The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1873-03-13
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
PRESIDENT GRANT.

WASHINGTON, MARCH 4.-The following
is the Inaugural Address of the President:
Fello,o Citizens: Under Providence, L
have been called second time to act as
Executive over the great nation. 1t has
been my endeavor in the past to maintain all
the laws and so far as lay in my power to
net for the best interests Of the whole peo-
pie. My best efforts will be given in the
same direction in the future, and | trust by
nv four years experience in the otlce.
when my first term of Office or Chief Execu:
tive began, the country had not recovered
from the efforts of great internal revolution,
and three of the former States of the Union
had not been restored to their federal rela-
tions. It 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 control events, have been consum-
ed in the effort to restore harmony, the pub
lie credit, commerce, and all the arts ofpeace
and progress.
It'll nv firm conviction that the civilized
world is tending towards Republicanism, and
government by the people, 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
Earopesn power of any standing. and navy
less than that Of either Of at least i've OF
them. There could be no extension OF terri
tory, on this continent which would call tor
increase of this force, but rather might such
extension enable rs to diminish it. The
theory Of government changes with the gen.
eral pvogress. Now that the telegraph is
made available for communicating thought
together with rapid transit by steam-all
parts of continent, are made contiguous
for all purposes ofgovernment, and communi-
cation between the extreme limits OF the
country made easier than it was throught
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 cltl-
zen /; yet he is not possessed ofthe civil rights
which citizenship should carry with it. This
is wrong, and should be corrected. 10 this
correction I stand committed, 80 far as
Executive influence can avail Social equal
ity is not q subject to be legislated upon, nor
shall l ask that anything be done to advance
the social status of the colored man except to
give him fair chance to develope what there
is good in him, give him access to schools,
and when he travels let him feel assured
that his conduct will regulate the treatment
that he will receive. =,
The States lately at war with the General
Government are now happily rehabilitated,
and 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
Domingo, and which l entertained. be-
lieye now, as did then, that it was to the
interest Of this country, the people of Santo
Domingo, and all concerned, that the
proposition should be received favorably. 1t
was. however, rejected, eonstitutionally, and
therefore the subject was never brought up
again by me.
In the future, while I hold my present
Office, the subject of the acquisition OF terri
tory must have the support ofthe people be-
fore will recommend any proposition look
ing to such acquisition.
I saw here, however, that do not share
| in the apprehension held by many as to the
donger ofthe governments becoming weak
ened and destroyed by reason of the exten.
ton of territory. Commerce, education and
rapid transit Of thought and matter by tele'
graph and steam, have changed all this
Rather do believe that our great Master is
preparing the world, in His own good time,
to become one nation, speaking one language,
and when armies and navies will be no long,
or required. My efforts in the future will
be directed to the restoration Of good feeling
between the diHerents section Of our COM
mon country; to the restoration OF our
commerce to fixed value as compared with
the worlds standard Of values, gold, and II
possible to par with it j.; to the construction
of cheap routes Of trausit throughout tne
land to the end that the proceeds Of al
sections may find market and leave living
remuneration to the producers; to the
maintenance of friendly relations with al
all our neighbors and with distant nations
to the re-establishment of our commerce ano
a share in the carrying trade of the ocean
10 the encouragement of such manufacturing
industries as can be economically pursued
in this country to the end that the exports
of home products and industries my pay fol
our impOrts-the only sure method of re
turning to and permanently maintaining
specie basis; to the elevation Of labor. ant
by humane course to bring the aborlgne
Of the country under the benign influences o
education and civilization. 1t is either TIM
or war of determination. A war of exter
mipation engaged in by the people pursuinl
commerce and all industrial pursuits Is ex
pensive even against the weakest people, ant
dsmdssIuing and Wicked Our supsr'0rlE