Connecticut western news., 1873-03-14
President Grants Inaugural
 Address.

have been called second time 10 act as Executive over this nation. It has been my endeavor in the past 10 maintain all the Jaws, and, so far as lays my power, to act for the benefit of the whole nation. My best efforts will be given in the same di rection in the future, aided I trust, by my four years experience in the office. When my first term of the office of Chief Execu- tive began, the country had not recovered from the effects of & great internal rev0lu= tion, and three of the former States of the Union had not been restored to their Fed eral relations. .y ...,
 It seemed to me wlse that no questions should be raised, 90 long as that condition of affairs existed; therefore the past four years, SO far as l could control events, have been consumed in the effort to restore harmony. public credit, commerce and all the arts of peace and progress. It is my firm conviction that the civilized world IS tending towards Republicanisnl, or govern ment hy the people through their chosen representatives, and that our great Repub- lie is destined to be the guiding star of all others. rs -,= ,,.---.... -.f- E. -,....
 Under our Republic we support an army less than that of any European power of any standing, and navy less than that of either at least five of them There could be
 
 which could call for an increase of this force, but rather might such extension en- able us to diminish it. .ssa.lt
 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 the continent are made contiguous for the, purposes of government and communication between the extreme limits of the country made easier than it was. through the old thirteen States at the beginning of our national existence. la
 The effects of our late civil strife have been to free the slave and make him asciti- Zen, yet be ia not possessed of the civil rights which citizenship should carry with It. This is wrong and should be corrected.
 To this correction stand committed, 50 far as executive influence can avail. SO- cial equality is not subject to be legislat- ed upon, nor shall ]. ask that anything be done to advance the social status of the colored mar, except to give him s fair chance to develope 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 he will receive. ragn7 .i .5ra sis rshrss'n
 The States lately at war with the General Government are now happily rehabilitated, and no executive control is exercised in any one of them that would not be exer- cised in any other State under like circum- stances. r, .y,..,g.... ... r......+t.4 !
 In the first year of the present Adminis- tfstion the question came up for the admis- sion of Santo Domingo as territory of the Union. It was not 8 question of my seek. ing, but was proposition from the people of Santo Domingo. and which entertain ed. I believe now as did then that it was for the best interests of this country. fol the people of Santo' Domingo, and ali con. cerned, that the, proposition should be re- ceived fayorably. It was, however, reject. ed constitutionally, and therefore the sub 1ect was never again brought up by me. !
 In future. while hold my present office, the subject of acquisition of territory must have the support of the people before l will recommend any proposition looking to such acquisition. I say here, however that do not share in the apprehension held by many as tothe danger of governments be- cunning weakened and destroyed by reason their extention of territory. Commerce. education, and the rapid transit of thought and matter by means of the telegraph and steam have changed all this. Rather do l believe that our Great Maker is preparing the world, in His own good time, to be- come one nation, speaking one language. and then armles and navies will be no lon ger required. My efforts in the future will be directed to the restoration of good feel ing between the different sections of our common country, to the restoration of our currency to fixed vafSe as compared with the worlds standard of values (gold). and if possible to par with it; to the construc tion of cheap routes Of transit throughout the land. to the end that the products of all sections may find 8 market, and leave 8 living remuneration to the producer; to the maintenance of friendly relations witl our neighbcrs, and with distant nations , to the re-establishEent of our commerce and our share of the carrying-trade upor the ocean; to the encouragement of suct manufacturing interests as can be ecoponi cally pursued in this country, to the enc that the exports of home products and in dustries may pay for our imports, the only sure method of returning to and permanent y maintaining specie basis; to the eleva tion of labor, and, by humane course to bring the abOriginees of the country un der the benign influences of education ant civilizatiPo. It is either this or a war 0 exsermination. Wars of extermination engaged in by people pursuing commerc. and all industrial pursuits, are expensive even against the weakest people, and ar, demoralizing and wicked. Our superiorit, of strength and advantages of civilization should make us lenient towards the Indian should be taken into account, and the bal ance placed to his credit. The moral viey of the question should be considered an the question asked, Cannot the Indian b made useful and productive member 0 society by proper teaching and treatment If the effort is made in good faith we vii stand well before the civilized nations 0 the earth, and in our own conscience fc having made it. All these things are nc to be accomplished by one individual, bt, they will receive my support and such rec ommendatiOn to Congress as will, in m judgment, best serve to carry them into ei feet, and beg your support and encoul agement. ...-. 11g 3s3zs-.
 It has been and is my earnest desire { correct abuses that have grown up in th civil service of the country. To secur this reformation, rules regulating metho of appointment and promotions were estai lished and have been tried. My efforts fc such reformation shall be continued to th best of my judgment. The spirit of th rules adopted shall be maintained.
 acknowledge before this .assemblag representing as it does every section of ou country, the obligation I am under to m countrYmen for the great honor they hay conferred upon me by returning me to th highest office within their gift, and the ful ther obligations resting upon me. to rende them the best services within my powel This promise, looking forward to the da when shall be released from the respons bilities that at times are almost overwhelm ing, and from which have scarcely had respite since the eventful firing upon Fo Sumpter in April, 1861. to the present day My services were then rendered and accept ed under the first call of troops growing or of that event., l did not ask for place ( position, and was entirely without infuene Of the acquaintance of persons of influ