Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-03-06
President Grants Second IDaugw-
raj Address.


Fell0U Citizens Under Providence
| have been called a second time to act
as Executive over this great nation It
has been my endeavor in the past to
maintain all the laws, and so far as lay
in my power to act for the best interests
of the whole people. My best efforts
will be given in the same direction in the
future, aided, l trust, by my experience
Of four years in the office. When my
first term of the office of Chief EXeCu-
tive began the country had not recover
ed from the effects of great internal
revolution, and three of the former
States of the Union had not been re-
stored to their former federal relations
1t seemed to me wise that no new ques-
tiOns 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 i'm
the effort to realize harm nny, public
credit, commerce and the arts of peace
and progress. 1t is my firm conviction
that the civilized world is tending to-
ward republiCaniSm, or government by
the people through their chosen repre-
sentatives, and that oUr own great repub-
lie is destined 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, and navy less
than that of either of least four 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. The theory of govern
ment changes with general progress.
Now that the telegraph is made availa-
bic for communicating thought, togeth-
er with rapid transit by steam, all parts
of the continent 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 thirteen States
at the beginning of our national exis-
tence. The effects of the late civil
| strife have been to free the slave and
make him a citizen yet he is not pos
sessed of the civil rights which citizen
ship should carry with it. This is wrong
and should be corrected To this cor
rectiOn ! stand committed, so far as eX-
ecutive influence can avail. Social equal
| ity is not subject to be legislated upon
nor shall | ask that anything be done to
advance the social status of the colored
men, except to give him fair chance to
develop what there is good in him, give
him access to schools, and when he trav-
els let him feel assured that his conduct
will regulate the treatment and fare he
will receive. The States lately at war
with the general government are now
happily rehabilitated and no executive
control is exercised in any of them that
would not be exercised in any other
State under like circumstances. In the
first year of the past administration the
proposition came up for the admission
of Santo Domingo, as territory of the
Union. 1t was not question of my
seeking, but was proposition from the
| people of Santo Domingo, and which |
entertained | believe now, as | did
then, that it was for the best interests
OF the country, for the people of Santo
Domingo, and all concerned, that the
| proposition should be received favorably.
| 1t was, however, rejected constitutions
ally, and, therefore, the subject was
never brought up again by me In fu-
ture, while | hold my present Office. the
subject of territorial acquisition must
have the support of the people before
will recommend any proposition looking
to such acquisition. say here, howev
or, that do not share in the apprehen-
sion held by many as to the dangers of
governments becoming weakened and
destroyed by reasons Of their extension
of territory. Commerce, education and
rapid transit of thought and matter by
telegraph and steam have changd all