The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-03-22
Presidents Inaugural Address

Fellow citizens-Under Providence
have been called second time tx
\ act rs executive over this great nation
1t has been my endeavor in the pas,
to maintain all the laws so far as lay
in my power, and to act for the in.
terest Of the whole people. My best
efforts will be given in the same di.
recti0n 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 federal re-
lations. It seemed to me wise that
no new question should be raised, SO
. long as that condition Of affairs ex-
listed. Therefore, the past four years,
so far as l could control events, have
been consumed in the effort to restore
harmony, public credit, commerce
and all the arts Of peace and progress.
It is my firm conviction that the civ
ilized world is tending toward repub-
hcanism or government by the peo-
pie through their chosen representa-
tives, and that our own great repub-
lie 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
a navy less than that.of either of at
least five Of them. There could be
no extension of territory OH this con-
tinent which would call for an In
crease of this force, but rather might
such extension enable us to diminish
it. The theory Of government chang
es with general progress. Now that
the telegraph is made, available for
communicating thoughts, together
with rapid transit by steam, all parts
Of continent are made contiguous
for all purposes of government, and
communication between the extreme
limits Of the country made easier than
it was throughout the old thirteen
States at the beginning Of our national
existence. The effects of the late civil
strife have been to free the slave and
make him a citizen; yet he is not pos
sessed Of the civil rights which citi-
zexship should convey with it. This
is wrong, and should be CORRECTED.
To this correction | stand committed,
SO far rs executive influence can avail.
Social equality is not subject to be
legislated upon, nor shall I ask that
any thing be done to advance the social
status of the colored man, except to
give him a fair chance to develop what
there is of 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
he will receive. The States lately at
war with the general government,
are now happily rehabiliated, and no
executive control is exercised in any
one of them that would not be exer-
cised i'll any other State under like
circumstances. In the first year of
the past administration the PROPOSE
ton came up for the admission of
Santo Domingo and one which I en-
tertained. | believe now, as I 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 favor
ably. It was, however, rejected con-
stitutiona1ly, and therefore the sub
ject was never brought up again by
ne. In future, while l hold my pres
ent office, the subject of acquisition
Of territory must have the support of
the people before l will recommend
any proposition. Isay here, however,
that | do not share in the apprehen-
sion held by many as to the danger of |
becoming weakened and
destroyed by reason of their extension
of territory. Commerce.. education
and rapid transit of thought and mat
ter 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,
md when armies and navies will be
no longer required. My efforts in the
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