The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-03-05
GRANTS INAUGURAL.

President Grants inaugural is before
the country this morning, and we THINK
the country will be well satisfied Win
it. III is, AS all expected, brlet docu-
ment. 1t savors in other respects very
,nuch of Grant. There is no doubt II ls
bis own production. There Is no at
tempt In it to argue any public question.
II is rather a comprehensive statement
of the general policy to be observed by
the Grant administration on the lead
ing questions before the country. The
President announces in very decided
terms that he expects to be President,
VIII lie at the same time he will respect
the prerogative of the legislative
branch of the Government, and will
not attempt to enforce policy over
their heads as the opponents OF the
people. He will veto where be differs,
but will enforce laws whether he APP
proves them or not. The Johnsonian
theory that the President may decide
for himself what laws are constitutional
and what ones he will enforce, receives
no countennnce at the hands of the new
President. After his advisory and veto
functions he regards his powers as
executive, and will enforce the law, re-
cocnizing Congress as the power that
makes the law and the judiciary as the
tribunal that interprets it. By this en-
forcement he intends and expects to
secure equal safety OF person and free
dom of religious and political opinion
80 panThIia
The President declares that above all
things the credit and honor of the Coy
eminent are to be maintained. No re-
pudiator Is to have any part in his ad-
ministration. Every dollar of the debt
is held to be payable in gold, except
where specifically otherwise stipulated.
And he favors q return TO specie basis
as rapidly as justice to the debtor class
and the material interests of the coun-
try will permit. The enunciation of this
policy cannot fail to cause marked
appreciation OF our national credit at
home and abroad. He also promises
strict economy, system of rigid
accountability in the revenue system,
and the appointment of men who will
carry out this policy. He favors as
sistance by the Government to Pacific
railroad enterprises, but not till the
finances of the country are on a sOunp
basis.
In regard to foreign policy, Grant
declares that he will deal with nations
as with individuals. that is he will re-
spect their rights and require them to
respect ours. II foreign governments
violate this rule he will retaliate. This
is hint which will not be wasted on
the British lion.
Upon the Suffrage Question, Presi-
don't Grant avows himself frankly and
without reservation in favor of ratify-
ing the Fifteenth Article of the Consti-
tuition, just ratified by our Legislature.
If anything were wanting to carry this
measure through, this declaration will
supply the want. Our Democratic
friends who admire Grants conserva-
tism, cannot refuse now to unite with
us in supporting this Amendment. We
trust those faint-hearted Republicans
In our Legislature who voted against
1t or lodged will now take courage.
Asa whole the Inaugural promises
we'll. 1t addresses itself to the leading
questions which especially aGitate the
public mind. There are others OF
scarcely secondary moment which are
not touched. But there is enough to
show that the country is safe, and
the policy of Republicnnism secure,
under tho administration of President
Grant. This manifestation in some
sense it is such. and the circumstances
surrounding the new President, the
anxiety and expectancy OF the country
to know what be proposes, made it
proper it should be-will be received
with general satisfaction. 1t will inau-
gurate new era, not in the Govern
ment alone but in all circles and in all
sections. 1t will inspire fresh conf
dence in the future and fra:ernal feel
ing among the people. If Grant will
do what he prOmises-and he usually
dOes-the country will have much to
be thankful for.