The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-03-10
President Grants Inaugural.

without fear. Tie Office has come t,
me unsonght. I commence its dutie
untrammeled, bring to it a conscien
tious desire and determination to fill i
to the best Of my ability on all leadin:
questions sgitatiDg the public mind. s.
will always express my views to Con
gress, and urge them, according to m!
Judgment, and when I think it advisa
lie, will exercise the CONSTITUTIONS
privilege of intcrposing asveto to de-
feat measures which oppose, but al
laws will be faithfully executed, wl,eth
er they meet my approval or not.
l shall on all occasions have a policy
to recommend but none to enfercs
against tho will of the people. Laws
are to govern all alike, those opposed
to as well ne those who favor them.
know no method to secure the repeal
of bad. obnoxious laws, so effective as
their stringent execution.
The country having just emerged
from great rebellion, many questions
will come up for settlement in the next
four years, which preceding admins
trations have never had to deal with.
In meeting these, it is desirable that
they should be approached calmly,
without prejudice, hate. OF sectional
pride, remembering that the greatest
good to the greatest number is the OBJ
ject to be attained, This requires Sc
carity ofperson and property, and Tor
religious and political opinion in every
part of our common country without re-
gard to local prejudices. All laws to
secure these ends will receive my best
efforts for their enforcement.
A great debt has been contracted in
securing to us and our postcrity, the
union. Tho payment of this principal
and interest, as well as the return to a
specie basis as soon as itcan he accom-
plished without material dctriment to
the debtor class. or to the country at
large, must be provided for. To pro-
tect the National honor, every dollar
of government Indebtedness should be
paid in gold, unless otherwise express
" stipulated in the contract. Let it be
understood that that no repudiator of
one farthing Of our public debt win be
trusted in public places and it will 60
far towards strengthening a credit
which ought to be the best in the world
and will ultimately enable US to re-
place the debt with bonds bearing less
interest than we now pay. TO this
should be added a faithful collection of
the revenue; a strict accountability to
the Treasury for every dollar collected
and the greatest practicable retrencl,-
ment in expenditures in every depart
ment of the government. When We
compare the paying capacity of tho
now, with ten States still in
from the effects of war, but
soon to cmeree,I trust, in . greater
prosperity than ever before, with its
paying capacity twenty Eve years ago
and calculate what it will probably be
twenty five years hence who can doubt
the feasibility Of paying every dollar
then, with more ease than now nav
Ior useless luxuries. Why it looks as
though Providence had bestowed upon
as a strong ibox-tho precious metals
ocked up in the sterile mountains of
he West, which We are now forging
he key to unlock. To meet the very
contingency that is now upon ia it may
se necessary, to increase tho facilities
% reach these riches; and it may be me-
;essary also that the general govern
nent should give it's aid to secure this
,ccess; but that should only be when
Collar of obligation to pay, secures pre-
'isely the same sort Of dollar to use
low, and not before. While the ques-
ion Of specie payment is in abeyence
he prudent business man is careful
sbout contracting debts payable in the
listant future. The nation should fol-
Ow the example. dia" 1ns gra ioI
A PROSTATE commerce ia to be re-
'uilt, and all industries encouraged.
fbe young men Of the country, those,
Who, from their age, mnst lie its rulers
twenty five years hence, have q peeu-
lar interest in maintaining the nation
u hODOr. III sas baf .sss7s as.lF IT.
Amoment's reflection as to what will
70 our commanding Influence among
he nations Of the earth in their day, if
hey are only true to themselves, should
inspire them with national pride. All
divisions, geographical, political and re-
igions can join in the common SEN
iment. ,l., ~. D. ..eql, -.fg u.s.,
/. How the, public debt is to be paid or
pecie payment resumed is not 90 i'm
'ortant, as that plan should be adop-
ed and acquiesed in. A strong de-
examination to do is worth more than
divided councils upon the method of