The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-05
FRIDAY, MARCH s, 1859.
Tho Innnrurnl Address.

most astute politicians, the names oil tne "n0"A
bers Of the new Cabinet, gives striking PiOo'
Of bis oapsoity to accomplish important pur-
,>osas I'm civil as well as in military lie; ana
tb;s auspioious augury of his career as
President has been greatly strengthened oy
his inaugural address.
While he has proved his ability to keep
secret on the one hand, he has displayed equal
frankness on the other, in giving free express
sion to his sentiments on the leading questions
Of the day, and in indicating the general
nolicv of his administration. Some men know
how to talk well, but are incapable OF holding
their tongues; some can maintain an impene-
trable reserve, but never give candid express
sion to their sentiments. General Grant COM
mences his civil career by giving proof OF
capacity to keep his own counsels when such
a oourse is prudent or desirable, conjoined
with Che ability and disposition to spread be-
fore the world, in the olearest language, definite
ideas on all important political topics.
The inaugural will speedily satisfy the
nation that there Is once more ''a man at the
helm," and that the experiment of transfer
ring the great soldier of the age from the camp
TO the Executive Mansion promises to prove
more successful than its most ssnguine pro-
ieotors could have anticipated. 1t is a favo-
rite theory Of novelists and speculative
philosophers that, while the age is fertile in
genius and great deeds, and while there is an
abundance of heroes, martyrs, and enthusiasts,
common sense is becoming rare quality,
80 . klav difhau1f faaEyz 10 IN
find men gifted with the power of acting
wisely and oircumspectly in novel and trying
positions. Whether these structures are true
or false, as applied to the century, 1t is GER
tain that if such rule does prevail General
Grant is a brilliant exception. His clear
Judgment has never been distracted for one
instant by high honors and responsibilities,
and he brings to the administration of civil
affairs the same cool and cheerful steadiness
of purpose, and the same skillful adaptation
of means to important ends, that made him
the oenquerer of the Rebellion.
His conception Of the duties of President
Is all that could be desired. He does not
intend to be the puppet of Congress, and he
clearly announces his determination to exer-
else the veto power whenever he thinks 1t
advisable; but he is determined to execute all
laws, whether they meet his approval or not,
and he states that he ''shall on all subjects
have policy to recommend, but none to en-
force against the will of the people," In
few brief sentences the true functions of the
Chief Executive Of great nation are admi-
rably depicted. All the information he acquires
will be used to promote the public good, in the
formation of laws; but when his judgment
does not prevail, he will execute vigorously
such laws as do not meet his approval, so that
If their tendency is beneficial the nation may
reap all the advantages they can confer, and
IL their tendency is inimical to the public
welfare, that fact may be made SO clearly
manifest that the demand for repeal of OBJ
noxious legislation will become irresistible.
Repeated references are made to the para
mount duty Of executing the laws. This i'm
perative obligation has been fearfully and
criminally neglected by some of Grants pre-
deOessors, and especially by Andrew Johnson,
who, in vain effort to interfere with the bust
ness of Congress, and to fasten upon the
country his infamous policy, gave golden
opportunities to rogues to steal the national
treasure, and totally lost control over the sub
iects which had the highest claim to his off
cial supervision. Grant, not content with a
reneral statement that ''all laws will
be faithfully executed" adds specifically,
that all laws designed to guarantee
'ssecurity of person and property" and
freedom of religious and political
opinion, in every part of our common
country, without regard to local prejudice, ;
will receive his best efforts for enforcement
that hs will endeavor ''to collect the revenue,
assessed, and to have them properly acc counte(
for and economically disbursed; and that h,
will protect the law-abiding citizen, whethe
of native or foreign birth, wherever his right
are jeopardized, or the flag of eur countr!
floats" These promises are pregnant witt
meaning. They clearly indicate that the neV
President will be ever keenly alive TO tn
necessity of dischsrging his high dutie
thoroughly and oonscientiously; that tn
White House will become something bette
than mere stamping ground for ravenou
politicians; and that the great interests OF tn
nation will receive the same careful super
vision that true general gives to every deta
connected with the management of might
army.
Too much praise cannot be given to tn
explicit declarations of the inaugural in re
card TO the maintenance of the public credi
it's rspudiation of repudiatOrs, its advocao
of economy, and its recommendations th'