Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-12-11
SOUTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER III, 1878

policy and duty of tho government and the
interest and security of the people. 1t is
my firm conviction that tho issue of legal
tender paper money, based wholly upou tho
authority aud credit of tho government,
except in an extreme emergency, is without
warrant in the Constitution and violation
of sound financial principles. The issue of
United States notes during tho late civil
war with tho capacity of legal tender bc-
tween private individuals was uot author.
izcd except us u means of rcscuing tho.
country from imminent peril. Tho circu-
lation OF chose notes as u paper money for
any protracted period Of time aftor they
accomplishments Of this purpose was not
contemplated by the framcrs of the law
under which they were issued. They an-
ticipatcd the redemption and withdrawal of
these notes at the earliest practicable period
consistent with the attainment of the object
for which they were provided. Tho policy
OF the United States, steadily adhered to
from tho adoption of the Constitution, has
been to avoid the creation of National
debt, and when from necessity in the tin,cs
OF war debts have been created they have
been paid off on the return Of peace as
rapidly as possible. With this view, and
tor this purpose it is recommended that tho
existing laws for tho accumulation Of
siuking fund sufficient to cxtineuish tho
public debt within limited period be
maintained
RESTORE TIE TAX ON TEA AND COFFEE.
If any change Of tho objects or rates Of
taxaticu is deemed necessary By Congress,
it is suggested that experience has shown
that duty can tc placed on tea and coffee
which will not enhance the price Of those
articles to the consumer, and which will add
several millions of dollars annually 20 the
treasury.
TIE SUPPRESSION OF poLYGAMY.
On the subject Of polygnny the Presi-
dent says Utah hus population sufficient
to cntitle it to admission as a State, and the
general interests Of the nation, as well as
the welfare of the citizens Of tic Territory,
require its advance from the territorial form
Of government TO the responsibilities and
privileges OF State. This important
change will not, however, hc approved bv
the country, while the citizens Of Ut,h, in
very considerable numbers, uphold a prac
ticc which is condemned as cr!mc bv the
laws OF all civilized communities throughout
tho world. He mcntious that as the law
for The suppression OF polygamy has now
been decided Ivy tho Sup.clnc Court to be
within the legislative power Of Congress
and binding as rule of action for all who
reside within the Territories, there is no
longer any reason fer delay or hesitation in
It's enforcement. 1t should ho firmly and
effectively executed. If not sufficiently
strong III its provisions it should be amended,
and III aid Of the purpose in view he re-.
oommcnds that more comprehensive aud
searching methods for preventing as well
us Furnishing this crime be provided. IF
necessary to secure obedience to the law
the enjoyment and exercise of The rights
and privileges Of citizenship in the Terrific
ries Of the United States may be withheld
or withdrawn flom those who violate or
oppose the enforcement of ;hc law on this
sahjcct.
y PLEA FOR THE ELECTION LAWS.
The elections Of the past year, othonph
hc!d only lor State oiliccia, have not failed
to elicit i'll tho political discussions which
attended them all over tho country now
and decisive evidence Of the deep interest
which the great body Of citizens take in the
progress of the country toward more gen.
cral and complete establishment, at what
ever cost OF tho universal security and
freedom, in the exercise OF tho elective
franchise. While many topics of political
concern demand great attention from our
people, both in the sphere Of National and
State authority, find no reason to qualify
the opinion expressed in my last annual
message, that no temporary oy administra--
tive Interests of government however ur-
gent or wcighty, will ever displacc the zeal
OF our people in defence of the primary
rights of citizenship, and that the power OF
public opinion will override all political
prejudices and all sectional and State
attachments in demanding that all over our
wide territory the name and character of
citizen of the United States shall remain
one and the same thing and carry with
them unnhallcngcd security ami respect. I
earnestly appeal to tho intelligence and
patriotism of all good citizens of every
part of the country, however much they
may be divided in opinions on other politi-.
cal subjects, to unite in compelling obedi-
cncc to existing laws aimed at the protcc--
ton of the right of suffrage. l respectfully
urge upon Congress to supply any defects
IN these laws which experience has shown,
and which it is within its power to remedy.
| again inToko the cooperation of the
executive and legislative authorities OF the
States in this purpose. am fully convinced
that If tho public mind can be set at rest
on this paramount question of popular
rights no serious obstacle will thwnrt or
delay the complete paclication of the
country or rctard the general diffusion of