New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-07
FILL TEXT OF THE MESSAGE.

FULL TENT OF THE MESSAGE.
Iclloc- CU<os Of tie SceGtc GRd House Of Repre-
soHicttyts:
/ congratulate YOU on the continued and incIeas-
inc prosperity of our country. By the favor Of
Divine Providence we have been blessed, during
the past year. with health, with abundant har-
vests. with profitable employment for all our
people, and with cOntentment at home, and with
peace and friendship with other nations.
The occurrence OF the twenty-fOurth election of
Chief Magistrate has Afforded another opportunity
10 the people of the United States to exhibit TO the
world a significant example of the peaceful and
safe transmission of the power and authority of
government 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 the advantages
which republican institutions afford. Tie imme
diate general, and cheerful acQuiescence of all
good citizens. in the result OF the elerJion gives
gratifying assurance to our country, and to It's
friends throughout the world. that Government
based on the free consent OF an intelligent and
patriotic people possesses elements of strength,
stability, aud permanency not found i'll any other
form of government.
Continued opposition to the full and free enjoy
ment of the rights of citizenship, conferred upon
the colored people by the recent amendments to the
Constitution, still prevails in several of the late
slaveholding States. 1t has. perhaps not been
manifested iii the recent election to any large
tent in acts of violence or Intimidation. 1t has,
however, 10y fraudulent practices in connection
with the ballots. with the regulations as to the
places and manner of voting, and with counting,
returning. and canyassng the votes cast been
successful in defeating the exercise OF the right
prescryatiyc OF all rights, the right of suffrage
ia, ba a.
enfranchsed citizens
Ii is the desire of the good people OF the whole
country that sectOnalism Is "A factor in politics
Should disappear. They prefer that no section OF
the country should he united in solid opposition to
any other section. The disposition to refuse
prompt and hearty obedience to the equal rights
amendments to the tuition. is all that
stands in the way of complete obteration of
s.ctlonal lines in our political contests. As long
as either of these amendments is faerantly vIO-
lated or disregaIded it is safe assume that the
people who placed them III the Constitution, as
cmbodying the legitimate results of The for
the Union and who believe them to be wise and
necessary. will conlinne to act together and to in-
slst that they shall be Obcyed The paramount
Uu, sIOn still is. to the enjoyment vi the night
ly every American cltlZen who has the requisite
qualifications. to freely cast his vote and To have
il honestly counted. With this question rightly
fled the country will be relieved of the cOntei-
lions oi the past 6ygones will indeed be bvgOnes
aud political ana party issues with respect 10 econ
,v aud efficiency of administration internal i'm
prov emcnts. the ari. domestic taxation educatiOn
flnancc aud other important subjects, will then rc-
c;ye their full share of attention Uut resistance 10
and notification of the results of the will unite
tngetLcr IN resoute purpose for their support all who
maintain the authority of the Government and the
D. rpetuity of the CnloI. and VINO adequately ap-
t-nciatp The value of the victory achieved. This
proceeds IRON no hostile sentiment
o. feeling to any paIt OF the people of our conn-
Try or to any OF their interests The lnvioabiity
OF Inc amendments rests upon the iundamcn tai
priucIplc OF our CovoTnm,n ,nt They aIe the solemn
expression of the Will OF the people OF the United
States. .. .
The sentiment that the constitutional rights of
all our citzcns must be maintained does not grow
weaker IL will continue To control the Govern. !
Ieut of the country. Happily the history of the |
late election shows that III many parts oI the |
Conatry WI. RS opposition TO the hlteenth ancnd-
men, has heretofore pIeVaied, IL II diminishing
.u Is likely 10 cease altogether, II firm and we'll
considered action is taken by Congress. | trust |
Inc House of Representatives, and The senate
" llich have t1c right To judge of the elections re
turns and qualifications of their own members, !
wii sec to 1t that every case OF violation of the
lrrter or spirit of the fifteenth amendment Is !
investigated. and that no beneht from !
such violation shall accrue to any person or party:
IL wl be the duty Of the Executive WIN suihclent
appropriations for the purpose 10 prosecute uhspr-
ingly all no have been engaged lh deprving citi-
2ens Of the rights guaranteed TO thcm by The Con-
st,tutIOI.
1; is not however TO be forgotten that the best |
ami surcst guarantee OF the primary rights OF ct.-
zcnshp Is 10 he found in that capacity iOf sell
protection Which can belong OhlN 10 Pcopic "hoSv
right 10 universal suffrage rs supported Dy lnlNcrsa
education. The means at the command OF lhe local
ana S:atc authorities arc, in many cases wholly IN
adciGats to furnish free instruction 10 all VINO need
IT. This is especially true where, before cmancipa-
ton. The education OF the people was negle TED or
prevented. IN the Interest OF slavery Firmly con
vincel that the subject OF popular education do
serves the earnest attention OF the people OF the
whole country, with viru TO wise band cOlnprc-
hrusiye action by the Government Of the United
htates. respectfully recommend that Congress, by
suitable lesi SlatIon and with proper safcguars,
supplement the local educational funds in the sew