Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-03-06
THE RUTLAND HERALD
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1878.
The second Term.

commence the twenty-seconu ~
4;al term since the foundation OF thegoV-
.rrroant He is the fifteenth person
who has been elected, by the people, to
that high position, and the seventh who
has so controlled the executive affairs OF
the government as to receive, at the
hands Of his fellow citizens, the high
honor of a reelection. The unanimity,
too, with which he was, the second time,
called to the presidential chair, is some
thing remarkable in our country's his
tory. The only other instances APP
preaching it, were the cases of Wash
ington and Monroe, both of whom were
reelected at period of almost unex-
smpled prosperity and at time, too,
when parties were disbanded and, con-
seouently, an entire absence of party
and political strife or feeling. General
Grant, however, comes to his second
term with the hearty and almost unani-
nous endorsement of the people, after
bitter political campaign, in which every
attempt was made to detract from his
character and abilities, and to throw dis
credit on his administration, measures
and policy. He was sustained by the
people because he had been true to them
and true to himself. This is the reason,
and the sole reason, why he stands, to-
day, the chosen of the American people.
Let us take glance backward and, see
ing bow he has redeemed his pledges
and promises in the past, draw the hope
full auguries for the future -Four years
ago, to-day, he took the oath OF office
and delivered his first inaugural address.
Il was a brief, modest, but terse, consise
and husiuess-like state paper. He there
in announced that he took the oath with
cut fear and without mental reservation.
He came 10 the discharge Of the high du-
ties of his Office untrammeled, but with
a conscientious desire and determination
10 perform them to the best of his abil-
ity and the satisfaction of the people.
He stated that while he should, when he
deemed it advisable for the interest Of
Che country. exercise the constitutional
power Of the veto. and he at nil times
ready to express his views on matters Of
public policy. and urge them to the best
of his ability, yet he should have no
policy TO enforce against the will of the
people So far, most certainly, his
promises have been kept and his pledges
redeemed, We need only to refer to the
San Domingo question and the payments
of claims to loyal Southerners, Con
ceiving that it would be beneficial to the
people Of both countries that San Do
mingo should be annexed to the United
States he communicated his views to
Congress and urged the measure by every
proper legal and constitutional means.
When the judgment of Congress was
found to be counter to his own, he
cheerfully and Internationally acqui-
e-ccd in their decision and bowed to their
will So with the exercise of the veto
power When Congress passed bill
after bin for the payment of claims
growing out Of losses sustained by resi-
dents OF the South during the war for
the suppression of the rebellion, and
there was danger that the door of the
treasury would Toe thrown wide open for
the payment of these and kindred classes
of claims, he did not hesitate to interpose
his constitutional veto in the effort to
protect the treasury. We believe that
the principles laid down in these veto
messages are correct, and founded upon
true principles Of international and com
mon law, and sustained by reason, OK
pediency, economy and true policy.
These are but instances from many,
which, we doubt not, will be readily re-
called, of his firm adhesion to the prin-
ciples laid down in his inaugural address.
He said that the laws were alike for all,
to govern those who oppose as well as
those who favor them, and that they
must and would be faithfully executed
by him. The history of the last cam
paigu showed the sincerity of this utter
ancc, and demonstrated how well and
faithfully it had been observed. We all
remember and know the diversion
against him, that was attempted, for the
very fulfllment of this pledge by him.
How the opposition press, particularly
at the South, rung the changes, day after
day and week after week, because he
had faithfully executed and enforced,
among other laws, those known as the
enforcement act and the Ku Klux law.
But the South rose superior to the par
tisan, and saw the only hope and safety,
as well for themselves as the country.
to be in the rigid and impartial execu-
ton of the law, and, instead of oppos-
ing, rather honored and supported him
for doing his duty, unpalatable though
it may have been to some of them. So
with all laws has it been. An attempt
has been made to deal with the Utah
people through a stern and inflexible
execution of the statutes, and the effort
was only superseded through the mad
equacy of the laws. When these are
the laws, as during the past four years,
80 during the coming term, will govern
all alike, those opposed as well as those
who favor them" The questions of re-
construction have been met, during his
administration, as he promised calmly,
without prejudice, hate or sectional
pride. This required, and it has now
become a part of our fundamental law,
acknowledged and acquiesced in by all,
security of person, property, and for
religious opinion in every part Of our
common country" without regard to
color, birth, former condition of servi
tude or local prejudice, A reduction of
the public debt was urged and promised
The report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury, March lst, 1878, shows that in the
past eight years the debt has been re-
duced 1868, 0s2, 500 AZ, a sum exceeding
the widest anticipations of the most
hopeful or visionary men, four years
ago Our currency was at discount of