The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-12-08
The Presldent,s Mcssere.

The Presidents Message.
Washington, Dec. 6.-The president in
his message fays al congratulate you
On the continued and Increasing prosperity of
our country. By the favor OF Divine Prov
idcnce we have been blessed during the past
year with health, with abundant hsrvests,
witl profitable cmployu ent for all our peo-
pie, and with contentment at home and with
peace and friendship with other nations.
The occurrence Of the twenty fourth election
of chief magistrate has afforded another OPP
portunity to the people of the United
States to exhibit to the world the significant
example of a peaceful AMI safe transmission
of the power and authority Of the govern
ment from public servants whose terms of
office are about to expire, to their newly
chosen successors. These examples cannot
fail to impress profoundly the people of this
country with tho advantages which repub.
lican institutions afford; and the immediate
general and cheerful acquescence Of all good.
citizens in the result of the election, gives
gratifying assurance to our country aud to
our friends throughout the world, that Il
government based on the free consent of an
intelligent and patriotic people, possessed of
elements of strength, stability and perma-
nency, may not be found in any other form
Of government.
Continued opposition to the full and
free enjoyment OF the rights of CID
Zel ship conferred upon colored people b.
the recent amendments TO the constitu
ton still prevails in several Of the
late save-holdiDg states. 1t has perhaps
not been manifested in the recent election
to any large extent by acts of violence OF ill.,
timidation. lthas, however, by fraudulent
practices in connection with the ballots and
the regulations, places and manner of voting,
and with counting, returning and canvassing
votes cast, been successful in defeating the
exercise of the right preservalive of all
rights-tbe right Of suffrage, which the con-
s,ltuton expressly confera upon an enfrsnn
chsed citizen.
1t is the desire of the good people of the
whole country that sectionslism as factor
in our politics should disappear. They pre-,
fer that no section Of the country should be
united in solid opposition to another section
The disposition to refuse prompt and hearty
obedience to the equal rights amendment tc
the constitution are all that now stands in the
way of complete destruction of sectioIalism
in our political contests. AS long MS either
OF these amendments is ilsgrsntly
violated or disregardod, it is safe to assume
that the people who placed them in the con
sN,uton Us cmbojying the legitimate result,
of the war for the union, and who believe
them to be wise and necessary, will continue
to act together to insist that they shall b,
2 obeyed. The paramount question still, is 81
to enjoyment OF his rights by every American
citizen who hiss the requisite qualifications I,
freely csst his vote and have il honestl,
counted. With this question rightly settled tn
country will be relieved Of contentious Of th
: past. Bygones viii Indeed DO bygoues, IN,
politics and party issues with respect t
, economy and efficiency of administration
!, internal improvements, tariff, domestic taxa
ton, education, finance and other importgn
subjects will then receive their ful
, share If attention; but resistance {
= and notification of the results Of Tn
war will unite together in q resout
= purpose for thtir support all who maintai
i the authority of the government and tn
preservation of the union, AID who ado
, quately appreciate the value Of the vic,or
;. achieved. This determination proceeds fror
; no h, stile sentiment or feeling TO any part {
the people of our country or any of their in
teres,s. The involabihty of the amen ment
rests upon the fundamental principles of on
government. They are solely expressive {
= the will of tho peopl, Of the United State
L The sentiment that the constitutional right
of all our citizens must be maintained, doC
: not grow weaker. twill continue to contTC
, the government of the country. Happil
g the history Of the late election shows that
. many parts of the country, where opposiIio
to the fifteenth amendment has heretofol
prevailed, it is diminished and is likely
cease altogether, if firm and considered a,
ton is token by congress.
Z | trust the house of represents
l. tlves and tho senate which hay
"a tho right to Judge of election returns ar
qualifications of their own members, will s.
" to it that every case OF violence OF the lett
J. or spirit of the fifteenth amendment is tho
y oughly investigated, and that no bene
) from such violations shall acccde to al
person or party. 1t will be the duty of Il
70 executive, with sufficient appropriations f
At the purpose, to prosecute unsparingly 1
u who have been engaged in the deprlving
Il citizens of the rights guaranteed to them
a. the constitution. 1t is not, however, 10
Of forgotten that the best and surest guarant
lg of tho primary rights of citizenship is to
al found in that capacity for sell-protecLio
h. which can belong only 10 people who
i right to universal suffrage which is support
by universal education The means vt I
command Of tho local and state authorit
are in many cases wholly inadequate 10 fl
.r. nish free Institutions to all who need
Y; This is especially true, where betc
n. emancipation the education of &
%, people was neglected or preventt
is In the interest Of slavery. Firmly convict
to that the subject Unpopular education d
es serves the earnest attention Of the people
the whole country with view to wise a
lis comprehensive action by tho government
NJ the United States, respectfully recomme
al that congress, by suitable legislation a
he with proper safeguards, supplement lo'
b. educational funds in the sey eral states wht
he the grave duties and responsibilities Of q
or zenship have been developed on uneauca'