Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-03-05
pr. sident Grants InoUynrai.
A PLAIN AND TERsE DOCUMENT.
rtiecns Of the United States .

| constitution OF our country, taken inc
oath Of office prescribed therein. have
taken this oath without mental rcscrva
ton. and with the determination to do
to the best of my ability, all that it re
qures of me. The responsibilities of
thep sition feel. but accept them with
out fear. The off has come to me un-
sought. | commence its duties untram-
ellcd. | bring to ii Il considerations de-
re and determination to fill IL to the
best of nv ability, to the satisfaction of
the people. On all leading questions
ayitating the public mind, | always eX-
press my views to Congress and urge
them according to my judgement, and
when | think it advisable will exercise
the Constitutional privilege of interpos-
ilga veto to defeat measures which |
oppose; but all laws will be faithfully
executed whetherth meet my APPROX
al or not. | shall on all subjects have n
policy to recommend, none to enforce
against the will Of the people. Laws
are to govern all alike. those oppose to
rs well as those in favor of them. l
know no method to secure the req cal of
bad or obnoxious laws 8, effective rs
heir strin ent execution.
The country having just emerged
from great rebellion, many questions
will come before it for settlement in the
lnext four years, which preceding adj
ninistrations have never had to deal
with. In meeting these, it is desirable
hat they should be appreciated calmly.
without prejudice, ate or sectional
pride, remembering that the greatest
good to the greatest number, is the OBJ
ject to be attained This requires secu
.ity of person, property, and of religo rs
md political opinion, in every part OF
)ur common country, without regard to
ocal prejudice. All laws to secure this
end will receive my ,st effjr,s for their
enforcement. A great debt has leen
contr cted, in securing to Us and our
posteri y the Union. he payment OF
this, prin cipal and interest, rs well as
he return to specie basis, Is soon asst
| can be accom- )liShe without material
letrment to In, debt n class, or to the
country at large. must be provided for.
| 70 protect the national honor, every
,ollar of Government Indebtedness
hou.d be paid In gold, unless otherwise
expressly stipulat I'd in the contract. Let
It be understood that no repudiatOr OF
one farthing of our public debt will be
rusted in public place, and it Will go
Jar towards strengthening n credi
which ought to be tn, best in the W, I'd
and will ultimately enable us to replace
,he debt with bonds, bearing less in
crest than we now pay. TO this should
De added faithful collection of the rev.
,nue st let accountability to the
| Treasury for every dollar collected, and
he greatest practicable retrenchment
N expenditure in every department OF
| q )vernn ent.
When we cOmp'r' the paying capaci
ty of the country now, with the States
still in pove ty from the effects of war
| but soon to emerge / tru t into greater
| prosperity than ever before, with its
,ay.ny capacity twenty-five years ago
IN calculate what 1t probably Will b.
twenty-five year, hence, wno can doubt
The feasibility of laying every dollar
,hen with more ease than we now PAY
.or useless luXulies. Why! it looks
| Is though Providence had bestowed up
IN us, n a stronghold the precious met
lis Locked up in the sterile mountains OF
.he far west, which we are now forging
,he key to Unlock to meet the very con-
tingency that is now upon us. Ulti-
mately it may be necessary to increase
the facilities. to reach these riches, and
1t may be necessa v also that the gener-
III Government should give its aid to Sc
cure this access but that should only be
when dollar OF obliga ion to pay Sc
cures precisely the same sort of dollar in
use then and not before.
While the question of specie pay
ments is in allegiance, the prudent bust
nes3 man rs careful about contracting
debts payable in the distant future. The
nation should follow the same rule. A
PROSTATE commerce is to be rebuilt and
all industries encouraged. The young
men If the country, those who form
this age and must be it rulers twenty
live years hence, have q peculiar interest
III maintaining the National honor. a
moments reflection as to what will be
our commanding influence among the
nations of the earth in their day, if
they are only true to themselves.
should inspire them with ma
tional pride. All divisions, geograph
zeal, pc 'itical and religious can join in
this common sentiment. How the pub
tic debt is to be paid or specie pay
ments resumed is not so important as
that pan should be adopted AM ac-
Quiesc. Il in. a united deter min ItiOn to
40 so is wort j.. more tnan divided coun-
sells upon the method o. dong. LIE yis-
.a.Ion upon this subject may not be
neces sary now, nor even advisable, but
It will be wlen then tile civil Jaw is
more fully restored In all parts OF the
60 .ntry and trade resumes It's won.ed
channels. 1t will be my endeavor to
exec te all laws in good laith, 10 collect
ali revenues assessed and to have them
properly accounted Tor AMI economically
discussed. VIII t. the best of my abb
lty appo int to Office only tnose who W IL
rry out this design.
In regard to foreign policy would
Zeal wi, n nations as equitable law lie
quies Individuals to deai with each 9TH
er and would protect the law aiding
citizen, whether Of native or foreign
birth, wherever his rights are jeopar,.-
lzed or tle flag OF our county floats. 1
would respect the rights OF all nations,
demanding equal re p C f,r our own. If
other, depar. from this rue al the Il
dealing with us, w may be compelled TO