The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-03-05
AGalrs I'm Washington.


ration, this, morning, Gen. Grant said:
"CITIzENs OF THE UNITED STATES: Your
suffrage having elected me to the office of
President Of the United States have, in
conformity with the Constitution of our
country. taken the oath Of Office prescribed
therein. l have taken this oath without
mertal reservation, and with the deter
minat'on to do, to the best of my ability.
all that it requires OF me-. Tho RESPONSE
bilities of the position feel, but accept
them without fear. The Office has come to
me unsought commence its duties un-
trammeled. l bring to it q conscientious
desire and determination to fill it, to the
best of my ability, to the satisfaction of
the people. On all leading questions agi-
tating the public mind. will always ex-
press my views to Congress, and urge them
according to my judgment; and, when I
think it advisable will exercise the consti-
tutiona1 privilege of interposing veto to
defeat measures which I oppose But all
laws will be faithfully executed whether
they meet my approval or not. / shall on
all subjects have policy to recommend,
but none to enforce against the will of the
people. Laws are to govern all alike-those
opposed TO, as we'll as those who favor them
L know no better method to secure the re-
peal of bad or obnoxious laws than their
stringent execution. The country having
Just emerged from a great rebellion, many
questions will come before it for settlement
In the next four years which preceding ad-
ministrations have never had to deal with.
In the meantime, it is desirable that they
should be approached calmly, without pre-
Judlce, hate or sectional pride, remember
ing that the greatest good to the greatest
number is the object to be attained. This
requires security of property and of politi-
cal OPINION IN 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 Union.
The payment of this principal and interest
as we'll rs the return to q specie basis as soon
as it can be accomplished, without material
detriment to the debtor class, or to the
country at large, must be pledged. To
protect the national honor every dollar of
Government Indebtedness shonld be paid in
gold, unless otherwise expressly stipulated
In the contract. Let it be understood that
no reputation of one farthing of our public
debt will be entertained, and it will go for
towards Strengthening credit which ought
to be the best in the world, and we will ulti-
mately be ablo to replace the debt with bonds
bearing less interest than we now paw. To
TINS should be added faithful collection of
the revenue, strict accountability to the
Treasury for every dollar collected. and the
greatest possible retrenchment in expendi-
lures IN every department of the Govern
ment. When we compare the paying capa-
city OF the country now, with ten States
still In poverty from the effects of war. but
soon to emerge, we trust, to greater pros
perlty than ever before,) with its paying
capacity twenty-five years ago, it is incalcu-
liable what it probably will be twenty five
years hence. Who can doubt, then, the fen
slbility of paying every dollar with more
ease than we now pay for useless lnxnries?
Why, 1t looks as though Providence had
bestowed upon us Al strong box of precious
metals locked up in tho sterile mountains of
the lar West which we are now forging the
key to unlock to meet the very contingency
thet is now upon us. Ultimately it may be
necessary to increase the facilities to reach
these riches, and it may be necessary. also
that the Genera! Government should give
its aid to secure this access. But That
should only be when dollar Of obligation
to pay secures the dollar to us now, and not
before Whilst the question of specie paw
ments is in obeyance, the prudent business
man is careful about contractinp debts
payable in the distant future The nation
should follow the same rule. A PROSTATE
commerce is now to rebuild, and all induce
ments to encourage the young men of the
conntry-those who, from their age. must
be its rulers twenty-fi years hcnce-dc-
mand greater interest in maintaining the
national honor. moments reflection as
10 what vii. be our commanding influence
among the nations of the earth, in their day,
II they are only true to themselves, should
inspire them with national pride All divi-
VISIONS geographical, political and reli-
glous, can Join in this common sentiment
how the public debt is to be paid or specie
payments resumed. Legislation upon this
SUBJECT may not be necessary now, nor even
advisable, but 1t will be when tho civil laws
are more fully restored in all parts Of the
country, and trade resumes it wanted chan,
nels. 1t will be my endeavor to execute all
laws IN good faith, to collect all revenues