The Montana post., 1869-03-12
ADDRESS
of President u. =. Grant.
March -tth, 1869.

tuition OF our country. taken the oath of
office presented therein. | have taken
this oath without mental reservation
and with the determination to do TO the
best of my ability, all that is required Of
me- by the RESPONSIBILITIES of the office, bur
accept them without fear. The office
has come TO me unsought. L commence
its duties untrammelled. / bring To i,
a conscientious desire and determination
TO fill il to the best of my ability, and 10
the satisfaction Of the people.
On all leading questions agitating the
public mind, | will express my views In
Congress and urge them according To-
my Judgment, and when | think il ad-
visable will always exercise the Con-
stitutional privilege of interposing a We
To TO defeat measures which oppose but
the laws always will be faithfully exer>
cised, whether they meet my spprovat
or not. l shall on all subjects have
policy TO recommend ; none to enforce
against the will of the people. Laws are
to govern all alike, those opposed to as
well as those who favor them. | know
no method to secure the repeal of bad
or obnoxious laws so effective as ;heir
stringent execution. The country hav-
ing just emerged from great rebellion,
many questions will come before it for
settlement ia the next tour years, which
preceding administrations have never
had to deal with In meeting this il is
desirable that they should be approach
ed calmly, without pref ejudice. or state, or
sectional pride, remembering that the
greatest good TO the greatest number is
the object to be attained. This requires
security for person, property, and for re-
ligious and political opinion in every
part of our common county withr
out regard TO local prejud>
dice Laws to secure these
will receive my best efforts for their en-
forcement. A great debt has been con
tracted in securing to US and our pos
terity the Union. The payment of this,
principle and interest as well as the re-
turn TO a specie basis, as soon as it can
be accomplished without material detri~
ment to the debtor class or the country
at large, must be provided for. To pro
tect the national honor, every dollar OF
this Indebtedness should be paid III
gold, unless otherwise expressly stipu>
lated in the contract. Let ii be under
stood that no repudiator of one farthing
of our public debt will be trusted in
public place and it will go far towards
strengthening a credit which ought To
be the best in the world, and will ulti-
with bonds bearing less interest than
we now pay. To this should be udded
faithful collection of the revenue, a
strict accountability 10 the Treasury
for every dollar collected, and the great
est practicable retrenchment of eXpen
diture in every department of Govern
ment. When We compare the paving
capacity of the country now, with ten
States still in poverty from the effects
of war, but soon TO emerge, trust, into
greater prosperity than ever be
fore, with its paying capacity twen~
" five years ago, and calculate
what it probably will be twenty
FIVE years hence, who can doubt the
feasibility OF paying every dollar then,
with more ease than We now pay for
useless luxuries. Why II looks as
though Providence had bestowed upon
me strong box, the precious metals
locked up in the sterile mountains OF
the far West, which we are now forging
the key to unlock, TO meet the very con
tingency that is now upon us. Ulti-
mately it may be necessary that the gen
eral government should give its aid to
secure this access, but that should only
be when a dollar of obligation to pay
secures precisely the same sort of dollar
TO use. Now, if not before, while the
question of specie payment is in abey>
ance, the prudent business man is care
full about contracting debts payable in
the distant future. The nation should
follow the same rule. A PROSTATE COM
merce is to be rebuilt and all industries
encouraged. The young men of the
country, those who from their age must
be its rulers twenty-five years hence
have a particular interest in maintalng
the national honor. moments refec-
tion as 10 what will be our commanding
influence among the nations OF
the earth in their day, if that only,
should inspire them with national pride. All
divisions, geographical, political and Tehg
ious can join In this common sentiment.
How the public debt Is to be paid or specie
payment resumed is not so important as that
plan should be adopted and acquiesced 10;
n united determination to do, is worth more
than divided council upon the method OF 90
ing. Legislation upon this subject may not
be necessary now, or even advisable, bat IL
will be when the civil law is more fully re-
stored in all parts of the country and traae
resumes Its wonted channel. 1t will be my
endeavor to execute all the laws IN gO0I
faith, collect all the revenues to be assessed
and to have them properly accounted tor anu
economically dlsbursed. I will, to the Des'
of my ability, appoint to office those ohp
who will carry out this design.
In regard to foreign policy, l would deal
with nations as equltably as the law re9uHe5
individuals to deal with each other, anu !
would protect law abiding citizens whetha
born ofthis nation or of foreign birth, where
ever his rights are jeopardlGed o.
the flag of our country hoAE'
would respect the rights OF all nation
demanding equal respect for our own;
Others depart from this rule in their dealing
with us we may be compelled to follow tugu
presidents. The proper treatment oi W.
original occupants of this lsnd-the lndlAi
lis one deserving care and equal study,
will favor any course toward them wiz WIZ.
tends to their civilization, christlanlzauO
and ultimate citizenship. The question
suffrage is one which is likely To agltatetnt
public so long as a portion of the clilleu' =
tie nation are excluded from its prIylleseL;
any State. 1t seems to me very desirable W
0nastion ehouId he satfled now. Il enteIVa'"