Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-03-11
PRESIDENT GRANTS
INAUGURAL MESSAGE,

Tellow Citizens :-Under Providence,
have been called q second time 10 act a
Executive over this great nation.
1t has been my endeavor in the past L
maintain all the laws, and, SO far as lay:
in my power, to act for the best interest:
OF the whole people. My best efforts vii
be given in the same direction in the fu'
turc, aided. trust, by my four years ex'
perience in Office.
When my first term of the Office OF chic
executive began, the country had not re
covered from the effects of great inter
nal revolution, 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 questions should be
raised, so long rs that condition OF affairs
existed; therefore, the last four year,, 50
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 civil.
lied world is tending towards Republi
csnism or government by the people
through their chosen representatives, and
that our own great republic is designed
to be the guiding star to all others. Tn.
der our own 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 territory on this
continent which would call for an increase
of this force, but rather might such cx-
I tension enable Us to diminish it.
The theory Of government changes with
general progress. Now that the tele-
graph is made available for communi-
eating thought, together with the rapid
transit by steam. all parts Of a continent
arc made contiguous for the purposes OF
government, and communication between
the extreme limits OF the country is made
easier than it was throughout the old
thirteen States, the beginning of our
national existence.
The effects of the late civil strife have
been to free the slave and make citizen
OF him, yet he is not possessed OF civil
rights which citizenship should carry with
it.. This is wrong and should be correct
cd To this correction | stand committed,
so lar rs executive influence can avail.
Social equality is not Il subject to be
| lcgislated upon, nor shall ask that any
thing be done to advance the social status
of the colorcd man, except to give him =
fair chance to develop what good there is
ia him. Give him access to schools, and
when he travels, let him feel assured that
his conduct will regulate the treatment
and fare he will receive.
The States lately At war with the gen.
crai government are now happily rehab.
lied. and no executive control is exercised
in one OF them that would not be exer.
cised in any other State under like cir
cumstances.
In the first year of the past admins
tration the proposition came up for the
admission of Santo Domingo rs . terri
[ tory in the Union. 1t was not question
o. my seeking. but was proposition from
| the people Of Santo Domingo. and which
/ entertained. | believe now, as | did
then, that it was Tor the best interests Of
this country, for the people of Santo Do.
miugo, and all concerned, that the propo
,.tiou should be received favorably. 1t
was, however, rejected constitutionally,
aud, therefore, the subject was never
brought up again by me.
In future. while hold my present of.
flee, the subject OF the acquisition of ter.
ritory must have The support Of the people
before | will recommend any proposition
looking to such acquisition. | say, here,
however, that do not share in the ap-
prehcnsion held by many. as to the dan
Der Of the government becoming weak
cucd ard destroyed by reason of their ex.
tension of territory. Commerce, educa'
ton and rapid transit of thought and
matter by telegraph and steam, have
changed all this. Rather do | believe
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.
My effort in the future, will be directed
to the restoration of good feeling between
the different sections of our country; 10
the restoration OF our currency TO fixed
value as compared with the worlds
standard OF values, gold, and il possible,
TO par with it to the construction OF cheap
routes oil transit throughout the land,a
that the products of all sections may
find market and give living .emuner-
alton to the producer; to the maintenance
of friendly relations with all our neigh.
bors and with distant nations; to the re.es-
tablshment of our commerce and share
in the carrying trade upon the ocean, to
the encouragement of such manufacture
ing industries rs can be economically
pursued in this country, to the end that
the exports of lone products and indus
tries may pay for imports, the only sure
method of returning to and maintaining
specie basis; to the elevation of labor;
and by humane course to bring the Alb
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