Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-03-06
The Presidents Inaugural
Address.

OS ISS1USllC Z ) 1Ildug utdl
Address.
EtlIO,C Citizens Providence
l have been called second time to act |
as Executive over this great nation. 1t |
has been my endeavor in the past to !
maintain ali the laws so far as Law in |
my power and to act for the best inter
ests of the whole people. My best eff
forts will be given in the same direc-
ton in the future, aided, trust, by nv
four years experience in the Office. |
When my first term as Chief Executive
began, the country had not recovered
from the effects OF great internal rev.
oiutlOn, and three aS the former Statesi
of the Uniln had not been restored TO
their federal relations. 1t seemed to
me wise that no new questions should
be raised so long as that condition of
affairs existed. Therefore, the past
four years, SO far as | could control
everts, have been consumed in the eff
fort 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 toward re !
publicanism or government by the peo-
pie through their chosen representa-
| tives, and that our great republic is des-
tined to he the guiding star to all 9TH
ers. 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
territory on this continent which would
call for an increase of this force, but
rather might such extension enable us
to diminish it.
The effects of the late civil strife have
been to free the slave and make him
iciyiI rights which citizenship should
carry with it. This is wrong, and
should be corrected. TO this correction
l stand committed, so far as executive
/ Influence can avail. Social equality is
not 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
develop what good there is in him.
Give him access to schools, and when
he travels let him feel assured that his
conduc. will regulate the treatment
ana fare ne Will receive.
The States lately at war with the gen.
eral government are now happily re-
habilitated, and no executive control
is exercised IN any of them that would
: not be exercised in any other State un-
der like circumstances.
In the first part of the administration
the proposition came up for the admis-
sion of Santo Domingo as Territory of
the Union. 1t was not a question OF
r my seeking, but came from the people
of Santo Domingo and which l enter
tanned. believe now as did then,
e that it was for the best interests of the
e country for the people of Santo Do.
h mingo and all concerned that the
. proposition should be received favor.
ably. 1t was, however, rejected con.
= stitutionally and therefore the subject
= was never brought up again by me
q In the future, while 1 hold my present
q Office, the subject of the acquisition O.
Territory must have the support of the
: people before / will recommend any
proposition looking to such acquisition
I say here, however, that I do not
l. share in the apprehensions held by
# many as to the danger of Governments
. becoming weakened and destroyed by
8 reason of their extension of limits
l. Commerce, education, rapid transit o
% thought and matter by telegraph and
steam have changed this. Rather dt
I believe that our great Maker is pre-
pairing the world in his own good time
J. to become one nation, speaking one
tongue and when armies and navie;
y will be no longer required.
ei Ny efforts in the future Will be di
e rected to the restoration of good feel
. ing between the different sections O
5our common country; to the restora
ton Of our currency to fixed value
S compared with the worlds standard o
d values, gold, and, if possible, to pa
with it; to the construction of cheal
,s routes of transit throughout the land
% to the end that the products of all sec
7, tiOns may find a market and leave ;
Of living remuneration to the producer
N to the maintenance Of friendly rela
;s tions with all our neighbors and will
the distant nations; to the re-establish
le ment of our commerce to SHIRE il
the carrying trade upon the ocean; t.
e. the encouragement. of such manufact
:, IurIng industries as can be economical,
= pursued in this country to the end tha
l. the exports Of home products and in
,e dustrieS may pay for our imports, tht
-e only sure method of returning to ant
,a permanently maintaining speciebasis
:, to the elevation of labor; and by hu
i name course to bring the abOrigines O
Ill the country under the benign infiu
j. ences of education and civilization. /
is either this or war of extermina
ton. Wars of determination engaged
{ in by people pursuing commerce ant
le all industrial pursuits, are expensive
ar even against the weakest people, ant
:, Iare demoralizing and wicked. On
:. superiority of strength and advantage
= of civilization should make us lenien
E. towards the Indian. All these thing
% are not to be accomplished by one in
!, dividual, but they will receive my sup
,, port and such recommendations t
70 congress as will in my judgment bes
le serve to carry them into effect. / bes
ar vour support and encouragement.
ofl / acknowledge before this Assem-
= blaee. representing, as it does ever,
le section of the country, the obligation
G. am under to my countrymen for tn
!, great honor conferred on me by return
:, ing me to the highest office within thei
Is gift, and the further obligation re5tin,
1t on me to render them the best service
re within my power. This promise
y looking forward with the greatest anx
= 1iety to the day whenI shall be releas
D. ed from the responsibilities that a
c. times are almost overwhelming, an
from which 1 have scarcely mad
q respite since the eventful firing upol
~ Fort Su,npter in April, 1861, to tn
ie present day. My services W, re tend
Ill cred and accepted under the first cal
eor troops growing out of that event
a 7 did not ask for place or position an
a was entirely without influence or tn
ie eacouaintance of persons of influence