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ON PUBLIC EDUCATION.

"The Father of his Country,' in his farewell address, uses the language, Promote, then, as a matter of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge!' The adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution completes the greatest civil change, and constitutes the most important event, that has ever occurred since the nation came into life. The change will be beneficial in proportion to the heed. that is given to the urgent recommendation of Washington. If these recommendations were important then, with a population of but a few millions, how much more important now!

"I therefore call upon Congress to take all the means within their constitutional powers to promote and encourage popular education throughout the country; and upon the people everywhere to see to it, that all who possess and exercise political rights shall have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge which will make their share in government a blessing, and not a danger. By such means only can the benefits contemplated by this amendment to the Constitution be secured."

ON THE TEST OATH.

"I believe that it is not wise policy to keep from office by an oath those who are not disqualified by the Constitution, and who are the choice of the legal voters; but, while relieving them from an oath which they cannot take, I recommend the release also of those to whom the oath has no application."

ON POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS.

"The utmost fidelity and diligence will be expected of all officers in every branch of the public service. Political assessments, as they are called, have been forbidden within the various departments; and, while the right of all persons in official positions to take part in politics is acknowledged, and the

elective franchise is recognized as a high trust to be discharged by all entitled to its exercise, whether in the employment of the government or in private life, honesty and efficiency, not political activity, will determine the tenure of office."

VIEWS ON CIVIL RIGHTS.

"I sympathize most cordially in any effort to secure for all our people, of whatever race, nativity or color, the exercise of those rights to which every citizen should be entitled."

ON THE SUCCESSION.

Past experience may guide me in avoiding mistakes, inevitable with novices in all professions and in all occupations. When relieved from the responsibilities of my present trust by the election of a successor, whether it be at the end of this term or the next, I hope to leave him as executive a country at peace within its own borders, at peace with outside nations, with a credit at home and abroad, and without embarrassing questions to threaten its future prosperity."

GRANT ON MOIETIES AND FLUCTUATION.

"The present laws for collecting revenue pay collectors of customs small salaries, but provide for moieties (shares in all seizures), which, at principal ports of entry particularly, raise the compensation of those officials to a large sum. It has always seemed to me as if this system must, at times, work perniciously. It holds out an inducement to dishonest men, should such get possession of those offices, to be lax in their scrutiny of goods entered to enable them finally to make large seizures. Your attention is respectfully invited to this subject. Continued fluctuations in the value of gold, as compared with the national currency, has a most damaging effect upon the increase and development of the country in keeping up prices

of all articles necessary in every-day life. It fosters a spirit of gambling, prejudicial alike to national morals and the national finances."

While the country felt it had a prudent, safe and far-sighted President in Grant, and while he was trusted by all parties and sections, as few executives ever were, some of his near advisers, and even cabinet officers, became the subject of serious, if not bitter criticism, amid which he was, for the most part, an uncomplaining and unjust sufferer.

The spendthrift and speculative period of war was not yet over. While he introduced many needed economic reforms into his immediate administration, he could not influence or check that wild spirit of venture which existed in the outside business world, though he always recognized its danger as his state papers show. To keep all his official surroundings free from this reckless spirit was impossible. It would in spite of him occasionally break over the barriers and invade his administration. It touched some of his most trusted officers. This he could not believe, so he clung to them, shutting his ears against charges and detractions. This was a mistake, as the sequel proved,―-the mistake of trusting not wisely, but too well. But the motive was always good.

Coming into civil life unprepared, save by natural extraordinary judgment, purity of intention and firmness of resolve, his administration brought the country each year nearer to that consummation of reduced expenses, lessened public debt, unquestioned public credit, and peace at home and abroad, to which he stood pledged in assuming executive responsibilities. If those in whom he placed confidence were unfaithful, no one of his bitterest maligners has ever yet dared to impugn his individual integrity or refuse to him the qualification Aristides said, "became an official"; and that is, "to have clean hands." The Credit Mobilier affair, though unconnected with his

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administration, yet occurring near its close, served to embitter criticism of Washington methods and raise a new cloud of sensational morsels and vague suspicions. The Act of the last session of Forty-second Congress raising the President's salary to $50,000, and the salary of Congressmen to $7500, was received by the country with such a storm of opposition that it was speedily repealed, except as to the President's salary.

The family, or White House, management of the administration was always plain and popular. President Grant himself had pleasing administrative ways. He was accessible, heard patiently and well, never made promises he did not intend to keep. His home was not at first a society centre, but grew to be a desirable place to visit. It was presided over with dignity by his excellent wife, who was of plain substantial tastes and endowed with rare good sense. His family consisted of four children, three boys and a girl, all passing through a happy and healthful childhood. And thus ended the first administration of the soldier President. All in all, it had been one of purity, progress and reform, yet not one without opposition, much of which had been given a personal turn and was not free from a narrow spirit of vindictiveness.

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