Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-03-11
.rTHEsINAUaURAL ADDRESS.

In the presence IF large number of spec
tators, the Inauguration ceremonies at Wash>
inston, on Tuesday, passed off decorously, but
without any SPECIAL manifestations of enthu-
siasm. The address of General Grant on en-
tering upon the presidency for second term
has at least. one merit-thut of brevity. The
matter of the address. says the Baltimore
: Gus"tfe, is weak and commonplace. not only
F.. in ITS review OF the past. but in its opinions
of the present, and its apeculations as to the
future. The firm conviction expressed BY
General Grant that "the civilized world ia
: tending towards Republicanism, and that our
. own great Republic is destined to be the
ending star of all others" may be flaterug
to our self>love. bur will not he shared by
those who see how little rout>hold the pro,
v'sl"nal republics of France and Spain have
10 the affections of their respective peoples.
Italy, in spite of the republicanism once pre-
ra'ling there. has accepted constitutional
monarchy. Consolidated Germany which in
1873 was very hotbed Of republicanism. has
Sbandoned her aspirations for popular COW
ereignty, and has welcomed with acclama-
lions the coronation of an Emperor. Russia.
without any prosper of change, is under the
onnirion OF one absolute will. In England.
notwithstanding the extension of the fran
chise, the great bulk of the people desire no
change that would endanger the throne;
whilst in tile smaller Kingdoms of Holland.
Denmark aud Norway republican ideas can
scarcely be said to exist. 1t is pleasant, new
ertheiesS, to be told, in the face of the cor>
ruption unearthed in both Houses Of Congress:
the Continual recurrence Of frauds and pecula
tons in every department of the Government;
of Senators WIN buy their seats from venal
State Legislatures, and of investigating COM
mittees organized to "whitewash," that .'our
own great Republic is destined to be the guild
ing star to all others"
Nor dc. we believe, with General Grant that
tthe theory" Of our Government has in any
respect changed Whatever the "practice" of
the p"iceal patty lie represents may have
becn-hecause 1.-The telegraph has been made
available, and communication. between the
extreme points Of the continent has been
made easier than it was throughout the old
thirteen States at ;he beginning of our na>
tiOGal existence" All this is wretched
tsadlle. Mr. S:lmrer will, however, be
pleased to learn that General Crant-uotwith>
standing his dec!arpt;on at the beginning Of
the war, that if he thought it was to be for
the liberation of the slaves he would tear off
his shoulder straps aud go home-nnw stands
pledged to use his influence to give the negro
every right that white men now enjoy
which right IS 10 he enforced, we presume. as
usual, "by appropriate legislation" In al
luding t" the course he has pursued in the
Southern Sta'cs-his declaration Of martial
law in nine cnuntie> Of South Carolina his
support Of Casey at New Orleans for bring.
ing troops and Gat!in guns tn bear upon re-
tractory Republicans, and his recognition of
the Kellogg government in Louisiana, Cd the
'etrength of AN infamous decision of an in
famous deci>i"n of infamous Judge
General Grant asserts that .'no Executive
control is cSercis 4 in any enc of them that
would not be exercised in any other State
under similar circumstances In this bold
vindicainn Of acts which even Republican
Senators. in discussing the Louisiana troubles.
dared not commend, the Northern States may
find a meracc and warning.
The next subject touched on by General
Grant is San Dom;ngo. and it ELECTS from him
the c"ns"iing remark that hereaf;e. oil promo
sitions for the acquisition OF new territory
must emanate from the people that for him.
self he does MT intend to NEEDLE with such
matters any He does not, however,
regard extension of territory as a source Of
weakness, but on the contrary, is piously dis
posed to entertain the astounding belief that
at some tu'ure day the world will rejoice in
the long expected, ncver>rcaiizei millennium.
when Saran Will he bound, aud the lion will
lie d"sn beside the lamn, and, as General
Grant puts It. all peoples s.vilI become one
milton, speaking one language, and armies
and navies cii! he M longer required" All
of which will doubtless come to pass about
the titne nj the Greek Ka!ends.
OF the remainder of the address it is. per.
hap-. jnst a. well to say but little 1t ia an
t" par, 20 I"rg al! the operations of the
Treasury rend t" the keeping it at premium !;
or of the wrongs of the Indian. SO long as he
is prosecuted by lawiess frontier whites, and
plundered By ID'lian rings
In one matter, however General Grant has
orr earnest sympathy. When he complains
of his arduous duties-and VIC remember the
lahorinus days AMI nights he has passed at
Long Branch; hi- solemn steamboat excur-
sions-with jim Fisk his painful daily drives
with brother, n>!aw Corbn aud others his
grave intellectual di~pntations with brother