Year: 1877

| LIE lolloWiHB iS tue Inaugural aduTeSS
delivered by President Hayes to-day:


Felio,c- Gtizens-We have assembled
to repeat the public ceremonial begun
by Washington, observed by all my pre-
decessors, and now time honored GUS
tom, which marks the commencement
Of new term Of the presidential office.
Called to the duties Of this great trust,
proceed, in compliance with usage, to
announce some of the leading principles
on the subjects that now chiefly engage
the public attention, by which it Is my
desire to be guided in the discharge Of
these duties. shall not undertake to
lay down, irrevocably, principles or
measures Of administration, but
rather speak Of the motives which
should animate us, and to suggest
certain important ends to be at
tanned, in accordance with our institu-
tions, and essential to the welfare of our
country, at the outset OF the discussion
OF which preceded the recent presiden-
tial election.


1t seems to be fitting that T should
fully make known my sentiments in
regard to several Of the important ques-
tions which then appeared to demand
the consideration of the country. Fol
lowing the example and III part adopt
ing the language Of one of my prede-
cessors, I wish now, when every motive
for Misrepresentation has passed away,
to repeat what was said before the elec-
ton, trusting that my countrymen will
candidly weigh and understand it, and
that they will feel assured that the SEN
timent declared in accepting the nomi-
nation for the Presidency will be the
standard Of my conduct in the path be-
fore me, charged as I now am with the
grave and difficult task Of carrying
them out in the practical administra-
ton OF the Government, 50 far as de-
pends, under the constitution and laws,
on the Chief Executive OF the nation.


The Pacihcation of the Country.


The permanent pacifcation of the
country upon such principles and by
such measures as will secure the COM
plete protection Of all its citizens in the
free enjoyment of all their constitution
al rights. is now the one subject in our
public affairs which all thoughtful and
patriotic citizens regard as Of supreme
Importance.


The Southern Policy.


Many of the calamitous effects of the
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over the Southern States still remain,
the immeasurable benefits of which will
surely follow, sooner or later. The
hearty and generous acceptance Of the
legitimate results of that revolution
have not yet been realized. Difficult
and embarrassing questions meet us at
the Threshold Of this subject.
The people. Of those States are
still impoverished and the inestimable
blessing Of wise, honest and peaceful
local self-government is not fully en-
joyed. Whatever difference Of opinion
may exist as to the cause Of this condi-
tion Of things, the fact is clear that in
the progress Of events, the time has
come when such government is the i'm
perative necessity required by all the
varied interests, public and private, of
those States. But it must not be for
gotten that only a local government
which recognizes and maintains invio-
late the rights Of all, is a true self-gov-
ernment.


The Negro Question.


The sweeping revolution Of the entire
labor system Of large portion of our
country and the advance Of four mil
lions Of people from a condition of SER
vitude to that of citizenship upon an
equal footing with their former masters,
could not occur without presenting
problems Of the gravest moment to be
dealt with by the emancipated race by
act of emancipation. That it was
a wise, a just and providential act,
wrought with good for all concerned, is
now generally conceded throughout
the country. That q moral obligation
rests upon the national government to
employ its constitutional power and in
huence to establish the rights of the
people it has emancipated, and to pro-
tect them in the enjoyment of those
rights when they are infriuged or as
sailed, is also generally admitted. The
evils which affect the Southern States
can only be removed or remedied by the
united and harmonious efforts Of both
races, actuated by motives of mutual
sympathy and regard, and, while in
duty bound and fully determined to
protect the rights of all, bys every
constitutional means at the disposal
ly anxious to use every legiti-
mate influence in favor of honest
and efficient local self-government as
the true resource Of these States for the
promotion of the contentment and pros
perity OF their citizens. In the effort, I
shall make to accomplish this purpose,
[ ask the cordial cooperation of all who
cherish an interest in the welfare OF the
country, trusting that party ties and
the prejudice of race will be freely sur
rendered in behalf Of the great pur-
pose to be accomplished.


Material Development of the south.


In the important work OF restoring
the South, it is not the political situation
that moves attention the material alone
development of that section of country
has been arrested by the social and po-
litical revolution through which it has
passed, and now needs and deserves the
censiderate care Of the National Gov
ernment within the just limits pre-
scribed by the constitution and wise
/ Dubiio economy