The Portland daily press., 1873-03-05

The States lately at war with -the--genera
government are now happily rehabilitated, au'
no executive control is exercised in any. one O
them that would not be exercised in any othe
State under like circumstances.
In the first year of the past administration
the proposition came up for the admission O
Santo Domingo as territory in the Union. i
was not question of my seeking, but was ;
proposltlon from the people Of Santo Domingo
and winch entertained. believe now, as
dlo then, that it was for the best interests of
rniS eoand5ry ond w. fGr the people of Santo Do
mlnSo' anu Ior all concerned, that the proposi-
ton should be received favorable f was
however, rejected constitutonally. and there.
fore the subject was never brought I'M aoain hv
me. ~
59l u future, while hold my present Office, the
have the support of the people before I will
recommend any proposition looking to such ac-
QUESTION. l say here, however, that do not
share IN the apprehension held by many as to
the danger OF the government becoming weak
ened and destroyed by reason of the extension
OF territory. Commerce, education and rapid
transit of thought and matter by telegraph and
steam have changed all this. Rather do 1 be-
lleve that our great Maker is preparing the
world in His own good time to become one ma
ton, speaking the same language, and when
armies and navies will be no longer required.
My efforts in the future will be to directed to
the restoration of good feeling between the
different sections of our common country; in
the restoration of our currency to a fixed value
as compared with the worlds standard of val
ues, goil' and if possible to par with it, to the
construction OF cheap routes of transit through
our the land, and that the products of all sec
tons may find market ani give living re-
muneratl0r to the producer; to the mainte-
nance OF friendly relations with all our neigh.
bors and with distant nations; to the re-estab-
lishheht OF our commerce and a share in the
II nm tl,aa
agement OF such manufacturing industries as
eau De economically pursued in this country, to
the END that the exports of home products and
indus RES may pay for imports, the only sure
meehod OF returning to and permanently
maintaining specie basis; to the elevation Of
labor; and by humane course to bring the
Aoonglnes OF the country u der the benign in
nuences of education and civilization.
IL IS either this or a war OF eXtermation.
w ars OF extermation, engaged in by q people
pursuing commerce and all the industrial pur-
suits. are expensive even against the weakest
people, and are demoralizing and wicked. Our
superiority of strength and advantages of civil
lzatOn should make us lenient towards the In.
dams. The wrongs already Inflicted upon them
should be take n into account and the balance
quest, on should be considered and the question
asked, "cannot the Indian be made q useful
and productive member of society by proper
teaching and treatment?" If the effort is n,ade
in good faith we will stand before the civilized
nations of the earth and in our own consciences
for having made it. AL these things are not
accomplished by one individual, but they will
receive my support and such recommendations
to Congress as will in my Judgment best serve
to carry out the effect. beg your support aid
encouragement.
1t has been and is my earnest desire to cor
rect abuses that have grown up in the civil ser
vice of the country, to secure this reformation.
rules regulating the method of appointment
and promotion were established and have been
tried NY efforts for such reformation shall be
continued to the best of my judgment The
spirit of the rules will be maintained.
l acknowledge before this assemblage, repre-
senting as it does, every section of our country,
the obligation I am under to my couutrymen
for the great honor they havs &c c1nferred on
me by returning me to the highest office within
their gift, and further the obligation resting on
me to render them the best service within my
power. This promise, looking forward with
the greatest anxiety to the day when ! shall be
released from the responsibilities that at times
are almost overwhelming, and from which l
have scarcely had respite since the eventful fir
ing upon Fort Sumpter, in April. 1861, to the
present day. NV services were then rendered
and accepted under the first call for troops,
growing cut of that event did not seek for
place or position, and was entirely without in
huence or acquaintance of persons of influence
but was resolved to perform my part in the
struggle that was threatening the very exis-
tence of the nation. performed conscien-
tious duty without asking promotion or CON-
mand, and without q revengsful feeling to.
wards any section or any individuals. Not
withstanding this, throughout the war and
from my candidacy for my present offive in 1868
to the close of the last Presidential campaign,
have been the subject of abuse and slauder,
scarcely ever equalled in political history, which
to-day | feell that can afford to disregard in
view of your verdi ct, which gratefully accept
as my vindicaton.