Nebraska advertiser., 1878-12-05


The forty-fifth Congress assembled
last Monday, and upon the fact being
communicated to the President, his
annual message was read by his pri-
vate Secretary. The message as a
whole, Is very statesmanlike in
character, and will be generally deem
ed satisfactory. His reference to the
outyages com mitted in some of the
southern states in the recent election
for members Of Congress is . strong
indication that he at last realizes that
he is the victim of misplaced conf
dence. He Gays: I'm the states of
Louisiana and South Carolina at
large, .snd In some particular con-
gressIonai districts outside of those
states, the records of the election
seem to compel the conclusion that
the rights Of the co!ored voters have
been overridden, and their participa-
ton in the elections not permitted to
be either general or free.n
The President then promises ::
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
all violations of the laws of the
United States which have oc-
Cured. 1 can but repeat what said
in this connection in my last message,
that whatever authority rests with me
to this end shall not hesitate to put
| forth, and / am unwilling TO feregG a
renewed appeal to the legislature. the
courts, the executive authorities and
the people of the states where these
wrongs have been perpetrated. to give
their assistance towards bringing 10
| justice these offenders and preventing
a repetition of the crimes. 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 just punishment OF the
guilty.
Regarding the rights of citizenship
and the purity of elections. his re-
marks are excellent. He says: 1t Is
the right of every citizen, possessing
the qualifications prescribed by law,
to cat one unintimidated ballot, and
to have his ballot honestly counted.
So long as the exercise of this power
and the enjoyment of this right are
common and equal, practically as vel
as formally, submission to results o
the suffrage will be accorded Loyalty
and cheerful'y, and all the depart
ments of the government will feel the
true vigor of the popular will thus ex
pressed. No temporary or admins
trative interests of the government
however urgent or weighty. will eve
displace the zeal of our people in th'
defence Of the primary rights of oiti
zenship. They understand that tht
protection of liberty requires th'
maintenance in full vigor of the man
ly methods of free speech. free press
and free suffrage, and will sustain tn,
full authority of the government Il
enforce the laws which are framed 4
preserve these inestimable rights
; The material progress and inf1uenc
OF the states depend OH the protec
ton offered to their citizens. Their
can be no such protection, no pros
perity vIthout peace. and the who'll
county Is deeply interested in tht
growth and prosperity ofall it's parts
While the country has not ye
reached a complete unity OF feeling
and reciprocal confidence between
the communities so lately and so seTi
ously estranged, I feel an absolute
assurance that the tendencies are il
that direction. and with increasing
force. The power of public opinion
will override all political prejudice
all sectional or state attachments, il
demanding that all over our wild,
territory the name and ch0racte
"Citizen Of the United States" shall
! mean one and the same thing AM
carry with them unchallenged securi
ty and respect.