Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-03-05
President Grants inaugural
Address.

FELLOW CITIZENS: Under Providence
have been called second time to act as Execu'
tive over this great nation. Ii has been my en-.
: deavor in the past to maintain all the laws and
SO far as lay in my power to act Tor the bes'
I interests of the whole people. my BEST efforts
will be given in the same direction IN the fu'
ture, aided trust by my four years exper
fence in the office.
. When nv first term of the Office Of chic
Executive began, the country had not recoy
cred from the effects Of q great internal rev.
olution, and three OF the former States of the
Union had not been restored to their fed
eral relations. It seemed to me wise tina, nc
new questions should be raised so long as thai
condition Of affairs existed, therefore the pas
four years, so far as could coutrol events
hsse 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 civilized world is tending
towards republcanism, or government by the
people through their chosen representatives
and that our own great republic is designed 10
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 q
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 in
| extension enable us TO diminish il.
The theory of government changes with
general progress. Now that the telegraph is
made available for communicating thought,
| together with rapid transit by steam TO all
parts of the continent, and made contiguous
for all purposes of government, com
municaiion between the extreme limits
OF the country is made easier than it
was throughout the cid thirteen States
n. the beginning of our national existence.
Commerce, education and rapid transit O.
thought and matter by telegraph and steam
have changed all this. Rather do believe that
Cur 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
| The effects of the late civil struggle have
been to free the slave and make him a citizen ,
yet he is not possessed of the civil right i,
should carry with citizenship. This is wrong
and should be corrected. To this correction
l stand committed as far as executive infiu-
ence can avail. Social equality is net sub
| leCt to be iegislated upon, nor shall ask that
any thing be done to advance the social sta
tus of the colored man, except TO giTe him
a fair chance TO develop what there is good IN
him.
Give he, access to schools, and when he
travels let him feel assured that his conduc,
: will regulate the treatment and fare he will
. receive.
The States lately at war with the general
government are now hal PLY rehabil!tated. and
no executive control is exercised in any one
of them, that would not he exercised in any
other State under like circumstances. In the
first year of the past administration, the prop
osition came up for the admission of San
r Domingo As a territory in the Uaon. 1t was
p not a question of my seeking, but was q
proposition from the people of San,o Domin-
go, and which / entertained, believe now as
/ | did then, that it was for the best interests
= of this country, for the people Of Ssnto Do
mngo and OF all concerned that the PROPOSE
ton should be received fav orably. Il was how
s ever rejected constitutionaily, and therefore
!, the subject was never brought up again by
me. In future, while l hold my present
office. the subject of the acquisition of terrific
~ must have the support Of the people be-
fore will recommend any proposition look
ing to such acquisition.
say here however, that do net share III
! the apprehension held by many as to the
, danger Of the governments becoming weak
ened and destroyed by reason of the cxten
I ton Of territory.
Ny efforts in the future will be directed to the
restoration Of good feeling between the differ
ent sections of our common country; to res
| -
Y compared with the worlds standard Of sal.
ues, gold, and If possible to par with it; tc
the construction of cheap routes CT Transit
! throughout the land, and that Tie products o.
y all sections may fad market and have q
i living remuneration to the producers; to the
:, maintenance of friendly relations with all cur
u neighbors and with distant nations to the re.
d establishment of our commerce and share in
+ the carrying trade upon the ocean; to the en-
enlargement of such manufacturing indus
tries as can be economically pursued in this
l country, to the ends that the exports of home
produce and industries may pay for imports,
as the only sure method of returning to and
permanently maintaining specie basis; TO
the elevation of labor; and by q humane
course to bring the aborigines OF the country
7 under the benign influence Of education and
, civilization.
1t is either this or Q war OF determination
S Wars of determination engaged in by PEG
: pie pursuing commerce and all the industria
q pursuits are expensive, even against tht
weakes. people, and are demoralizng ant
wicked. Our superiority of strength and ad
l.. vantages of civilization should make us len
=, lent towards the Indians. The wrongs al
: ready inflicted upon them should be taker
c into account and the balance placed to thei
: credit. The moral views of the question
h-uld be considered, and the question asked
cannot the Indian be made a useful and pro
duetiye member of society by proper teachin.
and treatment? If the effort is made in goot
faith, we will stand better before the civilized
nations Of the earth and in our own con
sciences for having made it. All these thing
are not accomplished by one individual, bu
they will receive my support, and such rec
concentrations TO Congress as will in my
judgment best serve to carry them into effect
| beg your support and encouragement
Ii has been and is my earnest desire to cor
rect abuses that have grown up in the civil
service Of the country. To secure this re
formation rules regulating the method of APP
1. poinlment and promotion were establish d
and have been tried. My efforts for such re-
form shall be continued ard to the best Of
my Judgment the spirit Of the rules will be
maintained. acknowledge before this a.
semolage, representing as it does every
section OF our country, the obligations auI
d under to my countrymen for the great honor
=, they have conferred on me by returning me
=" 70 the highest Office within their gift, and the
er further obligation resting on me TO render then,
in the best service within my power This prom.
ise, looking forward with the greatest anxiety
: to the day when | shall be relieved from m.