Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-03-08
PRESIDENT GRANT,
HIS SECOND INAUGURATION = THE PA
RADE AND THE PEoPLE-TuE 1NAu-
aUnAL ADDRESS, ETC.
Washington, March 4, 1873.

Grant took place to-day, and as was anti
cipated proved an event of more than
usual interest. The weather was very
cold, in fact one of the coldest days of the
season. Notwithstanding this, the thor
oughfares were crowded at an early hour,
and continued 30 throughout the day. The
decorations along the avenue could not be
excelled, although the wind played sad ha-
voc with many fne specimens. More
than twenty arches of flags and bunting
spanned the avenue and various streets
through which the procession passed. The
crowd along the avenue who witnessed the
procession, numbered fully hundred
thousand, and never has Washington seen
such throng before. The hotels were
filed to overfowing, and last night many
were compelled to leave the city to seek
lodgings. The city was filed with pick
pockets from Baltimore, Philadelphia, and
New York, and must have done a thriv-
ing business, Judging from the numerous
complaints made at police head quarters.
The procession formed at 10 O'Clock, and
al once took up the line of march, in ac-
cordance with the programme. The line
halted to take up the President, President
elect, in accordance with previous arrange
ments, who for the occasion was seated in
an open barouche, drawn by four beauti-
fNehorses. This occupied only a few mo-
mcnts, and then the line moved on. The
sight was truly inspiring. The long line
OF human beings in their dresses of vari-
GUS colors, the clashing Of swords, the
glistening of rifles, the prancing of steeds
all seemed to enthuse the locker on.
On reaching the platform the President
elect took the seat provided for him in front
of the centre, Vice President Colflx, and
Sergeant at Arms having the ceremonies
in charge sitting on bis right, and Chief
Justice Chase on his left. Near General
Grant, on the platform, sat Mrs. Grant,
accompanied by several Of their children,
the Presidents brother Orville, Ms.
Sharpe, and several other relatives of the ia
mily. The appearance Of General Grant on
the platform WAS greeted with cheers, and
blasts Of music from the bands of the mill
tary and civic organizations participating
in the ceremonies. The noise of the greet
ing was hushed as the President-elect, and
Chief Justice simultaneously arose, and the
latter commenced to recite the formula of
the Presidents oath of Office which Gen.
Grant took with head uncovered, and re-
sumed his seat for few moments, while
the booming Of cannon, theIingng of bells,
and the shouts Of the vast copcourse, burst
forth with deatening effect, and cheer after
| cheer went up with volume.
After partial quiet had been restored, the
! President arose, and in n voice not heard
except by persons on or near the platform,
he proceeded to read his
SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FEILow-CITIzENs: Under Providence l have
! been called second time to act as Executive
over this great nation. II has been my endeavor
! in the past TO maintain all the laws, and so far
IS lay in my power, to act for the best interest
| 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 the office.
| When my first term of the office of Chief EX-
!
/ the effects Of Il great internal revolution, and
! three ofthe former States of the Union had not
been restored to their Federal relations. 1t seem
( ed to Inc wise that no new question should be
raised long that condition of affairs existed.
Therefore, the past four years, so far us / could
| control events, have been consumed in the ef-
| fort TO restore harmony, public credit, commerce
and all the arts Of peace and progress. II is my
| firm conviction that the civilized world is tend
! ing towards rGpubican.sm, or government by the
-,
that our oTgn. great Republic is destined to be the
! guiding G:ar;to all others. Under our Republic
( We support an army less than that of any Euro.
pean power of any standing, and n navy less
than that Of either of AT least five OF them,
There could be no extension of territory or
this continent which would call for an increase
OF this force, but rather might such extension
enable us to diminish ii.
The theory Of Government changes With the
general progress. Now that the telegraph i!
made available for communicating thought, to
gether with rapid transit by steam, all parts o
a continent arc made contiguous for all purpose;
ot tgoyernmeut, aud communication between tn,
extreme limits of the country made easier than
il was throughout the old thirteen States at tat
beginning OF our national existence.
The effects of the late civil strife have been tC
free the slave and make him . citizen. He il
not possessed of the civil rights which citizen
ship should carry with it. This Is wrong anS
should be corrected.
To this correction stand committed 40 far a
Exc -utiye influence can avail. Social equality /
not subject 10 be legislated upon, nor shall
ask that anything be done to advance the socia
status ofthe colored man except to give him
fair chance TO develop what there is good in him
Give him access to schools, and when he travel
let him feel assured that his conduct will regu
late the treatment and fare he will receive. Tn
States lately at war with the General Govern
mcnt are now happily rehobilitated, and no Ex
ccutive control it Exercised in any one of then
} that would not bc'cxercised in any other Stat
under liEc circumstances.
In the trst year of the past Administration
{ the proposition came up for the admission G
Santo DolDlngo as a territory of the Union.
was not a&luestioh Of my seeking, but was pre-
position from the people of Santo Domingo, an
which ! entertained. | believe now, as di
then, that it was for the best interests of hi
, country, tor the people Of Slnto Domingo, an
I all conccrSed, that the proposition should be II
= ceiyed fayorably. Ii was, huwevcr, rejected col
sttutionally, aud therefore tine subject was ueyI
brought up again by me.
5 In future, While hold my present olIlce, Il
subject of acquisition OF territory must have Il
support Of the people before ! win rccommen
{ any proposition looking to such acquisition
/ say here, however, that | do IL,
= share in the apprehension held by many as
the danger OF governments becoming weakent
and destroyed By reason Of their extension