Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-03-13

mits. To the Justice, generosity, and friendly
regard of senators l trustfully appeal for that
counsel and encouragement, that forbearance
and indulgence, I am sure l shall often require
as your presiding officer.
At the conclusion of Vice-President Will
sons address, President Grant stepped forward
and read from manuscript his inaugural ad-
dress, as follows:
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FELLow-C CITIZENS: Under Providence, l
have been called second time to act as Exc
cutive over this great nation. 1t has been
nv 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, My
best efforts will be given the same direction
in 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 recov-
cred from the effects of great internal revo-
luton, and three of the former States of the
Union had not been restored to their Federal
relations. It seemed to me wise that no new
questions should be raised so long as that con-
dition of affairs existed therefore the past
four years, so far as I could control events,
have been consumed in the effort to restore
harmony, public credit, commerce, and all the
arts of peace and progress. Its my firm con-
viction that the civilized world is tending to-
ward republicanism, or government by the
people through their chosen representatives,
and that our own great Republic is destined
to 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 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 us to diminish it.
The theory of government changes with
general progress. Now that the telegraph is
made available for communicating thought,
together with rapid transit by steam, all parts
of continent are made contiguous for all
purposes of government, and communication
between the extreme limits of the country
made easier than it was throughout the old
thirteen States at the beginning of our nation
al existence.
The effects of the late civil strife have been
to free the slave and make him citizen. Yet
he is not possessed of the civil rights which
citizenship should carry with it. This is
wrong and should be corrected. To this cor
rection stand committed, so far as Execu-
tive influence can avail
Social equality is not a subjec to be legis-
lated upon, nor shall ask that anything be
done to advance the social status of the colored
man except to give him fair chance to de-
velop what there is good in him; give him
access to schools, and when he travels let him
feel assured that his conduct will regulate the
treatment and fare he will receive.
The States lately at war with the general
Government are now happily rehabilitated,
and no Executive control is exercised in any
one that would not be exercised in any other
State under like circumstances.
In the first year of the past administration
the proposition came up for the admission of
Santo Domingo as territory of the Union.
1t was not question of my seeking, but was
a proposition from the people Of Santo Do
mingo, and which I entertained. I believe
now, as I did then, that it was for the best in
terests of this country, for the people ofSanto
Domingo, and all concerned, that the propo'
stion should be received favorably. 1t was,
however, rejected consttutionally, and there
fore the subject was never brought up again
by me.
In future, while I hold my present Office,
the subject of 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 governments becoming
weakened and destroyed by reason of their ex-
tension 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, in His own good time, to
become one nation, speaking one language,
and when armies and navies will be no longer
required.
MY efforts in the future will be directed to
the restoration of good feeling between the
different sections of our common country; to
the restoration of our currency to fixed val
ue as compared with the worlds standard of
values-gold-an if possible, to a par with
it; to the construction of cheap routes of
transit throughout the land, to the end that
the products Of all sections may find market
and leave a living remuneration to the pro-
ducer; to the maintenance of friendly rela-
tions with all our neighbors, and with dis
tant 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 economi-
cally pursued in this country, to the end that
the exports of home products and industries
may pay for our imports-the only sure meth
cd of returning to and permanently maintain
ing specie basis; to the elevation 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 extermi-
nation, engaged in by people pursuing COM
merce and all industrial pursuits, are expen-
sive, even against the weakest people, and are
demoralizing and wicked. Our superiority of
strength and advantages of civilization should
make us lenient toward the Indian. The
wrong already inflicted upon him should be
taken into account, and the balance placed to
his credit. The moral view of the question
should be considered, and the question asked,
can not the Indian be made useful and pro-
ductive member Of society by proper teaching
and treatment? Ifthe effort is made in good
faith we will stand better before the civilized
nation of the earth, and in our own conscien-
ces for having made it.
All these things are not to be accomplished