Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-03-10

which we have suffered during the past three
wears. The depression in all orr varied COM
( Tnereial and manufacturing interests ihroush-
on: the country which began IN September
1873 still continues IL is very gratifying,
/ however, to be able to say that there are indi-
cations all around Us of coming change 10
prosperous times. Upon the currency ones
/ ton. intimately connected as 1t Is with this
| topic, | may be permitted TO repeat here Inc
/ statement made in my letter Of acceptance tnat
/ in my Judgment the feeling of uncertainty III
/ separable from an irrcdeemahle paper curren-
cy with its fluctuations Of values, Is one oil the
/ greatest obstacles 10 return Of prosperous
! times The only safe paper currency Is one
which rests upon coin basis, aud Is at all
/ times promptly convertible into coin. adj
here to the views heretofore expressed by NE
/ in favor of congressional legislation in behalf
Of an early resumption Of specie payment. and
/ | am satisfied not only that this is wise, but
that the interests ms well as the public senti-
ment Of tie country imperatiycly demand it.
Passing from these remarks upon The conGi-
! tion Of our own country 10 consider our rela-
| tions with other lands, we are reminded by the
international complications abroad, threaten
ing the peace Of Europe, that cur traditional
rule of uon- interference in the affairs OF foreign
nations has proved Of great value in past times
and ought to be strictly observed. The policy
inaugnrated by my honored predecessor, Tresi-
dent Grant, of submitting to arbitration grave
questions in dispute between ourselves and for
eisn powers points TO a new and incomparably
the best instrumeutality for the preservation
of peace and will as believe, become n bencf-
cent example Of the coarse 10 be pursued in
SINH az emergencies by other nations. II, un-
happily, questions of difference should at any
time during the period Of my administration
arise between the United States and any for
eign government, it will certainly be my dis
position aud my hope 10 all 10 their settle
meut in the same peaceful and honorable way,
thus securing TO our country the great blessings
Of peace and mutual good offices With all the
nations Of the world.
Fellow-citizeuS, we have reached the close Of
political conies; marked by the excitement
which rsnry attends the contests, between
great political parties whose members spouse
.nd advocate with earnest faith their reSpec- /
. tive crccdS The circumstances were, perhaps, /
in no respect extraordinary, save in the close
ness and the consequent uncertainty Of the re-
sut. For the first time in the history Of the |
the peculiar circumstances OF the case, that the /
OBJ, c;ous and questions in dispute with refer !
cnce b. counting the electoral votes should be |
referred to the decision 81 q irbuualappontcd /
flr this pnrpose. That tribunal. established |
by law for this sole purpose, It's members all
of them neg Of long.Cstablished reputation for
integrity and intelligence, and, with the eXcep- !
ton Of those who are also members Of the SUI
premc judiciary, chosen equally from both po- /
litcal parties is deliberations enlightened by |
the research and The arguments Of able conn !
sci. was entitled % the fullest confidence Of the !
American people. It's decisions have been !
patiently waited fur and accepted as legally !
conclusive ly the general Judgment Of the put
lie or the present opinion will widely vary
% to the wis Ion Of the several conclusions an
nounced by that tribunal. This is to he anti
cipated in every instance where matters Of dis !
pule are made sutect Of arbitration under the
TOMS Of law Human Judgment Is never IN
errine. and isr arely regarded as otherwise than
wrong by the unsuccessful party in the contest.
The fact than two great political parties have
10 this way settled dispute 10 regard to
which good men differ as % the facts and the
law, no less than az the proper course to be
pursued 10 solving the question in controVer-
~, is An occasion for general ri ,icing Upon
one point there is entire u1animity in public
sentiment: that conflicting claims to the PREF
iIency mnst be amioably and pcaceably adjust
ed, and that when SO adjusted the general &C
quiescence Of the nation ought surely to follow.
It has been reserved Tor government Of the
people where the night Of suffrage is universal,
to give H.. world the iir.; example in history
Of great nation, in the midst Of u struggle Of
opposing parties f,r power hu~hing its party
tumults to yield tie issue Of the contest TO adj
instmeu! acc,rlios to the forms If law.
Locking for the guidance Of that Divine
baud by which tie d,stinjs nf nat ors Al d
individuals are shaped, call upon you, Sena-
iaTs, representatives, iu,lees, fcllow-citizens,
here AMI everywhere. - unite with me IN an
earnest Effort 90 secure tpuur country the bless
in2s, Lot only ol material prosperity, hut Of
Justice. peace and union, a union depending
not upon che cnGStrIiu, "l force, but ppnn the
loving devotion # free people, ami that all
things nay be 81 oFlerc,! add settled upln the
hest ADD surcst foundation taat peace and
hnpyinc,s. Truth and Justice religion aud ? ely,
may he esiablisLe among u for all genera
ilons.