Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-12-05
TIE rnIT,ru ERN oIrESTInG.


The permanent pacification of the country by the
complete protection of all citizens IL every civil
and political right, continues tOsDe of paramount
interest with the great body of our people. Every
step in this direction is welcomed with public APP
proyal and every interruption of steady and uni
form progress to the desired conSummatiou
awakcns general uneasinesS and widespread con-
have furnished direct and trustworthy test of the
advance thus far made in the practical establish
ment of the right of suffrage, secured by the con-
sutution TO the liberated race in the south
CTn states. All disturbing influences real
or Imaginary had been removed from all of these
states. The constitutional amendments, which con-
ferred freedom and equality of civil and political
rights upon the colored people of the South were
adopted by tic concurrent action of the great body
of good citizen who maintained the authority of nat
tunal government and the integrity ana perpetuity
OF the union at such cost OF treasure and life, as
wise and necessary embodiment i'll the organic law Of
the just results of the The people Of the former
Slave holding states accepted these results and gave
in every practicable form assurance that the 18th,
l4th and 10Th amendments and laws passed in pur-
thereof should, ia good iah be enforced rig
IDLY and mpartiaily, in letter and spirit the end
that the humblest citizen without distinction OF
race color, should, under them, receive full and
equ protection in person and property and in po-
htical rights and privileges By these constitutional
amendments the southern section OF the union OBJ
tanned large increase of political power in congress
aud i'll the electoral college, and the country justly
pected that elections would proceed TO the
frjnchised upon the conditions of legal and
constitutional freedom and protection which obtained
all Olher states of the union. The friends of
and order looked forward to the conduct of these
elections Offering to the general udgm, ut of the
country important to measure the
gree in which the right OF SIfrage could be exercised
By the cOlurcd people and would be respected by
their fellow citizens: but more general enjo} ment
OF freedom of suffrage 10y cOiored people and more
Just and generous protection of that freedom by the
communities of which they form part were general
ly anticipated than the record of the elections d.s
closes In some of these states i'll which the ColOred
people have been unable to make their opinions felt
in elections the result is mainly due to influences not
easily measured remedied 10y legal protection, but
in the states of Louisiana and South Carolina at
large and in particular congressional districts
outside of those states. the records of the elections
SEE compel the conclusion that the rights of the
Coored voters have been ovcrridden and their parIi
cipaton in the elections not permitted to be either
general or free. 1t will b, for the congress
for which these elections had to
make such examinations into. their conduct
as may be appropriate 10 determine the validity
of the claims of members to their seats. Mean
while it becomes the duty of the executive and
judicial departments OF the government, each in
its province 10 inquire into and punish violations
OF the laws of the United States which have oc-
CURED. l can but repeat what | said in this con
nectlon in my last message: that whatever au-
hority rests with me 10 this end shall not hesl-
tate 70 put forth, and am unwilling TO fOrego
renewed appeal to the legislatures, the courts,
the executive authorities, anu the people of the
states where these wrongs have been perpetrated,
to give their assistance towards bringing to jus
tiCe 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 appropri-
alton made for the department. of Justice at the
last session contained the following clause: "and
for defraying the expense which may be incurred
in the enforcement of the act approved February
rs, 1871, entitled an act to amend act approved
May 30th, 1870 entitled an act TO enforce the
rights of citizens of the United States to vote in
the several states of the I'M on and for other pur
poses, or any acts amendatory thereon or supple
mentary thereto 1t is the opinion OF the
attorney general that the expenses of these pro-
ceedings will largely exceed the amount which
was thus provided and rely confidently upon COT
rRS a n a
the executive department to cuIorcc the Iaws l
respectfully urge upon our attention that the con-
portant sense are Justly matter of political m
tercst and concern throughout the whole country.
Each state and every political party is entitled TO
a share of the power which Is conferred hy the
every citizen possessing the qualifications pre-
IS 9g &c oa n9t Of dh6 tha
exercise ofs.iiis power and the enjoyment Of this
fofmay to e the results Of sTage s Ee' viii
be accorded loyal and eheerfuly, and all the de-
of the popular viii thus expressed. No temporary
or administrative Interests of government, how
Of our people in the defense Of the primary lights
of cit zenShip they understand that the prOtec-
ton OF liberty requires the maintenance in full
rigor of the manly methods of free speech, free
press and free suffrage, and will sustain the full
which are framed TO preserve these ineStimable
states depend the protection afforded TO their
citizens; aE There There can be no peace without
peace, and the whole country is deeply interested
in the growth and prosperity of all its parts.
Whil9 the country has not yet reached compete
unity of feeling and reciprocal confidence be-
tween the communities so lately and so seriously
eStranged, 1 feel an absolute assurance that the
tendencies are in that direction, and with in
creasing force the power of public opinion will
override all political prejudices and all sectional
or state attachments in demanding that all over
our wide territory the name and character of a
citizen of the United States shall mean one and
the same thing, and carry With them unchallenged
security and respect.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
+ Our relations with other countries continue
peaceful; our neutrality in the contests between
foreign powers has been maintained and re-
SpeCTed.
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
The universal exposition held at Paris during
the past summer. has been attended % large num-
oers OF our citizens. The brief period allowed
Tor the appointment and arrangement of contri-
buttons OF cur citizens to this great exposition
was well employed in energetic aud iudiclous ef-
fHrts TO overcome this Disadvantage These eff
oItS, led md directed by the commissiouer-gep-
/ eral were remarkably suec essful and the exhi-
! btion of the products of American Industry was
1 credit4ble and gratifying in scope and Character
he reports of the u. s. commissioners giving
its results in deai, viii be duly laid before you
Our participation in this international competi-
tion for the favor and the trade of the world NAV
! be expected TO produce useful and important re-
| suits IN promoting intercourse, friendship and
| commerce with other nations.
THE INTERNATIONAL SILVER CONFERENCE.
In acc co-danee with the provisions of the act of