The union Democrat., 1869-03-13
President Grant's Inaugural.

FELLow-CIrIZENs OF THE UNITED SrArE.:-
Your suffrage having elevated me to the Of
tice OF President of the United States, / have,
in conformity with the Constitution of our
c'untry, taken the oath of Office prescribed
therein. | have taken this oath without men
tai reservation. and with the determination
| to perform with INV utmost ability all that it
requires of me. The responsibilities of po-
sition feel to be great. but accept them
without fear. The office has come to me un-
sought. | commence its duties uutrammel-
ed. bring to it conscientious desire and
determination to fill it to the best of my atil-
ity, and to the satisfaction Of the people On
the leading questions agitating the public
mind will always express my views to Con-
gress, and urge, them according to my judg-
ment and when | think it advisable, l will
exercise my constitutional privilege of inter
posing veto for the defeat of measures
which, in my opinion. oppose the public well
fare. But all laws will be faithfully execut-
ed, whether they meet my appreciation or not
| shall, on all subjects, have policy to
recommend, but none to enforce against the
will of the people. Laws are made to govern
alike those who are opposed to them, as we'll
as those who favor them. know no method
To secure the repeal of bad and obnoxious
laws so effective as their stringent execution.
The country having just emerged from
great rebellion, many questions will come be-
fore it for comment in the next four years
which preceding Administrations have never
had to deal with. In meeting these it is de-
sirable that they should be approached ealm-
ly and without prejudice. hate or personal
pride-that the greatest good to the greatest
number be attained. This requires security
for persons and property, and for religious
and political opinions of every part of our
common country, without regard to local
prejudice All laws to secure these ends will
receive my best efforts for their enforcement.
a great debt has been contracted, in Sc
curing to US and our posterity the benefits of
the Union. Payment Of the principal and
interest, as we'll as the return to a specie
payment as soon as it can be accomplished
without material detriment to the debtor
class or to the country at large. must be pro-
yided for to protect the National honor. Eve
ry dollar of Government Indebtedness should
be paid in gold, unless otherwise expressly
stipulated in contract. Let it be understood
that no repudator of farthing Of the public
debt will be trusted in public place. and it
will go far towards strengthening our Nation
al credit, which ought to be the best in the
world, and will ultimately enable us to re-
place the debt with that bearing less interest
than we now pay.
To this should be added the faithful collec-
tion of the revenue, a strict accountability to
the Treasury for every dollar collected, and
the greatest practical retrencbment in every
department of the Government. When we
compare the paving capacity of the country.
now, with ten States still in poverty from the
effects of the war, but soon to emerge,
trust, into greater prosperity than ever be-
fore with its paying capacity twenty-five
years ago, and calculate what it probably will
be twenty-five years hence, who doubts the
possibility Of paying every dollar then more
easily than we now pay for useless luxuries.
Providence has bestowed upon the United
States strong-box the precious metals located
in the sterile mountains, far West, which we
are now forging the key to unlock.
To meet every contingency now before US, ul-
timately it may be necessary to increase these
facilities, and that the Government give aid
to secure this access but that should only be
when dollar of fobligation to pay secures pre-
cisely the same sort of dollar we use now,
and not before. Whilst the question of spe-
Gle payment is in abeyance, the prudent
business man is careful about contracting
debts payable in the distant future. The
Nation should follow the same rule. A pros
trate commerce is to be rebuilt, and all our
industries encouraged. The young men Of
the country-those who from their age must
be its rulers twenty-five years bence-have
peculiar interest in maintaining the National
honor.
A moments reflection as to what will be
our commanding influence among the nations
of the earth ir their day, if they are only
true to themselves, should inspire their oation-
al pride. All divisions, geographical. poiti-
cal and religious, can join in the common SEN
timent.
How the public debt is to be paid, or spe-
Gle payment resumed. is not SO important as
that plan be adopted and acqniesced in.
A united determination to do it is worth
more than divided council upon the method
of doing. Legislation upon this subject may
not be necessary now. and perhaps not even
advisable but it will! be when civil law is
more fully restored in all parts of the coun-
try, and trade resumes its wonsed channel.
1t will be my endeavor to execute the laws
in good faith, to collect all revenues assessed,
and to have them properly accounted for and
economically disbursed. This will l do to
the bes. of my ability. will appoint to Of
fee those only who will carry out this design.
In regard to foreign policy, would deal
with nations as equitable law requires indi-
viduals to deal with each other, and would
protect the law-abiding citizen, whether of
| native or foreign birth, where ever his rights
are jeopardized and the flag of our country
floats. would respect the rights of all ma
tions-demandng equal respect for our own
If others depart from this rule in their deal
iugs with the United States. we may lie COM
PEELED to follow their precedents.
The proper treatment of the original oc-
cupants of this laud-the Indians-is deserv-
ing of careful study. | will favor any course
towards them which tends to their civiiiza-
| zion. Christianity and ultimate citizenship.
The question ofsuffrage is one likely to ag-
itate the Republic so long ss portion of the
citizens of the nation are excluded from its
privilege in any State. 1t seems to me very
desirable that this question should be settled
now and entertain hope, and express the
desire that it may be. by ratification of the
18th article of the amendment to the Consti-
tuition,