Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-12-14
TEE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FIIow-CTTIZENs OF THR SENATE AND
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES:

frv By the favor OF Divine Providence
" have been blessed, during the past
vse-. with wealth, with abundant har-
vests with profitable employment tor
s. cur people, and with contentment At
home. and with peace and friendship
other nations.
Ike occurrence of the twenty-iOuTth
election ~ chief magistrate has afforded
another opportunity TO the people OF the
J-.'fd States 70 exhibit 20 the world a
- icSnt example Of the peaceful and
SIS transmission OF the power and su-
tr1-ity OF government from the public
sf-v4nts whose terms of office are about
n expire, TO their newly chosen sue
cfssoIs THIS example cannot tail 10
impress profoundly thoughtful people
o'C;ltr countries with the advantages
itch republican Institutions afford.
r.. immediate, general and cheerful
A4uiescCnce o! all good citiz5ns in the
result q! the election, gives gratifying
assurance 20 our country, and 20 its
friends throughout the world. tina a
government based on the free consent of
= intelligent and patriotic people pos
slsss elements OF strength, stability
s-l yermSneDCy not found II any olLer
kW OF government
Continued opposition TO the full and
free enjoyment of the rights Of citizen
s.ic. conferred upon the cO.ored people
Dr. taa recent amendments 70 The Con
r.UtiCn. Stil. prevails IN seyera. OF he
q, s.sveho.ding States. lthas, perhaps,
10. 5eCn manifested in the recent cleo
zion 70 any large extent in acts of viO-
ieuce or intimidation. IL his, however,
by fraudulent practices in connection
with the ballots, with the regulations
A. 70 the places snd manner OF voting,
and with counting, returning and can
wasting the votes Cast, been successful
in defeating he exercise Of the right
prCservatiye Of 81 rights, the right OF
suffrage, which the Constitution eX-
press,y cOniers upon our eniranchised
citizens.
Il is The desire Of the cool people Of
the Sho'e country ,hg- Sectlonalism As
tactOr in cur politics should disappear.
They prefer that no section Of The ccUn-
rs should be united IN 80 &c opposition
Co sny other section The tisPoSit on 20
refuse prompt and hearty obedience 70
o., eQua. rights amendments 10 tte
c institution. Is 81 that now stands IN
t way Of = complete CELEBRATION OF
e. iCual lines in our political contests.
As .onC ~ either OF these amendments
is fagrantly vic. ted or diSrCCard6d, Il
j. safe 20 assume that the people who
placed them in the Constitution, Is en-
hl.yiug the legitimate results OF the
W. Tor tie UoiOn. and who believe them
'o 9 wise and necessary VIII continue
.sac. together and 70 inSiS, that they
st... be ohyyed. The paramount Qucs-
zion sti. l.. As % the enjoyment oi the
r-.. By very American citizen VITO has
Z. rcQui,''eQ qualifications 20 Tree cast
a1s VOC ana 70 have i. honestly counted.
VIII this question rightly settled the
c...try vii. De- relieved 81 tie conlen.
U.u, OF the past; hygOnes WI, lnaeed
0. ty-oncS; and poItlca. and party -
sues with respeC, 10 economy and en-
cheney OF administration, internal I'M
movements. the tai III, domestic taxation,
education. tina &C and other important
subjects Wi then receive their III u shSre
o. attention, but resistance 10 and NULL.
f..tion OF tie rCsu = OF the war, vii.
U i.etoge' her in resoiute purpose tortheir
support a.. who maintain the authority OF
tie Government and the perPetuity OF the
Union. and who adequately appreciate
tie value OF the victory achieved. TINS
determination prOc- eds from 90 hostile
aAANAa- 90 -NN - ~ 49, ~ 80
repu e OF our country, or 20 any OF their
inf. rests. The inviO.abi.ity OF the
an ailments rests upon the fundamental.
principle Of our government. They are
o.. solemn EXPRESSION OF the WI. OF the
poop Of the United States.
Tie sentiment that the constitutional
nights % al our citizens must be MAIN
,..~.t. does not grow weaker. l. VIII
H-sH| H.n rrfHH i a
O. country. Happily, the history OF
e.. late election shows thst in many
-arts Of the country where opposition 70
,he fifteenth amendment has heretofore
prevailed. 10 j. diminishing, and Is likely
10 cease Altogether. II hrm and we.l-cOn
sid-red action Is taken by Congress.
tvus. thl House Of Representatives and
the Senate. which have the right 20
Judge OF t.a elections. returns, and
qualifications OF tleir own mem btrs,
WI see 70 lt that cry case OF vio-
lation Of the letter or spirit Of the nj
tenth amendment Is thoroughly n
vest!rated. and that no benefit from
sucl violation shal. acruc TO any person
OF parry. |, viii De the duty OF the
Executive. with .thrient apDropria-
tous Tor the purpose. 10 prosecute I'M
sv.rinely al who have been engaged n
deriving citizens OF the rights guaran-
tsed 70 them by III. Constitution.
I. i no. however. 10 be forgotten
thar the best and surest guarantee OF
The primary rights of citizenship is 10
b. .Ound in that capacity Tor Seli-pro-
lection which cen belong only 70 peo-
pie whose right 10 universe. suffrage -
supported by universal education. The
means At the command of the lOca- and
State suthOritios are. in many cases,
wholly INADEQUATE = furnish free In
stIuction 10 all who need L. THIS Is
especial " true where, before emanclpa-
ton. the education OF the people was
neglected or prevented, IN the interest
Of slavery. Firmly convinced that tue
subject of popular education deserves
tie earnest attention OF the people OF
tie whole country, with view TO wise
and comprpk ensive action by the gov
eminent of the United States, respect
fully recommend that Congress, by
suitable legislation and with proper
ssfeguAds. supplement the local educa-
CJrNl funds in the several States where
the grave duties ana responsibilities "
citizenship have been devOlved on IN
educated peop.e. by devoting to the pnr-
pose grants of the pubic lancs, ana, ii
necessary. by appropriate rs from the
treasury of the United States w hatever
government can tairiy 90 20 promote free
popular education ought 10 be done.
Wherever general education Is found,
peace. virtue. and social order prevail,
and civil and religious liberty are Sc
cure.
In my former annual messages, i have
asked the attention of Congress to the
urgent necessity OF q reformation OF the
civil. system of the government. My
views concerning the dangers of patron