_Abraljani.l
INDEPENDFNT AND PROGRESSIVE. I
LANCASTER CITY, YA
♦.♦ --
FRIDAY, MARCH 5,1869
Economy, Retrenchment, Faithful Collection
of the Revenue and Payment of the Public
Debt.—GaArix,
FATHER ABRAHAM!
EVERYBODY READS IT!
Make up your clubs!
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REPUBLICAN VICTORY.
At the charter election held in the city
of Des Moines, lowa, on Monday last, the
entire Republican ticket was elected by
three hundred majority, being a gain of
over five hundred since last fall.
NEWS !
The Philadelphia Sunday Republic states
that it is rumored that Gen. Fisher intends
removing to Kansas at the expiration of
his present term in the State Senate. That
paper appears to be better posted in regard
to our politics and politicians, than our
own people. This is the first we have heard
of any such intention.
(GOD!
It is said that Secretary Seward has
wonted leave of absence to several of our
Ministers abroaa, qmong them onefor
Reverdy Johnson, who, it is unaers,,,,,a,
desires to return to the United States for
a short time. Gen. Grant will doubtless
extend Mr. Johnson's leave of absence in
definitely, and send to England a Minis
ter who will assert the dignity of the Re
public, instead of hob-nobbing with the
builders of piratical cruisers and Rebel
sympathizers. So mote it be.
THE SPRING ELECTIONS.
As the time for the holding of the spring
Elections is rapidly approaching, the Re
publicans should, in every district, keep
in view the great importance of securing a
majority of election officers. The stupend
ous frauds committed by our opponents,
in all parts of the State, at the elections of
1808,should not be forgotten, and to guard
against similar outrages at the guberna
torial election next fall, let Republicans
elect as many judges as possible, andthus
confine such frauds to districts in which
the copperheads have a clear majority.
For other good reasons, every Republican
vote should be polled.
ORDER NO. 1.
Yesterday General Grant moved on the
enemy's works at Washington. He occu
pies the White House, taking care to pro
tect his rear by confiding his late position
to the personal direction of Lieut. General
Sherman. From his new post President
Grant has issued orders commanding the
legions under the direction of General
Economy, General Retrenchment and
General Reform, to move into line and
align with the right resting on the pillar
of Public Opinion. General Satisfaction
will personally commend President Grant,
if these orders be promptly and faithfully
obeyed.
TEE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
PASSED BY CONGRESS!
Both Houses of the National Legisla
ture have finally , adopted the proposed
constitutional amendment. The vote in
the Senate stood 30 yeas to 13 nays, and
in the House 143 yeas to 43 nays.
The bill including the amendment,
reads as follows:
Bs it enacted, &c.: hoe thirds of both Houses
sencurring, That the foPowing amendment to
the Cons ti tution of the United States be sub
mittrd 'to the Iznitidaturse et the serrated
States,. and when rattledby three-fourths
thereof, it shall be a part of stiMAlonstitntien.
Article 14. The right of any citizen of the
United States to vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or States on ao
eount of race or color, or previous condition of
servitude.
The Legislatures of twenty-eight States
must ratify It before it can become a part
of the Constitution. We trust a measure
so just in itself, and so necessary to the
full and lasting restoration of harmony in
the country, as this amendment, will not
have to wait long for the approval of the
requisite number of States to give it valid
ity as a part of the Constitution. The
Legislatures of a number of States are now
in session and should act in the amend
ment without delay. Several have already
done this—will not Pennsylvania speedily
follow?
lot of Small 11111 Potatoes
are in the market—for sale very cheap.
For particulars, call at the cam of the
Manheim Sentinel.
WON'T WORK.
The bill o&red in the Legislature to
pay all costs on the docket of the Quarter
Sessions, since 1865, out of the County
Treasury, spoken of by our Ila rrisburg
correspondent last week, k attractitr
considerable attention on the part Of the
people. They think there is a "grab - in
it. Can't somebody tell what it !twang?
How is it, Mr, District Attorney l3r►t
bakerP I :ive us light—du:
Braine, the rebel pirate, who went on
board the steamer Chesapeake with a
number of others, bound from New York
to Portland in Demuth< r, rose and
killed the Captain, and took possession of
the vessel, and who was subsequently cap
tured, and has been in prison ever since,
has been pardoned by President Johnsbn.
One whisky thief, one Post Office robber,
and two more counterfeiters, so far as
beard from, have also been pardoned by
him within the last two days. Unfortu
nately for assassins, thieves, counterfeit
ers and rogues of every grade, but most
fortunately for the honest portion of the
people, the reign of Johnson ended yes
terday.
4 1.50
7.00
13.00
18.00
22 00
$ 6.50
. 12.00
. 18.50
. 20.00
Congress has distinctly specified how a
certificate of election to either of its bran
ches shall be drawn and what it shall set
forth. It has, furthermore, forbidden the
Clerk to put on the roll before the organ
ization the names of any persons who do
not present such certificates. The Repre
sentatives elect from Georgia, Louisiana,
and the Ind and IVth Districts of South
Carolina do not present such certificates.
There, in a nut-shell, is the case about
which the copperhead papers are giving
themselves so much concern. They think
it very improper that the Clerk of the
House should obey the law—that is all.
THE CITY TREASURY STEAL
In our local columns will be found a
history of another raid upon the Treasury
of the city of Lancaster. The good peo
ple of this city can now see why the Cop
perheads prevented the organization of
the Select Council last spring. They did
not want v.., , nondrelism of the City
Treasurer and others exposed, and i e ...von L
ed an organization until they thought
their tracks had been covered. But it
would not do. The late City Treasurer
was made to disgorge some 414000, and it
is said there is more coaling, and now
Alderman Frailey turns up minus. There
is no telling the amount, as it is said that
some of the books have been lost ! The beau
tiful pair of worthies who edit the
Intelli
gencer, are as close as oysters on the sub
ject. The report of the committee of
Councils having the matter in charge is
awaited with great interest.
INFAMOUS CONDUCT.
The Harrisburg State Guard of Wed
nesday says: Some miscreants, who are
deserving of the severest punishment if
detected, have cut the telegraph wires on
the lines belonging to the Pennsylvania
Railroad, including those of the Pacific
and Atlantic Company, leading to this
city, and placed the public and companies
to serious inconvenience. On the Phila
delphia Division* of the Pennsylvania
Railroad the viires have been cut in half a
dozen places, and on the Middle Division,
in two places. At one point on the latter
division some thirty-eight poles were
hewed down. It is stated that the wires
were cut by the Union Company, they
alleging that the wires were attached to
poles belonging to them. If ilia is true,
it took them a long time to find it out.
This infamous attempt to compel people
I to patronize a huge monopoly will not
pay.
THADDEIJS STEVENS.
Mr. A. H. Hood, of this city, has written
a letter to the lialigioma Telegraph in refer
ence to the chines of immorality that have
been brought against the character of the late
Thaddeus Stevens. After premising that,
owing to his bitter hostility to freemasonry
and to slavery, Mr. Stevens was fiercely+ and
undeservedly assailed, but that his innate
sense of dignity caused him to let the &Adam
pass unnoticed, Mr. Hoed says
From 1869 to 186111 was a two neighbor of
Mr. Stevens, and knew aa much et hie house.
hold affairs as any one not a member of the
family , could know. From that time to the
day he left the hist Sine for Waabington,
though not living so near / mos Oil one
of his most intimete &aunt/titaness. In all
that time I never saw a circumatanos which
would go to show that any improper relation
existed between him and the person Whokept
Ms house. On the contrary, I have noticed
circumstances Which would go far to negative
such an idea. The whole story sesta on noth
ing but suspicion. No person, living or dead,
exempt the wiles charged, can alma it se a
&et. Nothing is known concerning it, and
nothiagkut folly or malice can discuss it as a
that well known.
In regard to another charge,. Mr. Hood
adds:
Though Mr. Stevens sometimes played a
game of cards, and sometimes "fought the
tiger," losing far more than he ever gained, he
never was, at any period of his life, what is
kpown in the community as a gambler.
eir Forney's Press made its appearance
on Monday last, in a new and beautiful
suit of type. We are glad to see
this evidence of the continued prosperity
of this first-clasp paper. , Col. Forney's
hard work, ability and fearless devotion
to principle are the means by which the
Press has been made one 'of the most prat
Stehle eetablio• vig.lits in the United States.
INFAMOIS.
THE FACTS.
NEAR THE GRAND FINALITY!
The fine.' passage of the constitutional
Amendment by the two Houses of Con
( gress, granting universal suffrage in every
State of the Union, and the well knows
determination of Prusidcnt Grßut to Urge
its speedy rat itivation by the States, Nur
rants the 15 that bet Ore the close of ere
Fr, sent year, this great, all-importantrud
most glorious Republican measure will !NIL
a fixed fact. Kansas, Missouri, Nevattiii,'
and Louisiana ha ve already ratiti*
the amendment: Pennsylvania will clout*:
less do the same next week, and so will
other Republican State Legislatures now
=I
Universal suffrage in every State of the
Union—in South Carolina as in Massa
chusetts; in Texas as well as in Vermont;
in Pennsylvania, in Kentucky, in Ohio,
in old Virginia and even in Delaware of
Saulsbury whisky and 'whipping post no
toriety 1 What a glorious country we
will have, very soon ! Carl Schurz already
representing Missouri in the United States
Senate, and_the most radical of all radi
cals even now snugly seated in the two
Houses of Congress from South Carolina!
And what will become, of the unwaithed,
uncombed and unreconstructed democ
racy ? Where are its leaders, and what
are they going to do with themselves ?
What has become of Vallandigham, and
Seymour ? What will Brick Pomeroy do
for wood cuts, now since the negroes are
about to step up to the polls to out-vote
the Irish ? And what has become of the
Blairs? Everything labeled democratic
seems to have passed into everlasting ob
scurity, except only in Baxter street, Berks
county and on Sour Kraut Hill!
Hurry up the great amendment as the
glorious finality! Let the coming man
have his just due—the school book, the
Holy Bible and the ballot !
DEMOCRATIC DROTRIZROOD.
The Democratic portion of the great
American family are as harmonious now,
in their political obscurity, as ever they
were whilst in the full enjoyment of power
and responsibility. •At the beginning of
the rebellion, they were squarely and al
most a unit for the cause of the South.
They did all in their power, during the
progress of the war, to prevent the rein
forcement of our armies or to afford sup
plies. It is true, a large number of
patriots.: nten of the Democratic party
volunteered on the side of the country,
but the aid which the country received
from these was more than neutralized by
the large force of Union troops required
to put down the Democratic Seymour re
bellion in New York, in 1563, the Demo
cratic armed combinations in the West,
and the Democratic Knights of the Gulden
Circle, Buckshots and other armed con
spirators in the coal regions of Pennsyl
vania. In a word, the Democratic party,
as a party, was for the rebellion in l 861;
the Democratic party was for the rebel
lion during the war, and the Democratic
party went down to perdition with the
rebellion, Jell Davis, Breckinridge and
all other traitors have since been pardon
ed, and the entire family of Democracy is
now being harmonized, re-united and
vitalized—or a desperate effort is be
ing made to produce these results.
A few days ago, a grand banquet
was given by the Democracy of New
York in honor of their restored leader,
John C. Breckinridge, on his return from
Europe. The occasion was one of feast
ing, flattery and general mutual admira
tion all round among the participants.
The red-handed traitor and perjurer drank
toasts to the democracy ; speeches and
songs enlivened the occasion, and the
whole scene presented the Democratic
leaders of New York in their true light.
DOCTOR DATCRELL ONCE MORE?
The irrepressible Dr. Gatchell has
written another letter, which appeared in
the Examiner and also in the Expresi on
Wednesday last, in which he says that
Hon. E. Billingfelt did say to him that
more officers were needed to expedite the
business of the Legislature, notwithstand
ing Mr. BillingfeWs -denial about four
weeks ayo. He also says he can prove it
by Messrs. Hopkins, Peters and Summy,
who "are •willing to testify before any
court of Justice."
Now, the Idea of Dr. Gatchell raising a
question of veracity, before the peopltt of
loanoutter county, betwesi hittlt
Mr. Billinghlt, is dechiedly rich) We
strongly suspect that his tatter was writ ,
ten, not at Harrisburg, but in the grand
council of Thugs in this city, aiii ordered.
to be published in the Doctor's name,
the vain hope of damaging Mr. B.'srepu
tation, well knowing that the Doctor him
self has nothing more to lose by again
appearing before the public as a nouseasi
cal letter writer. That this Thug-ring
can prove what they say about Mr.
Billingfelt, by Messrs. Hopkins, Peters
and Suinmy, we do not doubt for a mo
ment, as the same gentlemen, no doubt,
would also be willing, if called upon, to
appear before any court of Justice and
testify that the twenty-seven additional
pastern and folders, for Whom they voted
in the House, were necessary and for the
public good, and not merely to get money
out of the public treasury.
QUERY.
If it takes Dr. Gatcholl and the Thug
"ring" four weeks to deny a statement
made by Mr. Billingfelt, how long will it
take them to prove that the people of
Lancaster county ought to send the Dr.
back to the Legislature?
DEMOCRATIC MISREPRESENTATION.
In an article on Legislative extrava
gance, the Doylestown liciie.trut (Cop)
publishes last year's list of otlitx.rs of the
House, and says:
lie above list shows the nutolwr of bum
it year's session of the Legisla
itaThis year some tiorty•seven have beet'
to the list.
*sellable the Dr. owerat to speak the
trutti in regard to this matter, we need
only inf(Jrni him that there were no):(
4410-the (last Year's) list. The I louse
oStafilly,pted to add twenty-seven to the
atithorized by the law, which was
passed last year, near the !lose of the
session, which law had greatly voltwed
thi p number of officer!, but as the Repub
limn Senate refustal to agree to this ad
dition (of twenty-seven), the action of the
House amounted to nothing. That a
very corrupt ring of Democrats and Re
publicans of the House tried very hard to
repeat last year's treasury robbing, and
even to a greater extent, is true. But, it
is equally true that a Republican Senate
has prevented the intended outrage, and
that the entire republican press of the
State has openly and emphatically de
nounced the plunderers on their side of
the House, which will be followed up by
the republican people, who mean to elect
honest and true men to represent them
hereafter. We have yet to hear of the
first word of denunciation on the part of
democratic editors against the notorious
treasury thieves on their side of the House.
CRIMINALS.
To-day four degraded negro pirates will
be hanged at Princess Anne, Somerset
county, Maryland, for the capture of an
oyster schooner on the Chesapeake and
the murder of its captarn. Within the
week Andrew Johnson has pardoned an
intelligent white pirate, under charge of
murder on two different occasions. Brain
and his associates, December 7, 1563, took
forcible possession of the steamer Chesa
peake, on which they had shipped as pas
sengers, killing the captain and wounding
several others, when they rose upon the
unsuspecting crew. ' The same operation
was repeated on the steamer Roanoke,
bound from Havaaa to New York, result
ing again in murder. John C. Breckin
ridge, the double-dyed rebel and traitor,
was feasted and toasted in New York last
week, by his "Democratic , ' admirers and
sympathisers. These are the men whom
Johnson anti the Democracy delight
to honor; but in the eye of God and
honest men arc they not guiltier than the
ignorant and degraded negroes who will
swing to-day?
COPPERHEADISM!
The report of the Committee of Con
gress which investigated the New York
election frauds, has just been given to the
public. The corruption unearthed is ac
tually astounding. The facts as stated in
the New York Tribune of the 2.3 d ult.,
will be found below ;•
It is proved before this Committee, on
the testimony of many and unimpeacha
ble witnesses, that
1. Thousands of aliens fraudulently pro
cured certilicates of naturalization during
a few weeks immediately preceding our
election.
2. Many hundreds of certificates were
in the names of fictitious persons, that
those holding them might have facilities
for voting many times.
3. Many hundreds holding these certifi
cates did thus vote many times—ranging
from twice up to forty times or more.
4. The frauds committed in counting
the ballots were nearly equal to those in
casting them.
5. There was a combination of officers,
judicial and otherwise, to protect those
committing these frauds, and no.one has
been punished for them.
6. The Democratic Electors for Presi
dent, and the candidates on the Demo
cratic State ticket, were elected only by
the aid of this fraudulent voting.
Look again at some of the facts devel
oped in the examination of witnesses on
these points: In the superior Court, in a
single day, and mainly by the solitary ex
ertions of the indefatigable Judge MeCuan,
there were issued 2109 naturalization
certificates. In the Supreme •Court, in a
single day, toward the close of this heated
Democratic term, Judge Barnard issued
955 naturalisation certificates. From the
Bth to the 23d of October that remarkable
Judge issued a daily average of 71& The
blanks printed for this Court (which had
never Wined naturalization papers be
calm), and for Judge McCann's Court,
were on a aealeithat looked to their issue
only by tens of thousands. The free were
paid by helots on Tanhaany, printed
with equally splendid pro/Nokia. Both
courts are proved to have kisswingly and
deliberately lamed, papers to roan who
never appeared hi - irt at all. They
were sent broadcast over the city, and
distributed throughout the State. Not
less than 88,343 of them were issued from
the two courts held by Judge Barnard and
Judge MeCunn. Not one haudulent
=has been traced to any Republican
ii'lT is threatened, we understand, on
the part of the House at Harrisburg, to
compel the Senate to adopt the resolutions
of the 17th ult., relative to the discharge
of the twenty-seven additional officers and
their payment to that date. It is inti
mated that the House will be satisfied
with the concurrence of the Senate in the
adoption of the resolutions referred to, but
that if that body does not agree they of
the House will insist on the payment of
he additional officers for the entire ses
sion.flThis they propose to accomplish
by refusing to agree to an adjournment, as
they hold that it is the "height of impu
dence" for thirty-three Senators to at
tempt to control one hundred members of
the House, even in so small a matter as
economy and retrenchment in public ex
penditures.—Pittsborg Gommereiol.
.
OUR RARTOkilnin unisti o
......,i,
Haltittarrrtio, Mar& 00 869 .
Dear Father AftltaiNi; The Llldial4ptitre has
adjourned over uSiti Moiday, Bth i . i , to
0 7 1. e
nable the members to visit Washingt during
the inauguration ceremonies. Th 'vlilis con
siderable opposition manillbited at &kW this
long adjournment, and it W 3 only aocidded to
when understood that the joint cola ittee,
trying the case of Thayer vs. Green , de
sired it to afford them sittings in
phis, promising that all the testimony'W e
case would be submitted this week, if the
recess was -taken. This, at least, is the pre
text of many for supporting it. The "local"
of the •S'la le G +lard of this morning, mays : "The
promenades wore brilliant with beauty and
fashion yesterday." Query : Is it because of
the adjournment?
An effort was made in the House last week
to fix upon a time for final adjournment, but
without success. Until the appropriation
bill is finally disposed of—the Senate not hav
ing acted on it as yet—it would be rather an
injudicious step. Prom present appearances,
the adjournment will not take place before
the first of April.
On Wednesday afternoon the bill to revise
and consolidate the tax laws of the State,
prepared by a commission composed of the
Auditor General, State Treasurer and Secre
tary of State, passed the Senate finally. This
same bill passed that body last winter, but
was not called up in the other branch. It
comprises 141 sections, and is designed to
take the place of all existing local laws on the
subject, but Lancaster county, with others,
were excepted from its operations.
Senator Wallace has read a bill to make
the salary of the State Treasurer five thousand
dollars a year, and compel him to give a bond
of 000,000; requiring him to use the Treasury
Department as the sole place for the deposit
and safe keeping of the State's money ; to
punish embezzlement and the use of moneys,
and providing for the rapid payment of the
State debt, and Senator Jackon, of Sullivan
county, "An act to provide additional reve
nue for State purposes, imposing a tax on
distilled spirits, petroleum, anthracite coal
and boom companies." There may be great
virtue in the above propositions, but coming
as they do from democrats, they are looke 1
upon with suspicion.
As I predicted, the Philadelphia Police Bill
received its quietus in the Senate on Friday,
by a vote of 11 yeas to 20 nays—six Republi
cans voting in the negative.
Tice militia bill has been discussed in both
houses, but has not yet passed finally. It 're
poses a tax of 81 per annum up% men duly
qualitied,uot members of a military company.
Mr. Davis, of Berke, has proposed an amend
ment to the State Constitution providing that
the year the Presidential election occurs the
State election be held with the Presidential
election in November, instead of in October,
as now.
In reply to a communication from the Sen
ate, the Attorney General reports " That in
his opinion the act of Feb. 25th, 1867, repeal
ing all taxes on real estate for State purposes
is constitutional."
The time for holding the township elections
in Dauphin county has been changed from
Spring to Fall, the elections being held in the
month of October with the State election.
Why should not the Spring elections fur your
county be held in October also?
In the Senate on Friday, Mr. Connell called
up the House resolution to pay and discharge
the "twenty-seven," but the Senate refused
to consider it. It was reported some days be
fore affirmatively by the Finance Committee.
Had it been referred to the Retrenchment
Committee, the Senate would not have been
troubled with it. Upon the re assembling of
the Senate next week, this Committee will
submit their report, accompanied by bills
looking to the reduction of State expenses.
The act incorporating the Lancaster County
Park Association has been re-called from the
Governor. Z.
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
[CULLED Filo:4 VARIOUS SOURCES.]
It is generally understood that lion. C.
Delano, a member of the prceont Congress
from Ohio, has been named by General
Grant for the position of Commissioner of
Internal Revenue. Mr. Delano has a
high character for ability and integrity,
and with such a man at the head of the
Revenue Department t the days of the rule
of the wpisky ring will soon pass away.
So mote it be.
Hon. J. G. Blaine, of Maine, has been
nominated to succeed Vice President Col
fax to the speakership of the house of
Representatives, his principal competitor,
Mr. .Dawes, of Massachusetts, having re
tired from the canvass. Hon. E. Mc-
Pherson has been nominated for Clerk;
Col. Ordway for Sergeant-at-Arms; and
0. X. Buxton for Doorkeeper—all offi
cers of the last House.
Several parties, entertaining hopes of
receiving appointments to office here and
elsewhere, under the incoming adminis
tration, have already commenced vigorous
campaigning in support of those anxieties.
The fact that General Grant will not, un
der any circumstances, give attention to
applications for office at present, has had
the effect of deterring many from present
ing their petitions in advance of his inau
guration, although it is known that not a
few are ready to send them , in tar conside
ration on the sth of March.
The debt statement for February will
show a deerease•ef twelve aniiiiess of dol
lars in the notional 4.bt.
General Sherman arriv'ed last week, and
is the guest of his brother,Senator Sher
man. The Lieutenant General will ndt,
move into his own house for some time,
as it is to be renovated.
General Grant has not mentioned at
what precise time his re tion of his
present position will be t
Secretary M'Culloch has purchased a
large farm in Maryland to wht(ih he in
tends to retire 'after she leaves the United
States Treasury.
Jesse Grant, the father of Goa: • Grant,
and Miss Jennie Grant, sister of the Gene
ral, arrived here on thtturfay last, from
Covington, Kentucky.
The number of tohteited eleetiOn cases
before the next House of Representatiies
will be unprec!dented, AlretulY notices
been received indicating that the
numberextueds twenty,. and others are
known fo be in preparation.
Gal. Grant, a few days ago, referring
to the discussion then going on relative
to increasing his salary, remarked: I
shall live on ghat CoxigneefPVlS mei
spending of course every oent Or it, and if
more was given me I should spend it all.
I have no desire, and do not expect, to
save anything from my salary, whatever
it may be, for my kind Mends have placed
me in a position Whiehleaves me free from
all anxiety about future want, or the wants
of my children. We shall have enough,tci
live on, and it.is better for them (meaning
his children) that they do not rely too
much upon money."
It is reported by the committee on natu
ralization iratiris that not lees , than 68,343
certificates were boned 'by two Democratic
courts ih New York city, and sent out
broadcast for use, and that not one fraud
ulent paper has been traced to any Repub
lican court.
THE NEW ERA!
GRANT AM) COLFAX INAUGURATED.
' We are able to give our readers the
following particulars of the Inauguration
ceremonies received up to the tune of go
ing to press yesterday afternoon :
Notwithstanding the bad weather, the
scene presented was most magnificent to
behold. The long line of military and
other organizations extended as tar as the
eye could reach. The White House,
Treasury building, and every available
point of elevation, on house-tops and in
trees, were loaded down with human be
ings. Flags and national emblems of all
devices were to be seen on all sides, the
buildings being completely festooned.
On the conclusion of the ceremonies in
the Senate Chamber, Grant and Colfax
were conducted to the platform on eastern
side of Capitol, where the oath of office
was administered amid the profound
silence of the sea of people.
Mr. Johnson did not appear in the pro
cession, but was present in the Vice
President's room in the Senate Chamber.
So great was the crowd in the Senate and
around the platform, that even Grant's
family were unable to reach the platform
so as to witness the ceremonies.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FELLOW-CITIZENS OF TILE UNITED
STATES: Your suffrages having elevated
me to the office of President of the United
States, I have, in conformity with the
Constitution of our Country, taken the
oath of office prescribed therein. I have
taken this oath without mental reserva
tion,and with a determination to do to the
best of my ability all that it requires of me.
The responsibilities of the position I feel,
but I accept them without fear. The
office has come to me unsought. I com
mence its duties untrammelled. I bring
to it a conscientious desire and determina
tion to till it to the best of my ability, and
to the satisfaction of the people.
On all leading questions agitating the
public mind 1 will always express my
views to Congress and urge them accord
ing to my judgment; and when I think it
desirable, will exercise the Constitutional •
privilege of interposing a veto to defeat
measures that I oppose, but all laws will
be faithfully executed, whether they meet
my approval or not. I shall on all sub
jects have a policy to recommend, but
none to enforce against the will of the
people. Laws are to govern all alike
—those opposed to as well as those who
favor them. I think of no method to se
cure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws
so effective as their stringent execution. .
The country, having just emerged from a
great rebellion, many questions will come
befor,i it for settlement in the next four
years which preceding administrations
hive never.had to deal with. In meeting
these, it is desirable that they should be
approached calmly, without prejudice,
hate or sectional pride, remembering
that the . .greatest good to the greatest
number is: the object to be attained.
This retplitee security to person and prop
erty, and free religious and political opin
ions in every part of our common country,
without regard to local prejudice, and all
laws to secure these ends will receive my
best efforts for enforcement. A great debt
has been contracted in securing to us and
our posterity the Union. The payment
of this principal and interest, as well as
the return to a specie payment as soon as
it can be accomplished without material
detriment to the debtor class or the country
at large, must be provided for. To pro
tect national honor. every dollar of public
indebtedness should be paid in gold,
unless otherwise expressly stipulated in.
the contract. Let it be understood that
no repudiation of one farthing of our pub
lic debt will be permitted in public places,
and it will go far towards strengthening
a credit which ought to be the best in the
world, and it will ultimately enable us to
replace the debt with bonds bearing less
interest than we now pay.
To this should be added a faithful col
lection of the revenue ; • a strict accounta
bility to the treasury for every dollar col
lected, and the greatest practicable re
trenchment in expenditures in every
department of government. When we
compare the paving capacity of the co ~
try now with the ten States still in , .
from the effects of war, but soon to - .. '
I trust, into greater prosperity t i . • .r
before, with its paying capecit
five years ago, and calculate wfui • roller
bly will be twenty-five years he . , , wish
can doubt the feasibility of its paying
every dollar we now pay for usekes luxur
ies. Why It looks as though Provide:tee
had bestowed upon us a strong VIZ.
The precious metals locked up in the sterile
mountains of the far west, which we are
now forging the key to nielockorill meet
the very contingency 21 0 * won us, trig
mately it may be 'monetary to increase the
facilities to reach their riches, Mid **ay
bin useesseop.alsortm t.l-. ip-.-. 1 .8 ,, - .
ment shout oi give, its mild te- --
pours this
access, but' thus - idietild '4l.hty - be when a
dollar of obligation to .jrny.. ; itqcgM ist
pia,
cisely the same sort ofdtfilet tonser
not before. While the quest ion of eippcia.
payments is in abeyance, the pendent
business man isnareftdabaut contracting
debts payable in the distant future. The
nation should follow the same rule. A
prostrate commerce brie be rebuilt and
all industries emulated. The you
men of the country;'those the from n thee •
age must be its ri ders' twent.rilve
hence, have peculjartnterest in '
inijkthe national bailor., ._.
_:
moment's reflection as to Witatirlirin
be our commanding iniineneti :gong thi:
nations of the earth in their day. Ifthey
are only true to themselves' 4t ebOtiir tap.
spire them with national pride. All di- T o - 4
visions, geographical, political ant Ofil
l
gious, can join All MS common sea 'Meats .,
How the public debt is to be an.
how specie part:o4la ter be resu ~.
not so important as theirs plan he •
adopted and adhered to., A. united-deter
mination to do is worth more than divider
counsels upon the method of doing„ .
islation upon this subject may not
,be id S
cessary now, nor even' aditeable, bit it
will be when the civil is* is more ftillp
restored in all parte 'of the eountrt *MC
trade resumes its wonted channel.
It will be my endeavor to administer
the laws in ggood fad, to collect the rev* ,
nuee aeeeeeed, and to have them properly