Year: 1877

bis, Etc.


FelIow-citizensof of the sehatsand House
| of fRepresentatis es:--With great gratitude


to the bountiful Giver of all good, | con-
! gratulate you at the beginning of your
| first regular session You find our coJn-


try blessed with wealth and peace and


abundant harYests, and with encouraging


prospects of an early return of general


prosperity. The pacification of the c0un-
try continues and will be until it is fully
accomplished and must remain the most
important of all our national interests


The earnest purpose of good citizens gen


orally to unite their efforts in those en-.


deavors is evident. 1t found decided


expression in the resolutions announced


in 1876 by the national conventions of


the leading political parties of the coan-


try. There was widespread apDrehen-


sion that the mOnaentOus results in our


progress as a nation, marked by the recent


amendments to the constitution, were in


imminent jeopardy; that the good


understanding which prompted their


adoption in the interest of loyal devotion


to the general welfare, must prove a


barren truce, and that the sections Of the


country once engaged in civil strife might


be again almest as widely severed and


disunited as they were when arraved in


arms against each other. The course to


he pursued, in my judgment, which


seems the wisest in the presence Of this


emergency, was plainly indicated in my
kinaugural address it pointed to the time
which all our people desired to see, when


genuine love of our whole country aud


of all that concerns its true welfare shall


supplant the destructive force of the


mutual animosity Of races and of gec-


tional hostility. Opinions have differed


widely as to the measures best calculated


to secure this great end. This was 10 be
expected the measures adopted bv the
administration have been subjected
to severe and varied criticisms. Anv
course whatever which might have
been entered upon would certainly have
encountered distrust and opposition.
These measures were, 10 my judgment
such as were most In harmony with the
constitution and with the genius of eur
people, and best adopted, under all cir
cumstances, to attain the end in view.
The benefcent results already apparent
prove that these endeavors are
yet to be regarded as q mere
experiment, and should sustain
and encourage us in eur efforts. Already
in the brief period which has elapsed,
the immediate effect happens, no less than
the justice OF the course pursued, is
demonstrated and | have the abiding faith
that time will furnish its ample vindica-
tion in the minds of the great majority
pf my f5llow-citizens. The discOntinu.
snce of the army for the purpose of up
holding local governments in two states
OF the union, was no less a constitutional
duty and requirement, under the cir
existing at the time, than it
was necessary measure for the restora-
tion of local selfgovernment ard the
promotion of national harmony.


The withdrawal of the troops from such
was effected diligently and
with solicitous care for the peace and
good order of society and the protection
OF the prosperity and persons OF every
right OF all classes of citizens, the results
that have followed are indeed significant
and encouraging, all aPpreheDsions of
danger from Temitting those states to
LEGAL self-government is dispelled and a
most salutary change in the minds of the
people has begun, and is in progress in
every part of that section of the country
WV Viz bACdNAC Va unhappy GANll
strife, substituting for suspicion,
distrust and aversion has given
place to concord, friendship and
patriotic attachment TO the union. No
one will deny that the often fatal com
mission of crimes, which for several
years have been of frequent occurrence,
and have alarmed the public mind. have
almost entirely ceased, and that a spirit of
mn fIIQI fnrhaaranna orah hoar4vr q
interest has succeeded. There has been
a general re-establisbment of Nder and
Of the orderly administration of Justice
Instances of any remaining Iawless-
ness have become of rare occurrence
political turmoil and turbulence have
disappeared and useful industries have
been resumed and public credit in the
southern states has been greatly strength
ened, and the encouraging benefits of
revival of commerce between the sections
of the country lately embroiled in the
civil war are fully enjoyed. Such are
some OF the results already attained, upon
which the country is to be congratulated,
and they are of such importance that we
may with confidence patiently await the
desired contamination that will surely
come with the natural progress of events


1t may not be improper here to say
that it should be our fixed an%hnalter-
able determination to protect by all the


vailable and proper means under the !
and the laws OF the lately |
race in the experiment of
their rights and privileges, and urge
upon those, TO whom heretofore the col |
ored people have sustained the relation
of bondsmen, the wisdom and Justice of |
human and liberal local legislation with |
respect to their educational and general |
welfare a firm adherence to the laws sf |
both national and state as to their civil |
and political rights of the colOred peopIe |
now advanced to full and equal citizen |
ship. The immediate repression and sura
punishment blythe national and local an
thorities within their respective iurisdic-
tions of every instance OF laWlessness and
violence toward them is required for the
security alike of both races, and is instIv
by the public opinion of the
country and the age. In this way the res
torstion efharmony and good will and the
complete protection OF every citizen
in the full enjoyment. of every constitu.
tional right will surely be attained
Whatever authority rests with me m
this end shall not hesitate to put forth
whatever belongs to the power of compress
md the Jurisdiction of the courts of
the union they may confidently be
relied upon to provide and perform.
nd to the legislatures, the courts and


NE executive authorities of the several
states l earnestly appeal to secure by
adequate, appropriate and seasonabie
means within their borders these common
and uniform rights of the united peopIe
which love liberty, abhor oppression and
revere Justice; these objects are yerv