The New York herald., 1878-12-03
The PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Conservative Utterances in Regard
to the South.
INVESTIGATION or ABUSES SUGGESTED
Recommendations Growing Out Of
the Recent Epidemic,
OUR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS
Detailed Statement Of the Operations Of
the Treasury Department.
Changes in Existing Financial
Legislation Opposed.
THE ARMY AND THE NAVY.
Our Moral Duty Toward the
Abcrigines.
AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION
Detailed Statement of the Operations Of
the Treasury Department.
Changes in Existing Financial
Legislation Opposed.
THE ARMY AND THE NAVY.
Our Moral Duty Toward the
Abcrigines.
AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION

AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION.
WASHINGTON, Dec 2. 1878.
The following is the Presidents Message forwarded
to the two houses Of Congress to-day
FELLOW CITIZENS THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REP
nEsESrATTvEs:
Our heartfelt gratitude is due to the Divine Being
who holds in His hands the dcstinics OF nations for
the continued bcstowal during the last year of count
less blessings upon country We at peace with
all other nations. Our public credit has greatly i'm
proved and is perhaps stronger than before
Abundant harvests have rewarded the abors Of those
who till the soil, manufacturing industries are
revving and il is believed that general prosperity
which has been long anxiously looked for. is at
last within reach.
THE YELLOW FEVER.
The enjoyment of health by our people generally
has, however been interrupted during the past
by the prevalence Of fatal pestilence--the yellow
fcvcrin some portions of the Southern States.
ating emergency which called for prompt and ex-
traordinary measures OF relief. The disease ap-
pcared epidemic at New Orleans and at other
places tho Lower Mississippi soon after mid
summer. 1t was rapidly spread by fugitiyes from
the infected cities and towns, and did not disappear
until early in November. The States Of Louisiana
Mississippi and Tennessee have suffered severely.
About one hundred thousand cases sre believed to
have occurred Of which about twenty thousand. ac-
cordng to intelligent estimates proved fatal 1t is
impossible estimate with any approach to accuracy
the loss to the country occasoned by this epidemic
1t is to be rcckoned by the hundred millions OF dol
lars The suffering and desttution that resulted
cited the deepest sympathy in all parts Of the Unon
to the assistance OF the afflicted communities. voun
tsy contributions Of money snd supplies, in every
needed form, were speedily and generously furnished
Tho government sblc to respond in measure
to the call for help by providing tents medicines and
food for the sick and destitute the requisite direc
ions for the purpose being given. in tho confident
expectation that this action Of tho Executive would
receive tho sanction OF Congress. About eighteen
hundred tents and ratons OF the value of about
$4,000 sent to cities and towns which applied
for them. fun details of which win bc furnished to
Congress by the proper department
The fearful spread of this pestilcnce has awakened
very general public sentiment in favor OF national
sanitary administration. which shall not only con-
troll quarantine but have tho sanitary supervision of
internal in times OF epidemics and hold An
advisory relation to tho State and municipal health
authorities, with power to deal with whatever en-
dangers the public health. and which the muncipa,
and State authorities unable to regulate The
tionai quarantine act approved April %, 1s7s which
passed too late in the last session of Congress
provide the for carrying it into practical opera
tion during the past is step in the direction
here indicated In view of the necessity for the most
effective measures. by quarantine and otherwise, for
the protection of scaports and the country gen.
orally, from this and other epdemcs. il is recon-
mended Congress give the whole subject early
and careful consideration
THE EIxcT1oS SOUTH.
The permanent pacincation OF the country by the
complete protection Of NIL citizens in every civil and
political right continues TO be OF paramount interest
with the great body of our people. Every step In
this direction is welcomed with public approval. and
every interruption OF steady and uniform progress
the desired consummation sw7kens general uneasi
ness and widespread conden nation The recent Con-
elections hsvo furnished direct and trust
worthy test of tho advance thus far made in the prac
ticsl establishment of the right Of suffrage secured by
the constitution to the liberated in the Southern
States All disturbing influences. real or imaginary.
had been from al of these States. The three
constitutional amendments, which conferred freedom
and equality of civil and political rights upon the
colorcd people Of the South were adopted by the
current action Of the seat body of good citizens Who
maintained the authority of the nsonai government
and the integrity and perpctuty OF the Union At such
cost OF treasure and life. wise and necessary en-
boient ia the organic law OF the just results Of the
war. The people Of the former slsveholdng States
accepted these rcsrte and gave in every practicable
FORM assurances that the thirteenth. fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments and laws passed in pursuance
thereof should, in good faith. be enforced, rigidy
and mpartially in letter and spirit to the end that
the humblest citizen. without distinction Of or
color should under them receive full and equal pro-
nd in oh
and privileges. by these constitutional amend
nents the Southern section Of the Union OBJ
taincd . large increase OF political power in
Congress and in the Electoral College, and the
try justly expected that elections would proceed.
to the enfranchised race, upon the same circum-
stances Of legal and constitutional freedom and pro-
lection which obtsncd in all the other States Of the
Union Tho friends OF law and order looked forward
10 the conduct Of these elections offering 10 the
general Judgment of the country an important oppor.
tunity TO measure the degree in which the right OF
suffrage could be exercised by tho coored people aud
would be respected by their fellow citizens, but .
more general enjoyment OF freedom OF suffrage by
the colcrcd people and just aud generous pro-
lection Of that freedom by the communities Of which
they form part generally anticipated Than the
record Of the election discloses. In of those
States in which the colored people have been unable
10 make their opinions felt in the elections the re
suit ia mainly due to influences not easily measured
remeded by legal protecton 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 10 compel
! the conclusion that the rights Of the colorcd
| voters have been overridden and thor par
| ticipstion in the elections not permitted to bc
either general fce II will he for the Congress for
Awhich these elections were held 70 mako such exam.