Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-03


equal. practically as we'll as formally, sub
mission to the results of the suffrage will
be accorded loyalty and cheerfully, and
all the departments of government will
feel the true vigDr Of the popular will
thus expressed. No temporary or ad-
ministrative interests of government, how
ever urgent or weighty, will ever displace
the zeal of our people in defense of
the primary rights of citizenship.
They understand that the protection Of
liberty requires the maintenance, in tuil
Yigor, Of the many methods offree speech,
free press, and free suffrage, and will sus-
tain the full authority of government to
enforce the laws which are framed TO pre-
serve these inestimable rights. The ma
terial 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 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 estranged, | feel an
absolute a that the tendencies are
in that direction, and with increased force.
The power OF public opinion win override
all political prejudices, and all sectional or
State attachments, in demanding that all
oven our wide territory the name and
character of citizens Of the United States
shall mean one and the same thing, and
carry with them unchallenged security
and respect.
If the President could see both
sides Of the question he might at least
have called attention to the fact that
in most of the Southern States a per-
feet understanding and the utmost
harmony prevail between the white
and colored people, In Mississippi,
for instance, there are congressional
districts overwhelmingly colOred,
where no violence or disturbance
whatever was reported, and yet Demo
Gratis were returned to congress. Gen
eral Chalmers, one of the reelected
was not even in his district during the
canvass, being sick in Louisville, KY
The President lends himself to party
uses when he seeks to make politica
capital out of two or three ALLEGED
election disturbances, and yet passe
in silence over the indisputable fac
that the great body of the people il
the South are at peace-are on goo,
, terms with each other, and as the gen
/ eral rule, law-abiding, and quietl
t pursuing the ordinary ayocations {
life.
9 In reading over the other portion
f of the message nothing of special sig
| nifcance or Importance strikes tn
e mind. The following allusion is mad
: to the Mexican question in avery CON
= mendable spirit:
Since the resumption Of diplomatic r,
lations with Mexico, correspondence h,
/ been opened and still continues betwee
I the two governments upon the varioI
\ questions which at n time seemed to Ell
danger their relations. While no formi
: agreement has been reached as to Il
I troubles on the border, much has bee
I done to repress and diminish them. II
: effective force Of United States troops O
/ the Rio Grande, by a strict and faithfl
compliance with instructions, has doI
7 much to remove the sources of disput
4 and it is now understood that a like for
e Of Mexican troops on the other side of Il
!, river is also making an energetic NOV
ment against the marauding Indian trib'
p This government looks with the create
satisfaction upon every evidence
y strength in the national authority Of Me
y leo, and upon every effort put forth
= prevent or to punish iucursions up,
Il our territory. Reluctant to assur
- any action or attitude in the control
these incursions, by military moveme1
across the border, not imperatively d
le manded for the protection Of the lives al
10 property Of our " citizens, / shall Ia
:. the earliest opportunity, consistent wi
Is the proper discharge Of this plain duty,
Id recognize the ability Of the Mexican 20
eminent to restrain effectively v~iolatio
g of our Territory. 1t is proposed to he
lg next year an international exhibition
Mexico, and it is believed that the displ
of the agricultural and manufacture
products Of the two nations will tend
better understanding and increased co
mercial intercourse between their peopl