The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-03-06
THE PRESIDENTS INAUGU-
RAJ ADDRESS.

WASHINGTON, March 4.-The fol-
lowing is the Inaugural Address de-
livered by President Grant to-day, at
ter he had formally taken the oath of
office for his second term
THE INAUGURAL.
FELLOW CITIZENS Under Provi
denVe, I have been called a second
time to act as Executive over this
great nation. It has been my en-
deavor in the past to maintain all the
laws, and, so far as lay in my power,
to act FOR the best interests of the
whole people. Ny best efforts will be
given in the same direction in the
future, aided, [ trust, by my four
years experience in the office. When
my first term of the office of Chief
Executive began, the country had not
recovered from the effects of great
internal revolution and three Of the
former States Of the Union had not
been restored to their federalrelations.
1t seemed to me wise that no new
question should be raised as that con-
dition Of affairs existed; therefore, in
the past four years, so far as could
control events, [ have endeavored to
restore harmony and advance the pub
lie 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 the government by
the people through their chosen rep
resentatiYes, and our own great Re
public is destined to be the guiding
star to all others. Under our Repub-
lie we support an army less than that
of any European power of any stand
ing, and navy less than at least five
of them. There could be no extern
sion of territory on this continent
which would call for an increase of
this force, but rather might such an
extension enable us to diminish it.
The theory of government changes
with general progress. Now,that the
telegraph is made available for com
municating thought, together with
rapid transit by steam, all parts of
the continent are made contiguous for
all purposes Of the government, and
communication between the extreme
limits of the country made easier
than it was throughout the old thir-
teen States at the. beginning Of our
national existence
The effects of the late civil strife
have been to free the slave and make
him q citizen; yet he is not possessed
of the civil rights which citizenship
should carry with it. This is wrong,
and should be corrected. To this
correction I stand committed, so far
as Executive influence can avail.
Social equality is not subjecb to be
legislated upon, nor shall [ ask that
anything be done to advance the so.
cial status of the colored man, except
to give him a fair chance to develop
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 and fare
that he will receive.
The States lately at war with the
General Government are now happily
rehabilitated, and no Executive con-
troll is exercised in any one of them
that would not be exercised in any
lother State under like circumstances.
In the first year of the past admin
Iistration, the proposition came up for
the admission of Santo Domingo as a
territory of the Union. 1t was not
question of my seeking, but was a
proposition from the people of Santo
Domingo, land which l entertained. |
believe now, as | did then, that it was
for the best interests of this country,
for the people Of Santo Domingo and
all concerned that the proposition
should be received favorably. 1t was,
however, regarded as unconstitutional
and, therefore, the subject was never
brought up again by me. In future,
while [ hold my present office, the
subject of the acquisition of territory
must have the support of the people
before [ will recommend any PROPOSE
ton looking to such an acquisition. I
say here, however,that / do not share
in the apprehension held by many as
to the danger of government be-
coming weakened and destroyed by
reason Of their extension of territory.
Commerce, education and the rapid
transit of thought and matter by tel
egraph and steam have changed this
belief, or, rather, this disbelief that