New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-03-06
The Inaugural Address


endeavor IN the past to maintain all the laws
and, SO Tar as lay in my power, to act for tn
best interests Of the whole people. Nv hes
efforts will be given In the same direction II
the future, aided, trust, by NV four wears
experience in the office.
When my first torn Of the Office Of Chic
Executive began, the country had not recoy
cred from the effects Of great internal revo
luton, and three Of the former States Of thc
Union had not been restored 10 their Fedora
relations. II seemed to me wise that NJ
new questions should DO raised so long a.
that condition of affairs existed; therefore
the past four years, so far as could contro
events, have been consumed In the effort tc
restore harmony, public credit, commerce
and all the arts ofpeace and progress. 1t i
my firm conviction that the civilized world i
tending towards republication, or govern
ment BY the people through their chosen
representatives, and that our own great Re.
public Is destined to be the guiding star to al
others. Under our Republic we support an
army less than that Of any European powe,
OF any standing, and a navy less than tina,
OF either OF, at least, five Of them. There
could be no extension Of territory on this
continent which would call for an increase OIL
thus force, but rather might such extension
enable US to diminish 1t.
general progress. Now that the telegraph
Is made available for communicating thought,
together with rapid transit by steam, all parts
OF 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 ma
tional existence.
The effects of the late civil strife have been
to free the slave and make him citizen.
Yet he Is not possessed Of the civil rights
which citizenship should carry with It, This
is wrong, and should be corrected. To this
correction stand committed, SO far as Ex-
ecutiys influence can avail.
Social equality Is not a subject to be legis-
lated upon, nor shall ask that anything be
done to advance the social status Of the col
ored man, except to give him q fair chance
to develop 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 and fare he will re-
ceive.
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 exercised in
any other State under like circumstances.
In tho first year of the past Administration
the proposition came up for the admission Of
Santo Domingo az Territory Of tho Union.
1t was not question Of my seeking, but was
proposition from the people Of Santo Do
mingo, and which entertained. I believe
now, as did then, that it was for the best
interests OF this country, for the people Of
Santo Domingo, and all concerned that the
proposition should be received favorably. It
was, however, rejected, constitutionally, and
therefore the subject was never brought UP
again by me.
In future, while hold my present office,
the subject Of acquisition Of territory must
have the support Of the people before will
recommend any proposition looking to such
acquisition. say here, however, that do
not share in the apprehension held by many
as to the danger OF governments becoming
weakened and destroyed BIZ reason of their
extension Of territory. Commerce, cG,lca-
ton, and rapid transit Of thought and matter,
by telegraph and steam, have changed ali
this. Rather so do believe that 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 required.
My efforts In the future will be directed to
the restoration Of good feeling between the
different sections OF our common country. to
the restoration Of our currency to a fixed
value as compared with tho worlds standard
OF values, gold-and If possible to a par with
it; to the construction of cheap routes Of
transit throughout the land, TO the end that
the products of all sections may find market
and leave living remuneration to the pro-
Queer; to the maintenance of friendly rela-
tons with all our neighbors and with distant
nations; to the establishment OF our COM
merce and share In the carrying trade upon
the ocean to the encouragement of such
manufacturing industries as can be economi-
cally pursued ia this country, to the end that
the exports OF home products and industries
may pay tor our imports-the only sure
method of returning to and permanently
maintaining a specie basis to the elevation
of labor, and by humane source to bring
the aborigines of tho country under the be-
nign influence Of education and civilization.
1t Is either this or war Of determination.
Wars OF determination, engaged in by people
pursuing commerce and all industrial pursuits.
are expensive even against tho weakest peo-
pie, and are demoralizing and wicked. Our
superiority Of strength and advantages of
civilization should make US lenient toward
the Indians. The wrong already inflicted
upon him should be taken into account, and
the balance placed to his credit. The moral
view OF the question should be considered,
and the question asked: Cannot the Indian
be made useful and productive member of
society, by proper teaching and treatment :?
II the effort is made in good faith, we will
stand better before the civilized nations of
the earth and in our own consciences for
having made it..
AL these things are not to be accomplished
by one individual, but they will receive my
support, and such recommendations to Con-
gress as will, In my Judgment, best serve to
carry them into effect. l beg your support
and encouragement.
1t has been and Is my earnest desire to
correct ahuses that have grown up in tn Q civil
service of the country. To secure this re:or.
nation, rules regulating methods Of appoint.
ment and promotion were established and
have been tried. My efforts for such reform.
alton shall be continued to the best of my
Judgment. The spirit of the rules adopted
will be maintained.
acknowledge before this assemblage, rep
resenting as 1t does every section Of our coun-
try, the obligation am under to my country
men for the great honor they have conferred
on me by returning me TO the highest Office
within their gift, and the further obligation
resting on me to render to them the best
services within my power. This I promise,
looking forward with the greatest anxiety to
the day when shall be released from the re-
probabilities that at times are almost over
whelm!ng, and from which I have scarcely
had a respite since the eveutful firing upon