The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-12-11
Presidents Message.
FElloD Citizens Of the Senate and House Of
Representatives

Representatives.:
congratulate you on the continued and In
creasing 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 en-
ployment for all our people, and with content
ment at home, and with peace and friendship
with other nations
Magistrate has afforded another opportunity
to the people of the United States to exhibit
to the world significant example OF the
peaceful and safe transmission OF the power
and authority of q overnment from the public
servants whose terms of Office are about to ex-
pire, to their newly chosen successors. This
example cannot fail to impress profoundly
thoughtful people of other countries JiSth the
ford. The immediate, general and cheerful
acquiescence of all good citizens in the result
Of the election gives gratifying assurance to
our country, and to its friends throughout the
world, that Government based on the Tree
consent of an intelligent and patriotic people
possesses elements of strength, stability, and
pormanency not found in auy other iocm OF
Government.
Continued opposition to the full and free
enjoyment of the rights Of citizenship, confer
red upon the colored people by the recent
amendments to theConstitution. still prevails
in several of he late slavehOldtng states. IL
has, perhaps, not been manifested In the re-
cent election to any large extent in acts OF
violence or intimidation. 1t has, however, ny
fraudulent practices in connection with he
ballots with the regulations as to the places
and manner OF voting, and with counting, re-
turning and canvassing the votes cast, been
successful in defeating the exercise OF the
right preservative of all rights-the right OF
outrage, which the Constitution expressly
confers upon our enfranchised citizens
sEoTIoNALIsM DYING OUT.
It is the desire of the good people of the
whole country that sectionalsm as factor in
our politics should disappear. They prefer
that no section OF the country should be united
| in solid opposition 10 any other section. The
disposition to refuse q prompt and hearty
obedience to the equal rights amendments TO
| the Constitution, Is all that now stands in the
way of complete obliteraton OF sectional lines
In our political contests. AS long as either of
these amendments is hagrantly violated or
disregarded, It is safe TO assume that the poo
plo who placed them In the Constitution, as
| embodylng the Legitimate results of the war
| for tho Union, and who believe them to be wise
| and necessary, will continue to act together,
and to insist that they shall be obeyed. The
paramount question still is, as to the enjoy
| who has the req quisite qualifications, to freely
| cast his vote and to have it honestly counted.
With this question rightly settled. the coun.
try will be relieved Of the contentious oft
past; bygones will indeed be bygones and
political and party issues with respect to
economy and efficiency of administration, In
! ternal improvements, the tariff, domestic tax
| atiOn ed ucation, finance, and other impOT-
of attention; but resistance TO and null hca-
tiOn of the results of the war, will unite to-
getheT in resOlute purpose for 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 pro-
ceods 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 our Government. They are the
solemn expressions OF the will Of the people Of
the United States
The sentiment that the constitutional rights
of all our citizens must be maintained does
not grow weaker. IL will commune to control
the Government Of the country. Happily, the
history of the late electi ion shows that In many
parts of the country where opposition to the
. Fifteenth Amendment has heretofore pre-
vailed, II is diminishing, and is likely to cease
altogether, If firm and well-cOnsdered action
is taken by Congress. L trust the House O
Representatives and the senate, which have
the right to judge OF the elections, returns
and the qualifications OF their own members
will see TO it that every case ofvlolatiOn of the
letter OF spirit of the Fifteenth Amendment
is thoroughly Investigated, and that no bene-
= tt from such viola ion shall accure 10 any
person or party. IL. will be the duty Of th'
Executive, with sufficient appropriations fol
e the purpose to prosecute unsparingly all wh'
have been engaged In depriving citizens o
the rights guaranteed to them by the Constl
EDUCATION AS CONSERVATION.
II is not, however, TO be forgotten that tn
best and surest guarantee of the prmaTl
q rights Of citizenship is TO be found In tina
capacity for selfprOtectiOn which can belOnl
= only TO people whose right to universal sui
frage is supported by universal education
The means at the command OF the local an,
IS state authorities are, In many cases, wholly In
adequate 70 furnish free instruction 10 all VIII
. needit This is especially true where, belOr
b emancipation, the education Of the people wa
neglected or prevented, in the interest Of sla
e yery Firmly convince that the subject &
popular education deserves the earnest atter
tiOn Of the people Of the whole country, with
view TO wise and comprehensive action by tn
Government Of the United States, respect
fully recommend that Congress, by sultabl
Legislation and with proper safeguards, SUI
plement the local educational funds in IN
several States where the grave duties aud r,
sponslbilities Of citizenship have been devol,
ed on uneducated people, by devOtng TO IN
= purpose grants Of the public lands and,
y necessary, by appropriations from the Trea
le ury Of the United States. Whatever Govern
ment can fairly do to promote free pOpula
L. eral education is found, peace, virtue and s.
i, eial order prevail and civil and religious /
~ berty are secure.
D. REFORM OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
iR In my former messages, l have asked m
attention Of Congress to the urgent necessli
u Of a reformation Of the civil service syatem
n. the Government. My views concerning n
dangers OF patronage, or appointments {,
'h personal or partisan considerations, have bee
D. strengthened by my observation aud exper
ence In the Executive otiice, aud / belle,
NJ these dangers threaten the stability OF tl
an Government. Abuses 50 serious IN the
nature cannot Be permanently tolerated. The
OF tend 70 beeome more alarming with the Of