The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-03-11
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
PRESIDENT ULYSSES 8. GRANT.

l.
States, have, in conformity with the
Constitution of our country, taken the
oath of ofice presented therein.
have taken this oath without mental
reservation, and with the determine
ton to do, to the best of my ability, all
that is required of me. The responsi-
bilities of the position / feel, but I ac-
eept them without fear. The Office has
come to me unsought. I commence
its duties untrammelled. bring to it
a conscientious desire and determina-
ton to fill it to the best Of my ability |
to the satisfaction of the people. On
all leading questions agitating the
public mind, I will always express my
views to Congress and urge them &C.
cording to my judgement, and, when
I think it desirable, will exercise the
Constitutional privilege of interposing
a veto to defeat measures which I op-
pose; but all the laws viii be faith
fully executed, whether they meet my
approval or not. shall on all sub
jects have policy to recommend, none
to en- force against the win of the peo-
pie. Laws are to govern all alike
those opposed as well as those who
favor them. know of no method to
secure the repeal Of bad or obnoxious
laws so effective as their. stringent
execution.
The country having just emerged
from great rebellion, many questions
win come before it for settlement in
the next four years which preceding
administration have never had to deal
with. In meeting these it is desirable
that they should be approached calm
ly, without predjudice, hate or sec
tional pride. Remembering that the
greatest good to the greatest number
is the object to be attained, this re-
quires security Of person, property
and free religious and political opinion
in every part of our common country,
without regard to local prejudice.
Laws to secure these viii receive my
best efforts for their enforcement.
A great debt has been contracted in
securing us and our posterity the Un-
ion. The payment of this, principal
and interest, rs well a. the return to .
specie basis, as soon AZ it can be ac-
complished without material detri-
ment to the debtor class or to the
| country at large, must be provided
for. To protect the national honor
every dollar Of the government in
debtedness 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 tolerated in
public place, and it win go far toward
Strengthening credit which ought to
be the best in the world, and it will
ultimately enable us to replace the
debt with bonds bearing less interest
than we now pay. To this should be
added full and faithful collection OF
revenue, strict accountability to the
Treasury for every dollar collected
| and the greatest practicable retrench.
ment in expenditure in every depart,
ment of the Government. When We
compare the paying capacity of thu
country now, with ten States still in
poverty from the effects of war, but
soon to emerge, trust to greater
prosperity than ever before, with thu
paying capacity of twenty-five years
ago. and caleulatd what it win bs
twenty-five years hence, who car
doubt the feasibility of paying every
dollar of it then with more ease thai
| we now pay for useless luxuries
! Why, it looks rs though Providence
had bestowed upon as strong box
the precious metals locked up in thu
sterile mountains of the far West
which we are now forging the key te
unlock to meet the very contingenc!
that is now upon US. Ultimately i
may be necessary to increase the fa
cilities to reach these riches, it may
1 be necessary also that the genera
Government should give its aid to &c
cure this access but that should only
be when n dollar of obligation to pa.
secure precisely the same sort Of
4 dollar TO use now, and not before
Whilst the question ofspecie paymen'
is in abeyance, the prudent business
4 man is careful about contracting debit
payable in the distant future. Thu
! nation should follow the samS rule
\ A prostrate commerce 10 to be rebuilt
land ali the industries encouraged
The y oung men Of the country, thos'
who from their age must be its ruler
twenty 1--we years hence, have q pecu-
liar interest in maintaining the nation
al honor. A moments reflection al
to what will be our commanding In
hueiIce among the nations of the eartf
in their day, if they are only true to
themselves, should inspire them will
4 national pride. All divisions, geo
| graphical, Political and religious, eaI
f'join in this common sentiment.
I How the public debt 10 TO be paid
or specie payment resumed, is not sc
important as that o plan should b
7 adopted and acquiesced in. A united
determination to do is worth more
than divided councils upon the meth
4
| cd of doing. Legislation upon thii
s subject may not be necessary now, Oh
even advisable, but it will be whel
the civil law is more fully restored II
, all parts of the country, and trade re-
: su1nes its wonted channels.
!, It will be my endeavor to execut'
, all laws in good faith, to collect q
/ revenue assessed, and to have theHI
> properly accounted forand ecomicall.
. d;uh,.Ssn1 . I will fo tho beet of m,