The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-03-06
THE INAUGURATION.

most Imposing ceremony ever witnessed IL
this country. Tae civil and military displays
surpassed aay thing of the kind organized
since the foundation Of the government.-
Every State and Territory was represented.
The chair 10 which Washington set just pre-
vlous 10 his first Inauguration was sent By ez-
press from New York, where it was in the
family Of the late ". II c. Waddill, former
" Marshal Of the southern district CT New
York, and placed oa the platform aaa occa-
pied By President Grant previous to his inan-
garasion. Il is Of solid mahogany, with an
open frame back with two crosses formed in it.
The following is the inaugural address OF
the President:
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FELLow-c CITIZENS Under Providence,
have been called second time to act as
Executive over this great nation. 1t has
been my endeavor in the past to maintain
all the laws, and, so far as in my power,
to act for the interests of the whole people.
Ny 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
Executive began, the country had not re-
covered 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. It seemed to me wise
thas no new questions should be raised 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 ere
dit, commerce, and all the arts Of peace
and progress. It is my firm conviction
that the civilized world is tending towards
republicanism, or government by the peo-
ple through their chosen representatives.,
and that our own great Republic is destin-
ed to be the guiding star to all others
Under our Republic we support an army
less than that Of any European Power Of
any standing, anda navy less than that Of
either Of at least five Of them. There could
De no extension of territory on this CONT
nent which would call for an increase Of
this force, but rather might such extension
enable Us to diminish it, The theory Of 60
vernmcnt changes with general progress
Now that the telegraph is made available
for communicating thought, together with
rapid transit by steam, all parts of u conti-
nent are made contiguous for all purposes
Of government, and COMMUNICATION between
the extreme limits of the country made
easier than it was throughout the old thir-
teen States at the beginning of our national
existence. The effects Of tho civil strife
have been to free the slave and make him
g citizen. Yet he is not possessed of the
civil rights which citizenship should carry
with it. This is wrong and should be cor
reetcd. To this correction Island commit
ted, SO far as Executive influence can a.
vail. Social equality is not subject to be
legislated upon, nor shall ask that any
thing be done to advance the social status
Of the colored man except TO give him a
fair chance to develop what there is good
in him. Give him access to schools, and
when he travels, let him feel assured that
his conduct will regulate the treatment
and the fare he will receive.
The States lately at war with the gene
rel government are now happily rehabili-
tated, and no Executive control is exercis-
ed in any one Of them that would not be
exercised in any other State under like cir
cumstances.
La the first year Of the past administration
the proposition catoe up for the annexation
Of Santo Domingo as assterritory ofthe Uuioa.
It was not a question ofmy seeking, but vas
q proposition from the people Of Santo Do
mingo. and which | entertained believe
now, as | did then, that it was for the best
interests Of this couatry, fer the people Of
santo Domingo, and all coneer ned, thai the
proposition should be received favorably.-
It was, however, rejected, copstitutional|y
and therefore the subject was never brought
up again BY me.
In future, while hold my present Office,
the subject OF acquisition of territory must
have the support Of the people before I will
recommend any proposition looking to such
acquisition. I say here, however, that dc
not share in the apprehension held by many as
to the danger Of the Government becoming
weakened and destroyed by reason of their
extension Of territory. Commerce, education
and rapid transit Of thought and matter by
Telegram pin and steam, have changds all this
Z 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 aad navies will DC no lon
ger required.
My efforts 10 the future will be directed te
the restoration Of good feeling between the
different sections of our common country &c
the restoration Of our currency to fixed val
ue as compared with the worlds standard Of
valuos-gold, and if possible to par with il
to the construction Of cheaper routes of tran
sit throughout the land, to thu end that the
proceeds Of all sections may fad q market
aud leave living remuneration to the pro-
ducer to the maintenance of friendly rela-
tions with all our neigh5ors and with distant
nations to the re-establshment Of our com
Inerce and share III the carrying trade upon
the ocean to the encouragement of such
manufacturing industries as can be cconomi.
caly pursued ia this country, to the end that
the exports Of home products and Industries
may pay for our imports-the only sure
method Of returning to and permanently
maintaining specie basis; to the elevation
Of labor, and by a humane course to bring
the aborisincs Of the country under the be-
nign influences Of education aui civilization
! It is either this or war OF extcrmuation. =