Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-03-15
The Inaugural Address.


time to act as executive over this
great nation. 1t has been my en-
deayor in the past to maintain all
the laws so far as lay in my power,
and to act for the interests or the
whole people. Ny best efforts will
be given in the same direction IN
the future, aided j trust by my four
wears experiencein the office. When
nv first term OF the Office OF chief
executive began, the country mad
not recovered from the effects OF q
great internal revolution, and three
OF the former States of the Union
had not been restored to Their led
eral relations. 1t seemed to me wise
that no new question should be rails
ed, so long as that condition OF
affairs existed. Therefore, the past
four years, SO far as could control
events, have been consumed in the
effort to restore harmony, public
credit, commerce, and all the arts
of peace and progress. 1t is my firm
conviction that the civilized world
is tending tow ard repubicas,ism or
government by the people though
their chosen representatives, and
that our own great republic is des
tined to be the guiding star to all
others. Under cur republic we sup
port an army less than that of any
European power of any standing,
and a navy less than that of either
of at least five of them. There could
be no extension of territory on this
continent which would call for an
increase of this force, but rather
might such extentiOn enable us to
diminish il. The theory of govern
ment changes with general pro-
gress. Now that the telegraph is
made available for communicating
thoughts, together with rapid tran
sit by steam, all parts of CONT
nent are made contiguous for all
purposes of government, and COM
munication between the extreme
limits of the country made easier
than it was throughout the Old thir-
teen States at the beginning our ma
tiOnal existence. The effects Of the
late civil strife have been to free the
slave and make him citizen yet
he is not possessed of the civil rights
which citizenship should convey
with it. This is wrong, and should
be corrected. To this correction
stand committed, $50 far as executive
influence can avail. Social equality
is not a subject to be legislated
upon, nor shall ! ask that anything
be done to advance the social status
of the colored man, except to give
him q fair CT anca to develope what
there is of good in him. Give him
access to schools, and when he trav.
els let him feel assured that his con.
duct will regulate the treatment and
fare he will receive. The States
lately at war with the general gov
eminent, are now happily rellabili
tated. and no executive control is
exercised in any OTHER State under
E like circumstances. In the first
year of the past administration the
proposition came mp for the admis
sion of Santo Domingo as terrific
nv of tie Union. 1t was not ques
ton of my seeking, but was a pro
position from the people of Santt
Domingo and one which L enter
, tanned. i believe now, as L die
then, that it was for the best inter
ests of this country for the people o
Santo Domingo and all concerned
! that the proposition should be re
ceived favOrably. 1t was, however
rejected cOustitutionally, and there
.. fore the subject was never breugh
!, up again by me. In fnt"re, while
|, hold my present Office, the sUbjec
Of acquisition of territory must hay
/, the support of the people before
will recommend any proposition.
, say here, however, that ! do no
. share in the apprehension held b,
many as to the danger of govern
|, ments becoming weakened and de
! strOyed by reason of their extension
: OF territory. Commerce, education
? and rapid transit of thought an
matter by telegraph-and steam hav
changed all this; rather do believ
that our great Maker is preparin
: the world i'm his own good to be-
e come one nation, speaking one lar
a guage, and when armies and navie
/ will be no longer required. NJ
J. efforts in the future will be directe
!, to the restoration Of good feeling bt
J, tween the different sections of on
@ common country; to the restOratio
of our currency to r. fixed value, a
t compared with the worlds stant
l. ard of yalues--gold-and, if poss
Q BILE, to atpar with it to the COZ
r struction of cheap routes OF trans
d throughout the land, to the en-
d that the products of all sections ma