Year: 1877

lar session of Congress convened since his IN
auguration, was read before both Houses on
the first day of the regular session. The fol-
lowing are the material and most important
subjects treated in the message:


Fello,o- Citizens of the Senate and House O
Representatives With devout gratitude to
the bountiful Giver of all good, congratulate
you that at the beginning of your first regular
session, you find our country blessed with health
and peace and abundant harvests, and with
encouraging prospects of an early return OF
general prosperity. To complete, and make
permanent,


THE PAc1F1cAT1oN OF THE COUNTRY


continues to be, and until it is fully accom-.
plished must remain, the most important OF
all our national interests. The earnest pur-
pose of good citizens generally to unite their
efforts in the endeavor is evident. 1t found
decided expression in the resolutions announc'
ed in 1876 by the National conventions OF the
leading political parties of the country. There
was widespread apprehension that the mo-
mSntous results in our progress as nation
marked by the recent amendments to the
Constitution, we're 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,
and that two sections of the country once en-
gagged in civil strife might be again almost as
widely severed and disunited as they were
when arrayed in arms against each other.
The course to be pursued which, in my judg-
ment seemed wise in the presence of this
emergency, was plainly indicated in my inau-
gural address. 1t pointed to the time, which
all our people desire to see, when genuine
love of our whole country, and OF all that con-
Germs its true welfare, shall supplant the de.
structive forces Of the mutual animeslty OF
races and of sectional hostility. Opinions
have differed widely as to the measures best
calculated to secure this great end. This was
to be expected. The measures adopted by the
Administration have been subjected to severe
and varied criticism. Any course whatsoever
which might have been entered upon would
certainly have encountered distrust and oppo'
sition. These measures were, in my judgment,
such as we're most in harmony with the Con-
stitution and with the genius of our people,
and best adapted, under all the circumstances,
to attain the end in view. Bene6cent results,
already apparent, prove that these endeavors
are not to be regarded as mere experiment,
and should sustain and encourage our efforts.
Already, in the brief period which has elapsed,
the immediate effectiveness, no less than the
Justice of the course pursued, is demonstrated,
and have an abiding faith that time will
furnish its ample vindicaton in the minds of
the great majority of my fellow-citizens


The discontinuance of the use Of the army
for the purpose of upholdng local govern.
ments in two States Of the Union, was no less
a constitutional duty and requirement, under
the circumstances existing at the time, than it
was much needed measure for the restora-
ton of local selfgovernment and the promo
ton of national harmony. The withdrawal
of the troops from such employment was et-
fected deliberately and with solicitous care
for the peace and good order of socieey, and
the protection of the property and person and
every right of all classes of citizens The re.
suits that have followed are indeed significant
and encouraging. All apprehension of dan:
ger from remtting those States to local self


government is dispelled, and most salutary
change in the minds of the people has begun
aud is in progress in every part of that Sec
ton of country once the theatre of unhappy
civil strife, substituting for suspicion, distrust
and aversion, concord, friendship and patriot
ic attachment to the Union. No unprejudiced
mind will deny that the terrible aud often
fatal collisions which for several years have
been of frequent occurrence, and have aglta.
ted and alarmed the public mind, have almost
entirely ceased, and that spirit Of mutual
forbearance and hearty national interest has
succeeded. There has been general reestab-
lishment of order and the orderly administra.
tion of justice. Instances of remaining law


lessness have become of rare occurrence Po.
litical turmoil and turbulence have disap-
peared useful industries have been resumed /;
public credit In the Southern States has been
greatly strengthened, and the encouraging
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
such Importance that we may, with confidence,
patiently await the desired consummation
that will surely come with the natural pro-
gress of events. Itmay not be improper here
to say that it should be our fixed and unalter.
able determination to protect, by all availa-
bic and proper means under the Constitution
and the laws, the lately emancipated race, in
the enjoyment of their rights and privileges,
and urge upon those to whom, heretofore,
the colored people have sustained the relation
of bondmeu, the wisdom and justice of hu.
name and liberal local legislation with re-
spect to their education and general welfare.
A firm adherence to the laws both National
and State, as to the civil and political rights
of the colored people, now advanced to full
and equal citizenship, the immediate repres-
sion 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
protection of every citizen in the full enjoy
meut of every constitutional right will, sure
", 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 Union, they may confidently be relied on
to provide and perform and to the Legisla'
lures, the Courts and the Executive authori-
ties of the several States, I earnestly appeal
to secure, by adequate, appropriate and sea-
sonable means, within their borders, these
common and uniform rights of a united people
which loves liberty, abhors oppression and re-
veres justice. These objects are very dear to
nv heart I shall continue most earnestly to
strive for their attainment. The cordial coop.
Grafton of all classes, of all sections of the
country, and of both races, is required for
NTH thooa hlnos rod