The Columbus journal., 1878-12-11

colored people and would be res
pected by their fellow citizens; but
more general enjoyment of free
dom of suffrage by the colored peo-
pie, and a more just and generous
protection of that freedom by the
communities of which they form a
part, were generally anticipated
than the record of the elections dis.
closes. In some of those States in
which the colored people have been
unable to make their opinions felt
in the elections, the result is mainly
due TO influences not easily measur-
ed or remedied by legal protection
but in the States of Louisiana and
South Carolina at large, and 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 i'm the elec-
tions not permitted to be either gen.
eral or free.
1t 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 authority rests with me to
this end | shall not hesitate to put
forth, and | am unwilling to fOrego
a arenewed appeal to the Legislatures,
the courts, the Executive authorities
and the people of the States where
these wrongs have been perpetrated,
TO give their assistance toward
bringing to justice the offenders and
preventinga a repetition of the crimes.
No means within my power will be
spared to obtain full and fair in
vestigation of the alleged crimes,
and TO secure the conviction and
just punishment of the guilty.
1t is to be observed that the prin-
cipal appropriation made for the
Department of Justice at the last
session contained the following
clause: "And for defraying the ex-
penses which may be incurred in
the enforcement of the act approved
Feb. q, 1878, entitled AN act to
amend an act approved May 30.
1870, entitled An act to enforce the
rights of citizens of the United
States 10 vote in the several States
of the Union, and for other purpo-
ses,' or any acts amendatory thereof
or supplementary thereto"
1t is the opinion of the Attorney
General that the expenses of these
proceedings will largely exceed the
amount which was thus provided,
and L rely confidently upon Con-
gress to make adequate appropria-
tions to enable the Executive De-
partment to enforce the laws.
l respectfully urge upon your
attention that the Congressional
elections, in every district, in very
important sense, are justly a matter
of political interest and concern
throughout the whole country.
Each State, every political party, is
entitled to the share of power which
is conferred by the legal and Con-
stitulional suffrage. 1t is the right
of every citizen, possessing the quail
ifications prescribed by law, to cast
one unintimidated ballot land TO have
his ballot honestly counted. So long
as the exercise of this power and
the enjoyment of this right are COM
mon and equal, practically as well
as formally, submission to the re-
suits of the suffrage will be accord
ed loyalty and cheerfully, and all
departments of Government will
feel the true vigor of the popular
will thus expressed. No temporary
or administrative interests of Gov
ernment, however urgent or weighty,
will ever displace the zeal of our
people in defense of the primary
rights of citizenship. They under
stand that the protection of liberty
requires the maintenance, i'm full
vigUr, of the manly y methods of free
speech, free press, and free suffrage,
and will sustain the full authority
Of Government to enforce the laws
which are framed to preserve these
inestimable rights. The material
progress and welfare of the States
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
i'll the growth and prosperity of all
its parts.
While the country has not vet
reached complete unity of feeling
and reciprocal confidence between
the communities SO lately and so
seriously estranged, | feel an abso-
lutte assurance that the tendencies
are in that direction, and with in
creasing force. The power of pub
lie opinion will override all polit-
ical prejudices, and all sectional or
State attachments. in demanding
that all over our wide territory the
name and character of citizen of the
United States shall mean one and
the same thing, and carry with them
unchallenged security and respect.
The remainder of the message has
not attracted particular attention,
and is mostly local in its character,
excepting what the President has
to say on
FINANCE.
The ordinary revenues from oil
sources for the fiscal year which
ended on June 30th, 1873. were
1851, ,763, $3.50; the ordinary ex-
penditures for the same period were
1896, 964, 326 80. leaving surplus
revenue for the year of $40, 799, ,55l 80.
The amount of the public debt, less
cash in the treasury on November l,
1878, was $2,024, 2OOOS3.1S, a reduc-