Year: 1869

peritv than ever before, with its paw
ing capacity twenty-five wears ago,
and calculate what il probably will be
Twenty-Five years hence, who can
doubt the feasibility Of paying every
dollar then with more ease than we
now nav for useless luxuries. Why it
looks as though Providence had be-
slowed uponus a strong box-the pre-
c;ous metals locked up in the sterile
mountains of the Far West-whieh
we are now forging the key to unlock,
to meet the very contingency that is
now upon US. Ultimately it may be
necessary to increase the facilities to
reach these riches, and it may be nee
essary, also, that the general Govern
ment should give its aid to secure this
access. but that should only be when
a dollar of obligation to pay secures
precisely the same sort of dollar to
use now, and not before. Whilst the
question of specie payments is in
allowance the Presidents business man
is careful about contracting debts pay
able in the distant future. The nation
should follow the same rule. A pros
trate commerce is TO be rebuilt, and all
industries encouraged. The young
men of the country, those who from
their age must be its rulers twenty
five wears hence, have a peculiar in
terest in maintaining the national
honor. A moments reflection as to
what will be our commanding influ-
ence among tie nations of the earth
in their day, if they are only true to
themselves, should inspire them with
national pride. All divisions, geo.
graphical, political and religious, can
Join in this common sentiment. How
the public debt is TO be paid, or specie
payments resumed, is not so import
ant as that n plan should be adopted
and acquiesced in. 4 united deter
mination to do is worth more than
divided councils upon the method oI
doing. Legislation upon this subject
may not be necessary now, or even
desirable, but it will be when the
civil law is more fully restored in al
parts of the country, and trade re
sumes its wonted channels.


1t will be my endeavor to execute
all laws in good faith, to collect al
revenues assessed, and TO have it prop
erly accounted for and economically
disbursed. will to the best of my
ability, appoint to Office those only
who will carry out this design.


In regard to foreign policy, l would
deal with nations as equitably as thu
law requires individuals to deal witt
each other, and 1 would protect tn,
law abiding citizen, whether of native
or of foreign birth, wherever hi
rights are jeopardized or the flag o
our country floats. / would respec
the rights of all nations, demanding
equal respect for our own. If other
depart from this rule in their dealing
with us, we may be compelled to fol
low their precedent.


The proper treatment of the origi
nal occupants of this land, the Indians
is deserving of careful study. i vii
favor any course towards them which
tends to their civilization, Christian
iZation, and ultimate citizenship.


The question of suffrage is on
which is likely to agitate the public
so long as q portion of the citizens o
the nation are excluded from its priv
ilege in any of the States 1t seem
to me very desirable that this question
should be settled now. l entertain
the hope and express the desire it ma.
be, by the ratification of the fifteenth
article of the amendment to the con
stitution.


In conclusion, ask patient forbear
ance, one towards another, through
out the land, and a determined effor
on the part of every citizen to do hi
share towards cementing a happ,
Union, and ask the prayers of tn
nation to Almighty God in behalf o
this consumation. U. s. GRANT.


As the President turned away, tn
Vice President stepped forward, am
received if possible still louder cheers
He bowed in response and followe,
the President off the stand.


Amidst the throng President Grant
father met with a severe accident. H
became separated from the President
party while on the platform after tn
Inauguration, and accosting MI
briggs, ex-member of Congress from
Michigan, asked him to conduct hin
out of the Capitol, saying that wheI
he reached the grounds all would b.
right. Mr.. briggs replied that h
would accompany him, and proceedeI
to conduct him out of the Rotund
and through a private way on the eas
side of the Capitol. Mr.. Grant with
drew his arm from that of Mr.. briggs
and reached it forth as if to guild
himself by the side of the wall dow
the stairs, but he made a misstep AM
fell backward down eight or ten o
the stone steps, striking his hea
against them, badly injuring his righ
hip and sustaining other injuries, bu
breaking no bones. Mr.. briggs wit
assistance carried him to a privat
room and procured a stimulant, whic


was administered to the sufferer, an
then engaged a carriage and carrie


him to President Grants private res


dence.