Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-03-05
The Inauguration.


vious Inauguration. 10 the procession along
PENNSYLVANIA avenue the West Point Cadets
and Boston Lancers attracted much atten-
ton. The number in the procession is
stated at twelve thousand. When the capt.
toll was reached and the mass of men arran-
ged near the inaugural platform, Chief JUS
tice Chase administered the oath OF office to
President Grant, who then delivered the in
ausural address which was as follows :
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 4, 1878.
Fello.o Citizens:
Under Providence, | have been called
second time to act as Executive over this
great nation 1t has been my endea7or in
the past to maintain all the laws, and, SO
far as laid in my power, to act for the best
interests of the whole people. My best Ell
forts will be given in the same direction ID
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 reccv-
cred from the effects of a great internal rev.
olution, and three of the former States OF
the Union had not been restored to their fed
eral relations. 1t seemed to me wise that no
new questions should be raised SO long as
that condition Of affairs existed. Therefore,
the past four years, SO far as | could control
ey ents, have been consumed in the effort to
restore harmony, public credit, commerce
and all the arts of Ieace and progress. 1t
is my firm convection that the clyiliz d world
is tending towards repu blcanism, or govern
ment by the people through their chosen
representatives, and that our own great Re-
public is designed to be the guiding star to
all others. Under our Republic we support
an army less than th2t of any European
power OF any standing, and navy less than
that OF either of al least five of them. There
could be DO extension of territory on this
continent which would call for an increase OF
this force, bat rather ight such an extern
SION enable us to diminish it.
The theory Of government changes with
tie general progress. Now that the tele-
graph is made available for communicating
thought, together with the rapid transit by
| stec IN, all parts of a continent are made con-
tiguous for all purposes of government, and
| communication between the extreme limits
OF the country is made easier than 1t was
| throughout the old thirteen States at the be-
ginning of our national existence. The Ell
tects OF the late civil strife have been to free
| the slave and make him a citizen, vet he is
not possessed of the civil rights which cltI-
zenship should carry with it.
| This is wrong and should be corrected. To
this correction | stand committed, SO far as
executive influence can avail. Social equality
| is not sub ect to be legislated upon, nor
shall | ask that anything be Done TO advance
tue social status OF the colored man, except
To give him fair chance to develop what
there is good in him. Give him access TO
schools. and when he travels let him teel as
sured that his conduct will e.ulate the treat
III, Mt and fare he will receive.
| The States lately at war with the General
| Government are NV happily rehabllItated,
and no executive control exercised IN any
he OF them that would not be exercised IN
my other State under like circumstances.
la the first year OF the past Administration
| the proposition came up Tor the admission OF
san Domingo as Fer, TORY in the Union.
IL was not question of my seeking, but was
L proposition from the people .; San Do
mlngo and one which entertained. believe
now, as | dad then, that it was Tor the best
interests OF this country, for the people Vi
| San Domingo. and all concerned, that the
proposition should be received tavorably. II
was however, rejected constItutioually, and
therefore the subject was never brought W
| 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 proposition
| looking to such acquisition. ! say here,
| however. that | do not share in the
apprehension held by many as to the
danger OF the Government becoming
weakened and destroyed by reason OF their
extension Of territory. Commerce, educa-
ton 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 in His own
| good time to become one nation. speaking
one language, and when armies and navies
viii be DO longer required My efforts IN
the future will be directed to the restoration
Of good feeling between the i ffercnt sections
Of our common country, to the restoration
of our currency to "a fixed value, as compared
with the wocld's Standard of vaues-gold-
and, it possible, 70 par with it; u the con-
| structlon o. cheap trans throug hout the Ian j
and that the products OF all sections ma,
find market and have living remuneration
| to the producer, to the maintenance of friend
ly relations with all our neighbors and with
distant nations, To the re establishment Of
our commerce and share In the carving
trade upon the ocean, to the encouragement
OF such manufacturing industries as can be
economically pursued in this country, to the
ends that the exports of home PRODUCTS and
| industries may pay for our imports the only
sure method OF returning t. and permanently
maintaining specie basis, to the elevation
OF labor, and by a humane course to bring
the aborigincs OF the country under the be-
nign influences OF education and civilization
1t is either this or a war of determination
Wars of determination engaged by a people
pursuing commercial add all the industrial
pursuits are expensive even against thu
weakest people, and are demoralizng anC
wicked. Our superiority of strength anc
advantages of civilization should make u.
ienient towards the Indian the wrong
already Inflicted upon him should be taker
into account, and the balance placed t. hi:
credit. The moral view of the question
should be considered, and the question asked
8 Cannot the Indian be made useful ant
productive member OF society by prJpe
teaching and treatment? If the effort il
made in good faith we will stand before th,
civilized nations OF the earth, and in our OWL
conscences, for having made it. All thes
things are not to be accomplished by one in
dlvldual, but they will receive nv supper
and such recomme ndatiops to Congress a
will, in my Judgment, best serve to carr
them into effect. / beg your support an(
encouragement. 1t has been, and is. m
earnest desire to correct abuses that hav
grown up in the civil service of the country
I0 secure this reformation, rules regulatin,
the method OF appointment and promotion
were established and have been tried. NJ
Efforts Tor such reformation shall be contnu
ed 60 the best of my judgment; the spirit O
the rules will be maintained.
l acknowledge before this assemolage
representing as it does every section of gu
country, the obligation l am under to u,
, countrymen for the great honor they hav,
, Conferred on me by returning me 20 tn
highest Office within their gilt, aud tiis fur.
Their obligation resting on me to render tLeu
the best service within my power. This
nromise lonking forward ,zirh IL. to