New-York tribune., 1869-03-05
y circulated from mouth to mouth and made the occa'
son for applause even some time after their utterance
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS


stitution 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 it requires Of
me.
| The responsibilities of the position / feel, but
| accept them without fear The Office has come
| to mo unsOught commence its duties untram-
meled II bring to it CONSCIENTIOUS desire and
determination to ill 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 Congress, and urge them ac'
cording to my judgment, and when think it advsa-
BILE will execute the constitutional privilege of inter
posing n veto to defeat measures which l 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 aike-those opposed to as we'll as
those in favor Of them. know no method to secure
the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws 80 effective as
| their stringent execution.
| The country having just emerged from great Re-
belion many questions will come before it for settle
ment in the next four years, which preceding Ad-
ministrations have never had to deal with. Inmeet-
ing these it is desirable that they should be appre-
ciated calmly, without prejudice hate, or sectional
| pride, remembering that the greatest good to the
| greatest number is the object to be attained This
requires security of person and property and for re-
| N
mon country without regard to local prejudice All
laws to secure this end will receive my best efforts
| for their enforcement.
great debt has been contracted in securing to us
| and our pOsterity the Union. The payment of this
principal and interest as well as the return to n
specie basis rs soon it can be accomplished with
ont material dctrimen to the debtor classs or to the
country at large, must be provided for
To protect the national honor every dollar OF the
| Government indebtedness should be paid in gold,
unless otherwise expressly stipulated in the contract
Let it be understood that no repudiator of one
farhng of our public debt will be trusted in pub
lie places and it will go FAR toward strengthening a
credit which ought to be the best in the world, and
will ultimately enable MS to replace the debt with
| bonds hearing less interest than we now pay. To
this shall be added faithful collection of the rev.
epue. n strict accountability to the Treasury for
every dollar collected and tho greatest practicable
retrenchment in expenditures in every department
Of Government
When we compare the paying capacity OF the
country now. with ten States still in poverty from
the effects of the war. but to emerge, trust
into greater prosperity than ever before, with Its
having capacity twenty five years ago. and calculate
what il probably 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
luxuriesi Why, it looks as through Providence had
bestowed upon us a strong box, the precious metals
locked up in the sterile mountains of the far West
which We are now forging the key 10 unlock to meet
the very contingency that Is now upon u.s.
Ultimately il may be necessary TO increase the
facilities TO reach these riches and it may be ncces-
sary also that the General Government should give
It's aid to secure this access. But that should only
he when dollar Of obligation to pay secures pre-
cisely the same sort Of dollar in use now and not
before.
While tho question IF specie payments is in abey
ance. the prudent business man is caretSl about
contracting debts payable in the distant future
the nation should follow the same rule. PROSTATE
commerce is TO be rebuilt an2 all industries encour
aged. The young men OF the country-those wh'
form this age and must he rulers twenty-five years
bcuce-have a peculiar interest in maintaining th'
national honor. a moments reflection upon VIVA
viii lie our commanding influence among the nations
Of the earth in their day, if they are only true t
themselves. should inspire them with national pride
All divisions geographical, political and religious
can Join in the common sentiment.
How the public debt is to be paid, or specie pay
ments resumed, is not so important as that pla
shonld he adopted and acquicsced in. mite
determination TO do is worth more than divides
counscls upon the method of doing. Legislation o.
this subject may not be necessary now, nor ove
advisable but it will bc when the civil law is NOR
fully restored in all parts Of the country ana trad
resumes its wonted channels. 1t will be my en-
deavor TO execute all laws in good faith, to coliec
ou revenues assessed, and to have them properl!
disbnrsed. | will, to the best Of my ability mp
point TO office only those who will carry out TIN
design.
Tn regard to foreign policy would deal will
nations as equitable law requires individuals to dea
with each other. and would protect the law-abdnI
citizen. whether of native or Of foreign Dirth
wherever his rights jeopardzed or the nag oil OIL
country floats. | would respect the rights OF al
o.io,s dcmonding equal respect for our own. !