sposition on one side to magnify wrongs and outrages,
and on the other side to belittle them or justify them? If public
opinion could be directed to a correct survey of what is and to rebuking
wrong and aiding the proper authorities in punishing it, a better state
of feeling would be inculcated, and the sooner we would have that peace
which would leave the States free indeed to regulate their own domestic
affairs. I believe on the part of our citizens of the Southern
States--the better part of them--there is a disposition to be law
abiding, and to do no violence either to individuals or to the laws
existing. But do they do right in ignoring the existence of violence
and bloodshed in resistance to constituted authority? I sympathize
with their prostrate condition, and would do all in my power to
relieve them, acknowledging that in some instances they have had most
trying governments to live under, and very oppressive ones in the
way of taxation for nominal improvements, not giving benefits equal
to the hardships imposed. But can they proclaim themselves entirely
irresponsible for this condition? They can not. Violence has been
rampant in some localities, and has either been justified or denied by
those who could have prevented it. The theory is even raised that there
is to be no further interference on the part of the General Government
to protect citizens within a State where the State authorities fail to
give protection. This is a great mistake. While I remain Executive all
the laws of Congress and the provisions of the Constitution, including
the recent amendments added thereto, will be enforced with rigor, but
with regret that they should have added one jot or tittle to Executive
duties or powers. Let there be fairness in the discussion of Southern
questions, the advocates of both or all political parties giving honest,
truthful reports of occurrences, condemning the wrong and upholding the
right, and soon all will be well. Under existing conditions the negro
votes the Republican ticket because he knows his friends are of that
party. Many a good citizen votes the opposite, not because he agrees
with the great principles of state which separate parties, but because,
generally, he is opposed to negro rule. This is a most delusive cry.
Treat the negro as a citizen and a voter, as he is and must remain, and
soon parties will be divided, not on the color line, but on principle.
Then we shall have no complaint of sectional i