The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-03-15

ferent sections Of our common coun-
try, to the restoration Of our currency
to fixed value, as compared with the
worlds standard oe values-gold-
and, If possible, to q par with it; to
the construction Of cheap routes of
transit throughout the land, to the
end that the products Of all sections
may find q market and leave living
remuneration to the producer; to the
maintenance Of friendly relations with
all our neighbors, and with distant
nations, to the establishment of orr
commerce and share in the carrying
trade upon the ocean, to the encour-
agement of such manufacturing indus
rtries as can be economically pursued
in this country, to the end that the
export OF home products and to indus
tries which may pay for our imports,
| which is the only sure method of re-
turning to and permanently maintain
ing specie basis; to the elevation OF
labor, and by humane course to. bring
the aborigines of the country under
the benign influence of education and
civilization.
1t is either this or war of exter-
mination. Wars Of determination en-
gagged in by people pursuing COM
merce and all industrial pursuits are
expensive, even against the weakest
people. and are demoralizing and
wicked. Our superiority of strength
and advantage of civilization should
| make us lenient towards the Indians :
the wrongs already inflicted upon him
| should be taken into account, and
the balance placed to his credit. The
moral view Of the question should be
considered, and the question asked
"Can not the Indian be made use
full and productive member Of society
by proper teaching and treatment 3"
Ii the effort is made in good faith we
| will stand better before the civilized
nations Of the earth and in our own
consciences for having made it. All
these things are not to be accom-
plished by one individual, but they
will receive my support and such
recommendations to Congress as will
in my Judgment best serve to carry
them into effect. l beg your support
ttAO encouragement. ~ Hts DCCu tiuu
is my earnest desire to correct abuses
that have grown up in the civil SER
! vice Of the country. To secure this
reformation, rules regulating the
method of appointment and promo
ton were established and have been
tried. My efforts for such reformation
shall be continued to the best of my
Judgment. The spirit Of the rules
adopted will be maintained.
acknowledge before this assem-
blage, representing as it does every
section of our country, the obligation
| am under to my countrymen for the
great honor they have conferred on
me by returning me to the highest
Office within their gift, and the fur
ther obligation resting on me to rem
der to them the best service within
my power. This l promise, looking.
forward with the greatest anxiety to
the day when l shall be released from
the responsibilities that at times are
almost overwhelming, and from which
| have scarcely had q respite since
the eyentful firing upon Fort Sumter
in April, 1861, to the present day.
My services were then rendered and
accepted under the first call for troops,
growing out Of that event. I did not
ask for place or position, and was en-
tirely without influence or the ac-
quaintance of persons of influence,
but was resolved to perform my part
in a struggle threatening the very ex-
istence of the nation. l performed
q conscientious duty without asking
promotion and without revengeful
feeling toward any section or individ-
ual. Notwithstanding this, through
out the war, and from my candidacy
for my present Office in 1868 to the
close of the last Presidential cam
paign, I have been the subject IF
abuse and SANDER scarcely ever
equaled in political history, which to-
day feel that can afford to disre-
gard, in view of your verdict, which
l gratefully accept as my yindication.