Smyrna times., 1869-03-10
Grants inaugural
The following is the Inaugural Address in

full:
CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES: Your suf-
trages having elected me to the Office of Presi-
dent OF the United States. have, in conform
lty with the Constitution of our country, taken
the oath of Office prescribed therein. | have
taken this oath without mental reservation,
and with the determination to do, to the best
OF my ability, all that is required of me.
The responsibilities of the position | feel,
but accept them without fear. The office has
come to me unsought | commence its duties
untrammelled. L bring to it a Conscientious |
desire and determination to fill it, to the best |
OF my ability, to the satisfaction of the people,
On all leading questions agitating the public |
MIND will always express my views to Con-
gress, and urge them according to my judgment,
and, when l think it advisable will exercise
the constitutional privilege of interposing a
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 a policy to recon-
mend nome to eniOlce against the will of the
people. Laws are to govern all alike-thOse
opposed to as we'll as those in favor of them
L know no method to secure the repeal of bad
or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent
| execution.
The country having just emerged from a
great rebellion, many questions will come be-
fore 1t Tor settlement III the next four years,
which preceding Administrations have never
had to deal with. In meeting these it is desi-
rable that they should be appreciated calmly,
without prejudice, hate or sectional pride, re-
memberlng that the greatest good to the great
est number is the object to be attained This
requires security of person, property and for
religious and political opinion in every
part OF our common country, without regard
to local prejudice. All laws to secure this end
will receive my best efforts for their enforce
ment.
A great debthas been contracted in securing to
us and our pOsterity the Union. The payment
OF this principal and interest, as well as the
return to specie basis as soon as it can be ac
cOmplished without material detriment to the
debtor class, or to the country at large, must
be provided tor TOprOtect the national honor,
every dollar of the Government Indebtedness
should be paid in gold, unless otherwise express
ly stipulated in the contract Let it be under
! stood that no repudiator of one farthing of our
public debt will be trusted in public places, and
1t will go far toward strengthening a credit
which ought to be the best in the world, and will
ultimately enable us to replace the debt with
bonds bearing less interest than we now pay.
10 this shall be added faithful collection of
. the revenue strict accountability to the Treas
ury for every dollar collected, and the greatest
: practicable retrenchment in expenditures in
y every department OF government.
. When we compare the paying capacity of the
= = country now, with ten States still in poverty
y y from the effects of the war; but soon to emerge,
| trust, into greater prosperity than ever be-
4 tore, with its paying capacity twenty-five years
- ago, and calculate what probably will be TWEEN
. ty-tive years hence, who can doubt the feasibll-
). ity Of paying every dollar then with more than
y we now pay for useless luxuries? Why, il
+ looks as though Providence had bestowed upon
!, us strong box, the precious metals locked up
.,Df
:. 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 these riches, and it may
. be necessary also that the General Government
. should give its aid to secure this access. But
that should only be when dollar of obligation
= to pay secures precisely the same sort OF dollar
- in use now, and not before.
= While the question of specie payments is il
i abeyance the prudent business man is careful
e about contracting debts payable in the distan
: future; the nation should follow the same rule
- A PROSTATE commerce is to be rebuilt and al
- industries encouraged. The young men of thu
! country-those who from this age and must be
: rulers twenty five years hence-have peculia
:, interest in maintaining the national honor. a
"a moments reflection upon what will be our com
~ manding influence among the nations of th
~ earth in their day, if they only true to them
\ selves, should inspire them with national pride
;S All divisions, geographical, political and religi
20 20 Gus, can join in the common sentiment.
! How the public debt is to be paid or speci
\ payments resumed, is not so important as tha
70 ~ plan should be adopted and acquiesced in.
-, united determination to do Is worth more thai
~ " divided counsels upon the method of doing
Il Legislation on this subject may not be necessa
70 ry now, nor even advisable; but it will be whe
- the civil law is more fully restored in all part
az of the country, and trade resumes its wOnteC
~ - channels. 1t will be my endeavor to cxecut
all laws in good faith to collect all revenues as
- sessed, and to have them properly diSbursed
l will, to the best of my ability, appoint to of
Il fee only those who will carry out this design.
II In regard to foreign policy, would deal witt
fic nations equitable law requires individuals t.
ed deal with each other, and | would protect tn
he lawabiding citizen, whether of native or of for
ed eign birth, wherever his rights are jeopardized
he or the flag of our country floats. | would res
IS pect the rights of all nations, demanding equa
ri respect for our own. IF others depart fror
#, this rule in their dealings with us, we may b
To compelled to follow their precedent.
" The proper treatment of the original occu
ais pants of this land-the Indians-is one deserv
"a. ing Of careful consideration. | will favor an
he course toward them which tends to their civil
,se cation chrstianization and ultimate citizenship
he The question of suffrage is one which
to likely to agitate the public so long as porto
EN- of the citizens of the nation excluded frol
mt its privileges in any State. 1t seems to nj
M very desirable that this question should be Sc
of tied now, and entertain the hope and expre
ms the desire that it may be by the ratification
lis, the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution
i6c In conclusion, ask patient forbearance OIL
toward another, throughout the land, and
determined effort on the part of every citize
rru to do his share toward cementing happy uhiC
no. and ask the prayers of the nation to Almgh
md God in behalf of this happy consummation.
lte,