Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-12-16
The Annual Message Of Pres'-
deat Hayes TO Congress.
A Clear, Business'Like Presenta-
ton Of Governmental Interests.
Recommendation for Legislative Ac-
ton, Etc, Etc, E'c.

the ihVOT Ok DIVINE ITbVlutuCS, We uhFG
been blessed, duting the past year, with
health, with abundant hargests, with pro-
fitable employment for ali our people, and
with cJnteutment at home, and with peace
and friendship with other nations.
The occurrence Of the twenty fourth
election OF Chief Magistrate has afforded
another opportunity 10 the people OF the
United States 10 exhibit to the world
significant example Of ths pesceiui aud
safe TRANSMIT sslon Of he power ard az
thority u Qcyernm@n. from the public
servants, whose terms Of office are about
10 expire, lc then newiy.chosen success
sors. Tn, example cannot fail to impress
profoundly, thoughtful people OF other
countries with the advantages which re-
publican institutions afford The imme
diate, general, and cheerful scqu lesceuce
of ali good citizens, in the r. suit OF the
election, gives gratifying assurance TO our
country, and To its friends throughout the
world, that Jvernment based on the
free consent OF an intelligent and patriotic
people possesses elemt MS OF strength,
stability, aud permanency not found In
any other form Of government.
Continued opposition 10 the full aud
free enjoyment OF the rights of citizen
ship, Conferred upon the colOred people
by the recent amendments 10 the cOnslltu-
ton still prevails in several of the late
slave.hOdIng States. ii has, perhaps, not
been manifested IN the recent election to
any large extent ia acts of violence or in.
limitation. Ii has, ho ~ever, / y fraudulent
practices In connection with the ballots,
with the regulations AS To The places and
manu- Of voting, and with counting, re
turning, and canvassing the votes cast
been successful in defeating the exercise
of the right preservative OF all rignts, the
right Of suffrage, which the Constitution
expressly coniers upon our enranchlsed
citizens.
1t is the desire of 'he good people of
the whole country that secuonalIsm as a
factor In our politics should disappear.
They prefer that no section OF the coun-
try should be united IN solid opposition
10 any other section. The disposition to
refuse prompt and Hearty obedience to
the equal-rights amendments 10 the con
stituuon, is all that now stands in the way
of a complete o5literation of sectional
lines in our political contests. AS long
as either OF these amendments is Migrant
" violated or dsregarded 1t is safe to as
sumo that the people who placed them in
the constitution, as emb pdying the legiu
mate results OF the war for the Union, and
who believe them to be wise and neCessa.
ny, Will continue to act together, and TO
insist that they shall be obeye0. The
paramount question still Is, rs to the en-
ioyment OF the right by every American
citizen who he's the requisite quslfica-
.luns, to freely cast his vote and To have
it honestly counted. With this question
rightly settled, the country will be re-
lieved of the contentious OF the past; by
cones will indeed be bygones; and pollti.
cal and party issues with respect to econ.
omy aud efficiency oil administration,
internal improvements, the tarlff, domes-
tic taxation, education, finance, and other
important subjects, will then receive their
full share of attention; but resistance 10
and nullification of the results OF the war,
will unite together IL esoute purpose Tor
their support all who MAINTAIN the author-
ity Of the Government ard the perpe;uiiy
OF the IoiCn and who adequately appre-
ciate the value of tue victory achieved.
This determination proceeds from no hos
tile sentiment or feeling 10 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 our Government. They are
the solemn eXpresslon OF the Will OF the
people of the United States.
The Sc timent that the constitutional
rights OF 81 our citizens must be main
tanned does not grow weaker. 1t VIII
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 Fifteenth
Amendment has heretofore prevailed, 1t
il diminishing, and is likely 10 cease al
together, if firm and well-cOnsidered &C.
ton Is taken by Congress. | trust the
House OF Representatives and the Senate,
which have the right To judge OF the
elections, returns and qualifications OF
their own members. will see To II that
every case of violation OF the letter or
spirit OF the Fifteenth Amendment is
thoroughly Investigated, and that no ben
eft from such violation shall accrue 10
any person " party. It Will be the duty
of the Executive, with sufficient approprl-
atous or the purpose, 10 prosecute I'M
spsr,ngiy all who have been engaged IN
depliyng citizens Of the rights guaran-
,eed to them by The constitution.
Ii is not, however, 10 be forgotten that
the best and suiest gusrsutee of the pr
mary rights OF citizenship is to be found
10 tuat capacity tor selt-protectlon which
San belong only 10 s people whose right
10 universal suffrage Is supported by uni
versa education. The means Al the com.
msud Of the local and State authorities
are, IN IN ,ny ases. wholly inadequate 10
furnish tree instruction 10 all VINO need
il. TINS is especially true where, before
emancipation, the education of the people
not ..-t ,fr1 n