The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1873-03-08
Inaugural Address Of U. =.
Grant, President.

lOI1 CitizeRS-UEder Providence /
have been called a second time to
act as the Executive over this
great nation. 1t has been my en-
deavor in the past to maintain all
the laws, and so far as lay in my
power, to act for the best inter
ests of the whole people. My
best efforts will be given in the
same direction in the future, and
/ trust to profit by my four years.
experience in the Office. When
my first term of the Office of Chief
Executive began, the country had
not recovered 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. seemed
to me wise that no new question
should be raised so long as that
condition of affairs existed +; there
fore, the past four years, SO far as
I could control events, have been
consumed in the effort to restore
harmony, public credit, commerce,
and all tue arts of peace and prog
ress. 1t is my firm conviction
! that the civilized world is tend
ing toward Republicanism, Of gov
ernment by the people through
their chosen representatives, and
that our own great republic is
destined to be the guiding star to
all. Under our republic we support
r an army less than that of any
r European power of any standing
> and a navy less than that of either
of at least FIVE of them. There
y could be no extension Of territory
|. on this continent which would
q call for an increase Of this force,
but rather might such extension
o require us to diminish it. The
h theory of government changes
with general progress; now thai
the telegraph is made available fOl
A communicating thoughts, together
with rapid transit by steam, al
parts of the continent are made
contiguous for all purposes o
:. government, and communication
between the extreme limits Of Eh'
" country are made easier than j
a was throughout the old thirteel
lg States at the beginning Of on
Vi national independence. The et
fects of the late civil strife bav
a been to free the slave and max
y, him a citizen, yet he is not possess
ell of the civil rights which Cit
u zenship should convey with il
q This is wrong and should be col
d. rected. TO this correction stan
sc committed so far as executive il
oy fiuence can avail. Social e9ualit
is not q subject to be legiSlate
ne upon, nor shall l ask that au.
u thing be done to advance tue 81
lie cial status of the colored man, e.
IN cept to give him a fair chance
1t, develop what there is good in hin
he Give him access to schools, an
is when he travels let him feel assn
sc ed that his conduct will regnlat
the treatment and fare he will T
cieye. The States lately at VIZ
a with the general government al
SD now happily re established, an
on no executive control is exercise
ct, in any one of them that would N
of be exercised in any other Sta
, - under like circumstances. In Il
e first year of the past Administer
y ton a proposition came up for Il
u admission of San Domingo as
III territory of the Union; it was NJ
to a question of my seeking; it was
all proposition from the people
his San Domingo and which L ente
all tanned. l believe now, as l d
no then, that it was for the best i
81 terests of this country, for &
W. people of San Domingo and ;
'c' concerned, that the propesiti'
is should be received faverably.
IA was however rejected cOnstit
of tionally, and therefore the subje
Die was never brought up again
sly me. In the future, while | he
ne my present Office, the subject
Il the acquisition of territory mt
have the support Of the peOI
before / will recommend any p
,ss position. / say here, however,
% do not share in the apprehensi
! q held by many as to the danger
" the government becoming we;
IA ened aud destroyed by reason
Ia the extension OF territory. Go
o o.S merce, education and rapid tran
oftholght and matterby telegra
and steam, have changed all Il
Neither do / believe that
ing Great Maker is preparing
nm, world in his own good time to
come one nation, speaking
md. language, and when armies