Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-03-10
PRESIDENT GRANTS INAUGURAL
ADDRESS.

country, taken this oath Of office provided
therein. [ have taken this oath without
mental reservation, and with the determi-
nation to do, to the best of my ability, all
that is required of me. The responsible
ties of the position I feel, but except them
without fear. The Office has come to me
unsought. | commence its duties un-
trammelled I bring to it consceien-
tious desire and determination to Fill it to
the best of my ability, and to the satisfac-
ton of the people.
On all leading questions agitating the
public mind [ will always express my
views to Congress, and urge them accord
ing to my Judgment, and, when l think
it advisable, | will exercise the constitu-
tional privilege of interposing veto, to
defeat measures which | oppose but all
laws will be faithfully executed, whether
they meet my approval or not, | 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 their stringent execution.
The country having just emel ged from
great rebellion, many questions will
come before it for settlement in the next
four years, which the preceding admins
tratlons have never had to deal with. In
meeting these it is desirable that they
should be approached calmly, without
prejudice, hate or sectional pride, remem-
bering that the greatest good to the great
est number is the object to be attained.
This requires security of person and prop
erty and liberation for religious and po-
litlcai opinion in every part OF cur com
mon country, without regard to local pref
udlce. Laws to secure these will receive
my best efforts for their enforcement.
4 great debt has been contracted in Sc
curing to us and our posterity The Union
The payment of this, principal and inte-
rest, as we'll as return to specie basis,
as soon as it can be accomplished without
material detriment to the debtor class or
the country at large, must be provided for.
We must protect the national honor.
Every dollar of the government indebted
ness should be paid in gold, unless other
wise expressly stimulated in the contract.
Let it be understood that no repudiator of
one farthing of our public debt will be
trusted in public place, and it will go far
toward strengthening credit which ought
to be the best in the world, and will, ul-
timately, enable us to rep ace 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 practical
bic retrenchment in expenditure in every
department. of the government. When we
compare the paying 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
before, with its paying capacity twenty
i've years hence, who can doubt the FEAST
billy Of paying every dollar then with
more ease than we now pay for useless
luxuries?
Why, it looks as though Providence
had bestowed upon us the strong box
the precious meteals locked up in the Ste
rifle mountains of the far West, which we
are now forging the key to unlock-to
meet the very contingency that is now
upon US. Ultimately it may be necessary
to increase the facilities to reach tn csc
riches, and it may be necessary, also, that
the General Government should give its
aid to secure this success, but that should
only be when dollar of obligation to pay
secures precisely the same sort of dollar
to use now, and not before.
While the question of specie payment
is in allegiance, the prudent business man
is careful about contracting debts payable
in the distant future. The nation should
folio the same rule. A PROSTATE com
MERGE is to be rebuilt and all industries
should be encouraged. The young men
OF the country-those who, from their age,
must be it's rulers twenty fve:years hence
nave peculiar interest In main tanning the
national honor. A moments reflection
as 20 what will be our commanding infu-
ence among the nations Of the earth in
their day, if they are only true to them
selves, should inspire them with national
pride. All DIVISIONS, geographical, polit-
lcal and religious, can join in this com
mon sentiment.
How the public debt is to be paid, or
specie payment resumed, is not so impor-
tant as that plan should be adopted and
acq uiesced IN. A united determination
to do is worth more than divided counsel
upon the method Of DOING Legislation
upon the subject may not be necessary
now, or even advisable, but it will be when
the civil law is more fully restored in all
parts OF the country, and trade resumes
its wonted channels.
1t will be my endeavor execute all laws
in good faith, collect all revenues assessed,
and to have them properly accounted for,
and economically discussed. shall, to
the best of my ability, appoint to office
those only who will carry out this design.
In regard to foreign policy, [ would
deal with nations equitably, as the law re-
quires individuals to deal with each other.
and [ would protect law-abiding citizen,
whether of native or of foreign birth,
wherever his rig hts are jeopardized, or the
flag of our country floats. l would respect
the rights ofall nations, demanding eq ual
respect for our own. If. others depart
from this rule in their dealings with us, we
may be compelled to follow their precedent.
The proper treatment of the original
occupants of this land--the IndianS--is
one deserving Of careful study, and l will
favor any COURSE towards them which