Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-03-13
The Presidents Inaugural Address

this great nation. Ii has been nv en-
deavor III the past to maintain all the
laws, and, SO far rs Law in my power.
TO act for the best interests of the whole
people. My best efforts will be given
III the same direction in the future, aid
tcd, trust, by my four years experience
i'll the office.
When my first term of the office of
Chief Executive began, .he country had
not recovered from the effects of a great
internal revolution, and three OF the
former States of the Unlonhad not been
restored to their federal relations. 1t
seemed to me wise that no new ques-
tions should be raised so long as that
condition of affairs existed .-Theretore
the past four years, So far as could con-
troll 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
med world is tending towards republi-
cahlsm, or government by the people
through their chosen representatives,
and that our own great Republic is de-
signed to be the guiding star to all
others. Under our Republic we sup
port an army less than that Ofany Euro
pean power otany standing, aud 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 rs
to diminish it. The theory Of govern
mcnt changes with the general progress.
Now that the telegraph is made availa-
bic tor communicating through, together
with the rapid transit by steam, ali parts
OF II continent are made contiguous for
all purposes of government and COM
munlcation between the extreme limits
OF the country is made easier than il was
throughout the old thirteen States al
the beginning of our national existence.
/ The effects ot the late civil strife have
been to tree the slave and make him Il
citizen, yet he i not possessed oil the civil
rights which citizenship should carry
I with 1t. This l. wrong and should be
4 currecicd.-IO this correction | stand
! committed 80 tar as executive influence
I can avail. Social equality is not sub
/ Jcct to be legislatcd upon, nor shall |
ask that anything be done To advance
the social status of the colored man cx-
cept to give him a fairchance to dcvelope
what there i good in him. Give him
access to schools, and when he travels
! let hun feel assured that his conduct will
4 regulate he treatment and flrc he "
} receive.
\ The States lately at WARMTH the Genera
I Government are now happily rehabiIi-
I totcd, and no executive control is cxel-
7 cl-cd III amy one of them that would not
/ be exercised in any other State under
Y Ike circumstances.
+ In the first year OF the past Admins
tratlon the proposition came up for the
admission OF san Domingo as Terri
\ ton OF my seeking but was PROPOSE
/ tion from the people of san Domingo
4 which l entertained. | believe,
I now, rs did then, that ii was for the
best interest of this country, for the
I people oi San Domingo and all concern
ed that the proposition should be recciv-
/ cd, iavorably Ii was, however. reject
+ eel consttuilonally and therefore the
subject was never brought up again by
me. In future. while hold nv present
/ office, the subject OF the acquisition of
F! territory must have the support OF the
( people before | Will recommend any
/ proposition looking TO such acquisition.
/ l say here, however, that do not share
/ in the apprehension held bv many Us to
/ the danger OF the Government becoming
/ weakened and DESTROYED bv reason OF
/ the extension OF territory, Commerce
| education 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 III His own good time to become
/ one nation, speaking one language, and
/ when armies and navies will be no
4 longer required.
My efforts in the future will be di-
! rccted TO the restoration OF good feeling
/ between the different sections of our
4 Common country, to the restoration Of
! our currency to Il fixed value, as com
/ pared with the worlds standard of val
uc~-gold-and, if possible, to par with
| IL; To the construction 10 cheap transit
1 throughout the land, and that the prod
uct, oi all sections mS tiud Il market
and haNe "A living remuneration to ll.c
/ producer: To the maintenance oltricutt,
relations with all our neighbors and with
| distant nations; to the rccstabliahmcnt
Oi our commerce and a share in the
carrying trade upon the ocean: TO the
encouragement OF such manufacturing
industries "a can be economically pur>u-
ell i'll this country TO the ends that the eX
ports OF home products and industries
may pay for our imports, the only sure
method of rcturningt TO and permanently
maintaining "a specie basis: to the eleva-
ton OF labor; and by humane course
to bring the aborigines OF the country
under the benign influences of education
and civilization. 1t is either this or
war of determination. Wars of exter-
mination engaged by people pursuing
commercial and all the industrial pur-
suits are expensive even against the
weakest people, and are demoralizing
and wicked. Our superiority of
strength and advantages of civilization
should make us lenient towards the In
dians. The wrong already inflicted
upon him should be taken into account,
and the balance placed 10 his credit.
The moral view OF the question should
be considered, and the question asked,
"Cannot the Indians be made useful
and productive members of society Dy
proper teaching and treatment! If the
effort is made in good faith we will
stand before the civilized nations OF
the earth, and in ourown consciences,
for having made it.
All these things are not to be accom-
plished by one individual, but they
!. will receive my support and such rec ON
mendatiOns to Congress as will, in my
: Judgment, best serve to carry them in to
, effect. / beg your support and encour-
agement. 1t has been, and is, my ear
, nest desile to correct abuses that have
grown up in the civil service of the
!, country. To secure this reformation,
: rules regulating the method of appoint
( mcnt and promotion were established
: and have been tried. Ny efforts for
, such reformation shall be continued to
: the best of my judgment; the spirit OF
the rules will be maintained
l acknowledge before this assem-
blage, representing as it does every
4 section of our country, the obligation
n l am under to my cOuntrymen for the
d great honor they have conferred Oh me
:: by returning me to the highest office
# within their gift and the further obi
l. CATION rest ing on meto render them