Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-03-13
General Grants Inaugural
Address,

Address.
FELLOW CirlzENs-"Under lroyidence
have been called second time to act as Exec
utiye over this great nation. It has been m,
sn1savor In the past TO maintain all the laws
and 90 Tar as lay in my power, to act for th,
eeet interests Of the whole people. My best eff
forts will be given in the same direction in III,
fatnre, aided, trust, by my four years expert
snes In the ofscc.
When my first term of the office Of Chief Ex
esufive began, the country had not recovered
from the effects Of q great internal revolution
ana three OF the former states of the Union hat
not been restored tU their Federal relations
v seemed TO NE wise that no new question.
should be raised 30 long as that condition Of af
fairs existed.
Therefore, the last four years, so far as
could control events, hsve been consumed in
the effort to restore lari1ouy, public credit
esmmsrce, and all the arts Of peace and pro
gees. 1t Is my firm convection that the civil
lied world Is ter1.'- towards republication, Oh
government by J.. T., ~. -A.yllgh their chosen
representative, ALL Lat on own great Repub
nc - Destined to b. --.e guiding star to all 9th
srs. unLer ca: nepublic we support an army
less than that of any European power of any
standing, and navy less than that of either Of
ct least tive of them.
There could DO no extension of territory or
tllis continent which would call for an increase
OF this force, but rather might such extension
enable US to diminish It.
The theory Of Government changes with the
gshsral progress. Now that the telegraph /,
made available for communicating thought, to
gether with rapid transit by steam, all parts of
eontinsnt are male contiguous for all tpurpo-
~ OF government, and communication between
the extre me limits of the country made eas.
isr than Il was throughout the old thirteen
States at the beginning Of our national exis.
tsncs.
Ihs effects Of the late civil lstrifs have beer
70 nee the slave and make him q citizen HI
70 not possessed Of the civil rights which citi
ssnship should carry with 1t. This is wrong
and should be corrected.
10 this correction stand committed 90 ia,
~ Executive influence can avail.
Social equality Is not subject to be Iegis
lated upon, nor shall ask that anythingbe don,
10 advance the social status Of the colo; ed ma,
except to give him fair chance to devotion
what there u good in him. Give him access t
schools, and when he travels let him feel as
sofsd that bis conduct will regulate the treat
msnt and fare he will receive.
Ths States lately at war with the Genera
government are now happily rebabilitate,
anu ny executive control Is exercised in any
ems OF them that would not be exercised II
any other State under like circumstances.
In the hrst year of the past administration
voc proposition came up for the admi .sioni O
santo Domingo as territory of the Union, /
was not Q question OF my seeking, but was ,
PoPoeition from the people Of Santo Domingo
and which l entertained, believe now, az die
tnen, that 1t was for the best interest of tbi,
country, for the people OF Santo Domingo, ant
Al CONCERNED, that the proposition should b,
sceivtd iaSorably. 1t was, however, rejected
enstitutionally, and therefore the subject wa
nsver brought up again by me.
An future, while hold my present office, tn
seolect OF acquisition OF terri cry must have tn
support Of the people before will RECOMMEND
any proposition looking to such acquisition.
say mere, however, that do not share in tn
apprehension held by many as to the dan
Ger OF governments becoming weakened an,
destroyed by reason OF their extension of terri
s0y.
commerce, education, and rapid transit o
seooght and matter by telegraph and steam
nave changed all this. Rather do believe tina
~ Sreat Maker 10 preparing the world in Hi
sun Bood ume to become one nation, speakn
one language, and when armies and navies vii
% no longer required
Ny efforts In the future will be directed +,
we restoration of good feeling between the dif
pfenk sections Of our common country, to TN
restoration u our currency to a fixed value a
fenpered with the worlds standard of yalue
-Sold-And, II possible, to par with it: 10 IN,
construction Of cheap routes of transit through
eut The land, to the end that tn. products of a
sections may hnd market and leave n liv;n
remuneration to the producer, to the mainte
panos Of friendly relations with all our neigI
pofe and with the distant nations; to the re-es
adjustment OF our commerce and share in In
SaTying Iade upon the ocean; tu the encnu,
agement Of such manufacturing industries a
can be economically parsa2 al Lhs country, /
sne ehd That the exppr.s 0. home products IN
paustries may pay Tor our iurrrts, the onl
sure n|ethod OF returning to and perlnanentl
maintaining specie basis, to the elevation Z
apor, asd by humane cou1st 10 brin. the nj
oliglnes OF the country under the benign inf,
.enpa OF education and civilization il is eth,
stps o. war Of determination. Wars of O,
termination, engaged In by people pursuir
copmesce and all industrial pursuits, are CT
ps9sive even against the weakest people, an
.ass.demoralizing and wicked.
Dur superiority OF strength and advantages
sHmzaIion should make us lenient toward Il
olsn. The wrongs already inflicted unc
n should be taken Into account, and the ia
~ Do paced to his credit. The moral vie
We question should be considered and II
question asked: Cannot tho Indian be mad
useful and productive member of society h
proper teaching and treatment? 1.-THE effort
aaae IN good faith we will stand better befor
w (WHICH uatlOllS Oh the earth and in NJ,
own consciences for having made it. All tbes
things are not TO be accomplished by any m
individual, but they wiz .,.iye nv sumo,
and such recommends, u. % Congress as wi
" my Judgment be,i strt1 AIRY Them in,
seect. I BEG you, .es. and encollrars
. ment.
II has been and is CT, earnest desire to en-,
rect ABUSES thai have s,rown up in the civil Sci
wee OF the country. To secure this reform;
non aSrule regulating methods OF appointmer
ana promotion Were established and have bee
Fied. My efforts for such reformation sha
pc continued to the best OF my Judgment
The snirit Of tho rules adopted viii be mali
Aaiped. maj
] acksowledge be fore this assembly, repr
eenting, As II does, every section Of our countr
Ne oolgation am under TO my countryme
Tor me great honor they have conferred on N
~ returning me 10 the highest office with
thsr ent, and the further obligation resting q
~ W render them the best services In my DOW
This promise, looking toward with III
fTeatsst anxiety TO the day when shall be r,
tssed from responsibilities that at times are a
mast overwhelming. and from which l ha,
scarcely had respite since the eventful fri
upon Fort Sumpter In April, 1851, TO the pre-
snt day. My services were then rendered M
accepted under the first call for troops grown
o1t Of that even. did not ask tor place ,
koektou, and was entirely without influence
- acquaintance Of persons Of influence, b
VIZ Nss'vsd to perform my part In struge