Daily Kennebec journal., 1880-12-07
pailp Kenneber JournaI.
Presidents Message.

rllom citizens Of the Senate and House of
Representatives.:
Icongratulate you on the continued and in
ereasing prosperity of our country. BY the fav-
o,n Divine providence we have been blessed
duripg the past year with health. with abundant
baryests, with profitable employment for all
our people, and with contentment
4 home, and with peace and friendship with
other nations. The occurrence of the twenty
6aurth election of Chief Magistrate has af
forded another opportunity to the people of the
United States to exhibit TO the world the siy-
ni6eant example of the peaceful and safe trans
mission of the power and authority of govern
ment from the public servants whose terms of
office are about to expire, to their newly
chosen successors. This example cannot
fail to impress profoundly thoughtful
people of other countries with advantages
which republican institutions afford 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 a government based on
the free concert of an intelligent and pa
triotic people possesses clements of
strength, stability, and permanency, not found
in anv other form of government Continued
ODpOsltlUIl tO Tic tfiJOvfneHt OF the
rights of citizenship conferred upon colored
people by the recent amendments 10 the con-
stitution still prevails in several of the late
,lave-holding States. 1t has perhaps not
been manifested in the recent elec-
,ion to any large extent in acts of
violence or intimidation. 1t has, how
ever, by fraudulent practices in
connection with the ballots with the regulations
As to the places and manner of voting and
with counting, returning and canvassng the
votes cast. been successful in defeating
the exercise of the right preservative of all
rights-the right OF suffrage-which the con-
,titution expressly confers upon our enfran-
chised citizens.
Coon ADVICE FOR THE SOLID SoUrH.
1t is the desire of the good people of the
whole country that sectionalism as a factor in
our politics, should disappear. They prefer
that no section of the country should be
united in solid opposition to any other sec
ton. The disposition to refuse prompt and
hearty obedience to the equal-rights amend
ments to the constitution, is all that now
stands i'm the way of complete obliteration of
sectional lines in our political contests.
As long either of these amendments are
fagrantly violated, or disregarded, it is safe
to assume that the people who placed Them
in the constitution as embodying the legiti-
mate results of the war for the Union, and
whe 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 enjoyment of the
right by every American citizen who has the
requisite qualifications to freely cast his vote
and to have it honestly counted. With this
question rightly settled the country will be
relieved of conventions of the past. Bvgones
will indeed be bygOnes, and political and
party issues with respect to economy and eff
ficiencv of administration, internal improve
ments, tariff domestic taxation, education,
finance and other important subjects, will
then receive their full share of attention !;
but resistance to and notification of the re-
suits of the war, will unite together in resolute
purpose for their support all who maintain
the authority of the government, and the per-
petuity of the Union, and who adequately
appreciate the value of the victory achieved.
This determination proceeds from no hostile
sentiment or feeling to any part of our people
of the country or to any of their interests
The invioIability of the amendments rests
upon the fundamental principle of our gov
ernment. They are the solemn expression 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 1t 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 to the
18th amendment has heretofore prevailed, it
diminishing and is likely to cease altogether
If firm and well considered action is taken
by Congress. l trust the House of Represen-
tatives and the Senate, which have the right to
judge Of the elections, returns and qualifica-
tions Of their own members will see to IT that
every case of violation of the letter or spirit
of the 18th amendment is thor
oughly investigated, and that no
benefit from such violation shall accrue to
any person or party 1t will be the duty of
the executive, with sufficient appropriation
for the purpose, to prosecute unsparingly all
who have been engaged in depriving citizens
Of the rights guaranteed to them by the constl-
tuition.
SELF HELP.
Ii is not, however, to be forgotten that the
best and surest guarantee ofthe primary rights
Of citizenship is to be found in that capacity
for self protection which can belong only to
apeople whose right to universal suffrage is
supported by universal education. he
means at the command of the local and State
authorities are, in many cases, wholly made
quate to furnish free instruction to all VINO
need it. This is especially true where, be-
fore emancipation. the education of the pec-
pie was neglected or prevented, in the inter-
est Of slavery. Firmly convinced that the
subject of popular education deserves the
earnest attention of the people OF the whole
country, with a view to wise and comprehen.
iive action by the government Of the United
States, I respectfully recommend that Con-
ress, BY suitable legislation and with proper
safeguards, supplement- the local educational
innds 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 pubiic
lands, and, if necessary, by approprlations
nom nor, the treasury of the United States.
Whatever government can fairly do to pro-
mote not free popular education ought to be DONE
Wherever general education is found. peace;
virtue. and social order prevail, and civil ana
rhglous liberty are secure.
Civil SERVICE Reform.
In my former messages have asked the
suention of Congress to the urgent necessity
reformation of the civil-service system
ne government My views concerning
g dangers of patronage, or appointments
. PERSONAL or partisan considerations, have
wxsI