The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1869-03-12
President Grants Inaugural
Address.

That statue-like imPersonA'ion Of silence,
50 unPArdonebly annoying to place-hunters,
has AZ length been compelled to speak, and
we communicate his words to our readers on
our hrst page. His ~lnnugural Is the FIRST de-
eided and emphatic ntterance Of a political
nature, that has ever fAlleE from his lips for
the public ear and eye, 1t is no aim at rhe-
torieai asarish and 10 not befoggsd by yer.
biage, but is free from the artful lodges Of
the demasegue, bold in itl declarations, uu-
~eyasiye in It's pledges, manly, digni6ed and
patriotic in its tone and spirit, terse and sim
pie in expression, and after the manner of
the Spartans is sensibly and impressively la
comic. With a feeling Of relief and thankful
ness, the reader will observe this latter rare
and strange merit in striking contrast 20 the
Platitudes and disgusting rodomonmde of the
self adulasory harangues, With which we have
heen nauseated for some time from the former
Presidential incumbent. It comPrehends all
the vital questions before the country, and
foreshadows the general features of his policy
-retrenchment aud reform in the public ex-
penditures, the Congressional plan Of Recon-
struction, the close and prompt collection Of
the Revenue, an9 the removal of all distine-
tinns between American citizens, on aocount
of race, color and previous condition Of ser
vitude. On more than a hundred bsttle-felds,
he enrolled his name with the ad vocates and
champions Of human freedom, sealing bis
faith in its Justice and triumph with the tes-
timony Of services, fraught with the Utmost
hazard and almost interminable difficulties.
Surrendering his stars OF military honor to
become the highest administrator in the land
be has hoisted still higher the old war-toTn
banner Of the Union, upon which is inscribed
the Immortal motto of the advanced civilian.
ton of the era, "The equality OF all men
before the Law"
The Inauguration was throughout a grand
National ovation to the incoming President.
No Roman ruler was ever cOronated amid
sach a wild aud enthusiastic jubilee. Col
lected together from the granite hills OF the
East, from the States Of the Gulf, the ocean
plains of the North and the great West, fur
nishing her complement OF thousands from
the Mississippi to the farthest boundary
Of the Pacific slope, such nultituGes never
before t~hronged the NatiCEal Capitol. Never
were the declarations of any mortal man lis
tened to with mere earnest attention, and
curious, absorbing interest, than were those
of the President. If be had been the absO-
lutte ruler of the universe, debating law aud
government To nations, holding crowns ut his
disposal, speaking empires into existence and
dethroning kings as if they were but " the
titular digaatSries of his chess-board," he
would not have been q more central figure Of
attraction, nor received grander and more
expressive manifestations of popular regard
aud admiration. The official representatives
of foreign powers witnessed the mighty gath.
ering and the imposing demonstration and
ceremonies of the day in profound and rapt
Arrangement. In all this brilliance, eclat, en-
thusiasm, show of fashion, glitter of wealth
and coneourse Of talent and manhood, the?
beheld America in her immensely, full SPLEEN
dor and pleutitude Of power, and President
Grant, not rs a Car or Autocrat, but as the
apparent presiding Genius of these woEde--
flu scenes, which Freedom created and con-
secrated by the OutpOuriug of her blessed
spirit. 4 comparison with this Colossus
dwarfs their own nations into pigmy princi-
p%Alities, crouching humbly and beseechingly
in thei- weakness aud insiguiicance beneath
its strides.