Year: 1869

| WASHINGTON March 4.-Gen Grant said
| 1o-r suffrage having elevated me to the Office o


President of the United States, have, in conformity
with the Constitution of our country, taken the oatl


of Office prescribed therein. I have taken this oatl


without mental reservation and with the determine


ton to do to the best Of ability all that it requires
| of me. The responsibilities of the position | feel


but accept them without fear The Office has come
to me unsought commence its duties untrammeled
and bring to it conscientious desire and determines


ton to fill to the best of my ability and to the sat
isfaction Of the people.


On all leading questions agitating the public mind
will always express my views to Congress and urge
them according to my judgement, and when | think it
advisable will exercise the constitutional privilege


nerposing veto to defeat measures which | oppose


but all laws will be faithfully executed whether they
meet my approval or not shall all subjects have
policy to recommend, but none to enforce against
the will OF the people. Laws to govern all alike,
those opposed to us well as those who favor them.
know 10 method to secure the repeal of bad or OBJ
noxous laws so effective as their stringent execution


The country having just emerged from great re-
beion, many questions will come before it for settle
ment in the next four years, which preceding admin
isratons never had to deal with. In meeting these
it is desirable that they should be approached calmv
without prejudice, hate sectional PRIDE remember


ing that the greatest good to the greatest number
the object to be attained. This requires security of
person, property and for religions and political opinion
in every part of common country without regard
to local prejudice, and all laws 10 secure these ends
will receive my best efforts for their enforcement.


great debt has been contracted in securing to us
and our postcrity the Union. The payment Of this
principal and interest, well the return specie
basis as soon as ltcAn be accomplished without
teria detrment the debtor class or to the country
at large, must be provided for 70 protect the ma
tional honor every dollar of government indebtedness
should be paid in gold, unless otherwise expressly sp-
ulated in the contract Let it be understood that no
repudiator of one iarhnS of our public debt will be
trusted IN public place, and it will go far towards
credit which ought to be the best in
the world and will ultimately enable to replace the
debt with bonds bearing less interest than now pay
To tls should be added faithful collection of the
revenue, strict accountability to the Treasury for
every dollar collected and the greatest practicable re-
renchmen IN expenditure iii every department of the
Government. When compare the paying capacity |
Of the country now with ten States still in poverty from
he effects of war, but to emerge, trust, into
greater prosperity than BEFORE with its paying
capacity twenty-five years ago. and calculate what it
probably will be twenty-five years hence who can
ioubt the feasibility of paying every dollar then with
more ease than We now pay for useless luxuries? Why
t looks as though Providence had bestowed upon US
strong box. i'll the precious metals locked up in the
terile mountains Of the far West, which we are now
o:glng the key to unlock to meet the very contn-
sency that is now upon us. Ultimately it may be
Necessary to increase the facilities to reach these riches
md it may be necessary also that the general govern
ncnt should give its aid to this atcesS but that
houd only be when dollar of obligation to ply Sc
ures precisely tie of dollar TO use now and
rot before Whilst the question of specie payment is
abeyance, the prudent business man is careful about
debts payable in the distant future The
aton should follow the same rule


PROSTATE commerce is to be rebuilt and all indus
ries encouraged. The young men of the country,
hose who from their age must be its rulers twenty
i've hence have neruliar intnraSt in
ng the national honor. A moments reflection, as to
What will be our commanding influence among the ma
ions of the earth in their day. if they are oly true to
themselves, should inspire them with national pride
I'll divisions, geographical, political and reg gous,
DIN in the common sentiment. How the public debt
to be.paid specie payments resumed, is so i'm
ortant that plan should be adopted and acqui-
seed in. united determination to do is worth more
han divided councils upon the method of doing.
legislation upon this subject may be necessary
ow, advisable, but it will be when the civil
NV is more fully restored in all parts OF the country
nd trade resumes It's wonted channels.


1t will be my endeayor to execute all laws in good
nth, to collect all revenues assessed aad to have them
roperly accounted for and economically disbnrsed. /
Ill to the best OF my ability appoint to Office those
My who will carry out this design.


In regard to foreign policy, would deal with ma
ons eqtahlc law requires individuals TO deal with
ach other and wonld protect the law abiding citizen





ghts jeopardsed or the flag of country floats
would respect the rights OF all nations, demanding
quail respect for IF others depart from this
lie in their dealing with US may be compelled to
ollow their precedents.
The proper treatment of The original occupants of
lis land the Indians, is one deserving of careful
ndy. will favor any course towards them which
nds to their civsation christanisaton and ultimate
tizenship. f
Tue question of suffrage is one which is likely to ag-
the public long portion Of the citizens of
e nation are excluded from its privileges in any
ate. 1t seems to me very desirable that this ques-
Oil should be settled noa, and entertain the hope
I'd express the desire that it may be- by the ratifca
on of the fifteenth article Of amendment to The Con-
tuition
In conclusion, ask patient forbearance toward
lother throughout the land, and determined effort
tie part of every citizen to do his share towards
menting happy Union


And Task the prayers OF tie nation to Almighty God
lie ehaff or This apnSlr1n,afi