The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-03-12
National Affairs.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT

prescribed therein. / have taken this
oath without mental reservation, and
with the determination to do to the best
of my ability ,allthat it requires of me.
The responsibilities of the position l
feel, but accept them without fear. The
Office has come to me unsought; l COM
mence its duties u n r a m m | G d.
l bring to it conscientious desire and
determination to fill it to the best of
my ability,to the satisfaction of the peo-
pie. On all leading questions agitating
the public mind. l will always express
my views to Congress, and urge them
according to my judgment, and when
think it advisable will exercise the
constitutional privilege Of interposing
q veto to defeat measures which l op-
pose. But all laws will be faithfully execu
ted whether they mees my approval or
not. l shall on all subjects have poll
cy to recommend, none to enforce
against the will of the people. Laws
are to govern all alike,-those opposed
to, as we'll as those in favor of them. l
know no method to secure the repeal of
bad or obnoxious laws so effective as
their stringent execution.
The country having just emerged
from q great rebellion, many questions
will come before it for set ttlement in the
next four years, which preceding Ad-
ministrations have never had to deal
with. In meeting these, it is desirable
that they should be appreciated calmly,
without prejudice, hate, or sectional
pride, remembering that the greatest
good to the greatest number is the OBJ
ject to be attained. This requires secu-
rity of person, property and for relig-
ious and polite al opinion in every part
of our common country, without regard
to local prejudice. All laws to secure
this end will receive my best efforts
for enforcement.
a great debt has been contracted in Sc
curing to US and our postcrity theUnion.
The payment of this, principal and
in terest, as well as the return to spe-
Gle basis as soon as it can be accom-
plished without material detriment to
thedebtor class, or to hccountry at large
must be provided for. TO protect the ma
tional honor, every dollar of gov
ernment 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 trus-
ted in public places, and it will so fai
toward strengthening q credit which
ought to be the best in the world, and
will ultimately enable us to replace the
debt with bonds bearing less interest
than we now pay. To this shall be ad
ded faithful collection Of the revenue
a strict accountability to the Treasury
for every dollar collected, and the great
est practicable retrenchment in expen
ditures in every department of govern
ment.
When we compare the paying capa
city Of the country now, with ten State
still in poverty from the effects OF the
war, but soon to emerge, | trust, into
greater prosperity than ever before
with its paying capacity twenty-five
years ago, and calculate what it proba
bly, will be twenty- five years hence
who can doubt the feasibility ofpayins
every dollar then with more ease thai
we now pay for useless luxuries? Why
; it looks as though Providence had be
slowed upon us strong box, the pre-
cious metals locked up in the sterile
mountains Of the far West, which W.
are now forging the key to unlock, t'
meet tn very contingency that is nov
upon us.
Ultimately it may be necessary to in
crease the facilities to reach these richie
j and it may be necessary also that th'
General Government should give it
aid to secure this access. But tina
should only be when dollar of obliga
tion TO pay secures precisely the sam
; sort of dollar in nse now, and not be
fore.
While the question of specie pay
ments is in allegiance the prudent busi
, ness man is careful about contracting
debts payable in the distant future; III
nation should follow the same rule. /
PROSTATE commerce is to be rebuilt an'
all industries encouraged. The youni
t men of the country-thOse who form
u this age and must be rulers twenty-tiv
years hence-havc peculiar interest il
maintaining the national honor. !
moments reflection upon what will b
L our commanding influence among tn
nations of the earth in their day, if the.
are only true to themselves, should in
spire them with national pride. Al
divisions, geographical, political an
religious, can join in the common sen
timent.
How the public debt is to be paid, O
- specie payments resumed, is not so in
portant as that plan should be adopt
ed and acquiesced in. A united deter
mination to do is worth more than d
vided counsels upon the method of dc
ing. Legislation on this subject ma
" not be necessary now, nor even advisi
BILE; but it will be when the civil La
is more fully restored in all parts {
the country, and trade resumes its wOl
ted channels. twill be my endeavC
T. to execute all laws in good faith, 10 co
lest all revenues assessed, and to hav
them properly disbursed. l will, to II
= y best of my ability,appoint 20 Office onl
It those who will carry out this design.
=, In regard to foreign policy, wou
90, deal with nations as equitable law r
- auires individuals to deal with eaC
other, and / would protect the lay
abiding citizen, whether of native or
foreign birth, wherever his rights a
jeopardized, or the flag of our COUNT
floats. / would respect the rights
all nations, demanding equal respe
- for our own. If Others depart fro