The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-12-07
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE


and increasing prosperity Of our coun-
try. BY the favor OF divine providence
We have seen bless i during the past
year with health, with ;.laalant har-
vests, with profitable employment for
all our people and with contentment at
home and with peace aud friendship
with other nations.
The occurrence OF the twenty
fourth election Of chief magis-
trate has afforded another oppor-
tuni.y 10 the people of the United States
TO exhibit 10 the world u significant
ex-mpla of peaceful and safe trans
mission OF power and authority Of gov
ernment from public servants, whose
terms Of Office are about 10 expire, TO
their newly chosen successors. This
example cannot fail TO impress pro-
foundly thoughtful people Of other
countries with the advantages which re-
publican institutions afford The
general and cheerful acquiescence
Of all good citizens in the result Of
the election gives gratifying assurance
10 our country and 10 its friends
throughout the world, that govern
ment based on the free consent Of an
intelligent and patriotic people, Possesses
elements Of strength, stability and
permanency not found in any other
form OF government.
The southern states.
Tie continued opposition to the full
and free enjoyment of the rights
OF citizenship, conferred upon the
colored people by the recent amend
ment TO the constitution, still pre-
walls in several of the late slave
holding states. 1t has, perhaps,
not been manifested In the recent cleo
tion TO any large extent in acts OF
violence or intimidation; it has, how
evcI Il by fraudulent practices in connec-
tion with tho ballots, with the regula-
tions as to the places and manner Of
voting, and the counting, returning
and canvassing the votes cast. been sue
cessful in defeating the exercise of the
right preseryative OF all rights, the
right of suffrage, which the constitu-
tion expressly confers upon our enfran-
chised citizens. II Is the desire OF the
good people OF the whole country that
sectionalism us factor in our politics
should disappear. They prefer that no
section Of the country should bc united
In solid opposition TO any other section.
The disposition TO refuse prompt and
hearty obedience TO the equal rights Of
amendments TO the constitution, is all
that now stands in the way of a complete
obliteration Of sectional lines in our
political contests. As long as these
amendments are ilagrantly disregarded,
II Is safe to assume that the people who
placed them in the constitution, as en-
bodying the legitimate results OF the
war for the union, and who believe
them to he wise and necessary, will
continue TO act together and TO insist
that they shall be obeyed. The para
mount question still is, as TO the enjoy
ment OF the right, by every American
citizen who has the requisite qualilica-
tions, to freely cast his vote, and to
have IL honestly counted. With this
question rightly settled, the country
will be relieved of the contentious OF
the past; byGones will indeed be by
cones, and party issues with respect TO
economy and efficiency of the admins
tration, internal improvement, the
tariff, domestic taxation, eduation,
finance, and other important subjects
will then receive their full share Of at
tention. But resistance to and nullih-
cation OF the war, will unite together
In n resolute purpose for their support
all who maintain the authority of the
government and the perpetuity of the
nnion, and who adequately appreciate
the value Of the victory achieved. This
determination proceeds from no hostile
sentiment or feeling to any part of the
people OF our country, or 10 any of
their interests,
The inviolability of TIE amendments
rests upon the fundamental principle OF
our government. 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-it will continue to con-
troll the government OF the country.
Happily the history Of the late election
shows that in many parts of the coun-
try where opposition TO the fifteenth
amendment has heretofore prevailed,
It is diminishing, and is likely to cease
altogether, IL 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 returns and qualifica-
tions of their own members, will sec to
it that every case of violation of the
letter or the spirit of the fifteenth
amendment is thoroughly investigated,
and that no benefit from such violation
shall accrue to any person or party.
1t will he the duty Of the executive,
with sufficient appropriations for the
purpose. to prosecute unsparingly all
who have been engaged in depriving
citizens of the rights guaranteed to
them by the constitution.
Education Necessary.
1t is not however to be forgotten
that tho best and surest guarantee of
the primary rights Of citizens Is to be
found in that capacity for self l'rotec.
tion which can belong only to people
whose right TO universal suffrage is sup
ported by universal education. The
means at the command OF the local and
state authorities are, in many cases,
wholly Inadequate to furnish free in
struction to all who need 1t. This Is