The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-03-07
INAUGURATION CEREMONIES
Inaugural Address.

ncalQuaIteIS, pCSaH "osCinoiAhS vi
Pennsylvania Avenue. Promptly on
time the procession under General
Barry, Grand Marshal, began to
move, and the President, in an open
carriage, accompanied by Senators
Cragin, Logan and Bayard, took his
place in the procession, amidst great
enthusiasm and hearty plaudits.
Thesprocession numbered 10000,
and when arrived at the Capitol, it
with the crowd which had assembled
filed all the available space in the
vicinity.
While the procession had been forming and
moving to the Capitol, immense crowds had
congregated at the Senate Chamber. The
floor of the Senate was occupied largely by
invited guests comprising distinguished mill
tarv and civil officers. The diplomatic corps
were present in body. The Supreme Court
judges entered headed by Chief Justice
Chase. After them came President Grant,
preceded by the committee of arrangements.
The members of the House came next. Sem
ator Sumner then entered looking unexpect-
edly well.
When the hour of twelve had arrived, and
after the organization of the new Senate, the
attendant bodies went to the east portico of
the Capitol The procession was duly formed
in the manner usual on such occasions.
platform had been erected in front of the por-
tieo, where the President elect and other per-
sonages took seats provided for them. The
crowds below were surging to and fro, but
preserved order. Near the President were
many members OF his family. Cheers and
music greeted his appearance. The President
elect and Chief Justice arose simultaneously,
when the latter administered the Presidential
oath. Tumultuous cheering and cannonadIng
followed as the President sat down. When
partial quiet was restored lie arose and pro-
eeeded TO read his inaugural address. His
voice was not audible except to persons on
the platform. The delivery did not occupy
more than ten minutes, which being conclud-
ed, congratulations followed from friends and
President Grant soon after left in his carriage
1or the White House, escorted by the process
sion which meanwhile had reformed and tax
en- up their line of march. The crowd began
to disperse as soon as the inaugural eeremo-
MES were over.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FE1Low CITIZENS: = Under Providence, I
have been called second time to act as Ex-
ecutive over this great nation. 1t has been
my endeavor in the past to maintain the laws,
and SO far as it 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 the office Of Chief Executive began, the
country had not recovered from the effects of
a great internal revolution, and three of the
former States of the Union had not been re-
stored to their Federal relations. It seemed
to me wise that no new question should be
raised so long as that condition of affairs ex-
listed Therefore, the past four years, so far
as could control the national affairs, have
been consumed in the effort to restore harmo.
ny, public credit, commerce, and all the arts
of peace and progress. It is my firm convic-
ton that the civilized world is drifting toward
repubEcanism and government by. the peo-
pie through their chosen representatives, and
that our own great Republic is destined to be
the guiding star to all others. 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 extension of terri
tory on this continent which would call for an
increase of the force, but rather might such
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, all parts
Of the continent are made contiguous for all
purposes of the government, and communica-
ton between the extreme limits of the coun-
try 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 hin a 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
wrong, stand committed, SO far as Executive
influence can avail Social equality is not
subject TO be legislated upon, nor shall ask
that any thing be done to increase the social
status Of the colored man, except to give him
fair chance to develop what good there is in
him. Give him access to schools, and when
be travels let him feel assured that bis con-
duct will regulate the treatment and fare he
will receive.
The States lately at war with the General
Government, are now happily rehabiIitated,
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 past administration,
the proposition came up for the admission Of
Santo Domingo as Territory of the Union.
1t was not question of my seeking, but was
proposition from the people of Santo Do
mingo, and which 1 entertained. 1 believe
now, as 1 did then, that it was for the best
interest of this country, for the people of San
TO Domingo, and all concerned, that the prop
osition should be received favorably It was,
however, regarded unconstitutional, and
therefore, the subject was never brought up
again BY me.
In the future, while hold my present Office
the subject of acquisition of territory must
have the support Of the people before 1 will
recommend any proposition looking to such
acquisition. say here, however, that do
not share in apprehension held by many as TO
the danger Of the Governments becoming
weakened and destroyed by reasons of their
extension of territory. Commerce, education,
and rapid transit of thought and matter by
telegraph and steam have changed ali this,
and there is belief 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. Ny efforts in the future will be di-
reeted 10 the restoration of good feeling be-
tween the different sections of our common
country and to the restoration of our currency
to fixed value, as compared with the worlds
standard of values of gold, and if possible 10
par with il; to the construction of cheap
routes Of transit throughout the land, to the
end that the products of all sections may find
a market and leave living remun Grafton to
the producer; 10 the maintenance of friendly
relations with all our neighborhood and with
distant nations, to the establishment of our
commerce and share in the carrying trade
manufacturing industries as can be economic
al pursued in this country to the end that the
exports of home products in industries, may
pay for our imports, the only sure method Of
returning to and permanently maintaining o
specie basis, the elevation of labor and by q
humane course to bring the abongines of the
country under the benign influences of edu-
cation and civilization. 1t is either this or q
war Of determination. Wars of determination
engaged in by people pursuing commercial
and industrial pursuits, are expensive even
against the weakest people, and are demoral-
Zing and wicked Our superiority of strength
and advantages OF civilization should make US
lenient towards the Indian. The wrongs al
ready inflicted upon him should be taken into
account and the balance placed to his credit.
The moral view of the question should be con-
sidered, and the question asked, cannot the
indian be made useful and productive mem
Der OF society by proper teaching and treat
ment, with whom the eFort is made in good
faith! We will stand better before the civil
ized nations of the earth, and in our own con-
sciousness for having made it. All these things
are not TO be accomplished by one individual,
but they will receive the support and such
accommodation to Congress as will, IN my
Judgment, best serve to carry them into ef-
tect 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, and to secure this |
reformation, rules, regulations and methods of |
appointments and promotion were established |
and have been tried. Ny efforts for such re-
formation shall he continued TO the hast of i