Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-03-11
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

1 have taken this oath without mental
reservation aud with the determination to
do to the best Of my ability all that it re-
quires. The responsibilities of the posi-
tion I feel, but accept them without fear.
The Office has come to me unsought. /
commence its duties untrammellcd. I
bring to it conscientious desire and de-
termination to fill it to the best Of my
ability and to the satisfaction of the peo-
pie. On all the leading questions agitat-
ing the public mind will always express
my views to Congress and urge them ac-
cording to my judgement, and when I
think it advisable, will exercise the con-
stitutional privilege Of interposing a veto
to defeat measures which | oppose.
But all laws will be faithfully executed,
whether they meet my approval or not. I
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-those opposed as we'll as those
who favor them. I know no method to
secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious
laws so effective as their stringent execu-
ton.
The country having just emerged from
a great rebellion, many questions will come
before it for settlement in the neyt four
years which preceding administrations
have never had to deal with. In meeting
these it is desirable that they should be
approached 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 persons, prop
erty, and free religious and political opin-
ion 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 inter
est, as well as the return to specie ba-
sis as soon as it can be accomplished, with
out material detriment to the debt or class
or to the country at large, must be provi-
ded for To protect the national honor
every dollar of government Indebtedness
should be paid in gold, unless otherwise
expressly stipulated in the contract.
Let it be understood that no repudiator
of one farthing of our public debt will be
trusted in public place, and it will 60 far
toward strengthening credit which ought
to be the best in the world, and will ulti-
mately enable us to replace the debt with
bonds bearing less interest than we now
pay.
To this should be added faithful COL
lection Of the revenue, strict accounta-
bility to the treasury for every dollar COL
lected, and the greatest practicable re-
trenchment in expenditure in every depart
ment of government.
When we compare the payment capaci-
ty of the country now, with ten States still
in poverty from the effects of war, but
soon to emerge. I trust, into greater pros
perity than ever before, with its paying
capacity twenty-five years ago, and calcu-
late what it 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 luxu-
ries?
Why, it looks as though Providence ha!
bestowed upon US strong box. The pre-
cious metals locked up in the sterile noun
tains of the far West, which We are now
forging the key to unlock, to meet the
very contingency that is now upon US.
Ultimately it may be necessary to in
crease the facilities to reach these riches,
and it may be necessary also that the gen.
eral government should give its aid to Sc
cure this access, but that should only be
when dollar of obligation 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 national should
follow the same rule. A PROSTATE COM
merce is to be rebuilt and all industries
encouraged.
The young men of the country, those
who, from their age, mnst be its rulers
twenty-five years hence, have peculiar
interest in maintaining the national honor.
A moments reflection as to what will be
our commanding influence among the ma
tons of the earth in their day, if they are
only true to themselves, should inspire
thsm 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 doing. Legislation
upon this subject may not be necessary
now, nor even advisable, but it will be
when the civil law is more fully, restored
in all parts of the country, and trade re-
sumes its wonted channels.
It will be my endeavor to execute all
laws in good faith, to collect all revenues
assessed, and to have them properly &C.
counted for and economically disbursed.
I will to the best of my ability, appoint to
Office those who will carry out that design.
In regard to foreign policy would
deal with nations as equitable law requires
individuals to deal with each other, and
1 would protect the law abiding citizen,
whether of native or foreign birth, wLerev-
err his rights ale jeopardized or the flag of
our country floats.
I would respect the rights of all nations,
demanding equal respect for our own. If
others depart from this rule in their deal
ings with us. we may be compelled to fol-
low their precedent.
The proper treatment of the origin
Il &C Al L. IL L. 4 :