Year: 1877

resentdtiUeS:


With devout gratitude to the Bountiful
GlVer OF all good, [ congratulate you at the be-
ginning of your first regular session. You find
our country blessed with health and peace and
abundant harvests, and with encouraging pros
poets OF an early return of general posterity.
The Southern Psiicy.


To complete aud make permanent the paci-
ication of the country continues to be and, un-
til 1t ls fully accomplished, must remain the
mostlmportant of all our national interests. The
earnest purpose of good citizens generally to
mite their efforts in this endeavor is evident.
1t found decided EXPRESSION in the resolution
announced in 1876 by the National Conventions
Oh the leading political parties of the country.
Ebefe was wide spread apprehension that the
momentous results in our progress as a nation
marked by the recent amendments to the Con-
stit1ton were in imminent jeopardy; that the
good understanding which prompted their
adoption in the interest of loyal devotion to
| the general welfare might prove barren truce,


ana that the two sections of the country once
engaged In civil strife might be again almost as
| widely severed and disupted as they were
when arrayed in arms against each other.
| Inc course to be pursued, which in my judg-
| menb seemed wisest in the presence of this
emergency, was plainly indicated in my inau-
| sural address. 1t pointed to the time which
1 all our people desire to see, when genuine
love OF our whole country and of all that con-
| Germs It's true welfare shall supplant the dis
| truct1ve force OF mutual animosity of races ard
| of sectional hostility. Opinions have differed
widely as to the measures best calculated to Sc
cure this as was to be expected. The measures
adopted by the administration have been sub
| iected to severe and varied criticism aud sny
| course whatever which might have been enter
&C upon would certainly have encountered dis
trust and opposition. These measures were, in
my Judgment, such as were most in harmony
| with the constitution and with the genius of
our people and best adapted under all the cir
cumstances to attain the end in view. Bepef-


cient results, already apparent, prove that these
endeavors are not to be regarded as mere ex-
pertinent and should sustain and encourage us
! iu our efforts. Already in the brief time which
| has elapsed the immediate effectiveness no less
than the justice OF the course pursued is demon
| strated and have an abiding faith that time
| will furnish its ample vindication in the minds
/ of the great majority of my fellow citizens


| The discontnuance of the use of the army
1 for the purpose of upholding local government
| in two states of the Union was no less con-
| stitutional duty and requirement under the
| circumstances existing at the time than it was
much needed measure for tAe restoration of
| local self government and the promotion of ma
tioDsl harmony. The withdrawal Of the troops
from such employment was effected delber-
ately and with solioitous care for the peace and
good order of society and the protection of the
property and persons and every right of all
classes of citizens. The results th at have fol-
lowed are indeed significant and encouraging.
All apprehensions of danger from remittng
those states to local self-government is dispel-
ed and most salutary change in the minds of
people has begun and is in progress n every
part of that section of the country, once the
theatre of unhappy civil strife substituting for
suspicion, distrust, and aversion concord
friendships and patriotic attachment to the
Union. No unprejudiced mind will deny that
the terrible and often fatal collisions which for
several years have been of frequent occurrence
and haye agitated and alarmed the public
mind have almost entirely ceased and that a
spirit of mutual forbearance and hearty nation
al interest has succeeded There has been
general re-estaolishment of order andfaof the
orderly administration of justice, instances of
remaining lawlessness have become of rare oc-
currence. Political turmoil and turbulence
have disappeared, useful industries have been
resumed, public credit in the Southern states
has been greatly strengthened and the encour-
aging benefits of revival of commerce between
the sections of the country lately embroiled in
civil war are fully enjoyed. Such are some Of


the results already attained, upon which the


country is to be congratulated They are of
sach importance that we may with confidence
patiently await the desired consummation that
will surely come with natural progress Of
events.


However, it may not be improper here to saw


that it should be our fixed and unalterable de-


termination to protect, by all available and


proper means under the Constitution and the


laws, the lately emaucipated race in the euioy-


ment of their rights and privileges


ADD urge upon those to whom here


tofore the colored people have sustained


the relation Of bondmen the wisdom


and justice OF humane and liberal legislation


with respect to their education and general


welfare; firm adherence to the laws, both


national aud state, as to the civil and political
rights of the col0red people now advanced to
tuii and equal citizenship. The immediate
repression and sure punishment by the national


and local authorities within their respective
Jurisdictions of every instance of lawlessness
and violence toward them is required for the
security alike of both races and is Justly de-
manded by the public opinion of the country
and the age. In this way the restoration of
harmony and good will and the complete pro-
lection of every citizen in the full enjoyment
OF every constitutional right will surely be
attained. Whatever authority rests with me to
this end, / shall not hesitate to put forth.
Whatever belongs to the power of Congress
and the jurisdiction of the courts of the Uniou


they may confidently be relied upon to provide
and form, and to the legislatures, the courts
and the executive authorities of the several
states earnestly appeal to secure by adequate
appropriate and seasonable means within their
borders these common and uniform rights of


united people which loves liberty, abhors
oppression and reveres justice. These objects
are very dear to my heart and shall continue
most earnestly to strive for their attainment


The cordial cooperation of all classes of all
sections of the country, and of both races, is
required for this purpose, and with these bless
Ings assured and not otherwise we may safely
hope to hand down our full institutions of gov
ernmenr uBimpaired to the generations that
will succeed us.