Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-03-11
The Inaugural Ceremonies.


concluded at twenty minutes past II O'Clock,
and the procession then proceeded by way of
the main entrance to the platform on the CEN
trail portico of the capital in the following Or
DER:
John G. Nicolay, marshal Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the United States.
Mr.. French, sergeant-at-arms of the Senate.
The senatorial committee of arrangements.
The President Of the United States and the
Vice President with the secretary of the SEN
ate.
The Senate Of the United States.
The Diplomatic corps.
Representatives OF the press.
Heads of departments.
Ex-members Of the House of Representa-
tives and members elect OF the Forty-thlrd
Congress.
Other persons, admitted to the floor and gal
lsries.
The procession fled out through the rotunda
to the platform, where the front seats were as
signed to the diplomatic corps and Supreme
Court. Mrs. Grant and the members of the
Presidents family were also seated
ON THE GRAND INAUGURATION STAND,
erected at the eastern main entrance to the
Capitol, which was handsomely draped with
large American flags. 1t extended from the
centre landing outward, and was elevated over
the lower flight of stairs. was about twelve feet
high In front, sixty feet IN width, and about
forty-fve feet in depth. About three hundred
persons in rows on the platform, and probably
twice as many more found seats on the stone
steps rising behind the stand.
Overlooking the stand in the rear and to the
north vas the well known group OF statuary
representing the white man struggling with the
red man, and his wife crouching in the rear
and opposite, on the south, Was the statue OF
Columbus in the act of representing the ro-
tundty of the earth by means Of globe which
he holds ia tbs palm Of bis outstretcGed hand.
Opposite the inauguration stand seats were
erected in the East Capitol Park capable of &C
commodating about 1850 persons Tickets
were issued on Saturday and Monday by Ser
geant alarms French, OF the Senate TO the
number of persons mentioned, and every seal
was occupied.
At half past twelve o'clock the President arose
to take the cath Of Office prescribed By the con-
stitution. AS the Chief Justice held the Holy
Beck in his.hand and repeated the text Of the
oath, every head was uncovered, ard deep ST.
ience perVade0 the multitude.
TAKING THE OATH.
As the Chief Jnstice concluded, President
Grant raised the Bible to bis lips, upon which
there was simultaneous outburst OF cheers
from the assembled thousands iH front Of the
stand, and al the same moment q battery o. ar
tillery stationed ca The north OF the Capitol
thu0derea torth q salute, flags (many OF them
tattered and war-worul waved in The breeze, and
the fire department added 80 the genera! accla-
mati0o by sounding their gongs,
TEE SCENE IN FRONT Or GRAND INAUGURAL
TI0N STAND
was CHG Ct exceptional briliancy. The varied
and gay uniforms Of The visiting and home or
CARNATIONS, the bright coIors waving in the
breeze, the polished apparatus Of the FIRE de-
Dartinent and the immense concourse OF ladies
and gentlemen stationed IL the plaza below the
stand, all attired il holiday apparel, served to
render the scene one Of extraordinary beauty
and inpressiveness Directly in front CT the
stand waved large battle-fag, SO riddled By
the ''hattle and the breeze'' that it was almost
il ribbons 1t was Inscribed With the names OF
various battles, and attracted especial atten-
ton.
As soon as the Chief Justice had administer
ed the oath Of Office and resumed his seat, the
President arose and read from the manuscript
his inaugural address, as follows:
Inaugural Address.
Fel!ow-Ci.izens: Under Providence I have
been called eecond time to act as Executive
over this great nation Ii has been my endeav-
or in the past to maintain all the laws, and SO
ests Of the whole people.
My best efforts will be given in the same d.
rection in the future, aided, / trust, by my four
years experience il the Office. When my first
term Of the office Of Chief Executive began
the country had not recovered from the effects
of great internal revolution. and three of the
former states Of the union had not been re-
stored TO their federal relations. 1t seemed to
me wise that no new questions should be raised
so long as that condition OF affairs existed
therefore the pas. four years, SO far as I could
control events hare been consumed in the ef-
tort to restore harmony, public credit COM
merce, and all the arts of peace and progress.
It is my firm conviction that the civilized
world Is tending towards republication, Or gov
egment By the people through their chosen rep
regentatiEes, and that our own great republic is
destined to be the guiding star to all others -
Under our republic va support an army less
than that OF aDy European power Of any stand
ing, and navy less than that Of at least five
Of them. There could be no extension OF ter
ritory en- this continent which would call for an
increase CT this force, but rather might such
extension enable Us to ditninish it
The theory OF government changes with gen.
eral progress. Now that the telegraph is made
available foy communicating Thought, together
with rapid transit by steam, all parts OF the
continent are made contiguous for all purposes
of government and communication between
the extreme h.aits Of the country made easier
than It was throughout the old thirteen States
at the heEinniog 81 QUE national 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 executive influence
can avail. Social equality is not subject TO be
legisIated upon, nor shall [ ask that anything
be done to advance tho social status Of the COL
cred man except to give him Q fair chance to
develop wha: there Is good In him. Give him
access TO schools. aGd when he travels let him
feel assured tbat his conduct will regulate the
treatment aud fare he will receive.
The States lately at war with the general gov
crume0t aga acw happily rehabilitated, aud 10
executive control is exercised ia any one Of
them thai gouid 30. 30 exercised 10 any other
State under Ike circumstances.
Iii the fret year Of tne past administration
the proposition came Up fer the admission, CT
San:o Domiego as q Territory Of the Union. 49,
IL vas not question Of my seeking, but was
proposition fr0m the people Of Santo Domingo.
and which l eatertai1ed. I balieye low, as |
did then, that Il 0as for the best interests Of
this country, Tor the psopls Of 6anto Domingo
aud all concerned, tbat the proposition should
be received is7ar&bsy. /. was, however reIeo-
ted coGatitQdcoaiiS, and therefore the subject
Was never pfought up again By me.
In future, Whlie l held ny present otnce, ttie
subject Oh acquisition OF territory must have the
support O. The people before ! will recommend