The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-03-12
BEL ALE, Md MARCH IL, 1869.
Tn INAUGURAL .fddr 81.

paper is calm frank, and devoid of flower and
show. lie declares that he enters upon the
duties of his position untrammclled, and that
and improvident legislation. The President
insists that the national debt should be
paid to the utmost, and that it is desirable to
settle the question of suffrage now, and for
this purpose recommends the ratification of
the fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution
He urges that there should be strict accoun-
liability for and faithful collection of the rev.
cnue, together with the greatest practicable
economy; but it is difficult to see how he is
to enforce this economy with the Tenure-of-
Office Act hanging over him. There are
other recommendations which he makes, but
as the message is short, we give it in full, SO
that all may read it for themselves:
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Citizens of the United States Your stuff
RACES having elevated me to the office of Pres
ident ofthe United States, have in con-
formity with the constitution of our country,
taken the oath of office prescribed therein.
have taken this oath without mental reser-
walton and with the determination to do to
the best of my ability all that it requires
The responsibilities of the position feel, but
accept them without fear. The office has
come 10 me unsought. commence its duties
untrammcllcd | bring to it a conscientious
desire and determination to fill it to the best
of my ability and to the satisfaction of the
people. On NIL the leading questions agtating
III, public mind | will always express my
N'"ws to Congress and urge them according to
l." illgment, and when think it advisable,
tln
interpreting IA veto to defeat measures which
Iopposc.
But all laws will be faithfully executed
whether they meet my approval or not.
shall, on all subjects, have policy to re-
commend but none to enforce against the
will of the people. Laws are to govern all
alike--thosc opposed as well as those who
favor them. | know no method to secure
the repeal Of bad or obnoxious laws so ciiec.
tive rs their stringent execution.
The country having just emerged from
great rebellion, many questions will come be-
fore it for settlement in the next four years
which preceding administrations have never
had to deal with. In meeting these it is de-
sirablc that they should be approached calm
ly-without prejudice, hate or sectional pride
Remembering that the greatest good to the
number is the object to be attained.
This requires security of persons property
and free religious and political 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 secur-
ing 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 accomplished, without material de-
trlment to the debt or class, or TO the country
at large must be provided for. To protect
the national honor every dollar of govern
mcnt Indebtedness should be paid in gold,
unless otherwise expressly stipulated in the
contact.
Let it be understood that no repudiator of
one tarthng Of our public debt will be trusted
in public place, and it will go far towards
strengthening credit which ought to be the
best in the world, and will ultimately enabled
us to replace the debt with bonds bearing less
interest than we now pay.
To this should be added faithful collection
of the revenue, strict accountability to the
treasury for every dollar collected, and the
greatest practicable retrenchment in expen-
diture in every department of government.
When we compare the paying capacity of
the country now, with ten States still in pov-
erty from the effects of war, but soon to en-
crge, l trust, into greater prosperity than
ever before, with its paving capacity twenty
five years ago, and calculate what it proba-
bly, will be twenty-five years hence, who can
doubt the feasibility 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 strong box. The pre-
cious metals locked up in the sterile mountains
of the far West, which we are now forging
the key to unlock, to meet the very contin-
gency 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 govern
ment should give its aid to secure this access,
but that should only be when dollar of obi
CATION to pay secures precisely the same
sort of dollar TO use now, and not before
Whilst the question of specie payments is
in allegiance, the prudent business man is
careful about contracting debts payable in
the distant future. The nation should follow
the same rule. A PROSTATE commerce is to
rebuilt and all industries encouraged.
The young men of the country, those who,
from their age, must be its rulers twenty-five
years hence, have a peculiar interest in main
tanning the national honor. A moments re-
Election 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 national pride
All divisions, geographical, political and
religious, can join in this common sentiment
How the public debt is to be paid or specie
payments resumed is not so important as
plan should be adopted and acquiesced in. A
united determination to do is worth more
than divided councils upon the method of do
ing. Legislation upon this subject may not
bc necessary now, nor even advisable, but
it will be when the civil law is more fully re-
stored in all parts of the country, and trade
resumes its .wonted channels
1t will be my endeavor to execute all laws
in good faith, to collect all revenues assessed,
and to have them properly accounted for and
economically disbursed. / will to the best of
my ability, appoint to office those who will
carry out that design.
In regard to foreign policy I 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, wherever his rights
are jcopardized or the flag of our country
Il ats.
/ would respect the rights ofall nations, de-
manding equal respect for our own. Ifothers
depart from this rule in their dealings with
us, we may be compelled to follow their pre-
cedcnt.
The proper treatment of the original occu-
pants of this land (tle Indans) is one deserv-
ing of careful study / will favor any course