Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-03-06
TIE RUTLAND HERALD.
THURSDAY. MARCH 6. 1873.
.rhn SECOND inaugural.


We Law before our readers, this morn
ing, the second inaugural address OF
President Grant. Like his address, on
the occasion of his first inauguration
a. h-,of tarse concise and intelligible'
He has no particular, distinct Ilne u
policy to lay down and enforee' lhueeu'
Il was not necessary that he should an
nounce any particular line OF policy 10
be pursued in the future. He is willing
TO be Judged by his past course. That
his course has been wise and statesman
like, the present prosperity and condi-
ton of the country demonstrates. When
he assumed the executive direction OF
governmental affairs, four years ago,
he entered upon an untried field, but
with the determination TO see that the
laws were fully, faithfully and impair
TALLY executed, and to so act that the
hest interests of the whole countay might
be sustained and advanced. Having
faithfully carried out this determination,
he enters upon the further term of four
wears, aided, as he says, by the expert
enoe of the past, and resolved to con-
time to give his best efforts in the Same
direction. Knowing him, as we do,
having witnessed the beneficial results
of bis quiet but determined, and patri-
otic efforts, the future is full of promise.
He refers TO the fact that, at the coma
mencement Of his first executive term,
the country had not recovered from the
effects of the rebellion, and that por-
ton Of the Southern States had not been
fnIlv restored to their full and proper
relations to the general government.
Three States, at that time, were. prac-
tically, without republican form OF
poyernment--or a government republic
can in form The questions growing I'M
mediately out of the attempt on the
Dart of several OF the States, as States,
IN seeede and actual civil war between a
portion Of the people and the govern
msnt, representing the whole people,
hid not been 80 far settled as to restore
these States to their proper position in
the Union, or 10 allow them representa-
tion In Congress. 1t was, therefore, the
policy of the administration, that, until
such States should be restored to their
proper relations, that no new questions
of policy should be raised. The whole
power of the administration, so far, at
least, rs the President could shape and
control It, was devoted to the restora-
ton of peace and harmony at home, the
establishment of the public credit, the
revival of commerce and the general pro-
gress of the country. The success that
has crowned these efforts we had occa-
sion To refer to day or two since. The
President may be pardoned little eXul-
tation at these results, He has reason
to congratulate himself and the country
on the fact that 'the States, lately at
war with the general government, are
now happily rehabilitated, and no execu-
tive control is exercised in any of them
that would not be exercised in any other
State under like circumstances. While
this is a matter of exultation and con-
graduation, 1t, at the same time, sug-
gests a regret that there should be a
necessity for federal interference in any
State at any time. Such interference is,
however, sometimes rendered necessary
by an extraordinary state of affairs and,
at such times, 1t becomes the duty of
the President to act fearlessly and i'm
partially. This DUTY is imposed upon
him by the constitution, the laws of the
land and the judicial decisions of our
highest tribunals. Such condition of
affairs now exists, and has for some time
existed, in Louisiana. 1t is unfortunate
that Congress did not, in the exercise of
their power, If any power they had, pro-
vide solution of the difficulty. Action,
and immediate action, was urged upon
them by the President, but they saw fit
to adjourn without diSposing of the ques-
ton It remains only for the President
TO act in the way and manner indicated
In his message to Congress on the sub.
ject. We believe his past and proposed
course to be right, as we have had oc-
casioh to say before 1t is true, also,
that he has interfered only in the same
way that he would be compelled to in
terfere in any and all States under the
same complications. The fact is refer
red to that, as result of the rebellion,
the slave has been freed and become 8
citizen, yet he is not fully accorded
those civil rights which should, neces
sarily, attach TO citizenship. His views
on this subject, though expressed in the
fewest possible words, are wise anC
statesmanlike. Social equality cannot
be recognized and enforced by law, yet
every citizen is entitled to free and un.
restrained access to the public schools
and public conveyances. This is as far,
perhaps, as it is practicable to carry the
theory or practice of civil or socia
equality. While the law recognizes thu
freedom and equality of all, yet it does
not attempt to interfere with the socia
status of the individual. Each and every
one must select his associates and com
panions freely and without dictatiol
from others. The law has not and vii
not attempt to control these matters
but, otherwise, the equality of all mel
before the law must be maintained anC
enforced. Only a passing allusion i
made to San Domingo, and only then t.
say that while his opinion Is still un
changed, the people having decide,
against his views, he has no furthe
recommendation to make until the PEG
pie demand 1t. So with the acquisition
CT other territory, while he has no fear
from the expansion of our country, We
all propositions, looking to that end
must be endorsed by the people, befor
be shall feel called upon to recommend
such acquisition to the attention of Con
gress His general course in the futur
Ia briefly and tersely expressed and need
no further comment from us. We com
mend these concise utterances, as wei
as the entire address, to the careful peru