The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1877-03-16

history OF the embarrassment and prostras
tion which we have suffered during the past
three years. The depression in all our COM
merclai and manufacturing interests
throughout the country which began in
| september, 1873, still continues 1t is very
gratifying, however, to be able to say, that
there are indications all around us of a COM
ing change to prosperous times JTpon the
| currency question, intimately connected as
At is with this topic, l may be permitted to
respect here that statement made in my
Ietter OF acceptance, that in my Judgment
the Ieellng OF uncertainty, inseparable from
an lFreueehaDle paper currency, with its
fluctuations OF values, is one of the greatest
obstacles of a return t. prosperous times,
The only safe paper currency is one which
rests upon a coin basis, and is at all times
and promptly converted into coin. I adhere
TO the views heretofore expressed by me in
favor of congressional legislation in behalf
of an early resumption of specie payment,
and 1 am satisfied not only that this is vgise,
but that the interests as well as the public
sentiment Of the country imperatively de-
mand il.
Passing from these remarks upon the con-
ditlon OF our own country to consider our
relations with other lands, we are reminded
by the international complications abroad
threatening the peace Of Europe that our
traditional rule OF non-lnterference in the
affairs Of foreign nations has proved Of great
value in mast times and ought to be strictly
observed. The policy inaugurated by my
hOnored predecessor. president Grant, OF
submitting to arbitration the grave questions
IN dispute between eu selves and foreign
powers point 20 4 new and incOmparably,
the best instrUmentaliiy for the preser-
vatiOn Of peace, and viii, as / believe be-
come q benetieient example Of the course 20
be pursued in similaF emergencies by other
nations if, unhappily, questions OF differ.
ence should az any time during the period of
my administration arise between the United
States and any foreign government. IL will
certainly be my disposition aud my hope to
aid in their settlement in the same peaceful
and honorable way, thus securing to our
country the great blessings OF peace and
mutual good Offices with all nations of the
world.
Fellow citizens, we have reached the close
OF political contest marked 10y the excite
ment which usually attends the contests be-
tween great political parties whose mem-
bers eSpouse and advocate with earnest faith
their respective creeds. Circumstances were
perhaps IN no respect extraordinary save in
the closeness and the consequent uncertBin-
ty Of the result For the first time in the
history OF the country 10 has been deemed
best, in view OF the pc 'uliar circumstances
of the case, that the objections and ques-
tions in dispute with reference to the count
ing OF the electoral votes should be referred
70 thesdecisiOn of q tribunal appointed for
this purpose, that tribunal established by
law Tor lul1 sole purpose, Its members All OF
them men of long estb ished reputation
for integrity and intelligence and with the
exception Of those who are members OF the
supreme judiciary, chosen equally from both
political parties. Its dCliberaIiOn, enlight-
ened by the research and the arguments OF
able counsel, was entitled TO the fullest con-
tidence of the American people. It's decis-
ions have been patiently waieed for and ao.
cepted as legally conclusive by the general
judgment of the public. For the present,
opinion will widely vary as to the wisdom OF
the several conclusions announced by trl-
bunal. This is 10 be anticipated in every in
stance where matters Of dispute are made
the subject Of arbitration under the forms
of law. The human Judgment is never un-
erring and is rarely regarded as otherwise
than wrong by the unsuccessful party in the
contest. The fact that two great Political
parties have in this way settled a dispute, in
regard to which good men differ as TO the
law no less than as to the proper course to
be pursued i'm solving the question in con-
trOversy is an occasion for general rejoic-
ing. Upon one point there is entire unau-
unity in public senumcnt-that the couhict-
ing claims TO the presidency must be emica-
bly and peaceably adjusted and that when
so adjusted the general acquissence OF the
nation ought surely 10 follow. 1t has been
reserved for n government OF the people
where the right of suffrage is universal 70
give to the world the first example in history
OF great nation IN the midst OF struggle
of opposing spower hushing its party tu-
mults, 70 yield the issue of the contest to
adjustment according to the forms Of law,
looking for the guidance Of that divine
hand by which the destinies Of nations and
individuals are shaped.
! call upon you, senators, representatives,
judges, fellow-citizcns, here and everywhere,
10 unite with me in an earnest effort 20 Sc
cure TO our country the blessings not only OF
material prUSp cr'f-J aat % J=f--oeJ rsf,
and union, a union depending not upon the
constraint of force, but upon the loving de-
votion of a free people; that all things may
be so ordered and settled upon the best and
surest foundations, and piety may be estaP'
lished among MS for ali generations: