Year: 1877

cordance with our institutions and es
sential to the welfare of our country
; At the outset of the discussions which
preceded the recent Presidential election
it seemed to me fitting that should
fully make known my sentiments in re-
gard to several of the important ques
tions which then appeared to demand
the consideration of the country. Fol
lowing the example, and in part adopt
ing the language of one of my prede
cessors, l wish now, when every motive
for Misrepresentation has passed away
to repeat what was said before the elec
tion, trusting that my countrymen will
candidly weigh and understand it, anG
that they will feel assured that the sen
timents declared in accepting the nomi
nation for the Presidency will be the
standard of my conduct in the path be
fore me, charged as / now am with the
grave and difficult task of carrying them
out in practical administration of the
government SO far as depends under the
Constitution and laws, on the Chief Ex
ecutive of tho Nation.


The permanent pacification of the
country upon such principles and by such
measures as will secure the complete pro.
lection of all its citizens in the free EN-.
joyment of all their Constitutional rights
is now the one subject in our public
affairs which all thoughtful and patriotic
citizens regard of supreme importance.
Many of the ca)amitous effects OF
the tremendous revolution which has
passed over the Southern States
still remain. The immeasurable bene-
fits which will surely follow sooner or
later the hearty and generous acceptance
of the legitimate results of that revolu-
tion have not yet been realized. Diff
cult and embarrassing questions meet us
at the threshold of the subject. The
people of these States are still impover-
ished, and the inestimable blessing OF
wise, honest, and peaceful local govern
ment is not fully enjoyed. Whatever
differences of opinion may exist as to
the cause of this condition of things,
the fact is clear that in the pro-
gress ef events the time has come when
such government is an imperative
necessity, required by all the varied in
terests, public and private, of these
States. But it must not be forgotten
that only local government, which rec
ognizes and Observation-Disclosures the rights
of all, is a true self-government, with
| respect to the two distinct races, whose
peculiar relations to each other have
brought upon lis the deplorable compli-
cations and perplexities which exist in
these States. 1t must be government
which regards the interests of both races
carefully and equally. 1t must be a
government which submits Loyalty and
heartily to the Constitution and laws
the laws of the nation and the laws of
the States misunderstanding and
obeying faithfully the whole Constitu-
ton as it is. Resting on this sure and
substantial foundation, the superstruc.
ture of benificent local governments can
be built up, and not otherwise.


In futherance of such obedience t.
the letter and the spirit of the Constitu-
ton, and in behalf of all that its attain
ment implies, all so-called party interests,
lose their apparent Importance, and
party lines may we'll be permitted to
fall into insignificance. The question
we have to consider for the immediate
welfare cf those States of the Union is
the question of government or no gov
ernment, of social order, and all the
peaceful industries and the happiness
that belong to it, or return to barbar-
ism. 1t is question in which every
citizen of the nation is deeply interested,
and with respect to which we ought not
to be, in partisan sense, either Repub-
licans or Democrats, but fellow citizens
and fellow men, to whom the interests
of the common country and common
humanity are dear.


The sweeping revolution of the entire
labor system of large portion of our
country, and the advance Of 4, 100000 of
people from a condition of servitude to
that of citizenship upon an equal foot
ing with that of their former masters,
could not occur without presenting q
problem of the gravest moment to be
dealt with by the emancipated race, by
their former casters, and the general
government the author of the act Of
emancipation. That it was wise, just,
and providential act, fraught with good
| for all concerned, is now generally con-
ceded throughout the country. That a
moral obligation rests upon the national
government to employ its constitutional
power and influence to establish the
rights of the people it has emancipated
and to protect them in the enjoyment
of these rights when they are infringed
or assailed, is also generally admitted.
The evils which afflics the Southern
States can only be removed
or remedjed by the united
and harmonious efforts of both races,
actuated by motives of mutual sympa-
thy and regard. And, while in duty
| bo,nd onJ f,,ll,, Jatarno;noJ en- nrotoct
the rights of all by every constitutional
me ans at the disposal of my admins
tration, am sincerely anxious to use
every legitimate influence in favor OF
honest and efficient local government as
the true resource of those States for the
promotion of the contentment and pros
perity of their citizens. In the effort
shall make to accomplish this purpose
i ask the cordial cooperation OF all who
cherish an interest in the welfare of tn,
country, trusting that party ties an


prejudice of race will be freely surren
dered in behalf of this great purpose
to be accomplished in the importan
work of the restoration of the South.


1t is not the political situation alon,
that merits attention. The material de
velopment of that section of the countr,
has been arrested by the social and pc
litical revolution through which it ha
passed, and now needs and deserves tn
considerate care of the National Govern
ment within the just limits prescribe'
by the Constitution and wise publ
economy. But at the basis of all pros
perity for that, as for every part of tn
country, is the improvement of the in
tellectual and moral condition of tn
people. Universal suffrage should res
upon universal education. To this ent
liberal and permanent provision shoul,
be made for the support of free school
by the State Government, and, If nee,
be, supplemented by legitimate and firn
national authority. Let me assure m,
countrymen Of the Southern States tina
it is my earnest desire to regard ant
promote their truest interests, the Inter
ests of the white and of the colored peo
pie, both and equally, and to put fortl
my best efforts in behalf of civil polio,
which vviII faraver wilma ont from On