The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-03-11
GRANT.
The Inaugural Address.

my power, to act for the best interests OF
the whole people My best efforts will
be given i'll the same direction in the fu-
Iure, aided, trust, by my ieur years ex-
perience in Office Ftt
When my first term Of tue Office Of
Chief Executive began the conLtry had
not recovered from the effects Of great
internal revolution. and three Of the. for
mer States of the Union had not been re-
storedio their former Federal relations.
1t seemed TO me wise that no new ques-
lion should lie raised, so long as that con-
dition Of affairs existed. Therefore. the
past four years, so far as I could control
events, have been consumed in the effort
to restore harmony, the pnbic credit
commerce and all The arts of peace and
progress.
tits my frm conviction that the civil
lied world is tending toward republican.
ism,or government by the people through
their chosen representatives, and that our
great Republic is destined to he the guild.
ing star to all others. Under our Repuh-
lie We support an army less than that of
any European Power of any standing.
and 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 extension
enable US to diminish it. T
The theory of government changes
with the general progress. Now thatthe
telegraph is made available for the COM
municating of thought, together with the
rapid transit by steam, all parts of the
continent are made contiguous for all pur-
poses of government; and communities
ton between the extreme limits of the
country is made easier than it was
throughoutthe 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 cit.
izen. Yet he is not possessed of the civil
rights which citizenship should carry
with it.. This is wrong, and should be
corrected. To this correction ] stand
committed, so far as Executive influence
can avail Social equality is not sub.
ject to be legislated upon, nor shall ask
that anything be done to advance the so
cial status Of the colored man, except to
give him full chance to develop what
there is good in him. Give him access to
schools; and when he travels let him Zee
assured that his conduct will regulate tht
treatment and fare he will receive,
The States lately at war with the Gene
raj Government are now happily rehabil
itated, and no Executive control isexer
cised in any one of them that would no
be exercise., in any other State under like
circumstances.
In the first year of the past Admins
tration the proposition came up for thu
admission of Santo Domingo as Terri
tory of the Union. 1t was not question
of my seeking, but was proposition
from the people of Santo Domingo, ant
which entertained. / believe now, as
did then, that it was for the best interests
lof this country, for the people of Sante
Domingo, and all concerned, that tn
proposition should be received favora
bly,. 1t was, however, rejected constitu
tionally, and, therefore, the subject wa
never brought up again by me.
In the future, while | hold my presen
Office, the subject of the acquisition o
territory must have the support of tn
people before will recommend an,
proposition looking TO such acquisition
| say. how over, that ! do not eifare in ti,
apprehension held by many as to the dan
ger oftbe Governments becoming weak
ened and destroyed by reason of the ex
tension Of territory. Commerce, educa
ton, and the rapid transit of thought ant
matter by telegraph and steam hav
changed all this. Rather do / believe tina
our Great Maker is preparing the world
in His own good time, to become one ma
ton, speaking one language, and whel
armies and nayies will be no longer re
quired. s@i3
My efforts in the future will be di
rected to the restoration of good feehn
between the different sections OF on
common country; to the restoration Q
our currency to fixed velue as compal
ed with the worlds standard Of values
gold, and, if possible, to par with it; 7
the construction of the cheap routes 9
transit throughout the land, to the en-
that the products Of all sections ma
find market. and leave living remr
neration to the producer; to the main
tenance of friendly relations with all on
neighbors and with distant nations; '
the establishment of our commerce an
share in the carrying trade upon th
ocean, to the encouragement Of sue
manufacturing industries as can be econ
omically pursued in this country, oth
end that the exports of home product
and industries may pay for our import
the only sure method of returning t
and permanently maintaining speci
tasis to the elevation Of labor, and b,
a humane course to bring the aborigine
OF the country under the benign in6u
ence of education and civization. 1t |
either this or a war Of extermination
and wars of extermination engaged il
by people pursuing commerce and al
industrial pursuits are expensive, eve
against the weakest people, and are de
moralizing and wicked. Our superior
itY of strength and advantages ct civil
ization should make us lenient towar
the Indian. The wrong already inflici
ed upon him should be taken into &C
count, and the balance placed to hi
credit. The moral view of the questio
should be considered, and the question
asked, "Can not the Indian be made
useful and productive member of SO
ciety ty proper teaching and treat
ment?" When the effort is made il
good faith we will stand clear before tn
civilized nations of, the earth and in GU
own consciences for having made it.
All these things are not to he accom-
plished by one individual, but they Wi
receive support and such recommends
tion to Congress as will, in my jude
ment, best serve to carry them into ei
feet l beg your support and encoul
agement 80 on
| II has been aud is my earnest desir
to correct the abuses that have grow
up in the Civil Service system Of th
country. To secure this reformatio,
rules and regulations, methods of ap
pointment and also promotion were cs