The Van Buren press., 1878-12-10

Louisiana HDu wv Joulu Nv "'1 - 1
some particular Congressional districts
outside of these States, the records OF
elections seem TO compel conclusion
that the rights of the colored voters have
been overridden. Their participation In
the election was not permitted TO he Ell
ther general or free.
1t will be for the Congress fur which |
these elections were held, TO make such
examination into their conduct az may be
appropriate to determine the validity OF
the claims of members to their seats. In
the meantime it becomes the duty OF The
executive and judicial departments OF
the government, each in its province 70
inquire into and punish violations oil the
laws OF the United States which have oc
Cured cannot but repeat Whist said
in this connection In my last message,
that whenever authority rests with me 70
this end, shall not hesitate to put forth,
and am unwilling to forego renewed
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 to.
wards bringing to Justice the offenders,
and preventing repetition Of the crimes.
No means within my power will be spared
to obtain i full and fair investigation VI
the alleged crimes. and to secure the con.
vic,ion and Just punishment Of the gull
". II is to be observed that the prnci
pal appropriations made for the depart
partment of justice 1t the last session.
contained the following clause: " And
for defraying the expenses which may be
| incurred in the enforcement OF the act,
approved February Is, 1871, entitled.
| An act TO amend an act approved May
| SO, 1870, entitled an act to enforce the
rights OF citizens Of the United States 70
vote In the several States Of the Union,
and for other purposes. 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 then provided, and !
urge, confidently, upon Congress to
make adequate appropriations to enable
the Executive Department to enforce tue
laws. respectfully urge upon your at
iention that the Congressional elections
in every district, in every important sense
are Justly matter Of political interest
and concern throughout the whole coun
try. Each State, and every political par.
ty 10 entitled to the share OF power which
is conferred BY the legal and constitu.
tional suffrage, and 1t is the right OF cve-
ry citizen possessing the qualifications
prescribed by law, to cast one untilnidat'
ed ballot, and to have his ballot honestly
cuuntrti. So long as tho exercise Of this
power and the enjoyment OF this right
are common and equal, practically ~
we'll as formally, submission to the re.
suits of the suffrage will be accorded
Loyalty and cheerfully, and all the de.
partments of the Government will feel
the true vigor of the popular will thus
expressed. No temporary or admins
trative interests of the Govern nent. how
ever urgent or weghty, will ever dis
place the zeal Of our people in the de-
tense Of the primary rights Of citizen
ship They understand that the protec-
ton of liberty requires the maintenance
in full vigor, of the manly methods OF
free speech, free press. and free suffrage,
and will sustain the full authority Of the
are framed to preserve these inestimable
rights. The material progress and wei.
fare of the States depend on the protcc.
ton afforded to their citizens. There
can be no peace without such protection,
no prosperity without peace, and the
whole country 10 deeply interested in the
growth and prosperity Of all Its parts.
While the country has not yet reached
complete unity of feeling and reciprocal
confidence between the communities so
lately and so seriously estrsnged, feel
an absolute assurance that the tendencies
are in that direction, and with increasing
force. The power Of public opiniop will
override all political prejudices, and oil
sectional or State attachments; and, in
demanding that, all over our wide terri
tory, the name and character of citizens
OF the United States shall mean one and
the same thing, and carry with them un-
challenged security and respect.
PARIS EXPOSITION.
Our relations with other countries |
continue peaceful. Our neutrality inter-
ests between foreign powers has been
maintained and respected The UDiver-
sal Exposition, held at Paris, during the
past summer has been attended by large
numbers Of our citizens. The brief Pc
riod allowed Tor the preparation and ar
rangement Of the contributions Of our
citizens to this great Exposition was well
employed in energetic and judicious ef |
forts TO overcome the disadvantage.
These efforts, led aud directed by the
Commissioner General, were remarkably
successful, and the exhibition OF the
products Of American industry was cred
table and gratifying in scope and char.
acter. The reports Of the United States
Commissioners, giving the results in de-
tail. will be duly laid before you Our
particpat on in this International compe'
tition for the favor and trade of the
world may be expected to produce useful
and important results in promoting in
tercourse, friendship and commerce with
other nations.
SILVER COMMISSION.
In accordance with the provisions Of
the act Of February, 1878, three com
missioncrs were appointed to an interna.
tional conference on the subject of ad-
op,ing common ratio between gold and
silver, for the purpose Of establishing
ipternati onally the use of bimetallic mo.