Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-12-12

which obtained in all the other States of the
Union. The friends Of law and order looked
forward to the conduct of these elections, as
Offering to the general judgment of the coun'
try an opportunity to measure the degree IN
which the right of suffrage could be exercised
by the colored people, and would be respected
by their tellow.citizens; but more general
enjoyment of freedom of suffrage by the COL
ored people, and more just and generous
protection of that freedom by the communi-
ties of which they form part, were general
ly anticipated than the recent record of the
elections discloses. In some Of those States
in which the colored people have been unable
to make their opinions felt in the elections,
the result is mainly due to influences not easi'
ly measured or remedied by legal protection !;
but in the States of Louisiana and South Car
olina at large, and in some particular congress
sional districts outside of these States, the re-
cords of the elections seem to compel the con-
clusion that the rights of the colored voters
have been overridden, and their participation
in the elections not permitted to be either gen.
eral or free.
1t will be for the Congress for which these
elections were held, to make such examlna-
tions into their conduct as may be appropr-
ate to determine the validity of the claims of
members to their seats. In the meantime, 1t
becomes the duty of the Executive and Ju.
dicial departments of the government, each
in its province, to inquire into and punish
violations of the laws of the United States
which have occurred. can but repeat what
| said in this connection in my last message,
that whatever authority rests with me to this
end I shall not hesitate to put forth, and
am unwilling to forego renewed appeal to
the legislatures, the courts, the executive au.
thorites, and the people of these States where
these wrongs have been perpetrated, to give
their assistance towards bringing to justice
the offenders and preventing a repetition of
the crimes. No means within my power will
I've spared to obtain full and fair investiga-
tiou of the alleged crimes, and to secure the
conviction and just punishment of the guilty.
1t is to be observed that the principal ap
preparation made for the Department of Jus
tice at the last session contained the following
clause: "And for defraying the expenses
which may be incurred in the enforcement of
the act approved February twenty eight,
eighteen hundred and seventy.one, entitled
An act to amend an act approved May thir-
lieth, eighteen hundred and seventy, entitled
an act to enforce the rights of citizens of the
United States to 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 thus
provided, and rely confidently upon Con-
gress to make adequate appropriation to en-
able the Executive Department to enforce the
laws.
1 respectfully urge upon your attention
that the congressional elections, in every dis
trict, in very important sense, are justly a
matter of political interest and concern
throughout the whole country. Each state,
every political party, is entitled to the share
of power which is conferred by the legal and
constitutional suffrage. 1t is the right of
every citizen, possessing the qualifications
prescribed by law, to cast one unintimidated
ballot, and to have his ballot honestly count
ed. So long as the exercise Of this power
and the enjoyment of this right are common
and equal, practically as well as formally,
submission to the result of the suffrage will
be accorded loyalty and cheerfully, and all
the departments of government will feel the
true vi gor Of the popular will thus expressed.
No temporary or administrative interests Of
government, however urgent or weigbty, will
ever displace the zeal Of our people in defence
of the primary rights of citizenship. They
understand that the protection of liberty re-
quires the maintenance. in full vigor, of the
manly methods of free speech, free press, and
free suffrage, and will sustain the full author
ty Of government to enforce the laws which
are framed to preserve these inestimable
rights. The material progress and welfare of
the states depend on the protection afforded
to their citizens There can he no peace
without such protection, no prosperity without
peace, and the whole country is deeply inter
ested in the growth and prosperity of all its
parts.
While the country has not yet reached COM
plete unity of feeling and reciprocal conf.
dence between the communities so lately and
So seriously estranged, feel an absolute assu.
rance that the tendencies are inthat direction,
and with increasing force. The power of pub
lie opinion will override all political preju-
dices, and all sectional or State attachments,
in demanding that all over our wide territory
the name and character of citizen Of the Uni
ted States shall mean one and the same thing,
and carry with them unchallenged security
and respect.
Our relations with other countries continue
peaceful. Our neutrality in contests between
foreign powers has been maintained and re.
spected.
The Universal Exposition held at Paris du-
ring the past summer, has been attended by
large numbers of our citizens. The brief Pc
riod allowed for the preparation and arrange.
ment of the contributions Of our citizens to
this great Exposition, was we'll employed in
energetic and judicious efforts to overcome
this disadvantage. These efforts, led and d.
rected by the Commissioner. General, were re-
markably successful, and the exhibition Of
American industry was credtable and graft
flying in scope and character. The reports of
the United States commissioners, giving its
results in detail, will be duly laid before you.
Our participation in this international compe-
tition for the favor and the trade of the world
may be expected to produce useful and i'm
portant results, in promoting intercourse,
friendship, and commerce with other nations.
In accordance with the provisions of the
act of February %, 1878, three commissioners
were appointed to an International conference
on the subject of adopting common ratio
between gold and silver for the purpose of
establishing, internationally, the use of bime-
talc money, and securing fxity of relative
value between those metals
Invitations were addressed to the various