Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-03-08
INAUGURAL ADDRESS

"a Executive over this great nation. 1t
has teen my endeavor 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.
NV best efforts will be given IN the
same direction in the future, aided, L
trust, 10y 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 ef,
feets of great internal revolution, and
three Of the former States of the Union
had not been restored to their Federal
relations. 1t seemed to me wise that
no new questions should be raised SO
dong as that condition of affairs existed;
therefore the past four years, SO far as
could control events, have been consum-
ed in the effort to restore harmony, pub
lie credit, commerce, and all the arts OF
peace and progress.
1t is nv firm conviction that the civ
ilized world is tending towards republi-
canism, or government by the people
through their chosen representatives,
and that our own great republic is des-
tined to be the guiding star OF all 9th
.ers Under our republic we support an
army less than that OF any European
powers of any standing, and navy less
than that 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 1t.
The theory of government changes
with general progress Now that the
telegraph is made available for commu-
nicating thought, together with rapid
transit by steam, all parts of the CONT
nent are made contiguous for all purpo-
SEES of government, and communication
between the extreme limits of the coun-
try 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 possessed OF the
civil rights which citizenship should
carry with it, This is wrong,and should
he corrected. To this correction l stand
committed, 80 far as executive influence
can avail. Social equality is not sub
iect to be legislated upon, nor shall L
ask that anything be done to advance
the social status of the colored man ex-
cept to give him fair chance to devel-
ope what there is good in him. Give
him access to schools, and when he trav-
els let him feel assured that his conduct
will regulate the treatment and fare he
will receive.
The States lately at war with the gen
eral government are now happily reha-
Initiated, and no executive control Is
exercised in any one of them that would
not be exercised in any other State un-
der like circumstances.
In tie first year of the past admins
tration the proposition came up for the
admission of Santo Domingo as Ter
ritory of the Union. 1t was not ques-
ton OF my seeking, but was PROPOSE
ton from the people of Santo Domingo
aud which entertained. l believe now,
rs | 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
tavorably. 1t was, however, rejected
constitutionally, and therefore the sub
.iect was never brought up again by me.
In NH, I Ill
Office, the subject of acquisition of terri
tory must have the support of the peo-
pie before | will recommend any propo-
sition looking to such acquisition.
l say here, howeve', that l do not
share in the apprehensions held by many
AZ to the danger Of governments becom-
ing weakened and destroyed by reason
of their extension of territory. Com
merce, education and rapid transit of
thought and matter be telegraph and
seam have changed all this. Rather
do believe that our Great Maker is
preparing the world in his own good
Tim. to become one one nation, speak
ing che language, and when armies and
navies will be no longer required
Nv efforts in the future will be direct
ed to the restoration OF good feeling
between the different sections OF our
common country, to the restoration OF
our currency to fixed value as compa-
red with the worlds standard of values
gold, and, if possible, to par with 1t !;
TO the construction of cheap routes OF
transit throughout the land, to the end
that the products of all sections may
lind market and leave a living remu-
neration to the producer; to the mainte-
nance Of public relations with all our
neighbors and with distant nations; to
the re-establishment of our commerce
and share in the carrying trade upon
the ocean; to the encouragement of such
manufacturing industries as can be eco
nomically pursued in this country, to
the end that the exports of home pro-
ducts and industries may pay for our
imports, the only sure method Of return
ing and permanently maintaining spe-
ole basis; to the elevation of labor, and
by 4 human course bring the aborigines
Of the country under the benign infu-
ences of education and civilization.
1t is either this or a war of extermi-
nation Wars of determination, engaged
in by people pursuing commerce and all
tho ;rInst ~; al ,o,rs,,,ta ara axnape;ya