River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-12-16
PRESIDENT HAYES MESSAGE.

E2lo,e- Citizens Of the Senate aud House IF Repre-
seHtdfires:
/ congratulate You on the continued and in
creGsing prosperity Of our country. By the favor
Of Divine Providence we have been blessed du-
riag the past year, with health, with abundant
harvests, with profitable employment for all our
people and with eontentment at home. and with
peace and friendship with other nations.
The occurrence of the twenty-fourth election of
CHEF magistrate has afforded another opportunity
to the people of the nted States to exhibit TO
the world significant example Of the peaceful
and safe transmission of the power and authority
Of government from the public servants whose
terms of etfice about to expire to their newly
chosen successors. This example cannot fail to
impress profoundly thoughtful people of other
countries with the advantages which republican
Institutions afford The immediate general and
cheerful acqu.escenee of all good citizens in the
result Of the election gives gratifying assurance to
cUr country, and to its friends throughout the
world that a go eminent based on the free con-
seat Of an intelligent and patriotic people possess
elements Of strength stability and pernanency
not found in any other form Of government.
HEcTIoSALIsSI.
Continued opposition to the full and free enjoy
nient of the rights of citizenship conferred upon
the eolOred people by the recent amendments to
the constitution, still prevails IN several of the
late slaye-hoding states. II has perhaps not
been manifested in the recent election to any large
extent in acts of violence or intimidation. 1t has
however by fraudulent practices in connection
.gith ballots with the regulations as to the places
and manner Of voting, and with counting, return
ing and canvassng the votes cast. been successful
III defeating the exercise of the right preseryatiYe
cf ali rights the right Of suffrage; which the con-
stitution expressly confers upon our enfranchised
citizens.
1t is the desire of the good people Of the whole
country that sectionalism factor i'll our pol
itics should disappear. They prefer that no sec
tI0n of the country should be united in sound OPP
position to any other section. The disposition to
refuse a prompt and hearty obedience to the
equal rights amendments to the constitution is all
that now stands in the way of "a complete obliter-
alton Of sectional lines in our political contests
As long either of these amendments Is fragrant
" violated or disregarded, it is safe to assume
that the people who placed them in the constitu-
ton, as embodying the legitimate results of the
war for the Union, and who believe them to be
lSe and necessary. will continue to act together
ami to insist that they shall be Obeyed. The par
amount question still Is as TO the enjoyment of
the right by every American citizen who has the
requisite qualifications to freely east his vote and
. t. have II honestly counted. With this question
rightly settled, the country will be relieved of the
contentious of the past; bygones will indeed be
bygOnes; and political and party issues with re-
spect to economy and efficiency Of administration,
internal Improvements, the tariff. domestic taxa
tton, education finance, and other important sub
ic.is will then receive their full share of atten-
ti1u; but resistance to- and notification Of the re-
sdlts Of the war. will unite together in resOlute
purpose for their support all who maintain the
authority of the government and the perpetuity Of
the Union, and who adequately appreciate the
value of the victory achieved. This determine
tion proceeds from no hostile sentiment or feeling
to any part Of the people of our country, or to
any Of their interests. The inyolability of the
amendments rest upon the fundamental pripci-
pal of our government. They are the solemn ex-
preston Of the will of the people of the United
states.
the sentiment that the constitutional rights of
al our citizens must be maintained does not grow
weaker. 1t will continue to control the govern
ment of thu country. Happily, the history of the
late election shows that in many parts of the
country where opposition to the fifteenth amend
ment has heretofore prevailed it is diminishing,
aud is likely To cease altogether, if firm and we'll
c4psidered action Is taken by congress-. | trust
She house of representatives and the senate which
have the right to Judge of the elections, returns
and qualifications of their own members will see
- it that every case of violation of the letter
spirit of the fifteenth amendment is thoroughly
iny cstigated and that no benefit from such viola
ton shall accrue to any person or party. 1t will
he the duty of the executive, with sufficient APP
Preparations for the purpose to prosecute unspar-
ingly all who have been engaged in depriying
citizens Of the rights guaranteed to them by the
constitution.