The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1873-03-06
cRANT,s INAUGURAL


tive over TINS great nation. IL ma
been my endeavor in the past to main
tain all the laws, and, so far as lay ii
my power, to act for the best inter
ests Of the whole people. My bcs
efforts will be given in the same d
rection in the future, aided, trust
by my four years experience in tht
Office. When my FIRST term Of the
Office Of Chief Executive began
the country had not recovered from
the effects of = great internal revolu-
tion and three Of the former States
i had not been restored TO their federal
relations. Il seemed to me wise that
NO new question should be raised while
that condition Of affairs existed: there.
fore, in the past four years, so far as
could control events, have endeav.
ored TO restore harmony and advance
the public credit, commerce and all
the arts of peace and progress.
1t is my firm conviction that the
civilized world is tending toward re-
publicanism, or the government BY
the people through their chosen rep
resentatiyes, and our own great Re-
public is destined to be, the guiding
star to all others. Under our Repub-
lie we support an army less than that
of any European power Of any stand
ing, and navy less than that of at
least FIVE Of them. There could be
no extension Of territory on this con-
tinent which would call for an increase
OF this force, but rather might be such
an extension enable us to diminish it.
The theory Of government changes
with general progress. Now. that
the telegraph is made available for
communicating thought, together
with rapid transit by steam, al parts
of the continent are made contiguous
for all purposes Of the Government,
and communication between the ex-
treme limits Of the country made ca
sier than it was through the old thir-
teen States At the beginning of our
national existence.
The effects or 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 |
shoald carry with it. This is wrong,
and should be corrected. To this
correction / stand committed, SO far
Is Executive influence can avail. So
,ial equality is not subject to be
egislated upon, nor shall | ask that
.nything be done to advance the So
,ial status Of the colored man, except |
o give him fair chance to develop
what there is good in him. Give
lim access to schools, and when he
ravels let him feel assured that his
conduct will regulate the treatment
md fare that he will receive.
The States lately at war with the
General Government are now happily
'ehabilitated, and no executive con-
roll is exercised in any one Of them
hat would not be exercised in any
other State under like circumstances.
In the first year Of the past admin
stration, the proposition came up for
the admission Of Santo Domingo as a
territory Of the Union. 1t was not
question of my seeking, but was
proposition from the people of Santo
and which / entertained. I
believe now, as | did then, that it was
for the best interests of this country.
or the people Of Santo Domingo and
AL concerned that the proposition
should be received fayoraa,ly. II was,
however, regarded as unconstitution-
al, and, therefore, the subject was
never brought up again by me. In
future, while | hold my present Office,
the subject Of the acquisition Of terri
tory must have the support Of the
people before l will recommend any
proposition looking to such an acqui-
sition. | say here, now, however,
that l do not share in the apprehen-
sion held by many as to the danger of
a government becoming weakened and
destroyed by reason Of their extension
Of territory. Commerce, education
and the rapid transit Of thought and
matter by telegraph and steam have
changed this belief, or, rather, this
disbelief that our Great Maker is pre-
barring the world in his own good |
line to become one nation, speaking |
me language, and when armies and
layies will be no longer required.
My efforts in the future will be d.
ected to the restoration Of good feeling
etween the different sections Of our
ommon country, to the restoration Of |
ur currency to . fixed value, rs COM
jared with the worlds standard Of
'slues, gold. and, II possible to par
With it; to the construction of cheap
outes Of transit throughout the land,
o the end that the products Of all sec
ions may find market and leave a
living remuneration to the producer;
o the maintenance Of friendly rela.
ions with eli our neighbour and With
|istant nations; to the establishment
4 our commerce and share in the car
'ying trade upon the ocean; to the
Of such manufacturing
industries as can be economically pur-
'ued in this country, to the end that
he exports of home products aud in
iustries may pay for our imports; to
he only sure method OF returning to
and permanently maintaining specie
basis; to the elevation Of labor, and by
humane course to bring the aborignes
II the country under the benign infiu-
,nces Of education and civilization. 1t
8 either this or war Of determination.
Wars Of extermination, engaged in by
'eople pursuing commerce and all in
l0striai pursuits, are expensive even
gainst the weakest people, and are
'smorsliziug and wicked. Our supe-
iority Of strength and the advantages
( civilization should make Us lenient |
Dward the Indian. The wrong al
sady inflicted upon him should 10
Aken into account and the balance
laced to his credit. The moral view
n n 1