New-York tribune., 1878-12-03
THE MESSAGE.

The Message of President Hayes is very
nlain document. Most of it Is a synopsis OF
the reports of the heads of departments, and
n reconciliation of the principal recOmmeDda-
tions made by them for the improve
ment of the service under their especial
care. Very little legislation is asked Tor
by the President, and no important
changes are advised in any branch OF the
administration, or in any hne of National pol
lev. An extension of the quarantine system
seems to him highly desirable in view OF me
events of the past fatal Summer, but this is III
the direction of a scheme already begun.
That portion of the Message which will pro-
woke debate consists of the few short and
temperate paragraphs in which Mr.. Hayes re-
fers Co the condition of the South He places
these paragraphs almost at the beginning OF
the Message, rightly judging that no topic
now demanding the attention OF Congress Is
comparable in gravity to the great question
of the purity of the suffrage and 1.-THE NAM
"tenance, in full vigor, of the manly meth
Gods of free speech, free press and
"free suffrage" alt is the right OF every
"citIzen, possessing the qualifications pre-
''scribed by law, to cast one unlntlmiuateu
"ballot. and to have his ballot honestly
Counted. So long as the exercise OF THIS
"power and the enjoyment OF this rlght are
reciprocal and equal, practically as well as
"formaly, submission to the results OF
"the suffrage will be accorded Loyalty
"and cheerfully, and all the depart
"ments of government Will feel the true vigor
:" of the popular will thus expressed. No tenn
"porary or administrative efforts of govern
wi
" displace the zeal of our people in defence
"of the primary rights of citizenship. {.
"The material progress and welfare oil the
States depend on the protection afforded 10
"their citizens. There can be no peace with
"out such protection, no prosperity wi'hout
neace. and the whole country is deeply IN
"terested IN the growth and prosperity OF all
{" its barts.n Nobody will gainsay these SIM
ple truths but many of US seem to have for
gotten them, and the President restates them
in good time.
In dealing with the Southern question he
d,scusses no variations of policy and senti-
ment, he spares reprOach, he writes not
word which could wound the pride oil
anv Southern citizen; but he tells the
truth without rag OF disguise. lhe
country expected that the Southern peo-
ple would keep their promises, and II
has been disappointed. 1t looked forward to
the elections of this year as test OF the sim
cerity of the BourbOns conversion, and 1t has
been driven to the conclusion that " in the
Estates of Louisiana and South Carolina
{" at large, and in some Congressional
" districts outside of those States, the
rights of the cOlored voters have been
"oyerrdden, and their participation In the
elections not permitted to be either general
cor freen The President reminds Congress
of its duty in determining the claims of the
members to their seats, and meanwhile he
announces that he shall spare no means within
his mower g" to obtain full and fair lnvest'-
" cation of the alleged crimes, and to secure
the conviction and just punishment of the
guilty." He asks nothing of Congress ex-
| cent an adequate appropriation IN the Depart
ment of Justice, " to enable the Executive
Department to enforce the laws"
We congratulate the country upon the firm
| stand the President has taken with respect to
| this vital matter. The Republican party will
sustain him in it with all its heart and all its
strength. The people of America, who know
| that free suffrage is the cornerstone OF
liberty, will stand by him to man. And If
the Democracy sees fit TO array itself against
us ON such an issne, we shall contemplate
| with satisfaction the certainty of its speedy
ruin.