The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-03-13
President Grants Inaugural.


Presidential inaugurals are not expect
ed, anv more than the Queens speeche
at the opening OF Parliament, to be yer,
explicit or communicative. That u
President Grant, which will be found il
our columns to-day. is even more vague
and general than those Of bis. predeces
sors. The absorbing anxiety and pro
found mystery which attended the Pres
ident's movements and utterances&p tt
the very hour Of his induction into Office
hare not been relieved or dissipated by
the language of his inaugural. While
few can take exceptions 20 its sentiments
and general tenor, there are still fewer
who can gather from its ptaEusal any def.
mite. idea as to his policy And views on
any of the practical questions OF the
day.
What can be discovered howsver from
the "glittering generalities' of this docu-
ment as to the spirit and aim of the new
President, is decidedly encouraging aud
gratifying.
The announcement that heSenters
upon tie office not. of his sown seeking,
and umraaameledE in regard to his mode
of performing its duties is the most cheer.
ing manifestation Of the whole address.
Taken ia connection with his declaration
to Pennsylvania partisan that he was
not the representative of a party, but of
the peeHe, this distinct intimation of
broad patriotism and nationalist will
e., far ITO draw around President Grants
Administration the great masses of our
patriotic citizens, who arr sick OF the, ex-
cesses and. eorruptions Of party. Only
the viruleut partisan managers and
antrguers vail find fault With this position.
or be discouraged by its emphatic
ntterance. i"
10 the otl,erpropositaens Of the inaugu-s
raj relative to the Presidents right, in
cases conteln plated ia the Constitution
TO exercise tie veto pewer, and the no
less de rer obligation to execute the acts
of Congress, wether kv approves them or
not; his submission to the will of peeple,
even against his own policy; his deter
animation to maintain the security Of per-
son and property;. his earnest tDsppeal in
in behalf of the national credit, and to
enforce faithful collection Of the reve-
me; a strict accountability OF public.
officers, and retreachment in every de-
partmcnt; to all tbse there will BE- al
universal amen by the people. Ia car
rying out these sentiments wisely and
the administration of Gen.
Grant viii win the respect and confidence
of the whole nation and of the world.
Equally satisfactory is the declaration
as to the foreign policy of the new ad-
and the management of our
relation with the Indians. .aa: II -.
The concluding sentences Of the address
contain the only special and positive re-
which the new President
makes This is in favor of the ratifca- }
ion Of the 18th article of the amendment
% the Federal Constitution, which he
links will settle the question of suffrage,
md conclude aa otherwise yexatious ,,
agitation. Il is to be regretted that L
President Grant did not add here bis a
declaration in favor of the abolition of ::
he numerous provisions restrictive of =
outrage, which will exist in State consti =
utions and in Federal laws, even after
he 18th amendment shall be ratified. Ii 7
'ur opinion, this amendment will by no
means, end the suffrage difficulties. T
On the WHOLE the inaugural, though =
lot an ambitious Or pretentious document =
nd less definite and specific than may be -
lesired by many, is evidently written by =
he President himself, and is one which y
I'LL inspire d hopeful confidence that ="
'eneral Grant will endeavor so to con- r
uct the Government as to produce that -
:aternity, peace and contentment which E
re SO essential to the glory, greatness i; !;
nd permanency Of the Republic.-[N. -
}. Times. "a : VT -, q
"Did Jon know. said an impertinent r,
Tentile to JeW,ta that thew hanp Jaws ~