The financial difficulties under which the country is laboring may be traced directly to the issue, and continuance in circulation, of irredeemable promises as lawful money.

The country will not be really and reliably prosperous until there is a return to specie payments.

The question of a solvent, convertible currency, underlies all the other financial and economical questions.

It is, in fact, a fundamental question; and until it is settled, and settled in accordance with the teachings of experience, all attempts in other financial and economical reforms will either fail absolutely, or be but partially successful.

A sound economy is the lifeblood of a commercial nation.

If this is debased the whole current of its commercial life must be disordered and irregular.

Our debased currency must be retired or raised to the par of specie, or cease to be lawful money, before substantial progress can be made with other reforms.

The real issue was not one of measures, but of men.

I do not believe it will make any difference to you in the end, but I do fear that, in case I am elected, there will be men to advocate the 'abolition of the general' bill who will charge, in support of their motion, lack of evidence that…

I would do all I could to prevent any such legislation, and believe that without my doing anything the confidence in you is too genuine with the great majority of Congress for any such legislation to succeed.

I think his determination never to give up his present position a wise one, for his own comfort, and the public, knowing it, will relieve him from the suspicion of acting and speaking with reference to the effect his acts and sayings may…

I have taken this oath without mental reservation and with the determination to do to the best of my ability all that it requires of me.

The responsibilities of the position I feel but accept them without fear.

I bring to it a conscientious desire and determination to fill it to the best of my ability 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…

But all laws will be faithfully executed whether they meet my approval or not.

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.

In conclusion I ask patient forbearance one toward another throughout the land, and a determined effort on the part of every citizen to do his share toward cementing a happy Union; and I ask the prayers of the nation to Almighty God in…

The executive department of a republic like ours should be subordinate to the legislative department.

The President should obey and enforce the laws, leaving to the people the duty of correcting any errors committed by their representatives in Congress.

This is not the true theory of our government.

The President is intrusted by the constitution and laws with important powers, and so by law are the heads of departments.

The President has no more right to control or exercise the powers conferred by law upon them than they have to control him in the discharge of his duties.

If he violates or neglects his duty he is subject to removal by the President, or impeachment by the House of Representatives, but the President cannot exercise or control the discretion reposed by law in the Secretary of the Treasury, or…