Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-03-12
,e,,- Grap,.s TsauouraI address.

Presidential the Uaited States, | have. in
conformity with che constitution Of our
country, taken theoath Of ofliceprescribed
therein have taken this oath without
mental reservation and with a determines
tiento do, to the best of my ability that
is required of me by the responsibilities of
the position I feel, bat accept them with
out fear. The office has come TO me I'M
sought. I commence its duties untram-
elled. bring toit n conscientious desire
and determination to fiji it to the best OF
INV ability. TO the satisfaction of the peo-
pie on all the leading questions agitating
the public mind.
Iwill always express my views to Con-
gress and urge them, according to my
Judgment, and when think il advisable
will exercise the constitutional privilege
of interposing veto to defeat measures
which oppose but all laws will be faith
fully executed. whether they meetmy APP
proval or not | shall on all subjects have
no policy TO recommend, none TO enforce.
against the will OF the people. The laws
are to govern all alike, those opposed TO,
as well as those in favor Of them. know
no method 10 secure the repeal OF bad or
obnoxious laws so effective rs their
stringent execution.
The country having just emerged from
"a great rebellion, many questions will come
before il for settlement in the next four
years, which preceding administrations
have never had to deal with. In meeting
these. it il desirable they should be APP
preached calmly, and without prejudice,
hate, or sectional pride. remembering that
the greatest good to the greatest number
is the object 10 be attained. This requires
security Of person, property, and reli-
gious and political opinions, in every part
of our common country without regardto
local prejudice. All laws to secure this
end will receive my best efforts for their
enforcement.
\ great debt has been contracted in So
curing to us and our posterity the Union.
The payment ofthiS, principal andintercst,
as well rs the return 70 a specie basis as
soon rs il can he accomplished without
material dctriment Ia the debtor class, ar
to the country at large, must be provided
for. To protect the national honor. every
dollar of government indebtedness should
be paid in gold. unless otherwise expressly
stipulated in the contract. Let il be- I'M
deretoodt that no repuaiator of one farthing
Of our public debt will hetrIsted in public
places. andii will 20 fartowards strength
ening a credit which ought to be the best
in the world. and will ultimately enable
Us 10 replace the debt with bonds bearing
less interest than we now pay. To this
should be added faithful collection of
the revenue. strict accountability 10 the
treasury for every dollar collected, and
the creates; practicable retrenchment in
expenditure in every department Of gov
eminent
When we compare the paving capacity
Of the country now. with ten States still
in poverty from the effects of war, but
soon 10 emerge, trust, into greater
prosperity than ever before. with its paying
capacity twenty-five years ago, and
calculate what it will probably be twenty
FIVE years hence, who can doubt the
feasibility of paying every dollar then
with more ease than We now pay for use
less mxuries Why. 1t looks rs though
Providence had bestowed upon Us "A
strong box in the precious metals locked
up in the sterile mountains of the far
West. which We are now forging key
10 unlock 10 meet the very contingency
ih.t il now upon Us. Ultimately it may
he neces Sary In increase the facilities 10
reach these riches and il may be necessary
also that the general government should
give It's aid Ia secure this access. But that
should only be when dollar OF obligation
10 pay secures precisely the same sort OF
dollar in use now and not before.
While the question of specie payments
is in allowance, the prudent business man
is careful about contracting debts payable
in the distant future The nation should
follow the same rule. a PROSTATE COM
merce is 10 be rebuilt and ali industries
encouraged The young men of the
country. those who form this age and
must be its rulers twenty-five years hence,
have peculiar interest in maintaining
the national honor 4 moments refiec-
ton AZ 10 what will be our commanding
influence among the nations of the earth
in their day. if they are only true TO them
selves, should inspire them with national
pride. All divisions, geographical, politi-
cal and religious, can join in this common
sentiment. How the public debt is TO be
paid or specie payments resumed is not
50 important as that plan should be
adopted and acquiesced in. \ united
determination To do is worth more than
divided councils upon the method of
doing. Legislation upon this subiectmay
not be necessary now, nor even advisable,
but il will be when the civil law is more
fully restored in all parts of the country
and trade resumes its wonted channels.
1t will be my endeayorto execute alllaws
in good faith, Ia collect all revenues as
sessed aud to have them properly ac-