The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-04
The Inaugural Address of President
Grant.


The Inaugural d Aaase'' of President
WASHINGTON, March 4.-President
Grant and Henry Wilson were sworn in at
IL o'clock to-day as President and Vice
President Of the United States for the
term of four years. The following is the
Presidents address:
FELLOW CITIzENs-Under Providence
| have been called second time to act as
Executive over this great nation. 1t has
been my endeavor in the past to maintain
all the laws, and, so far as lay in my pow
err, 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 expert.
ence in the office. When my first term Of
the country had not recovered from
the effects of great internal revolu-
ton, and three of the former states of the
Union had not been restored to their
federal relations. 1t seemed to me wise
that no new question 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 restore harmony, public
credit, commerce, and all the
arts Of peace and progress. 1t
is my firm conviction that the
civilized world is tending towards re-
publcanism, or 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 European power of any standing, and
/ navy less than that Of either of at least live
of them. There could be no extension Of
territory on this continent which would
call for an increase of this force, but rather
) might such extension enable us to dimin-
ish it.
The theory of government changes with
general progress. Now thai the telegraph
is made available for communicating
thought, together with rapid transit by
steam, all parts of q continent are made
contiguous for all purposes of government
and communication between the extreme
limits of the country made easier than il
was throughout the old thirteen states a
the beginning of our national existence
The effects of the civil strife have been tt
free, the slave and make him citizen. Yet
he is not possessed of the civil rights which
citizenship should carry with it. This il
; wrong and should be corrected. To thi'
I correction stand committed, so far as ex
ecutive influence can avail.
D Social equality is not subject to b.
legislated upon, nor shall | ask that any
thing be done to advance the social statu
e of the colored man, except to give him
1t fair chance to develope what is good il
n him give him access to schools, and whel
he travels, let him feel assured that his con
Y duct will regulate the treatment and far
he will receive.
The states lately at war with the genera
government are now happily rehabilitate
: and no executive control is exercised in an
/. one of them that would not be exercised i
E any other state under like circumstances.
n In the first year of the past ADMINISTERS
= ton the proposition came up for the &C
- mission of Santo Domingo as territor
= of the Union. 1t was not question OF m
seeking. but was proposition from tt
people of Santo Domingo, and which
tn entertained.
believe now, as / did then, that it WI
for the best interests of this country, fl
the people of Santo Domingo. and all col
u. cerned, that the proposition should be r
rs rs ceived favorably. 1t was however rejecte
constitutionally, and therefore the subie
was never brought up again by me.
n. In future, while hold my present offic
ir. the subject Of acquisition of territor
:. must have the support OF the people befc
M | will recommend any proposition lookiI
I'd to such acquisition. / say here, howeve
a., that do not share in the apprehensit
, sn held by many as to the danger of go
ON ernments becoming weakened and d
led stroyed by reason of their extension
NV territory.
Commerce, education. and rapid tram
of thought and matter by telegraph al
= steam have changed all this. Rather dc
", believe that our great Maker is prepari
of the world in His own good time to becor
:. one nation, speaking one language, al
UNI when armies and navies will be no long
ry required.
!, My efforts in the future will be direct
. 20, to the restoration of good feeling betwe
the the different sections Of our common cot
az try; to the restoration Of our currency
n .. fixed value as compared with the worl,
standard of values, gold, and if possible
o par with it; to the construction
4. cheap routes of transit throughout