise Of this power and
the enjoyment Of ,his,risht are common and
equal. practically a. we'll as formslly, sub.
mission to results of the suffrage will be
accorded legally aud chcerlsuy and all the
departments Of the Royernhn nj villsleei the
true 'vigor Of the popular will thus express.
ed.
No temporary or administrative interests
OF the govern men, however urgent or weigh
~, will ever aisplace the zeal Of our people
intAe defsncsof their primary right 10 cit
izenship. They understasd that protection
vigor, Of the manly methods-free speech,
free press and freg'sunnge and will sus-
tain the full authority Of the government
10 enforce the Laws which are framed 10
preserve the inestimable rights. The ma
terial progress and welfare Of the states
depend on the protection .afforded-to their
llcitizens. There can bs no peAcS wttheu,
such protection, no property without peace
and the whole country is deeply interested
10 the krowthsndprosper1ty Of all its parts
Tho whole country has not yet reached q
complete -uiitvsAl feeling aud reciprocal
confidence. Between the communities 50
lately and 80 seriously estranged
feel an absolute assurance that
the tendencies are in this direction and with
Increasing force. The power Of public opin.
ion will override all prejudices, and all sec.
tional or state. attachments in demanding
that all over our wide territory the name
ald character Of, f,cilisen of the United State.
shall mean one. and the same thing, and
carfy with Them uRchallenged security and
respect.
I o.
Our relations. With other countries con
tinus ps3ceEoE Our neutrality in contests
between foreign powers has been maintained
and respected. ..r. =, .ge;:s
The universal exposition held at Paril
during the past summer has beer
attopded BY large numbers- Of our citizens
The briefperiod allowed for the prepartior
and arrangement of.the contributions of oul
citizens to this great exposition was vel
employed with energetic and judicious ef
forts 10 overcome this disadvantage. Thes,
efforts, led and directed by the commissions
general, were successful and the exhiL tiol
ofths prcductS ~offAnericas industry VA
creditable and gratifying in its scope ans
character. The reports Of the United State
commissioner, giving sitss reaults. insdetail
will be laid before you. Our participant
in this international competitieu nor The q
vor aud the trade OF world may be expecte,
to produce useful and important results ii
promoting thsl6scrcohrss oftrtstdship an,
commerce wilh'other nations.
II SfaE slEvER lCoNrERENCE.
r. .,ss III ~ - 81