Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-03-04

ucxt in the rear of the Supreme Court; Heads
of Departments, Governors and eX-Gcvernors
If States eX-membcrs of the Senate. cX-mcin-
bars and mcmb elect Of the Huuc OF Rep
resentativcs in the rear Of the members Ut the
Senate.
The oath of office was then admin. tered to
the Presdeut-elect by the Chief Justice, when
the President read the following
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Fclloac-citi=eus. Under Providence [ have
been called second time to act as Executive
over this great uation. 1t has been my en-
deavor III the past to maintain all tie laws, and,
SO far as lay iu my power, t. act Tor The bes.
interests of the whole people. My best efforts
will be given in the same direction Ia the i'll
licnce in the oitce.
When my first term Of The Office of Chief Tx
ecutve began the counry had not recover
ed from the effects OF d great internal rcv"lu-
ton. and three Of the fprmcr States Of the
Union had not bc.u Restored t. their te icral re.
lationS.
1t seemed to me wise that no new questions
should be raised SO long IA thlt condition oil al
fairs existed. ThorctJe the past lour years
so far as could coutrol events, have bean con-
sumcd n the effort to restore harmony, public
credit, commerce, and all the arts Q! peace and
progress. Ii Is my firm conviction that the
civilized world is 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
TO all others.
Under our republic W. support ~ army less
than that of any European power of any stand
lug, and navy less than that Of either at
least five OF them There could be 40 extern
sion of territory on this continent which would
call for an increase Of this force, but rather
mig Int rot ouch extension euubie Us to diminish
it.
The theory of government changes with
general progress. Now that the telegraph Is
made available for communicating thought,
together with rapid transit by steam. all parts
of a continent are made contiguous tr all pur-
POSES of government, aud communication be-
tween the extreme limits Of tie country made
easier than it was throughout the Old thirteen
St.tcs ut tn, beginning vi our IA l"ha rxls-
tauce.
Tie effects of the late civil strife have been
to free the save and make nlm cltzcu. It
he is nc: POSSESSED of The civil rights which
citizenship should carly with it, This Is ", ong
and should be corr, cted To this conviction |
can avail.
Social eauality is not subject to be cgisiat
ed upon. uor shall ask that anything be done
to advance the social stau, Of the col2rcd man,
cycept to give hiu fair chance to develop
what there is good in HIN, give him access to
the schools aud when he travels let him feel
assured that his conduct will rcgu ate the treat
ment and fare he will receive.
The states lately at war with the general GOV
ernment are now happily rehab!lltated, and 10
Executive control is exercised IN any one ct
them that would not BIZ exercised III any Other
state under the like circumstances.
In the first year OF the pat administrative
the proposition came up for the admission OF
Santo Domingo as a territory OF the union. 1t
was not question Of my seeking, but. Was
proportion from the people Of Santo Domi' g,
and which entertained. | believe now, as |
did then, that it was for the best interest OF
this country for The people OF Sauto Domingo,
and all concerned, that the proposition should
be received fvorahly. 1t was. however, re-
jected, constitutional y, and therefore the sub
iect was never brought up again I.y uic.
In future, while | hold my present office,
the subject of acquisition oftrrrltory mus; have
the support Of the people before | will recon-
mcud any proposition looking to such acqulsl-
ton. | say here, however, that do not share
in the apprehension held by many as to the
danger oigovernmcn becoming weakened and
destroyed by reason of their extension Of terri
tory. Commerce, education, and rapid transit
of thought aud matter by telegraph and steam,
have changed all this Rather do believe
that our Great Maker is preparing the world
10 his own good time, TO become one natl0u,
speaking one language, and when arlnles and
nayes will be longer required.
My efforts in the fu ure will be directed to
the restoration OF good feeling between the dl1-
terent sections of our c1mmon country; To the
restoration of orr currency to d fixed value as
compared with the worlds standard of values
gold, and if possible to a par with it; to the
construction of cheap routes ut transit through
out the land to the end that the products OF
all sections may find market and leave living
remuneration to the producer; to the maintain
auce Of friendly relations with all our nclghbors,
and with distant natous; TO the re estabIlshment
of our commerce and share 10 the carrying
trade upon the ocean to the eucouragemcntot
such manufacturing industries as can be eco
that the exports Of home products and indus
tries may pay for our imports-the only sure
method Of returning to and permanently main
tanning Il specie basis to the elevation of Ia
Dor; aud by humane course to bring the
aborigincs of the country under the benign In
huenccs of education and civilization, 1t is
either this, or war of extermnatlon. Wars of
determination, engaged 10 by people pursuing
commerce and all industrial pursuits are ex
pensive even against the weakest people, and
are demoraIizing and wicked. Our superiority
of strength and advantages OF civilization,
should make US lenlent towards the Indians.
The wrong inflicted upon him should be taken
into account and the balance placed to his
credit. The moral view f the question should
be considered, and the question asked, Cannot
the Indian be made a useful and productive
member Of society by proper teaching and
treatment? IT the effort is made, in good
faith we will stand better before the civilized
nations of the earth, and in our own conscl-
ences, for having made it.
All these things arc not to be accomplished
by one Individual, but they will receive my sup
port, and such recommendation t. Congress as
will, in my judgment, best serve to carry them