Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1873-03-12
The Inaugural Address.

AeteH'tHd-tHss-b buutT ifoNiuthNts
have been called second time TO act as
executive over this great nation. l, has
bean my endeavor in the past 10 maintain
all the laws, and, 30 far as lay in NV pow
o., TO act for the best interests Of the
whole people. My best efforts will be
given in the same direction in the future.
aided ] trust. by my four years expert
ence in the office. When my FIRST term
Of chief executive began, the country had
nc, recovered from the effects of great
internal revolution. and three Of the for.
mer states Of the UuiOu had not been re-
stored to their federal relations. IL
seemed TO me wise that no new questions
should be raised so long rs that condition
Of affairs existed. Therefore. the past
four bears, so far as could control events,
have been consumed in the effort to re-
store harmony, public credi,, commerce,
and all the arts Of peace and progress.
1t is my firm conviction that the civi.
lized world is tending toward republican.
ism, or government by lhe people through
their chosen representatives. ard that our
own great republic is destined to be the
guiding star 10 all others. Under our re.
public 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 ex.
tension ofterritory on this continent which
would call for an increase of this force,
but rather might such extension enable
us 10 diminish it, The theory of govern
ment changes with the general progress.
Now that the telegraph is made available
for communicating thought, together with
rapid transit BY steam, all PARTS of con-
tinent are made contiguous for all pu pos.
es Of government, and communication be-
tween the extreme limits of the country
made easier than it was throughout the
Old thirteen states, a, the beginning Of cur
national existence.
The effects of the late civil strife have
been to free the slave and make him u
citizen. yet he is not possessed ofthe civil
rights which citizenship should carry with
it, Thisis wrong, and should be correct
ed. To this conviction stand committed,
so far as exclusive influence can avail.
Social equality IS not a subject to be leg.
islated upon, nor shall ask that anything
be done to advance the social status OF
the colored man, except to give him u fair
chance to develor what there is good in
him. Give him access 10 schools, and
when he travels, let him feel assured that
his conduct will regulate the treatment
aud fare he will receive. .,s-......
The states7lately u, war with the gencr.
al government are now happily rehabili-
ta;ed, and no executive control is exer-
eised in any Que Of Them that would not
be exercised in any ether state, under like
circumstances. ...
In the first year Of The past ad,ninistro-
tion the rrcrositich came up for the ad-
mission of Santo Domingo as a territory
Of the Union. IL was not question of
my seeking. but was proposition from
the people of Santo Domingo, and which
| entertained. | believe now, as did
then, that il was for the best interests of
this country, tor the people Of Santo Do
mlngo, and all concerned that the propo-
sition should be received favorabIy. 1t
was, however, rejected constitutionally,
and therefore the subject was never
brought up again by me. LII future, while
l hold my present office, the subject Of the
acquisition Of territory must have the sup
#
port ofthe people before | will recommend
any proposition looking to such acquisi-
tion. | say here, however, that 10 not
share in the apprehension held by many
as to the dnnge, governments becoming
weakned aud destroyed by reason Of their
ex,epron Of territory Commerce, edu-
cation and the rapid transit Of thought
and matter BY telegraph and steam, have
nhanged all this. Rather do 1 believe
rhat our Great Maker is preparing the
world in His own good time to become one |.
nation. speaking one language. and when
armies and navies will be no longer re-
quired. ae
My efforts in tho future will be direc-
ted to restoration of good feeling between
the different sections of cur common
country; to u restoration Of our currency
to q fixed value, as compared with the
worlds stanGard Of values gold, and,
if possible, TO q par with it TO the con-
strucliop Of cheap routes Of transit
throughout the aud. to the end that the
products of all sections may find mnr.
ket, and leave remuneration to the pro-
Queer; 10 the maiptainance of friendly
relations with all our neighbors. and
with distant nations to the re.esiablish-