The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-07
Rock Island Argus -SlDDle't.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Fslloso Citizens of the Senate and House o]
Representatives.:
/ congratulate you on the continued ano
increasing prosperity of our country. q,
favor of divine Providence we have been
blessed With health, with abundant mar,
vests, with profitable employment LOT al
or people, and with contt ntment az nome
and with peace and friendship with Other
nations.
BKNRFlcENcE OF REPUBLICAN GOVERN
The occasion Of the 24h election OF
Chief Magistrate has afforded another OPP
poltunity 10 the people OF the United STATES
TO exhibit to the world q Significant exam
pie of peaceful and safe transmission OF the
power and authority OF the government
from the public servants whose terms OF
Office are about TO expire 10 their newly
cannot fail to impress profoundly
the thoughtful people of other
countries, with the advantages which re-
publican institutions afford. The immedi-
ate, general and cheerful acqulescence OF
all good citizens in the result OF the eiec-
ton gives crafty ing assurance to our
country and TO its friends throughout the
world. that's government based on the free
consent of an intelligent AMI patriotic peo-
ple possesses elements of strength, stability
and permanency not found in any other
folm OF government
SOUTHERN OPPOSITION TO FULL FREEDOM
OF coLoRED CITIZRNS.
The continued opposition toxthe full and
free epioy ment OF The rights of citizenship
conferred upon the colored people by the
recent amendments 10 the Constitution, still
prevails in several of the late slave holding
States. 1t has, perhaps, not been mani :
tested in the recent election 10 any large
extent in acts of violence and intimidation.
1t has, however, by fraudulent practices in
come ction with the ballots, with the regu-
lstions as TO the places and manner
turning 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 en-
franchised citizens. 1t Is the desire of the
good people of the whole country that sec
fionalism as 8 factor in our politics should
the country should be united in
aolid opposition to any other sec
ton The disposition to refuse
prompt and hearty obedience to
the equal rights amendments TO the Consti-
tuition is all that now stands in the wy of
q complete obliteration of sectional lines In
our political contests. AS long as either OF
these amend ments is flagrantly violated
or disregarded, it is safe to assume that the
people who placed them in the constitu
ZION as embodyiDg the legitimate results of
the war for the Union, and who believe
them to be wise and necessary, will con-
tinue to act together, and TO insist that
they shall be obeyed. The paramount
question siill is. as TO the eIj 1ymeDt
Of the right, by every American
citizen who has the requisite qualifications
to freely cast his vote and TO have 1t hon
estly counted. With this question rightly
settled. the country will be relieved of The
contentious of the past. By-gones will in
deed be by cones, and political and party
issues with respect to the economy and eff
cheney of the administration of internal
improvements. the tarff, domestic educa-
tiOn, finance and other important SUBJECTS
will then receive their full share of stten-
ton. But resistance to and qualification of
the results of the war, will unite together
IN resolufe purpose tor their support all
who maintain the authority of the govern
ment and the perpetuity Of the
Union, and who ADEQUATELY appreciate
the value of the victory achieved. This
determination ia produced from no hostile
sentiment or feeling TO any part of the peo-
pie of our country, or TO any OF their inter
ests.
vIoABLE.
The inviolability of the Amendments
rests upon the fundamental principle of
our government; they are the solemn ex-
preston of the will Of the people of the
United States The sentiment that the
constitutional right of all our citizens must
be maintained does not grow weaker; it
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 10 the fifteenth
amendment has heretofore prevailed it is
diminishing, and 10 likely to cease alto
geiher If firm and well considered action
is taken by Congress. / trust the House of
Representatives and the Senate, which
have the right to Judge of the election re-
turns and qualifications OF their own MEM
bers, will see 10 1t that every case of viola
ton of the letter Or spirit of the fifteenth
amendment IS thoroughly Investigated,
and that no benefit from such vio-
lation shall accrue TO acy per-
son or party. It will be the duty of the
Executive. with sufficient appropriations
all who have been engaged in depriving
citizens OF the rights guaranteed them by
the Constitution. 1t is not, however, to be
forgotten that the best and surest guarantee
of the primary rights of citizenship is
TO be found in that capacity Tor
self protection, which can only belong to
people whose riPht to universal suffrage
Is supported by universal education.
POPULAR EDUCATION.
and state authorities are in many cases
wholly made quate 10 furnish free lnstruc
lion to all u hO need it. The is especially
true, where, before emancipation, the edu
cation of the people was neglected or pre-
vented in the interest of slavery.
Firmly convinced that the subject of
popular education deserves the earnest att
teDiion of tie people OF the whole country,
with q view TO wise and comprehensive
action by the government of the United
States, respectfully recommend that Con
gress, by suitable legislation, and with
proper safeguards, supplement the local
educational funds in the several States,
where the grave duty ard responsibility of
citizenship have been devolved on unedu-
Gated people. by appropriations from the
Treasury of the United States. Whatever
government cau fairly do to promote free
and popular education ought to be done,
Wherever general education is found.
peace, virtue and social order prevail and
religious liberty ia secure.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.