The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-03-13
inaugural Address of President Grant.

tive 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 interests Of the whole people. My best
efforts will be given in the same direction in
the future; aided, trust, by my four years
experience in the Office. When my first term
of Office of Chief Executive began, the country
had not recovered from t1e effects of great
internal revolution, and three of the former
States of the Union had not been restored to
their Federal relations. 1t seemed to me that
no new questions should be raised, so long as
that condition of affairs existed. Therefore,
the past four years, so far as could control
events, have been consumed in the effort to re-
store harmony, public credit, commerce, and
all the arts of peace and progress. :. :,
1t is nv firm conviction that the civilized
world is tending toward republicanism, or gov
ernment by the people, through their chosen
representatives and that our own great repub-
lie is destined to be the guiding star to all 9TH
ers. Under our republic, we support an army
less than that of any European power OF any
standing, and navy less than that of either OF
at least five of them. There could be no exten-
sion of territory on this continent which could
call for an increase of this force; but rather
might such extension enable US to diminish it.
The theory of government changes with gen.
eral progress. Now that the telegraph is made
available for communicating thought, together
with rapid transit by steam, all parts of a con-
tinent are more 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 national existence.
The effects of the late civil strife have been
to free the slave and make him q citizen; yet
he is not possessed of the civil rights which cit
izenship should carry with it, This is wrong,
and should be corrected. To this correction L
stand committed, so far as executive influence
can avail Social equality is not subject to
be legislated upon; nor shall l ask that any
thing be done to advance the social status of
the colored man, except to give him fair
chance to develop what there is good in him.
Give him access to schools and when he tray-
els, let him feel assured that it is his conduct
that will regulate the treatment that he will re-
ceive. The States lately at war with the Cen
eral 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 the first year of the present adI1inistra-
ton, the proposition came up for the admission
of Santo Domingo as Territory of the Union.
1t was not a question of my seeking, but was
proposition from the people of Santo Domingo;
and which I entertained. believe now as l
did then-that it was the interest of this coun-
try, the people of Santo Domingo, and all con-
cerned, that the proposition should be received
favorably. 1t was, however, rejected, constitu-
tionally; and, therefore, the subject was never
brought up again by me. In the future, while
hold my present Office, the subject OF the &C,
QUESTION of territory must have the support OF
the people before will recommend any propo-
sition looking to such acquisition. say here,
however, that do not share in the apprehen-
sion held by many as to the danger of the Gov
eminent becoming weakened and destroyed by
reason of its extension of territory. Commerce,
education, and rapid transit of thought and
mat. ..r by telegraph and steam, have changed
ali this. Rather do 1 believe that our Great
Master is preparing the world, in his own good
time, to become one nation, speaking one Ian
puaqe. and when armies and navies will be no
longer required.
Nv efforts in the future will be directed to
the restoration of good feeling between the diff
ferent sections of our common country; to the
restoration of our currency to fixed value, as
with the worlds standard of values
-gold-and, if possible, to par with it; to
the construction of cheap routes OF transit
through the land, to the end that the products
of all sections may find market, and leave a
living remuneration to the producer; to the
maintenance of friendly relations with all our
neighbors and with distant nations; to the re-
of our commerce and our share
in the carrying trade upon the ocean to the
encouragement of such manufacturing indus
tries as can be economically pursued in this
country, to the end that the exports of home
products and industries may pay for our I'M
ports-the only sure method of returning to
and permanently maintaining specie basis; to
the elevation Of labor; and by humane
course, to bring the aborigines of the country
under the benign influences OF education and
civilization. It is either this or war of e1ter-
mination. Wars of determination engaged in
by people pursuing commerce and all industrial
pursuits. are expensive, even against the weak
est people, and are demoralizing the wicked.
Our superiority of strength and advantages OF
civilization should make us lenient towards the
Indian. 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 ques.
ton asked, cannot the Indian be made useful
and productive member of society, by proper
teaching and treatment? If 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. All these
things are not to be accomplished by one indi,,
ual but they will receive my support. and
such recommendations to Congress as will, in
nv Judgment, best serve to carry them into ef-
feet. 1 beg your support and encouragement.
1t has been and is my earnest desire to cor.
rect the abuses that have grown up in the civil
service of the country. To secure this reforma-
tion, rules regulating the methods Of appoint
ment and promotion were established, and have
been tried My efforts for such reformation
shall be continued, to t.. ,st of my, Judgment.
The spirit of the rules adopted will be main
tained.
acknowledge, before this asscmblage repre-
senting as it does every section of our country,
the obligation ain under to my countrymen
for the great honor they have conferred on me,
by returning me to the highest office within
their gift; aud the further obligation resting, on
me to render to them the best services within
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