Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-12-19

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fellow-C Citizens Of the Senate and House of
Representatives
Our heartfelt gratitude is due to the Di-
vine Being. who holds in his hands the
destinies of nations. for the continued be-
stowal during the last year Of countless
Blessings upon our country.
GENERAL PROSPERITY.
We are at peace with all other nations.
Our public credit has greatly improved,
and is perhaps now stronger than ever be-
fore. Abundants harvests have awarded
the labors of those who till the soil. Our
manufacturing industries are reviving, and
it is believed that the general prosperity
that has been so long and anXiollsly look
ed for is at last within our reach.
ADvERSITIES.
The enjoyment of health by our people
has. however. been interrupted during the
past season. by the prevalence Of the fatal
pcstilence. yellow fever, in some portions
Of the Southern States creating an emer-
gency which called for prompt and extra
ordinary measures of relief. The disease
appeared as epidemic at New Orleans and
otler places on the lower Mississippi soon
after midsummer. 1t was rapidly spread
hy f!,yitiyes from the infected cities and
did not disappear until early in November.
The States of Louisiana. Mississippi and
Tennessee suffered severely. About 10O;-
600 cases are believed to have occurred. OF
which about 10000, according to intelii-
gent estimates, proved fatal. 1t l. inlpos-
sible to estimate. with any approach to ac-
curacy. the loss to the country occasioned
bv this epidemic. 1t is reckoned at $780,
600, 900. The suffering and destitution
that resulted excited the deepest sympathy
in all parts of the Union, physicians and
nurses fastening from every quarter to the
assistance OF the afflicted communities.
Voluntary contributions Of money and
supplies in every needed form were speed
ily forwarded and generously furnished.
Government was able TO respond, in some
measure. to the call for help, by providing
tents. medicine and food to the sick and
destitute, requisite directions tor the r''r-
pose being given in confident expectation
that this action of the Executive would
receive the sanction OF Congress. About
| 800 tents and ratiOns to the value OF S25.-
GOO were sent to the cities and towns which
applied for them, full details of which will
be furnished to Congress by the proper de-
partmcnt. The fearful spread of this pes
thence has awakened very general public
sentiment in favor Of
NATIONAL SANITARY ADMIN. 'TRATION,
which shall not only control quarantine,
but have sanitary supervision OF the inter-
nal commerce in times of epidemic, an old
and advisory relation to the State and mu-
nicipial health authorities, with power to
deal with whatever endangers the public
health and which the municipal and State
authorities are unable to regulate. The
national quarantine act, approved April
%. 1873. which was passed too late In the
last session of Congress to provide means
for carrying it into Practical operation dur
ing the past season, is a step in the direc-
ton here Indicated. In view OF the neces-
sity for the most effective measures. by
quarantine and otherwise, tor the protec-
ton of our seaports and country generally
from this and other epitlemics, it is recon-
mended that Congress give to the whole
subject an early and careful consideration.
PACIrICATION OF THE COUNTRY.
The permanent pacification Of the coun-
trv by the complete protection OF all citl-
zens, in every civil and political right, con-
tin,les to be the paramount interest with
the great body of our people. Every step
in this direction is welcomed with the pub
lie approval, and every interruption OF
steady and uniform progress to the desired
consnmmatiOn awakens a general uneasi-
ness and widespread condemnation.
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS.
Recent Congressional elections have fur
nisl,ed direct and trustworthy test OF the
advance thus made in the practical esfaD-
lishuent OF the right OF suffrage, secured
nv the Constitution, to the liberated race
IN the Southern States. All the disturbing
Influences. real or imaginary, had been re
moved from these States. Three constr
,ntional amendments, which conferred the
freedom of civil and political rights upon
the oolored people of the South, were
adopted by the concurrent action OF the
GREAT body of good citizens, who main
t.ined the authority Of the national Gov
.rnment and the integrity and perpetnity
IF the Union, at such cost OF treasure
and lie, as wise and necessary e'nooal-
nent in the organic law Of the just results
- the war. People of the former slave.
holding States accepted these results ~
gsye in every practical form, assurances
thst the thirteenth, fourteenth and hiteentn