Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-12-06
The Message.

The annual message Of President
Hayes, submitted to Congress last
Monday, which we lay before our read
ers in the form of supplement with
this issue, is receiving unqualified praise
from every quarter. In point Of brevi-
ty and conciseness, it is a model state
paper. The President, evidently, has a
clear idea of what he wants to say. and
what is necessary to be said, upon the
several topics to which the attention of
Congress is called, and devotes no more
words than are necessary to convey his
ideas and recommendations clearly.
After brief introduction, the Prcsi-
dent refers to the yellow fever scourge,
and the action Of the executive branch
of the government relating to it, which,
though without warrant of law, he is
assured Congress will sanction. The
next subject to the consideration of
which Congress is invited, is the South
ern question The President alludes to
the protection of citizens in every civil
and political right, as question of par
amount interest not yet settled. He
speaks of the desire of the people for
an early settlement of these questions
on the basis of justice and equal rights,
and makes especial reference to the re-
cent elections in South Carolina and
Louisiana as deliberate and fragrant as
saults upon the political rights of the
colored citizens, secured to them by the
amendments to the Constitution, which
have been accepted by the people of
those States. He refers to the promises
given by the Governors of those
States, and to the disappointment with
which the friends of law and order wit
messed, in the last election, the violation
of those promises. He justly says that
these abuses call for the attention Of
Congress with view Of devising some
remedy, and renews the pledge hereto
fore given, that he will 60 to the full
limit of his authority to see that the
laws are executed and offenders brought
to punishment, To this end he asks an
appropriation of money to pay the ex-
penses of suits already brought against
parties concerned in violation of the
election laws, and to enable the Execu-
tive department to proceed with vigor,
to the vindication of justice. The key
note of this portion of the message is
found in the automatic sentence: 1t
is the right Of every citizen possessing
the qualifications prescribed by law to
cast one unintimidated ballot, and to
have his ballot honestly counted" and
it is to the assertion and upholding of
this right by all constitutional means,
that the President is, and always has
been, pledged.
Regarding the finances the President
is very brief, merely indicating that his
views are unchanged, and recommend
ing that Congress abstain from radical
legislation upon that subject. With
which sensible advice almost the whole
country will join. The President sus-
tains Secretary Schurz in his well direct
ed efforts to stay timber depredations on
the public lands, and makes some sug-
gestions regarding the care, government
and education of the Indian tribes.
Our foreign relations are described as
very satisfactory and the extension of
our foreign trade is alluded to in terms
Of qualification and pride.
The message bears evidence of the
honest purposes and patriotic impulses
of it's author, and will serve to deepen
the confidence felt by the people in his
desire to promote the peace, happiness
and prosperity of the whole country.