Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-05-24
Grant on the Constitutional Sphere OF
Executive Duties.

PRESIDENT JOHNSON, and a number of
his predecessors based the success OF their
administrations upon purely Legislature
basis. They held that the Executive du-
ties were too insignificant to achieve re-
nown, and therefore staked their success
upon legislative policy. President Grant
in his inaugural address defined the
proper Constitutional sphere of the EX-
ecutive power; and he did it so concisely
and completely that nothing can be added
or omitted to advantage. The primary
duty of the President is the faithful exc
cntion of all laws Thus the executive
power is within its sphere coordinate
with Congress, and can never be made
too strong, because it represents the arm
of the Government-the will of the ma
ton legally expressed. The power 20
recommend is secondary and incidental.
The Executive enjoys this right in COM
mon with all other citizens. He partici-
pates in the legislation of the country
only through the veto power, which
President should exercise upon great
questions, only in rare instances, and for
ample cause.
We propose herewith to give the first
two paragraphs of the inaugural address,
which contains more substance to the
same number of words than any similar
document with which we are acquainted
"CItizens ofthe United States: Your suffrages
having elevated me to the office Of President
| of the United States, have, In conformity
| with the Constitution OF our country, taken
| the oath of office prescribed therein. | have
| taken this oath without mental reservation,
with the determination to do to the best OF
my ability all that it requires of me. The
| office has come to me unsought. com
| mence its duties untrammeled. bring TO II
a conscientious desire and determination to
fill it to the best of my ability and to the
satisfaction of the people.
"On all leading questions agitating the
public mind will always express my views
to Congress, and urge them according to my
judgement; and, when think it advisable,
will exercise the constitutional privilege OF
interposlng a veto to defeat measures which
| oppose But all laws will be faithfully eX-
ecuted, whether they meet my approval OF
not. / shall on all subjects have policy TO
recommend, but none to enforce against the
will of the people. Laws are to govern all
alike those opposed to as well as those who
favor them. l know no method to secure
the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so et
fective as their stringent execution.
ain coming before you for the first time
as Chief Magistrate of this great nation II II
with gratitude to the Giver of all G ood fol
the many benefits we enjoy; we are blessed
with peace at home, and are without entan
Cling alliances abroad to forbode trouble
with population of forty millions of fret
people, all speaking one language; with ia
| cilities for every mortal to acquire an educa
ton; with institutions closing to none thu
avenues to fame or any blessing of fortune
that may be coveted; with freedom of tn
pulpit, the press, and the school; with rev
! enue flowing into the national Treasury be
yond the requirements Of the Government
"These blessings and countless others ar
| iDf Dgtp cd N and safe
! keeping, for the brief period OF our tehur
l of office. In short time we must, each o
us, return to the ranks of the people VIII
/ have conferred upon us our honors, and aC
. count to them for our stewardship.
4 | earnestly desire that neither you nor ! ma
y be condemned by a free and enlightene
= | constituency, nor by our own consciences
On my part | promise rigid adhel
1 ence to the laws and their strict enforce
ment"
/ "In addressing my third animal messag
d to the law making branch of the Government
. it is gratifying to be able to state that durin
4 the past year success has generally atten'
y ed the effort to execute all laws found upo
q the statute books. The policy has beel
l. not to inquire into the wisdom of laws a
T. ready enacted, but to learn their spirit an
g intent, and to enforce them accordingly.
X submit these suggestions with confdent
70 that your combined action will be wis
10 statesmanlike, and In the best interests
y, the whole country"
.sg' A wellinformed gentleman, who h
10 Travelled extensively in the Northwest, as &
=. result of his oseryations and inquiries, c
n. press the opinion that Greeley will not z
e. two per cent. of the Republican vote in t
of rural districts. If the Democrats indoI
Or him, President Grant will get at least a
per cent. of the Democratic vote, willis
n much larger number will not vote at all
r, Chicago Jounnal
m Detroit boasts of having more babI
d, within its fire limits, in proportion to
IS, size, than any other city In America.