The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-03-14
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

Inc PRESIDENT OF the voting sex has
again spoken. The Inaugural Address,
which is given in full in most of the
mems journals, is a terse, able and sem
sible production as far as it goes, but it
only hints at one broad Republican idea
that we should have been pleased to see
treated with full recognition, although 1
knowing his usual non-cOmmittal style /
upon matters not yet endorsed fully by 1
his legal advisers-who generally deal 4
much more with law and precedent |
than with judgment or comprehension |
of ideas-we did not expect it.
That the President has n glimmer Of
the broad expanse over which Liberty
is destined ultimately TO preside, we
gather from the following gleam of in
spiration:
1T is my firm conviction that the civilized
world is tending toward republicanism by the
people, and that our own great Republic is des-
tined 10 be the guiding star 10 all others"
1t is idle TO deny that women are
"people," and it is equally idle TO ignore
them and demand for the negro a ''fair
chance TO develop what is in him." But
politicians have endorsed the negro, and
the President reflects their sentiment;
they have not yet thoroughly endorsed
the women, and so he is not ready to rec
ommend that they shall.
Here is another gleam:
Il believe our great Maker is preparing 10
mould, in his own good time, one nation.
speaking one language ana IN whlch armies
and navies viii no longer be required"
Looking further through the address,
we find that Indians, who are also en-
dorsed by politicians, are receiving
full share Of attention. We are pleased
TO quote as follows:
sour superiority Of strength and advantage
OF civilization should make us lenient toward
the Indian: The wrongs already inflicted on
him should be taken into account, and a bal
ance placed to his credit. The moral view OF
the question should be considered. and the
question asked: Can the Indian be made n Use
ful and productive member OF society by proper
teaching and treatment ."
Now, if women only were negroes or
Indians, they would be Of some conse-
quence. But stay Here we are:
81 acknowledge before this assemblage, rep
resenting as IL does every section Of the coun-
try, the obligation am under for the great
honor they have conferred upon me by return
ing me 70 the highest office in their gift, and
the further obligation resting on me 10 render
the best services In my power"
Now, General Grant, the women of
this Union, who acquiesced in your
nomination and contributed by their
energy and intellect 100000 votes to Sc
cure your reelection, and who did this
work gratuitously, because you repre-
sented a party that had given them a
splinter to stand upon in its National
platform (which, being their only
choice, they unhesitatingly accepted,
the women of this Union read your
words and say, 1--WE hold you TO your
bargain, sir You have an opportunity
10 crown your retiring years Of public
service with an honor as great, yea,
greater far unto yourself than was con-
ferred upon the martyr-patriot, whose
Emancipation Proclamation will shine
forever with an unfading luster upon
his fame and name. You are, indeed,
under great obligation for the honor
conferred upon YOU and we shall
await with deep interest your future ac-
tion upon your firm conviction that
the world is tending to republieanisn
5y the people, in the hope that you vii
recommend to the next Congress tht
passage of a Declaratory Act, pronoune
ing the majority of the people of thi
so-ealled Republic entitled to an equa
representation with the minority. Thi
is the best service in your power t.
these people. Shall they be disap
pointed ~
We are pleased to see the manly goo,
sense Of the closing paragraph Of tn
address, showing that the President i
proudly ready to acknowledge his hum
bic origin; and we are also pleased T.
note that he is not indifferent TO tn
many aspersions against his forme
character with which the public are $,
familiar, and which we rejoice to sa.
his public life has proved him able t
reform from and rise above:
u was entirely without Influence, or the ac
quainfance Of persons with influence, but wa
resolved 10 perform my part in the Struggi
threatening the very existence OF the Nation
! performed il conscicntiousiy and withou
asking Tor promotion orcOmmand, and withuu
reEengeiul feeling toward any section or ind
vidual. Notwithstanding this, throughout tn
war, and from my candidacy for my preScu
Office in lSjS TO the close OF the last Presidcnia
campaign. nave been the subject OF abus'
and slandcr scarcely ever eQualed in pOlitca
history, which, to-day, / feel can afford 10 dis
regard, IN view OF your verdict, which ] CRATE
iully accept as my VindicajiOn."
When the President shall have dom
woman the Justice for which she prays
she too may, like him, have opportunit,
TO rise from life of real or suppose,
dissipation and without asking for pro
motion or command, have equal oppor
tunities with such as himself to "peT
form" her ''parr' in every great Ma
tional necessity.