Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-03-12
INAUGURAL ADDRESS

The Weather is very cold to-day. There
was fine display. The following is the
INAUGURAL ADDRESS:
FELLow-CITIzENs Under Providence,
/ have been called q second time to act as
Executive over this great nation. 1t has
been 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. My best efforts will be given in
the same direction in the future aided, l
trust, by my four years experience in the
office.
When my first term of the office of Chief
Executive began the country had not re-
covered from the effects of q great internal
revolution and three of the former States
of the Union had not been restored 10 their
Federal 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 l
could control events, have been consulted
in the effort to restore harmony, public
credit, commerce and all the arts of peace
and progress.
REPUBLICANIsNG.
1t is my firm conviction that the civil
lied world is tending towards Republican
ism, 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 extern
sion enable us TO diminish it.
The theory of Government changes with
general progress. Now, that the telegraph
i= ilal fnr mi, t;,,rr
thought, together with rapid transit by
steam, all parts of continent are made
contiguous for all the purposes of the
Government, and communication between
the extreme limits of the country made
easier than it was throughout the old thir-
teen 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 correction / stand
committed, so far as executive influence
can avail.
Social equality is nota subject to be legs
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 develop what there is good in
him-give him an 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 of them that would not be eXer-
cised in any other State under like circum-
stances.
SANTO DOMINGO.
In the first year of the past administra-
ton the proposition came up for the adj
mission of Santo Domingo as a territory of
the Union. 1t was not a question of my
seeking, but was a proposition from the
people of Santo Domingo, and which l en-
tertained. L believe now as 1 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 favorably. 1t was,
however, rejected constitutionally and
therefore the subject was never brought
up again by me.
ACQUIRING TERRITORY.
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. i say here, however,
that | do not share in the apprehension
held by many as to the danger of govern
ments becoming weakened and destroyed
by reason of their extension of territory.
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.
RESTORATION.
My efforts in the future bill be directed
to the restoration of good feeling between
the different sections of our common coun-
try to the restoration of our currency to
a fixed value as compared with the worlds
standard of values, Gold and if pos
sible to par. With it to the construction
of cheap routes of transit through the
land to the end that the products of all
sections may find a market and leave Il
living remuneration to the producer to
the maintenance of friendly relations with
all our neighbors and with distant nations;
10 the establishment of commerce and
share in the carrying trade upon the
ocean; to the encouragement of such man
ufacturing Industries as can be economical
ly pursued in this country, to the end that
the exports of home products and indus
tries may pay for our imports the only
safe method of returning to and perma-