Year: 1877

Extracts from the residents Message. Felloe Citisens Of Mt Senate and House of < Representatives. < With devout gratitude to the bountiful giver of all good, congratulate you that at the be- ginning of your first regular session you mo our country blessed with health and peace and abundant harvests and with encouraging pros pectsof an early return of general prosperity.

 THE SOUTHERN QUESTION.

 To complete and make permanent the paci- fcation of the country continues to.be, and un- til it is accomplished must remain, the most Important of all our national interests. The earnest purpose of good citizens generally to unite their efforts iA this endeavor is evident. It found decided expression n.the resolutions announced in 1876 by the national conventions of the leading political parties of the country. There was widespread apprehension that the momentous results in our progress as nation, marked by the recent amendments to the con- stitution, were in imminent jeopardy that the good understanding which prompted their adoption in the interest of loyal devotion to the general welfare might prove a-barren truce :. and that the two sections of the country, once engaged in civil strife, might be again almost as widely severed and disunited as they were when arrayed in arms against each other sMhe course to be pursued which in my judg- Ement seems wisest, in the presence of this emer- geHcy was plaihly indicated in my Inaugural address. It pointed to the time which all our people desire to see, when genuine love of our whole country, and of all that concerns it's true welfare, shall supplant the destructive force of mutual animosity of enemies, and of sectional hostility. Opinions have differed widely as to the measures best calculated to secure this great end. This was to be expect ed. The measures adopted by the adminis- trationh have been subjected to severe and varied criticism. Any course whatever, which might have been entered upon would certainly have encountered distrust and opposition. These measures were in my judgement such as were most in harmony with the constitution and with the genius of our people, and best adapted un- der all circumstances to attain the end in view. Beneficent results already apparent prove that these endeavOrs are not to be regarded as a mere experiment and should sustain and en- courage us in our efforts. Already in the brief time which has elapsed the immediate effect ivenesS no less than justice of the course pur- sued is demonstrated, and have an abiding faith that time will furnish its ample vindica- tion in the minds of the great majority of my fellow citizens.

 THE USE OF TROOPS.

 The dscontinuance of the use of the army for the purpose of upholding local governments 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 the restoration of local self-government and the promotion of na- tional harmony. The withdrawal of the troops from such employment was effected deliberate ly and with solicitous care for the peace and good order of society and the protection of the property and persons and every right of all citizens. The results that have followed are indeed significant and encouraging. All ap- prehension of danger from remitting those states to local f-governnlent is dspelled, and most salutary change in the minds of the people has begun and is in progress in every part of that section of country, once the theater of unhappy civil strife substituting for suspi- cion, distrust and aversion, concord, friendship 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 have sagitated and alarmed the public mind, have almost entirely ceased, and that spirit spirit of mutual forbearance and hearty nation al interest has succeeded. There has been a general establishment of order and of the orderly administration of justice. Instances of remaining lawlessness have become of rare occurrence. 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 a revival of commerce be- tween the sections of the country lately en- broiled in civil war, are fully enjoyed. Such are some of the results already attained upon which the country is tobe congratulated. They are of such importance that we may with con- fidence patiently await the desired consumma- tion that will surely come with the natural pro- gress of events.

 CoLoRED PEOPLES RIGHTS.

 It,may not be improper hear to say that it should be our fixed and unalterable determina- tion to protect, by all available and proper means underline constitution and the laws, the lately emancipated race in the enjoyment of their rights and privileges, and I urge upon those to whom heretofore the colored people have sustained the relation of bondage the wis dom and justice of humane and liberal local legislation with respect to their education and general welfare. A firm adherence to the laws, both national and state, as to the political and civil rights of the colored people now advanced to full and equal citizenship; the immediate repression and sure punishment by the nation al 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. h 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 at tained. Whatever belongs to the power of congress, and the jurisdiction of the courts of the union, they may confidently be relied up- on to provide and perform, and to the legisla- ture, 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. 1 shall con- tinue most earnestly to strive for their attain ment. The co-ope ration of all classes, of all sections of the country and of both saces is re- quired for this purpose, and with thessb blessings assured, and not otherwise, we may safely hope l to hand down our free institutions of govern ment unimpaired to the generations that will succeed us.

 THE FINANCES.

 Among other subjects of great and general importance to the people of the country can not be mistaken, think, in regarding as pre- eminent the policy and measures which are de- signed to secure the restoration of the currency 1 to that normal and healthful conditionin which l by the resumption of specie payments our in- ternal trade and foreign commerce may be brought into harmony with the system of ex- changes which is based upon the precious met als as the intrinsic money of the world In the public judgment that this end should be sought and eompassed as speedily and as se- curely as the resources of the people and the

 wisdom of their government can accomplish, there is much greater degree of unanimity

 than is found to concur in the specific measures

 which will bring the country to this desired

 end, or the rapidity of the steps by which it

 can be safely reached. Upon most anxious

 and deliberate examination, which have felt

 itmy duty to give the subject, am but the

 more confirmed in theopinion which, express

 ed in accepting the nomination for the presi.

 dency, and again upon my inauguration that

 the policy of resumption should be pursued by

 every suitable means, and that no legislation

 would be wise that should disparage the i'm

 portance or retard the attainment of that re | tos11k T oS~,lrx