Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-03-11

Inc SIateS Iabely at war Win the
general government are now happily
rehabilitated and no Executive control
| Is exercised in any one of them that
would not be exercised in any other
State under like circumstances.
In the first year of the past admin
! istration the proposition came up for
! the admission of Santo Domingo as q
/ territory of the Union. 1t was not a
question of my seeking. but was a
/ proposition from the people of Santo
| Domingo, and which ] entertained.
| believe now, rs / did then, that it
was for the best interests of the coun-
try for the people of Santo Domingo,
and all concerned. that the PROPOSE
ton should be received favOrably. 1t
was, however; rejected constitutional
ly, and therefore the subject was new
er brought up again by me.
In future, while | hold my present
office, the subject of acquisition of ter
ritory must have the support of the
| people before l will recommend any
/ proposition looking to such acquisi-
tion. | say here, however, that do
not share in the apprehension held by
many as to the danger of governments
| becoming weakened and destroyed by
reason of their extension of territory.
Commerce, education, and rapid
transit of thought and matter by tele-
graph and steam have changed all
this. Rather do / believe that our
great Maker is preparing the world in
! His own good time to become one ma
ton, speaking one language. and
when armies and navies will be no
longer required.
My efforts in the future will be di-
rected to the restoration of good feel
ing between the different sections of
our common country to the restora-
ton of our currency to fixed value
as compared with the worlds stand
ard of values-gold-and if possible to
a 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 a market and
leave a living remuneration to the
maintenance of friendly relations
with all our neighbors and with dis
tant nations to the re establishment
of our commerce and share in the car
rying trade upon the ocean to the
encouragement of such manufacture
ing industries as can he economically
pursued in this country, to the end
that the exports of home products and
industries may pay for our imports,
the only sure method of returning to
and permanently maintaining specie
basis; TO the elevation of labor, and,
by humane course, to bring the abo-
riginees OF the country under the be-
nign influences CT education and civil
liZation. 1t is either this or war of
determination. Wars of extermina-
ton, engaged in by people pursuing
commerce and all industrial pursuits,
are expensive even against the weak
est people, and are demoralizing and
wicked.
Our superiority of strength and adj
vantages of civilization should make
us lenient towards the Indian. The
wrong already inflicted upon him
should be taken into account. and the
balance placed to his credit. The NOR
al view of the question should be COLI
sidered, and the question asked caDnst
the Indian be made a useful and pro-
ductive member of society by proper
teaching and treatment? If the ef-
fort is made in good faith we will
stand better before the civilized ma
/ tions 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 rec
concentrations 10 Congress rs will, in
my Judgment, best serve to carry
them into effect. / beg your support
and encouragement.
1t has been and is my earnest desire
to correct abuses that have grown up
i'm the civil service of the country
To secure this reformation, rules regu-
lating the method of appointment and
/ promotion were established an d
! have been tried. Ny efforts for such
! reformation shall be continued to the
| best of my judgment. The spirit of
/ the rules adopted will be maintained.
! 1 acknowledge before this assem-
blage, representing as it does every
section of our country, the obligation
/ am under to my countTymen for the
great honor they have conferred OH
me by returning me to the highest Of
| flee within their gift, and the further
/ obligation resting on me to render to
Z them the best services within my
power. This promise, looking for
ward with the greatest anxiety to the
/ day when | shall be released from res
/ possibilities that at times are almost
overwhelming, and from which
have scarcely had respite since the
eventful firing upon Fort Sumpter in
4 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
i'm a struggle threatening the very ex-
/ istence of the nation. l performed q
/ conscientious duty, without asking
| promotion or command. and without
revengeful feeling towards any Sec
/ tion or individual.
Notwithstanding this, throughout
( the war, and from my candidacy for
I the present office in 1868 to the close OF
the last presidential campaign, l have
! been the subject of abuse and slander,
scarcely ever equalled in political his
tory, and which, to-day, feel j can
afford TO disregard, in view of your
verdict, which l gratefully accept as
my vindication.