The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-04
He Insists on Parting Message to
the American PeOple-A Re-
Gao irrespective GIance-Con-
ffs.r gress ScOlded.
How his Preroga'ives Were
... Invaded

The robe of Office, by constitutional limits-
ton, this day falls IRON my shoulders, to be
Immediately assumed by my successor. For
hi m the forbearance and cooperation of the
American people in all his efforts 10 administer
the Government within the pale OF the Federal
Consultation are sincerely invoked. Without
ambition to crafty, parry ends 10 subserve, or
personal quarrels TO avenge at the sacrifice of
the peace and welfare OF tue country, my ear.
nest desire is to see the Constitution, as defined
and limited by the fathers OF the republic, again
recognized and obey ed as the supreme law of
The land. ana the whole people, North, South,
East and West, happy and prosperous under its
wise provisions.
In surrenderng the high office to which was
called four years ago, at memorable aud ter
the people of the United States few parting
words In vindlcatlol of an official course so
ceaselessly assailed aud aspersed by political
leaders, to whose plans aud wishes my policy to
II store the Union has been obnoxious. In a
period of difficulty and turmoil, almost without
precedent In the history OF any people, conse-
guent upon the closing scenes OF great rebel
lion and the ASSASSINATION OF the then President,
1t was perhaps too much on my part to expect
of devoted partlsans, who rode on the waves of
excitement, which at that time swept all before
them, that degree of toleration and magma
nimity which sought to recommend and en-
force, and which | believe in good time would
have advanced us infinitely further on the road
TO permanent peace and prosperity than we
have thus far attained. Doubtless, had i, at the
commencement of my term of office, unhe,i-
tatingly lent its powers, or perverted them
TO purposes and plans outside OF the
to schemes of condscatlon aud of general
and oppressive disQuaihcatons, would have
been hailed as all that was true, loyal, and dis
cerniDg, as the reliable head OF party, what
ever might have been. AS the Executive of the
nation, unwilling, however, to accede to propo.
sitions OF extremists and bound to adhere at
every personal hazard 10 my oath to defend the
Constitution, need not, perhaps, be surprised
at having met the fate OF others whose only
rewards for uphOlding constitutional right aud
law have been the consciousness OF having
attempted to do their duty, and the calm and
unprejudIced judgment of history. At the time
Mysterious Providence assigned to me the
Office OF President, was, by the terms of the
million OF men under arms. One OF my hrst
acts was to dsoand and restore 20 the vocations
OF civil life this immense host, and to dtvest
myself, so tar as could, OF the unparalleled
powers then Incident 10 the Office and the times.
Whether or not IN this step was right and
how far deserving the appreciation of the
reminded of the ruinous condition of public
affairs that must have resulted from the con.
tinuance In the military service OF such
vast bumber of men. Tue close Of our domestic
conflict found the army eager TO distinguish
itself in q new field, by an effort to punish
European Intervention In Mexico: BY many 1t
assumed justice OF the proceeding, foreign
war, in which both eides would cheerfully
unite to vindicate the honor of the national
flag, and further illustrate the national prowess.
would be the surest and speediest way of
awakening national enthusiasm, reviving
devotion to the Union, and occupying a force
concerning which grave doubts existed as to
its willingness, after four years OF active cam
paignipg, at once to return to the pursuits of
peace. Whether these speculations were true
or false, 1t will be conceded that they existed
and that the predictions of the army were, for
the time being, in the direction indicated.
Taking advantage of this feeling, it would
have been easy, as the Commander-in-Cnief of
the Army and Navy, and sith all the power aud
patronage of the Presidential Office at my dis
posal, TO turn the concentrated military strength
OF the nation against French interference in
Mexico, and to inaugurate a movement which
would have been received with favor by the
military and large portion OF the people. 1t
is proper In this connection that should refer
TO the almost unlimited additional po Ners ten
dered to the Executive by the measures relating
to civil rights and the Freedmen's Bureau.
Contrary 10 most precedens in the experiences
my grasp were declined as in violation of the
Constitution, dangerous to the liberties of the
people, and tending to aggravate rather than
lessen the discords naturally resulting from our
civil war.
With a large army and augmented authority,
il would have been no difficult task to direct,
at pleasure, the destinies of the Republic, and
to make secure my continuance In the highest
office known to our laws. Let the people whom
/ am addressing from the Presidential chair
during the closing hours of laborious term,
present condition had yielded to the dazzling
temptation of foreign conquest, OF personal
ACKNOWLEDGMENT and the desire TO WELD addi-
tional power. Let them with justice consider
that if have not unduly magnihed my office,
the public burdens have not been increased by
my acts, and other aud perhaps thousands or
tens OF thousands of lives sacrificed to visions ol
false glory.
II cannot, therefore, be charged that my am-
bition has been OF that ordinary or criminal
kind which, to the detriment of the peoples
right and liberties, ever seeks to grasp more
and unWarranted po owers. and to accomplish Its
purposes panders, too often, to popular preju
dices and party aims. What, then, have beer
the aspirations which guided me In my ofiicia
acts? These acts need not at this time al
elaborate explanation. They have been else
where cOmprehensively stated and fully dis
cussed, and become part OF the nations his
tory. By them | am willing to be judged
knowing that, however important. they at least
show 10 the impartial mind that my sole ambi
fiou has been to restore the Union OF the States
faithfully TO execute the Office OF President, and
10 The best OF nv ability to preserve and protec
and defend the Constitution.
cannot be censared II my efforts have beer
impeded In the interest OF party faction and 4
a policy which was intended to reassure ant
conclliate the people OF b)th sections OF thu
country was made the occasion OF lnhamlul
and dividing still farther those who were onl!
recently In arms against each other, yet, as 10
diyiduals and citizens, were sincerely deslrous
as shall believe, OF burying all hostile feeling
in the grave Of the past. The bitter war wa
wsged on the part OF the Government TO vind
cate the Constitution and save the Union, AM
i'll have erred 10 trying to bring about NOR
sneedy and lasting peace, TO Danish heartburn
ines and enmilies. and to prevent troubles IN IN
South. which, retarding materially prospertt
m that region, injuriously affected the wnol
conntry. / am quite content to rest my Gas
with the more deliberate judgment OF the people
NJ syd as have already intimated, with the dh