The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-12-08
The Annual Message
of President Grant.
An Exhibit of the Condition
of the Country.
Our Foreign Relations In Sat
isfactory Condition.
Etc, Etc.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:
In submitting my eighth and last annual
message to Congress. it seems proper that
should refer TO- and in some degree recapltu-
Late the events and official acts OF the past
eight years. II was my fortune, or misfor-
tune, to be called to the office o 1Chief Execu-
tive without any previous pohlicai training;
From the age of II had never even witnessed
the excitement attending Presidential cam
naipn but twice antecedent to my own can
didacy, and at but one OF them was L ehglble
rs voter. Under such circumstances, IL is
out reasonable to suppose that errors OF Judg-
ment must have occurred: even had they not,
differences of opinion between the Executive.
bound by an oath to the strict performance OF
his duties and writer's and debaters must have
arisen. It is not necessarily evidence of
blunder on the part of the Executive because
there are theee differences Of views.
Mistakes have been made, as all can see, and
admit, but il seems to me oftener in the selec-
tons made of assistants appointed to aid in
carving out the various duties OF administer
ing the Government, in nearly every case Sc
lected without general acquaintance with the
appointee, but upon the recommendations OF
the Representatives chosen directly by the
people. 1t is impossible, where 30 many
trusts are 10 be allotted that the right parties
should be chosen in every instance. History
shows that the Administration, from the time
of Washington to the present, has not been
sons to history, claiming only that have act
ed in every instance from a conscientious de-
sire to do what was right, constitutional with
in the law. and for the very best interests Of
the people. My failures have been errors Of
Judgment, not Of intent.
Retrospective.
Ny civil career commenced, too, at a most
critical and difficult time. Less than four years
before the country had emerged from conflict
such as no other nation had ever survived
Nearly one-half of the States had revolted
against the Government, and OF those remain
ing faithful to tho Union a large percentage
of the population sympathized with the rebel
hon and made an enemy in the rear almost as
dangerous rs the more honorable enemy in the
front. The latter committed errors OF judg
ment but they maintained them openly and
oourageously. The former received the pro-
lection of the Government they would see de-
stroyed, and reaped all the pecuniary advan-
tsges to be gained out Of the then existing state
Of affairs-many Of them by obtaining con-
tracts and by swindling the Government In the
delivery of their goods.
Immediately on the cessation of hostilities
the noble President, who had carried the coun-
try 30 far through its perils, fell a martyr TO
his patriotism at the hands Of an assassin.
Reconstruction.
The intervening time to my first Inaugural
ton was filed up with Erangling between
Congress and the new Exc eutive ss to the best
mode Of reconstruction. Or, TO speak plainly,
as TO whether the control Of the Government
should be thrown Immediately into the hands
OF those who had 30 recently and persistently
tried to destroy it, or whether the victors
should continue to have an equal voice with
them in this control. Reconstruction, as final
~ agreed upon, means this, and only this, ex-
cept that the late slave was enfranchised-giv-
ing an increase as was supposed, to the Union
loving and supporting votes. II free
would not disappoint this expectation,
hence at the beginning Of my first administra-
ton the work OF reconstruction. much embar-
raised by the long delay, virtually commenced.
1t was the work OF the legislative branch OF
the Government My province was wholly in
approving It's acts, which did most heartily,
urging the Legislatures Of States that had not
yet done so to ratify the Fifteenth amendment
20 the Constitution. The country WAS lsboring
Under an enormous debt, contracted in the
suppression of the rebellion, and taxation was
so oppressive as to discourage production.
Another danger also threatened us-foreigp
var. The last difficulty had to be adjusted,
and WAS adjusted, without war, and in
a manner highly honorable to all parties con-
cerned. The taxes have been reduced within
the last seven years nearly $500, 600 600, and
the national debt has been reduced in the same
time over S435, 000, 900 by refunding the per
cent. bonded debt for bonds bearing 81. 5,
and 41G per cent. interest respectively. The
annual interest has been reduced from over
$3.50 00O, 900 in 1869 to bat little ever $780,
100000 in 1876. The balance Of trade has
been changed from over $3.50, 900, 600 against
the United States in 1860 to more than $780,
600, 600 in our favor in 1876. 1t is confidently
believed that the balance Of trade in favor Of
the United States will increase, not diminish.
and that the pledge Of Congress to resume
specie payments in 1879 will DO easily accom-
Pitched, even in the absence of much. desired
further legislation on the subject.
Our Indian Wards.
policy has been adopted towards the Indian
tribes inhabiting a large portion OF the terri
tory Of the United States which has been hui
name, and has substantially ended indian hos
tilities in the whole land, except in portion of
Nebraska and Dakota, Wyoming and Montsna
Territories, the Black Hills region and ap-
proaches thereto. Hostilties there have
grown out of the avarice of the white man,
who has violated our treaty stipulations in
his search for gold. The question
might be- asked why tho Govern
ment has not enforced obedience
to the terms of a treaty prohibiting the occu-
patton Of the Black Hills region by the whites.
The answer is simple. The first emigrants to
the Black Hills were removed by troops, but
rumors and fresh discoveries Of gold TOOK into
that region increased numbers. Gold has ac-
tually been found in paying quantities, and
an effort to remove the miners would only
tn might be sent there TO remove them. All
difficulty in this matter has, however, been re-
moved, subject 10 the approval of Congress, by
treaty ceding the Black Hills and its ap.
proachee TO settlement by citizens.
The subject Of the Indian policy and treat
ment Is so fully set forth by the Secretary Of
uie treasury, the Secretary Of the Interior and
the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and my
views so fully expressed therein that refer
own.
Our Foreign Relations.
me relations Of the United States with |
foreign powers continue on a friendly footing. |
ynesuons have arisen from time 10 time in the |
ioreign rotations Of the Government. but the |
United states has been happily free during the |
p@t year from the complications and embar-
rssements which have surrounded some OF the |
foreign powers. NV
The diplomatic correspondence submitted !