Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-03-04

The diplomatic corps.
Representatives OF the pr &C.,
Heads of departments.
Ex-members of the HI use of Representatives
and members elect OF die 4Sd Congress.
Other persons, adyAitted to the floor and gall
The procession. fled oot through the rotunda
to the platform, where the front seats were
assigned to 1.-The diplomatic corps ana supreme m
Court. Mrs. Grant, and the members OF the
Presidents family, were also seated
ON The GRAND INAUGURATION STAND.
erected at the eastern main entrance TO the
Capitol, which was handsomely drsped with
| large American fags. 1t extended from the
| center landing outward, and was elevated over
the lower fight of stairs; was about twelve feet
forty-fve feet in depth. About 800 persons in
| all were accommodated in chairs arranged in
rows on the platform. and probably twice as
behind the stand. Overlooking the stand in the
| rear and to the north was the well-knOwn group
| OF statuary representing the white man strug-
in the rear; and opposite, on the south, was the
statue of Columbus in the act of'representing
the rotnndity of the earth by means of globe
which lac holds in the palm of his outstretched
hand. Opposite the Inauguration stand seats
were erected in the East Capitol park capable
Of accommodating about 2, 800 persons. Tick
cts were issued on Saturday and yesterday by
Sergeant alarms French, Of the Senate, to the
number Of persons mentioned, and every seat
was occupied.
At half-past twelve O'Clock the Presiden.
to take the oath of office prescribed by the
Constitution. As Chief Justice Chase held the
holy book in his hand and repeated the text of
the oath every head was uncovered, and deep
silence pery AIDED the multitude.
TAXING THE OATH.
As the Chief Justice concluded, President
Grant raised the Bible to his lips, upon which
there was simultaneous outburst OF cheers
from the assembled thousands in front OF the
stand, and at the same moment a battery Of ar
tiery stationed Oh the north of the Capitol
Numbered forth salute; flags many of them
and the Fire Department added TO the general
reclamation by sounding their gongs.
THE SCENE In FRONT OF THE GRAND INAU-
DURATION STAND
was one of exceptional brflliancy. The varied
and gay uniforms of the visiting and home or
CARNATIONS, the bright colors waving in the
breeze the polished apparatus OF the fire de-
partment, and the immense cOncOurse of ladies
and gentlemen stationed in the plaza below thu
al bs oue of
and impressiveness. Directly in front of the
stand waved q large battle flag, so riddled by
the battle and the breeze" that it was almost
in ribbons IL was inscribed with the names OF
various battles, and attracted especial atten-
ton.
AS soon the Chief Justice had administered
the oath OF office and resumed his seat, the
President arose and read from the manuscript
his inaugural address, a. follows:
The Presidents Inaugural Address.
Fellor- citizsns Under Providence | have
been called a second time to act as Executive
over this great nation. 1t has been my endeav-
or in the past to maintain all the laws, and 80
far as lay in my power, to act for the best inter
ests Of the whole people. My best efforts will
be given in the same direction in the future,
aided, trust, by my four years experience in
When nv first term of the Office of Chief Ex-
ecutiye began, the country had not recovered
from the effects of a great internal revolution,
and three of the former States of the Union had
not been restored to their federal relations.
1t seemed to me wise that no new questions
should be raised so long as that condition Of
affairs existed. Therefore the past four years,
20 far as / could control events, have been con
sumed in the effort to restore harmony, public
credit, commerce, and all the arts of peace and
progress. IL is my firm conviction that the
civilized world il tending towards republican
ism, or government by the people through their
| chosen representatives, and that our own great
republic is destined to be the guiding star u all
others.
Under our republic We support an army less
than that OF amy European power OF any stand
ing ami navy less than that OF either of al
least five OF them. There could he no extension
OF territory on the continent which would call
for an increase OF this force, but rather might
| such extension enable us to diminish il.
The theory OF government changes with gem
| eraI progress. Now that the telegraph is made
avaiisb bic for communicating thought, together
with rapid transit by steam, all parts of con-
tinent are made contiguous Tor all purposes OF
government, and communication between the
extreme limits OF the country made easier than
it was throughout the Old thirteen states at the
beginning OF our national existence.
The effects of the late civil strife have been
TO free the slave and make him a citizen. Yet
he is not possessed Of the civil rights which Cit
Zenship should carry with 1t. This IL wrong
and should be corrected. To this conviction
stand committed, so far as Executive influence
| can avail.
social equality is not a subject to be legisated
upon nor shall ask that anything be done 10
advance the social status of the colOred man,
except TO give him a fair chance to develop
what there il good in him, give him access to
schools, and when he travels let him feel
assured that his conduct will regulate the treat
ment and fare he will receive.
The states lately at war with the general gov
ernment are now happily rehabiltated, and no
Executive control is exercised in any one OF
them that would not be exercised i'll any other
state under like circumstances. 81.
In the first year of the past administration
the prOI ositiOn. came up for the admission OF
Santo Domingo as a territory OF the Union. II
was not question OF my seeking, but was
proposition from the people of SantO Domingo,
and which L entertained. l believe now, as
did them that it for the best int crest OF this
country, for the people of Santo Domingo, and
all concerned, that the proposition should be
received tavOrably. 1t was, however, rejected,
constitutiOnally, and therefore the subject was
| never brought up againby me.
In future, while hold my present office, the
subject OF acquisition of territory must have the
| support Of the people before l will recommend
any proposition looking to such acquisition 1
Say ncIc, hoNcNcT, that hut sudfc III tiit
| apprehension held by many to the danger Of
| governments becoming weakened and DESTROYED
| by reason of their extension of territory. Com
| merce, education, and rapid transit Of thought
| and matter, by telegraph and steam, have
| changed all this. Rather do believe that our
Great Maker is preparing the world in his own
good time, to become one nation, speaking one
language, and when armies and naVies will be
no longer required.
NV efforts in the future will he directed to the
restoration Of good feeling between the Ill ifere mt
| sections Of our common country; to the restor-
| alton of our currency to liked value com
pared with the world standard Of values-god
aud if possible to par with it; to the const,uo-
ton of cheap routes of transit throughout the
land to the end that the products of all sections
may find a market and leave a living remu-
neration To the producer; to the maintainance
of friendly relations with all our neigh
| bors, and with distant nations; to the reestab-
lshmeDt OF our commerce and share ina the car
rying trade upon the ocean; to the en-
enlargement OF such manufacturing in.lustrie,
as can be economically pursued in this country
| to the end that the exports of home products
and industries may pay for OHr imports,-the
only sure method Of returning to and perma-
nently maintaining specie basis to the eleva-
| ton OF labor; and by humane course to bring
| the aborigines of the country under the benign
influences Of education and civilization. IL j,
either this, or war OF determination. Wars OF
determination, engaged i'm by peOne ms r.u ! N 1,