Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-03-14

President found gold worth 1811f; his
second term commences with gold at
114X -Four years ago United States
bonds were worth in London Sl1& and In
Frankfort 901k. Now they are worth
964 In London and 961S In Frankfort.
Upon Inauguration Day in 1869, the pub.
lie debt was 1854, $4,000. On this 4th
of March, 1878, 1t is only 81, 157, $50, 700.
The four years of President Grants Ad-
ministration represent a reduction in the
premium on gold of 191S per cent, an
advance Of 81 per cent. in London, and
Of II per cent. at Frankfort, on the value
of American securities, and a liquida-
tion Of $808, 958, ,204 OF the national debt.
No comment could add to the force of
this financial exhibit, except to direct at
tention to the equally gratifying fact that
during these four years, while the Gov.
ernment credit has steadily appreciated,
as shown by the decrease in the gold pre-
MUM, and the advance in American Sc
curities in Europe; and while taxation
has been maintained at point sufficient
ly high to enable the Government to dis
charge fifteen per cent. of its entire obi.
gatlens, the general prosperity OF all the
people has increased rather than dimin-
ished.
The amelioration OF the political con-
dition of the country has not been less
decided and gratifying than its financial
improvement has been uuexampled and
beneticent. President Grant found the
South, under the malign influence of
Johnson's reactionary policy, discomfort
ed, turbulent, and again rebellious, he
commences his second term with every
State fully represented in Congress, and
a reign of peace and an apparently hon
est purpose in every part of the South,
Louisiana alone excepted, TO return to an
unqualified allegiance to the Union and
the Constitution. .........t.
In his foreign policy the President has
been equally wise. Against an intrig-
uing hostile faction in the Senate he stead
lily adhered to his early announced deter.
mination TO bring about settlement OF
the Alabama claims question, and finally
| succeeded, against the clamors of q dicta.
torial and hypercritical press, and the
bitter opposition of clique of ambitious
and designing politicians, who were will
ing to endanger the peace of the country
rather than permit an administration, to
which they were inimical, to reap the
just credit due to an honorable settlement
OF a long outstanding difficulty. But in
this, as in all the great questions which
have demanded solution at the hands oi
the Administration, the people have rec
ognized the honest purpose, enlightened
wisdom, and firm integrity of President
Grant, and have lent to his efforts the
sanction of pronounced and authorlta
! tive public sentiment.
The close of President Grants frs
term leaves to the country as an accom-
| plished fact the invocation of his inaugu
raj: 'Let us have peace" It is no more
than just to him to declare that the re
nown of his military achievements hai
been titly and honorably supplemented
by a civil career unexcelled in the practi
cal results of wise craftsmanship by tina
OF any one of his predecessors. If at the
end of his second term, upon which HI
enters so auspiciously to-day, it can bt
tIuthfully said that it has been as success
tul and as prosperous as the first, he may
retire from public life with degree O
satisfaction equal to that expressed by thu
first President upon similar occasion
and be created with like testimonials o.
affection and regard by the whole people
| -Chtcdq0 Inter- Ocean.