Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-17
MIR. HAYES MESSAGE.
EelioT Citizens IF tie Senate
.jUI /T0Jye Of R,l

.tld Honw Of Representatives.:
| congratulate you upon the continued
and increasing prosperity of our country.
BY the favor of divine providence we
have been blessed during the past year
with health, with abundant harvests, with
profitable employment for all our people.
and with contcntmcnt at home and with
peace and friendship with other nations.
The occurrence of the twenty-tourth
election of chief magistrate has afforded
another opportunity to the people of the
United States to exhibit to the world II
significant example of the peaceful and
safe transmission of power and authority
of the government from public servants
whose terms of Office are about to expire,
to their newly chosen successors. This
example cannot fail to impress profoundly
the thoughtful people Of other countries
with the advantages which republican in
stitutions offer. The immediate, general
and cheerful acquiesccnce of good citi-
Zcns in the result of the election gives
gratifying assurance to our country and its
friends throughout the world that Il gov
crnmcnt based on the free consent of an
tintclhgcnt and patriotic people possesses
y elements OF strength stability and per-
Amanency not found in any other form of
government
Continued opposition to the full and
free enjoyment Of the rights of citizenship
conferred upon the colorcd people by the
recent amendments to the constitution,
still prevails in several of the late slave
holding states. 1t has perhaps not been
manifested in the recent elections to any
large extent in acts of violence or intmi
datiOn. 1t has, however, by traudulcn.
practices in connection with the ballots,
~. Al. ~
manner of voting, and with counting, re-
turning aud canvassing the votes cast
been success fully defeating the exercise
of that right prescrvaiive of all rights.
the right of suffrage, which the cOnstitu-
ton expressly conters on our cnfrauchiscd
citizens.
1t is the desire of the good people of
the whole country that scctionalism as Il
factor in our politics should disappear
They prefer that no section of the coun.
try should he united in solid opposition
to any other section. The disposition to
refuse prompt and hearty obedience to
the equal rights and amendments to the
constitution, is all that now stands in the
way Of complete obliteraiion of section
al lines in our political contests. AS long
as these amendments arc tlagrantly vio-
lated or disrcgardcd, it is safe to assume
that the people who placed them in the
constitution as cmbodying the legitimate
results of the war for the union, and who
believe them to be wise and necessary,
will continue to act together and to insist
that they shall be obcyed. The paramount
question still is as to the enjoyment of
the right by every American citizen who
has the requisite qualifications to freely
cast his vote and have it honestly counted.
With this question rightly settled, the
country will be relieved of the contentious
of the past Bygoncs will indeed be by.
/ cones and political and party issues with
Arcspcct to economy and efficiency of ad.
ministration, internal improvements and
the tariff, domestic taxation, education,
finance and other important subjects, will
then receive their full share of attention,
but resistance to and notification of the
results of the war will unite together in
rcsolute purpose for their support, all who
maintain the authority of the government
and the rcrpctuity of the union, and who
appreciate the value OF the victory achiev-
cd. The determination proceeds from no
hostile sentiment or feeling to any part of
the people Of our country or to any of
their interests. The inviolability of the
amendments rests upon the fundamental
principle of government. They are the
will OF the people of the United States.--
The sentiment that the constitutional
rights of our citizens must he maintained
does not grow weaker 1t will continue
to control the government of the country.
Happily the history Of the late election
shows that in many parts of the country
where opposition to the 18th amendment
has heretofore prevailed, it is diminishing
and is likely to cease altogether if firm
and we'll considered action be taken by
congress. | trust the house of represer.
tativcs and the senate, which have the
right to Judge of the election returns and
qualifications of their own members, will
see to it that every case of violation of
the letter or spirit of the 10Th amendment
Is thoroughly investigated, and that no
benefit from such violation shall accrue to
any persons or parties.
THE GREAT COMMANDER.
l commend to the attention of congress
me great service Of the commandcrn.
chief OF our armies during the war for the
unior >hosc wise, firm and patriotic con