The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-03-15

GU ulct0IH DI tue eIuOAIIAc>AkCAb @nA
tration which we have suffered during the
past three years--the depression In all our
varied commercial and manufacturing IN
terests throughout the country, when pc
gan September, 1878. There are lndlca-=
lions all around US OF a coming change 20
more prosperous times. UJson the curren-
cy question, intimately connected as 1t Is
with this topic, may be permitted 10 re-
peat here the statement made in my letter
Of acceptance, that, in my Judgment, the
feeling OF uncertainty, insepara0le from an
irredeemable paper currency, with It's
fluctuations of values, is one OF the greatest
obstacles Of q return to prosperous times.
The only safe paper currency is one wnlen
rests upon coin basis, and is at All tlmes'
and promptly, convertible into coin. ad-
here to the views heretofore expressed by
me in behalf Of early resumption Of specie
payments, and am satisfied not only is this
wise, but the interests as web rs the pub
lie sentiment Of the country imperatiVely
demand it.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS. o
Passing from these remarks upon the
condition Of our own country to consider
our relations with other lands, we are re-
minded by the international complications
abroad, threatening the peace OF Europe,
that our traditional rule of non -lnterfer-
ence in the affairs Of foreign nations has
RlOhCu va SICdI NdiuS Poob NHHA@S9S -
ought to be strictly observed. The policy
inaugurated by my honored predescessor'
President Grant, OF submitting TO arbltra-
tian grave questions in dispute between
ourselves and foreign powers, points TO
the new and incOmparably . the best
fundamentally for the preservation
Of peace, and will, as -! believe
become benefcent example OF the course
to be pursued in similar emergencies Oy
other nations. If, unhappily, questions OF
difference should, at any time during the
period OF my administration, arise between
the United States and any foreign Govern
ment, 1t will certainly be my disposition
and my hope to aid in their settlement in
the same peaceful and honorable way, thus
saving to our country the great blessings OF
peace and mutual good offices with all the
nations of the world.
THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST.
Fellow-citizens, we have reached the close
of political contest marked by the excite
ment which usually attends the contests
between great political parties whose mem
bers espouse and advocate with earnest
faith their respective creeds. The circum-
stances were perhaps in no respect extra
ordinary, save in the closeness and conse-
quent uncertainty Of the result. For the
first time in the history of the country, it
has been deemed best, in view OF the Pc
euliar circumstance Of the case, that the OBJ
jections and questions in dispute with
reference TO the counting Of the Electoral
votes should be referred to the
decision of Tribunal appoint
ed for this purpose. That tribunal,
established by law for this sole purpose,
its members all of them men of long estab-
lished reputation for integrity and intelll-
gence and, with the exception Of those who
are also members of the Supreme Judiciary,
chosen equally from both political parties
its deliberations enlightened by the research
and the argument of able counsel-was en-
titled to the fullest confidence Of the Amer
lean people. Its decisions have been pa
tientfy waited for and accepted as legally
conclusive by the general Judgment OF the
public. For the present, .--f ..
OPINIONS WILL WIDELY VARY
as to the wisdom of the several conclusions
announced by that tribunal. This is to be
anticipated in every instance where matters
Of dispute are made the subject of arbitra-
ton under the forms of law. Human tudg-
ment Is never unerring, and is rarely
regarded as otherwise than wrong by the
unsuccessful party in the contest. The fact
that two great political parties have 10 this
way settled dispute, in regard to which
good men differ as to the law no less than IS
to the proper course to be pursued in sOv-
ing the question in controversy, is an occa-
sion for general rejoicing. Upon
one point there is an entire unanimity In
public sentiment: that the conflicting claims
to the Presidency must be amicably and
peacefully adjusted, and that when so adj
justed the general acquiescence Of the Ma
ton ought surely to follow. 1t has been
reserved for government OF the people,
where the right Of suffrage is universal, to
give to the world the first example in his
tory Of great nation, in the midst OF a
struggle of opposing parties for power,
hushing its family tumults to yield the is
sue Of the contenst to adjustment according
to forms of law.
Looking for guidance of that Divine
Hand by which the destinies Of natiOns and
individuals are shaped, call on you, Sem
ators, Representatives, Judges, fellow
citizens, here and everywhere, TO uniet
with me in earnest efforts to secure to our
country the blessing not only OF material
prosperity, justice, peace, and union-a
union depending not upon the constraint OF
force, but upon the loving devotion Of
free people-that all things may be so or
dered and settled upon the best and surest
foundations, and piety may be established
among us for all generations.