Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


The message of President Hayes to the
present session of Congress is lengthy docu-
ment, in some respects historical, as in it
he passes in review his entire administration,
devoting special attention to the subject of
civil service and to what is known as his
Southern policy. In reference to the late
saveholding states. he says:
Continued opposition to the full and free
enjoyment of the rights Of citizenship, confer.
red upon the colored people by the recent
amendments to the Constitution, still prevails
in several of the late slaveholding States. i:
has, perhaps, not been manifested in the re
cent election to any large extent ip acts OF
violence or intimidation. 1t has, however,
by fraudulent practices in connection with
the ballots, with the regulations as to the
places and manner of voting, and with count
ing, returning and canvassing the votes cast,
been successful in defeating the exercise OF
the right preservative of all rights-the right
, of suffrage-which the Constitution expressly
confers upon our enfranchised citizens.
1t is the desire of the good people of the
whole country that sectionalism as factor in
our politics should disappear. They prefer
that no section of the country should be uni
ted in solid opposition to any other section.
The disposition to refuse prompt and hearty
obedience to the equal rights amendments to
the Constitution, is all that now stands in the
way Of complete obliteration of sectional
lines in our political contests. AS long as
either of these amendments is hagrantly vic.
lated or dsregarded, it is safe to assume that
the people who placed them in the Constitu-
ton, as embodying the legitimate results Of
the war for the Union, and who believe them
to he wise and necessary, will continue to act
together. The paramount question still is, as
to the enjoyment of the right by every Amer.
lean citizen, who has the requisite qualifica'
tions, to freely cast his vote and to have it
honestly counted With this question right
ly settled, the country will be relieved of the
contentious of the past; bygones will indeed
be bygones; and political and party issues
with respect to economy and efficiency OF ad
ministration, internal Improvements, the tar.
iff 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 resolute purpose for their
support, all who maintain the authority of
the Government and the perpetuity of the
Union. and who adequately appreciate the
value of the victory achieved. This determi
nation 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 amendment rests upon
the fundamental principle of our Govern.
ment. They are the solemn expression of the
will of the people of the United States.
The sentiment that the constitutional rights
of all eur citizens must be maintained. does
not grow weaker. 1t will continue to con.
troll the Government of the country. Hap
PLY, the history of the late election shows
that in many parts Of the country, where op.
position to the fifteenth amendment has hith-
erto prevailed, it is diminishing, and is likely
to cease altogether, if 8 firm and we'll consid-
cred action is taken by Congress. / trust
the House of Representatives and the Senate,
which have the rightto judge of the elections,
returns and qualifications of their own men,
bers, will see to it that every case of violation
of the letter or spirit of the fifteenth amend
ment is thoroughly investigated, and that no
benefit from such violation shall accrue to
any person or party. 1t WILDE the duty Of
the Executive, with sufficient appropriations
for the purpose, to prosecute unsparingly all
who have been engaged in depriving citizens
of the rights guaranteed to them by the Con-
stitution.
1t is not, however, to be forgotten that the
~ ho
rights of citizenship is to be found in that ca.
pacity for selfprotection which can belong
only to people whose rights to universal
suffrage is supported by universal education.
The means at the command Of the local
State authorities are, in many cases, wholly
inadequate to furnish free instruction to all
who need it. This is especially true where, be.
fore emancipation, the education of the peo-
pie was neglected or prevented, in the interest
of slavery. Firmly convinced that the SUBJ
ject of popular education deserves the earnest
attention of the people Of the whole country,
with a view to wise and comprehensive action
by the Government of the United States, /
respectfully recommend that Congress. by
suitable legislation and with proper safe
guards, supplement the local educational
funds in the several States where the grave
duties and responsibilities of citizenship have
been devolved on uneducated people, by de-
voting to the purpose grants of the public
lands, and, if necessary, by appropriations
from the Treasury of the United States.
Whatever Government can fairly do to pro-
mote free popular education ought to be done.
Wherever general education is found. peace,
virtue and social order prevail, and civil and
religious liberty are secure.
The finances are discussed at considerable
length The President considers it as one of
the striking successes of his administration
that resumption has been accomplished and
maintained and the country brought out of
the period of disaster following the panic.
He considers that the work which remains
to be done in order to make resumption Sc
cure and permanent, can alone be accomplish
ed by Congress. He summarizes the advance
in the Indian service, which is sketched in
the report of Secretary Schurz, and regards
Schurz's administration of Indian affairs as
one Of the signal triumphs of his administra.
tion. He renews his earnest recommended
tions of previous messages on the subject of
polygamy. He considers practice which is
condemned by the laws of the civilized world
ought not to be tolerated in the United States,
and Congress should do something towards
the destruction of polygamy before Utah be-
comes so populous and influential as to be