Year: 1877

n idential Office and forbiddiag a re cleo
tiop With respect to the financial con-
dition Of the country, shall not at
tempt an extended history of the en-


barrassment and prostration which we
have suffered during the past three
years. The depression iu all our va
ried commercial and manufacturing in
terests throughout the country, which
began 10 September. 1878. still con-
tinues 1t is very gratifying, however,
to be able to say that there are indica-
tions all around us Of coming change
to prosperous times Upon the cur
reneg question, intimately connected as
it is with this topic may be permit
ted to repeat here the statement made in
my letter Of acceptance that. in my
judgment. the feeling Of uncertainty in
separable from an irredeemable paper
currency, with its fluctuations of values,
is one of the greatest obstacles to re-
turn to prosperous times The only
safe paper currency is one which rests
upon a coin basis, and is at all times
and promptly convertible into coin l
adhere to the views heretofore expressed
by me in favor of congressional legisla-
ton in behalf Of an early resumption Of
specie payment. and | am satisfied not
only that it is wise, but that the inter
ests as well as the public sentiment of
the country imperatively demand it.
Passing from these remarks upon the
condition of our own country to con-
slider our relations with other lands. we
are reminded BY the international COM
plications abroad threatening the peace
of Europe, that our traditional rule of
non-interference 10 the affairs of foreign
nations has proved Of great value in
past time. and ought to be strictly OBJ
served The policy iuaugurated BY my
honoTed predecessor, President Grant,
of submitting to arbitration grave ques-
tions in dispute between ourselves aud
foreign powers. points to a new and in
comparably the best instrumentality for
the preservation of peace, and will, as l
believe, become a benefcent example of
the course to be pursued in similar
emergencies by other nations


If. unhappily, questions of difference
should at any time during the period of
my administration arise between the
United States and any foreign govern
ment. it will certainly be my disposi-
tion and my hope to aid in their settle
ment in the same peaceful and bonora-
be way. thus securing to our country
the great blessings of peace and mutual
good offices with all the nations Of the
world.


THE LATE PRESIDENTIAL ISSUE.


Fellow-citizens, we have reached the
close of political contest marked by
the excitement which usually attends
the CONTESTS between great political par
ties, whose members espouse aud advo-
cate with earnest faith their respective
creeds The circumstances we're per-
haps in no respect extraordinary, save
in the closeness and the consequent un-
certainty Of the result For the FIRST
time in the history of the country, it
has been decided best, in view of the
peculiar circumstances of the case, that
the objections and questions in dispute
with reference te the counting of the
electoral votes should be referred to the
decision Of tribunal appointed for the
purpose. That tribunal, established by
law for this sole purpose. its members,
all Of them men of long established rep
utation for integrity and intelligence,
and with the exception Of those who
are also members of the Supreme Judi
ciary, chosen equally from both politi-
cal parties, its deliberations enlightened
by the research and the arguments Of
able counsel. was entitled to the fullest
confidence Of the American people. Its
decisions have been patiently waited for
and accepted as legally conclusive by
the general judgment Of the public


For the present opinions will un-
doubtedly vary as to the wisdom of the
several considerations announced by
that tribunal. This is to be anticipated
in every instance where matters of dis
pute are made the subject Of arbitration
under the forms Of law Human judg-
ment is never unerring, and is rarely
regarded as otherwise than wrong by
the unsuccessful party in the contest.
The fact that two great political parties
have in this way settled a dispute 10
regard TO which good men differ as to
the facts and the law, no less than as to
the proper course to be pursued in
solving the question in controversy, is
an occasion for general rejoicing Upon
one point there is entire unanimity in
public sentiment, that conflicting claims
to the Presidency must be amicably and
peaceably adjusted, and that when SO
adjusted the general acquiescence Of the
nation ought surely to follow. II has
been reserved for government of the
people where the right of suffrage is
universal, to give to the world the first
example in history Of great nation in
the midst Of struggle Of opposing par
ties for power hushing its party tumults,
to yield the issue of the contest to ad-
justment according to the forms of law.
Looking for the guidance of that Divine
hand by which the destinies Of nations
and individuals are shaped, I call upon
you, Senators, Representatives, Judges,
fellow citizens, here and everywhere, to
work with me in an earnest endeavor TO
secure to our country the blessings not
only Of material prosperity, but of jus
tice, peace and union, Union depend
ing not upon the constraint of force, but
upon the devotion of a'free people. land |
that all things may be SO ordered and |
settled upon the best and surest foun-
dations that peace and happiness and
justice, religion and piety may be es-
tablished among US for all generations


GOOD ADVICE.


Now is the time of year for Pneumonia,
e. Il