Year: 1877

pointments to Office were not TO De maze mol
expected merely as rewards for partisan SER
vices, nor merely on the nomination Of members
of Congress, as being entitled in any respect tc
the control of such appointments; me fac' .Sa
that both the great political parties OF the
country, in declaring their principles prior to
the election, gave prominent place to the sub.
iect of reform of our civil service, recognizing
and strongly urging it's necessity in terms
almost identical in their specific import with
those have employed, must be accepted as
conclusive argument in behalf Of these meas
ures. 1t must be regarded as the expression OF
the united voice and will of the whole country
upon this subject, and both political parties
are virtually pledged to give it their unreseryed
support.


sity owes his election to the Office to the suf'
frage and jealous labors Of political party,
the members of which cherish with ardor and
regard as of essential importance the principles
of their party organization. But he should
strive to be always mindful Of the fact that ne
serves his party best who serves the country
best.


In furtherance Of the reform we seek and in
other important respects change OF great I'M
portance. I recommend an amendment to the
Constitution prescribing a term Of six years for
the Presidential Office and forbidding a re-elec
ton.


THE FINANCES.


With respect to the financial condition OF the
country shall not attempt an extended history
of the embarrassment and prostration which we
have suffered during the past three years. The
depression in all our varied commercial and
interests throughoutthe country
which began in September, 1878, still continues.
It is very gratifying, however, to be able to say
that there are indications all around us OF q
coming change to prosperous times:


Upon the currency question, intimately con-
nected as it is with this topic may be per
mitted to repeat here the statement made in
my letter of acceptance, that in my judgment
the feeling Of uncertainty inseparable from an
irredeemable paper currency with its fuctua-
tions of value is one Of the greatest obstacles
to a return to prosperous times The only safe
paper currency ia one which rests upon coin
basis and is at all times and promptly convertl-
BILE into coin. adhere to the views heretofore
expressed by me in favor Of Congressional leg
islation in behalf Of an early resumption OF
specie payment, and ana satisfied not only that
this is wise, but that the interests as well as the
public sentiment Of the country imperative de-
mand it.


FOREIGN RELATIONS.


Passing from these remarks upon the condi-
ton of our own country to consider our rela-
tions with other lands, We are reminded by the
international complications abroad threatening
the peace of Europe that our traditional rule
of non-interference in the affairs of foreign
nations has proved of great value in past times
and ought to be strictly observed. The policy
inaugurated by my honored predecessor, Presi-
dent Grant, of submitting to arbitration grave
questions in dispute between ourselves and for
eign rowers points to new, and incomparably
the best, fundamentally for the preservation
of peace. and will, as believe, become bene-
fcent example of the course to be pursued in
similar emergencies by other nations. Ii, un-
happily, questions Of indifference should, at
any time during the period Of my administra-
ton. arise between the United States and any
foreign government, it will certainly be my dis,
position and 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 the ma
tons Of the world.


THE SETTLEMENT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL oUEs-


TIoN.


Fellow citizens We have reached the close
of a political contest marked by the excitement
which usually attends the contests between
great political parties whose members espouse
and advocate with earnest faith their respective
creeds. The circumstances were, perhaps, In
no respect extraordinary, save in the closeness
and consequent uncertainty of the result. Fol
the first time in the history Of the country II
has been deemed best, in view of the peculiar
circumstances of the case, that the objections
and questions in dispute with reference to the
c uniting of the electoral votes should be re:
ferred to the decision of tribunal appointed
for this purpose. That tribunal, established
by law for this sole purpose, its members all OF
them men of long established reputation FOL
integrity and intelligence, and with the excep-
ton of those who are also members OF the
supreme judiciary chosen equally from both
political parties, its dehberation enlightened
by the research and the arguments Of able coun-
sci, was entitled to the fullest confidence OF the
American people. It's decisions have been
patiently waited for and accepted as legally
conclusive by the general judgment Of the pub
lie. For the present opinion will widely vary as
to the wisdom Of the several conclusions an
nounced by that tribunal. This is to be antlci-
pated in every instance where matters OF dis
pute are made the subject of arbitration under
the forms Of law. Human judgment is never
nnerring, and is rarely regarded as otherwise
than wrong by the unsuccessful party in the
contest. The fact that two great political par
ties have in this way settled a dispute in re-
gard to which good men differ as to the facts
and law no less than as to the proper course to
be pursued in solving the question in contro-
vcrsy, is an occasion for general rejoicing,


Upon one point there is entire unanimity IN
public sentiment, that conflicting claims to the
Presidency must be amicable and peaceably ad.
justed, and that when so adjusted the general
acquiescence of the nation ought surely to fol,
low. 1t had been reserved for government
of people where the right Of suffrage is univer-
sal to give to the world the first example in
history of a great nation in the midst of
struggle of opposing parties for power hushine
its party tumults to yield the issue OF the con.
test 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, senator's, represen-
tatives, judges, fellow-citizens, here and every
where, to unite with me in an earnest effort to
secure to our country the blessing not only OF
material prosperity, but Of justice, peace and
union-a union depending not upon the con-
straint of force, but upon the loving devotion
of a free people t; I" and that all things may be
so ordered and settled upon the best and sures'
foundations that peace and happiness, truth
and justice, religion and piety, may be estab-
lished among US for all generations"