Year: 1869

To the People Of the United States:


The robe of office, by constitutional limita-
tion, this day falls from my shoulders, to be
Immediately assumed by my successor. For
him the forbearance and cooperation OF the
American people, in all his efforts to admins
ter the Government within the pale Of the
Federal Constitution, are sincerely invoked.
Without ambition to crafty, party ends to
subserve, or personal quarrels to avenge nj
the sacrifice of the peace and welfare OF the
country, my earnest desire Is TO see the Constl-
tuition as defined and limited by the fathers
Of the republic again recognized and obeyed
rs the supreme law of the land, and the whole
people-North, South, East, and West-pros-
porous and happy under its wise provisions.
In surrendering the high office to which |
was called four years ago, alta memorable and
terrible crisis, it is my privilege, trtst, to say
to the people Of the United States few part
ing words in vindication of an official course
so ceaselessly assailed and aspersed by politi-
cal leaders to whose plans and wishes my
policy to restore the Union has been obnox-
ious. In a period of difficulty and turmoil
almost without precedent in the history OF
any people, consequent upon the closing scenes
OF great rebellion and the assassination OF
the then President, 1t was, perhaps, too much
on my part to expect OF devoted partisans,
who rode on the waves Of excitement, which
at that time swept all before them, that de-
gree Of liberation and magnanimity which l
sought to recommend and enforce, and which
believe in good time would have advanced us
infinitely further on the road to permanent
peace and prosperity than we have thus far at
tained. Doubtless had ut the commencement
of my term of Office unhesitatingy lent its
powers or perverted them to purposes and
plans "outside Of the Constitution" and be-
come an instrument to schemes of confiscation
and Of general and oppressive disqualified
tions, would have been hailed as all that was
true, loyal, and discerning; as the reliable
head of party, whatever might have been
as the Executive of the nation. Unwilling,
however, TO accede to propositions OF eXtre-
mists, and bound to adhere, at every personal
hazard, to my oath to defend the Cons titution,
l need not, perhaps be surprised At having
met the fate of others whose only rewards for
upholdng constitutional right and law have
been the consciousness OF having attempted TO
do their duty, and the calm aud unprejudiced
Judgment of history.


AT the time a mysterious Providence as.
signed to me the Office Of President was, by
the terms of the Constitution, the COM
mander- in chief of nearly q million of men
under arms. One of my first acts was to dis
band and restore to the vocations OF civil life
this immense host, and to divest myself, so far
as could, of the unparalleled powers then in
cident to the Office and the times. Whether
or not in this step was right, and how far
deserving TIE appreciation OF the people, all
can now, on reflection, judge when reminded
of the ruinous condition of public affairs that



the military service Of such vast number of
men.


The close of our domestic conflict found the
army eager to distinguish itself in new field
by an effort to punish European intervention
in Mexico. BY many it was believed and urged
that aside from the aesnraed Justice or the
proceeding, 4 foreign war, In which both sides
would cheerfully unite TO vindcate the honor
of the national flag, and further illustrate the
national prowess, would be the surest aad
nf
thusiasm, reviving devotion TO the Union,
and occupying q force concerning which
grave doubts existed rs TO its Willingness,
after four years Of active campaigning, at
once to return 10 the pursuits of peace.
Whether these speculations were true or
false, il will be conceded that they existed,
and that the predictions of the army were,
for the time being, in the direction indicated.
Taking advantage Of this feeling, it would
have been easy, rs the commander in chief Of
the army and navy, and with all the power
and patronage of the Presidential Office II my
disposal, to turn the concentrated military
strength CT the nation against French inter
ference In Mexico, and TO inaugnrate q move
ment which would have been received with
favor by the military and a large portion of
the people.


1t is proper, In this connection, that should
refer TO The almost unlimited additional pow
ers rendered TO the Executive by the inca
slIres relating 10 civil rights and the Freed





in the experiences of public men, the powers
thus placed within my grasp were declined as
in violation Of the Constitution, dangerous
to the liberties If the people, and tending TO
aggravate, rather than lessen, the discords
naturally resulting from our civil war. With
4 large army and augmented authority, IL
would have been no difficult task TO direct 1T
pleasure the destinies Of the republic, ana 10
make secure my continuance Ill the highest
Office known TO our laws.


tl,a la urhn n
the Presidential chair during the closing hours
of a laborious term consider how different
would have been their present condition had
I yielded 10 the dazzling temptation of foreign
conquest, Of personal aggrandizement, and
the desire to WELD additional power. Let
them with Justice consider that if have not
unduly "magniiied mine office" the public
burdens have not been increased by my acts,
and other and perhaps thousands or tens OF
thousands of lives sacrificed to visions OF false
glory.


1t cannot, therefore, be charged that my
ambition has been of that ordinary or crlmi-
nal kind which, TO the detriment OF the peo-
ple's rights anu liberties, ever seeks to grasp
more and unwarranted powers, and, to ac-
complish its purposes, panders 100 often 70
popular prejudices and party aims.


What, then, have been the aspirations
which guided me in my official acts? Those
acts need not at this time an eiaborate expla-
nation. They have been elsewhere comprehen- :



a part of the nations history. BY them I'M
willing to be judged, knowing that, however
imperfect, they ~ least show to the impartial
mind that my sole ambition has been to re-
store the union of the States, faithfully 10
execute the office Of President, and, TO the
best of my ability, to preserve, protect, ana
defend the Constitution. 1 cannot be CEN
sured if my efforts have been impeded in the
interests of party faction, and if q policy
which was intended to re-assure and CON
cilate the people of both sections OF the
country was made the occasion of in1laming
and dividing still farther those who, only
recently in arms against each other, yet, as
individuals and citizens, were sincerely de-
sirous rs l shall ever believe, of burying
all hostile feelings in the grave OF the past.
The bitter war was waged on the part OF the
Government to vndicate the Constitution
and save the Union; and If l have erred in
trying to bring about a more speedy and last
ing peace, TO eXtnguish heart-burnings and
enmities, and to prevent troubles in the South
which, retarding material prosperity in that
region, injuriously affected the whole country,
I am quite content to rest my case with the
more deliberate Judgment of the people, and,
rs have already intimated, with the distant
future.


The war, all must remember, was stupen-
tlors and deplorable mistake. Neither side
understood The other and had this simple
fact and its conclusions been kept in view all
that was needed was accomplished by the ac-
acknowledgement of the terrible wrong and the
expressed better feeling and earnest endeayor
at atonement shown and felt in the prompt
ratification of constitutional amendments by
the southern States ut the close OF the war
Not accepting the war confessed false
step on the part of those who inaugurated II
was an error which now only time can cure,
and which even at this late date we should
endeavor to palliate. Experiencing, more.
over, as all have done. the frightful cost OF
the arbltrament Of the sword, let us in the
future cling closer than ever TO the Constitu.
tion as our only safeguard. II Is 10 be hoped
that not until the burdens now pressing upon
US with such fearful weight are removed viii
our people forget the lessons Of the war /; and
that, rememb mbering them from whatever
cause, peace between sections and States may
be perpetual.


rnha hixtary OF La ta azents In our conn krY,