to the satisfaction of the people.

On all leading questions agitating the public mind I will always
express my views to Congress and urge them according to my judgment,
and when I think it advisable will exercise the constitutional
privilege of interposing a veto to defeat measures which I oppose; but
all laws will be faithfully executed, whether they meet my approval or
not.

I shall on all subjects have a policy to recommend, but none to enforce
against the will of the people. Laws are to govern all alike - those
opposed as well as those who favor them. I know no method to secure 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 before it for settlement in the next four years which
preceding Administrations have 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 requires security of person, property, and free religious and
political opinion in every part of our common country, without regard
to local prejudice. All laws to secure these ends will receive my best
efforts for their 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 basis as soon as it can be accomplished without