Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1877 — INAUGURAL. [ARTICLE]

INAUGURAL.

fa { >«tem*uweu—A Ftae Display and a | *Ht>«M teaemblaga a* tibs Capital j-Wfcu iMMCWNd iUran la MaU. Tha inauguration of President Hayes wm accomplished at the National Capitol on the sth. The procession wm aa imposing one. The ride from the White House to the Capitol was an ovation, the assembled multitude cheering in the most enthusiastic manner, and the President responding by frequently lifting his hat and bowing. The Inaugural adores* was delivered from the eastern front of the Capitol building in the presence of an immense concourse of people. A mace of ground 1,000 feet long by 800 wide was thoroughly packed. The following is the President’s inaugural: Billow Citizens: We have assembled to top tiat the public ceremonial begun by Washington, observed by all my predecessors, and now a time-honored custom, which marks the commencement of a new term in the Presidential office. Called to the duties of this great trust, I proceed, in compliance with usage, to announce some of the leading principles on the subjects that no* chiefly •■gage public attention, by it is my derive to be guided in the discharge of those duties. I shall not undertake to lay down irrevocably principles or measures of Administration, but rather to apeak of the motives which should animate us, and to suggest certain important ends to be attained in ameordance with our Institutions and essential to the welfare of our country. ns urrtEß or acceptance. At the outset of the discussions which preceded the recent Presidential election, it seamrnd to me fitting that I should fully make known my sentiments in regard to several of the Important questions which then appeared to demand the consideration of the country. Following the example, and In part adopting the language of one of my wish now, when every motive for misrepresentation has passed away, to repeat what was said before the election, trusting that my countrymen will candidly weigh and understand it, and that they will fori assured that the sentiments declared in ■oeepting my nomination for the Presidency will be the standard of my conduct in the path before me. Charged as I now am with toe grave and difficult task of carrying them •ut in the practical administration of the Government, so far as depends under the Constitution and laws on the Chief Executive of the Nation, the permanent pacification of the country upon such principles and by such measures as will secure the complete protection of all its cit'zens in the free enjoyment of all their Constitutional rights, fat now the one subject in bur public affairs which all thoughtful and patriotic eitiaens regard as of supreme Importance. THE SOUTH.

Many of the calamitous effects of the treHBendous revolution which has passed over tbeSouthern States still remain. Tlie imMMBMirable benefit* which will (urely foltow, sooner or later, the hearty and generoam 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 Hie people of these States are still impoverished, and the inestimable blessing of wise, honest and peaceful local self-government is not fully enjoyed. Whatever difference of opinion may exist as to the cause of this condition of things, the faet is clear that, in tbe progress of events, (he time has come when such government i* an imperative necessity, required by ail the varied interests, public and private, of those States; but it must ■ot be forgotten that only a local government which recognizes and maintains inviolate the right* of all is a true self-government. With respect to the two distinct races whose peculiar relations to each other have brought upon us thud colorable complications and perwexititeithich exist in these States, it must be a govesament which guards the Interests «f both faces carefully and equally; it must be n government which submits loyally and hearth yto tlse Constitution and laws—the laws of tbe Nation and the laws of the States themselves—accepting and obeying ffidthfully the whole Constitution ns it is. Besting upon this sure and substantial foundation, that tuperstructurc of beneficent local governments can lie built up, and not otherwise. In furtherance of such obedience to the letter and the spirit of the Constitution, and in behalf of all that its attainment implies, all so-called party Intercats lose their apparent Importance, and ■arty lines may well be permitted to fall Into insignificance.

The question we have to consider for the -immediate welfare of those States of the Union is the question of government or no ■government—of social order and all the peaceful industries and the happiness that belong to it, or a return to barbarism. IsiU a question in which every citizen of the Nation Id deeply interested, and with respect to Which we ought not to be, in a partisan e sense, either Bepubiicans or Democrats, but felfow-citixena and fellow-men, to whom the interests of a common country and a common humanity are dear. The sweeping revolution of the entire labor system of a large portion of our coun* toy and the advance of 4,000,000 people from a condition of servitude 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 their former masters, and by the General ■Government, the author of the Act of Emancipation. That it was a wise. Just and provi--dential act, fraught With good for all concerned, is now generally conceded throughout the country. That a moral obligation rests upon the National Government to emeoy its Constitutional power and influence establish the rights of the people whom It has emancipated, and to protect them in the enjoyment of those rights, when they are infringed or assailed, is also generally admitted. The evils which afflict 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 del bermlned to protect the rights of all by every Constitutional means at the disposal of my Administration, I am sincerely anxious to use every legitimate influence in favor of honest and efficient local government, as the true resource of those States tor the promotion of the contentment aud prosperity of their citizens. In the effort I shall make to accomplish this purpose, I ask the cordial co-operation of all who cherish an interest in the welfare of the country, trusting that party tics and prejudice of race will be freely surrendered in behalf of lhe great purpose to be accomplished in the important work of the restoration of the South. It is not the political situation alone that merits aUent on. The material development of that section of the country has been arrested by the social and political revolution through which it has passed, and now needs and deserves the considerate care of the National Government within the just Itaiits prescribed bv the Constitution and wise public economy. But at the basis of all prosperity, for that as well as for every other part of the country, lies the improvement of the intellectual and moral condition of the people. Universal suffrage should rest upon universal education. To this end a liberal and permanent provision should be made tor toe support of free schools by dtateGoveramentSf Md, if need be, supplemented by legitimate aid from the National authority. Eat me assure my countrymen of the Southern States that it is my earnest desire to J eg ? r ? and promote their truest interests —the interests of the white and of the colPWte, both *ndequally-and put forth my best efforts in behalf ot a civ.l policy which will forever wipe out in our political affairs the color line and the distinction between the North and South, to the end that crviiz-SKBVica reform. I ask the attention of the public to the surmount ucessitv of reform in our civil

service, a reform Mt mmriy —to iwwtete abuses and practices of eo-erite* offtohd w’hwThare cmm to haw tto sanction of usage in several depnrtmvota of our Government, but a cheat* of the WMMh of appointment Itself—a reform that shall be thorough, radical and complete—a retara to the principles and practice* of th* tewodere of the Government. They aetlher expected nor desired from public officers any partisan service; they meant that mb lie officers should owe their whole service to the Government end to the people; they meant that Urr offirt* should be secure in his tenure as tong asMs personal character remained aaUroUbvd and the performance of his doth* was factory. They held that appointments te office were not to be made or expected merely as rewards for partisan service*. nor merely on the nomination of Members of Cwngrra* as Ireing entitled in any respect to the control of such appointments. Th* tec* th*' both political parties of Ute counter, ht declaring their principles prior to the riccttoa, gave a prominent place to the subjected the j reform of our civil service, rneogauteg wad strongly urging its necessity in term almoot identical in their specific Import with those I have here employed, ma* he accepted as a conclusive argument In hcbaV of these measures. It must be regwnM M , the expression of the united voice and wil of the whole country upon thia subject, and both political parties are virtually pMgtd to rive it their unreserved support. The President of the United States, of necessity, owes his election to office to tbs suffrage and sealous labors of a political party, the members of which cherish With ardor, and regard as of essential importance, the principles of their party organisation. But he should strive to be always mindful of the fact that he serves his party best who servea the country best THE PRESIDHNTI4T. TERM. In furtherance of the reform we seek, and, as in other important respects a change of great importance, I rewommend an amendment to thrConstltutton prescribing a term of six years for the Presidential office, and forbidding a ro-elcqflon. FINANCIAL. With respect te the financial condition of the country, I shall not attempt an.extended history of the embarrassment and prostration which we have suffered during the past three years. The depression in all our varied commercial «nd manufacturing interests throughout the country, which began In September, 1873, still continues. It is very -gratifying, however, to be able to say that there are indications ail around us of a coming change to prosperous times. THE CURRENCY AND SPECIE PAYMENTS. Upon the currency question. Intimately connected as it is with this topic, I may be permitted to repeat the statement made in my letter of acceptance, that in my judgment the feeling of uncertainty inseparable from an irredeemable paper currency, with its fluctuations of values, Is one of the greatest obstacles of a return to prosperous times. The only safe paper currency is the one which rests upon a coin basis, and is at all times promptly convertible into coin. I adhere to the views heretofore expressed by me In favor of Congressional legislation in behalf of an early resumption of spetie payment, and I am satisfied not only that this Is wise, but that the interests, as well as the public sentiment of the country, imperatively demand it. FOREIGN RELATIONS. Passing from these remarks upon the condition of our own country, to consider our relations with other lands, we are reminded by international complications abroad, threatening the peace of Europe, that our traditional rule of non-interference in affairs of foreign nations has proved of great value in past times, and ought to be strictly observed.

ARBITRATION. The policy inaugurated by my honored predecessor—Gen. Grant—of submitting to arbitration grave questions in dispute between ourselves and foreign Powers, points to a new and incomparably the best instrumentality’ for the preservation of peace, and will, as 1 believe, become a beneficent example of the course to be pursued in similar emergencies by other Nations. If, unhappily, questions of difference should at any time, during the period of my Administration, arise between the United States and any foreign Government, it will certainly be my disposition and my hope to aid in their settlement in the same peaceful and honorable way, thus securing to our country the great blessings of peace and mutual good offices with all nations of the world. THB RBCENT POLITICAL CONTEST. Fellow-citizens, we have reached the close of a political contest marked with the excitement which usually attends the contests between great political parties, whose members espouse and advocate with earnest faith their respective creeds. The circumstances were, perhaps, in no respect extraordinary save in the closeness and the consequent uncertainty of the result. THB ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL AND TUB PRESIDENCY. For the first time in the history of the country, it has been deemed best, in view of the peculiar circumstances of the ease, that the objections and questions in dispute with reference to the counting of the Electoral votes should be referred to the decision of a tribunal appointed for this purpose. That tribunal, established by law for this sole purpose, its members, all of them, of longestablished reputation for integrity and intelligence, and, with the exception of those who are also members of the Supreme Judiciary, chosen equally from both political parties, its deliberations enlightened by the research and the arguments of able counsel, was entitled to the fullest confidence of the American people. Its decisions have been patiently waited for and accepted as legally conclusive by the general judgment of the public. For the present, opinion will widely vary as to the wisdom of the several conclusions announced by that tribunal. This is to be anticipated In every instance where matters of dispute are made the subject of arbitration unaer the form of law. Human judgment is never unerring, and is rarely regarded as otherwise than wrong by the unsuccessful party in the contest. Toe fact that two great political parties have in this way settled a dispute in regard to which good men differ as to the law no less than as to the proper course to be pursued in solving the question in controversy, is an occasion for general rejqicing. Upon one point there is entire unanimity In public sentiment—that conflicting claims to the Presidency must be amicably and peaceably adjusted, and that when so adjusted the general acquiescence of the Nation ought surely to follow. It haa been reserved for a Government of the people, where the right of suffrage is universal, to give to the world the first example in history of a great Nation in the midst of a struggle of opposing parties for power, hushing its party tumults to yield the issue of the contest to adjustment according to the forms of law. , CONCLUSION. Looking for the guidance of that Divine Hand by which the destinies of Nations and individuals are shaped, I call upon you, Senators, Representatives, Judges, fellowcituens, here and everywhere, to unite with me in an earnest effort to secure to our country the blessing not only of ma erial prosperity, but of justice, peace and Union —a Union depending not upon the constraints of force, but upon the loving devotion of a free people, and that all things may be so ordered and settled upon the best and surest foundation, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. VICE-PRESIDENT WHLE KUKR’S REMARKS. The following remarks were made by Vice President Wheeler before taking the oath of office in lhe Senate Chamber: Senators: Official station ever brings with It corresponding duty and responsibility of services. How delicate, and at times difficult® and complex, are the duties which the oath I am about to take will impose on me. As President of the Senate, It Is my sincere purpose to lift myself entirely above the elements of partisanship; to administer its rules in their true spirit, with courteous firmness, and bT ail means

toy E?WWte IjpUuto art expeffite Ito MfoteffiteM. tearing Uris, 1 shall need ywar «M, yewr fottaenmee, and at wew shall toeutiriM «t tiw rectitude of mv tatetttiem. I treat that tin relation about to to ertaMtahrt Wtawraw* may be mutually pteosaM art protective of good to the beat totaNWto «t war Natioa&l commonwealth. MV. Fteafifitet, I «ffi wow ready to take the •alhef office. Ttoe VW.rtotidflht wm warmly app tended, said tbe oath of office was then adwuoiffitffit'd him by President pro tan. Forty, «ad h*a first official act was to direrit tire ftetrom -ri-Anna to proceed with tbe programme of inaugural ceremonies.