The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-12-09

recommended in resolution of the
Grand Orange Lodge OF Ireland 10
organize a counter demonstration on,
the same days and 80 the same places
which are appointed for the land
league meetings has received 100 0
signatures collected in two DAYS.
WASHINGTON, December G.-SrNA rF-
ne galleries OF the Senate Ch.mirryy, re
II I'd with spectators some time De I re
tar opening OF the session. About two
IAlrus 81 tue senators were present, and
there was general greeting anI con-
GRADUATION among them. Al l. o'clock
the Vice President called the senate 10
order, and the chaplain delivered 4
I prayer. The drsi business transacted was
I the reading OF the credentials OF James l..
Pugh, elected 10 ill the Unexpired term
I 81 George ). Houston. deceased. Senator
I from Alabama. aud the swearing in OF Mr..
Pugh. The credentials OF Joseph l..
/ Brown, elected by the legislature OF
/ TeorSiS 10 Nil the uneNpired term OF
I Gen. Gordon Is senator from that state,
were read, and Brown duly sworn.
Thurman offered a resolution, which
was agreed to, directing the secretary of
the Senate TO inform the House OF the
readiness of the Senate for business. aud
a resolution offered 10y Bayard. sending
| the same information 10 the President. \
committee acting with similar committee
of the House was also appointed.
On motion of Wallace, recess OF
thirty minutes was taken pending the re-
port OF the committee aforesaid.
When the Senate reassembled nj la:45,
| a message was read from the House an
! nouncing n quorum of that body was as
| sembled aud ready 10 proceed TO business,
and, on motion, OF Thurman, recess as
taken until 1.30 p. NJ.
At 1880 the Senate was again called to
| order, and the committee appointed to
wait on the President reported through
their chairman, Bayard, that they
had done so, and that the President had
expressed his intention to presently conf
municate his views in writing 10 the
Senate. \ moment afterward W. X.
Rogers appeared and delivered mes
sage from the President, which the Presi-
dent laid. before the Senate, and the
reading of which was At once began by
the secretary of the Senate, Burch. Az
ter reading the message, ii was ordered
laid on the table, and, on motion of " NJ
lace, the Senate adjourned.
WASHINGTON, December 6.-HoUsE-
The converting of Congress always at
tracts to the capital large number of
sight-seerS, and the reassembling of the
FOrty-siXth Congress proved no eXcep-
lion 10 the rule. Long before II O'Clock
the galleries Of the House were iilled
with spectators awaiting the assembling
gavel. On the floor the customary hand
shaking was INDUCED in with the men,
beers, eOngratulating one another on their
reelection or exchanging condo ,ences
upon their defeat. At exactly IL O'Clock
the Speaker called the House to order.
and the chaplain, Rev. ID. Harron, offered
Il prayer, The Speaker then directed the
clerk to call the roll.
The roll call showed 23I present,
more than quorum. The clerk was di-
rected to inform the Senate that the
House was ready to proceed TO business.
Singleton of Illinois, as committee to
wait upon the President. A number of
bills were introduced and the House
took a recess for thirty minutes, after
which the message was received and read
at the clerks desk. When the reading of
the message was concluded it WAS ordered
printed and referred TO tue committee of
the whole,
Conger moved TO adjourn, pending
which Briggs, of New Hampshire, an
nounced the death of his colleague, +. W.
Farr, and then, out of respect to the
deceased, the House adjourned at 1875.
WASHINGTON, December 6.-The Prcsi-
dent In his message says: | congratulate
you on the continued and increasing pros
Divine Providence we have been blessed
during the past year with health, with
abundant haryests, with profitable EN-
ploymcnt for all our people, aud with
peace and friendship with all nations. The
occurrence OF the twenty-iourth election
of chief magistrate has afforded another
opportunity to the people of the United
States to exhibit to the world the signifi-
cant example of peaceful aud safe trans
mission of power and authority of gov
eminent from public servants, whose terms
of office are about to eXpire,tO their new
ly chosen successors. These examples
can not fail TO impress profoundly thought
full people of other countries with the adj
vantages which republican institutions
afford. The immediate general, cheerful ac-
quiesence of all good citizens in the re-
suit of the election, gives gratifying assur-
ance to our country and friends through
out the world that government based OH
the free consent of all Intelligent and pa
triOtic people possesses elements of
strength, stability and permanency not
found in any other form of government.
Continued opposition to the full aud free
enjoyment of the rights of citizenship con-
ferrcd upon the colOred people by the re-
cent amendments to the constitution still
prevails in several of the late -slaye-bold-
ing states. 1t has, perhaps, not been man.
ifested in the recent election to any large
extent In acts of violence or intimidation.
1t has, however, by fraudulent practices
in connection with the ballots, with the
regulation of places and manner of yOt-
ing, and with the counting, returning and
canvassiug of the votes cast, been success
full in defeating the exercise of the right
preservative of all rights, the right of suf-
frage, which the constitution expressly
cOnfers upon our enfranchised citizens.
1t is the desire of the good people Of the
l,nl, ,fr.xr ftaf lion,
tor in our politics should disappear. They
prefer that no section of country should
be united in solid opposition TO another
section. A disposition to refuse prompt
and hearty obedience to equal rights
guaranteed by the amendments TO the con-
stitution is all that now stands in the way
of the complete obliteration Of sectional
lines I'm our political contests. AS long as
either of these amendments a'G flagrantly
violated or disregarded It'll safe to assume
that the people who placed them in the
constitution as embodying the Legitimate
results 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 be obeyed. The paramount
right by every American citizen who has
the requisite qualifications to freely cast
his vote and have IL honestly counted.
With this question rightly settled the
country will be relieved of the conten-
lions of the past, and bygones will indeed
be bygones, and political and party issues
with respect to economy and efficiency of
administration, internal improvements,
tariffs, 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 preservation of the Union. and
who adequately appreciated the value of
the victory achieved. This determination
proceeds from, no hostile sentiment or
feeling towards any part of the people Of
our country, or 10 any OF their Interests.
The iuviolability of the amendments rests
upon the fundamental principles of our
government; they are solely the express
sion of the will of the people of the Uni
ted states. The sentiment that the con-
stitutional rights OF all our citizens must
be maintained does not grow weaker, but |
il will continue TO control the govern |
tory of the late election shows that In |
many parts of the country where opposi- |
ton to the fifteenth amendment has here |
tofore prevailed IL Is diminished, and is |
likely TO leave altogether firm and well |
considered action Is taken by Congress. |
| trust the House of Representatives and |
the Senate, which have the right to judge /
Of election returns and qualifications Of
their members, will see to IL that every
cRre of violation of the letter or spirit Of
The fifteenth amendment is thoroughly in
and that no benefit from such
shall accrue TO any person or
party. II viii be the duty OF the execu-
live, with sufficient appropriations for
he purpose, TO prosecute unspar1ngiy