Year: 1869

distance away.


The Inaugural Address.


President Grants Inaugural Address was as fol-
lows


CITIZENS OF THE UNITED SrATEs:-Your sufirages
having elected me the ONCE OF President OF the
United States have, in conformity with the consti
tuition OF oar country, taken the oath Of ONCE pre-
scrbed therein. l have taken this oath without
mental reservation and with the determination to
DO TO the best OF my ability, all that it requires OF
me.


The responsibilities OF the position feel but accept
them without fear. The ofiice has come TO me un-
sought / commence its duties untram melled. L
bring to it conscientious desire and determination
fill to the best OF my ability to the satisfaction OF
the people. On all leading questions agitating the
public mind will always express my views to Con-
gress and urge them according to my judgment, and
when think it advisable win exercise the consttu
uona privilege OF interposing veto TO defeat mea-
sures which oppose But all laws viii be faithfully
executed, whether they meet my approval or not.


shall on all subjects have policy TO recommend,
none to enforce against the win of the people, Laws
are to govern all alike, those opposed to as wen as
those in favor Of them. know no method to secure
the repeal OF bad or obnoxious laws effective as
their stringent execution.


The country having Just emerged from great re-
pellion many questions win before 1t for SETTLE
ment In the next four years which preceding admin
istrations have had to deal with. In meeting
these il is desirable that they should be
appreciated calmly, Without prejudice, hate
or sectional pride, remembering that the
greatest good to the greatest number is the
object to be attained. Tins requires security Of per-
son, property and for religious and political opinion
in every part Of common country without regard
to local prejudice. All laws to secure this end win
receive my best efforts for their enforcement.


great debt has been contracted In securing to
MS and our rosterity the Union. The payment OF
this, principal and interest," well as the return to
specie basis as soon as 1t be accomplished with
out material detriment to the debtor class to the
country at large, must be provided Tor.


To protect the national honor every dollar OF the
government indebtedness should be paid in gold
unless otherwise expressly stipulated in the con-
tract. Let it be understood that repudiator Of
one farthing OF our public debt VIII be trusted In
public places, ana 1t VIII go far towards strength
ening credit which ought to be the best in the
world, and " Ill ultimately enable US to replace the
debt with bonds bearing less interest than we now
pay. To this should pt aided faithful collection OF
the revenue, strict accountability TO the Treasury
for every dollar collected and the greatest prac-
ticable Te.renchment in expenditures in every de-
partnent OF government


When we compare the paying capacity of fle
country now, with ten States still in poverty from
the effects or the war. bur soon to emerge trust
into greater prosperity than before, with its
paying capacity twenty five years 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 pay for useless
luxuries? Why, it looks as though Providence had
bestowed upon us strong box, the precious metals
locked up In the sterile mountains OF the far West
which we are now forging the key to unlock to meet
the very contingency that is now upon us.


Ultimately 1t may be necessary to increase the IA
cilities TO reach these riches, and 1t may be
sary also, that the general government should give
ats aid to secure this access. But that should only
be when dollar Of obligation to pay secures pre-
csey the same sort Of dollar in use now and not
before.


While the question OF specie payments is In
allegiance the prudent business man Ia careful
about contracting debts payable In the dis
tant future. The nation should follow the same rule.
A PROSTATE commerce is to be rebuilt, and all
Industries encouraged. The young men OF the coun-
try-those who form this age and must be rulers
twenty-five years hence-have peculiar interest in
maintaining the national honor. A moments re-
lection upon what will be our commanding influ-
ence among the nations d the earth In their day II
they are only true to themselves, should inspire
them with national pride. All divisions, geographi-
CAL political and religious can join in this common
sentiment


How the public debt is to be paid or specie pay
ments resumed is not important as that q
plan should be adopted and acquiesced in. united
determination to do is worth more than divided
counses upon the method Of doing. Legislation on
this subject may not be necessary now nor even ad-
yisable but 1t viii be when the civil law is more
fully restored In all parts Of the country and trade
wonfed channels xii ha ondnavor
to execute all laws in good faith, to collect all
revenues assessed and to have them properly dis
bursed. WILL to the best Of my ability, appoint TO
office OILY those who will carry out this design.


In regard TO foreign policy would deal with ma
tons as equitable law requires individuals to deal
with each other, and would protect the law-abiding
citizen, whether OF native or foreign BIRTH wher-
ever his rights are jeopardized or the nag Of our
country floats. would respect the rights OF all ma
tons, demanding equal respect for our own. II
Others depart from this rule IN their dealings with
us we may be compelled to follow their precedent


Tho proper treatment OF the original occupants OF
this land, the Indians, is deserving OF careful
study. viii favor any course towards them which
tends to their civilization, Chrisanization and ulti
mate citizenship.


The question OF suffrage Is one which is llkelv 70
agtate the public so long portion OF the citizens
OF the nation are excluded from Its privileges In any
State. II seems 10 me very desirable that this ques
ton should be settled now, and entertain the hope
and express the desire that 1t may be by the ratnca-
ton OF the fifteenth amendment TO the constitution


In conclusion ask patient forbearance one to-
wards another throughout the land and a deter
mined effort on the part OF every citizen TO do his
share towards cementng happy Union, and ask
the prayers OF the nation to Almighty God In behalf
OF this happy consummation


Scenen Iurfdcuts I.r~s.. a. Ux.r.~~--


the Address.


The President spoke In a tone nowise elevated.
but very clear and nrm. When a cheer from the
multitude indicated their approval Of a point in his
nddress ne paused Tor moment till silence was re-
stored, aud then went on again. Towarcs the close
the band OF some ire companies wheeled into the
square and kept blowing away tin they had advanced
IN 'front.' of the platform. II was in vain that nats
ana handkerchiefs were waved az signals