Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-03-05
FIRST EDITOR.
The INAUauRAIInR.

l NAOhb-NOIho
President Grant, upon taking the oath of Of
foe, spoke a. follows:
Fslloto Citizens Under Providence hav
been called q second time to act as Executiv
over this great nation. II has been my endea
vor in the past 10 maintain all the laws, and, sC
far Is lay in my power, to act for the best in
terests Of the whole people. My best efforts
will be given in the same direction In the future
aided, trust by my four years experience in thl
office. When my first term OF the Office OF Chiei
| Executive began the country had not recovered
| from the effects OF great internal revolution
Il and three Of the former States of the Union had
/ not been restored TO their federal relations
II seemed to me wise that no new questions
| should be raised 30 long as that condition OF
Affairs existed. Therefore the past four years
so far as I could control events, have been CON
sumed in the effort to restore harmony, public
| credit commerce. and all the arts of peace and
progress. 1t is my firm conviction that the civ
| ilized world is tending towards 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 thatof either
of at least five of them. There conld 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 di-
minsh it,,
The theory Of government changes with gem
eral progress. Now that the telegraph is made
available for communicating thought, together
with rapid transit by steam, all parts OF conti-
nent are made contiguous for all purposes Of
government, and communication between the
extreme limits OF the country made easier than
1t was throughout the old thirteen States at the
beginning OF our national existence. The effects
OF the late civil strife have been to free th slave
and make him citizen. He is not possessed Of
the civil rights which citizenship should carry
with 1t. This is wrong aud should be corrected.
10 this correction stand committed, 80 far as
executive influence can avail
Social equality IL not subject to be legislated
upon, nor shall ask that anything be done to
advance the social status Of the cOlored man, ex-
cept to give him fair chance to develop what
there is good IN him, give him access to schools,
and when he travels lot him feel assured that his
conduct will regulate the treatment and fare he
The States lately at war with the general Gov
ernmont sre now happily rehabilitatei, and no
executive control il exercised in any one OF
them that would not be exercised in 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.
IL was not question Of my seeking, but was
proposition from the people of Santo Domin-
go aud which entertained 1 believe now, as
did then that 1t was for the best interest of
this country, for the people Of Santo Domingo
and all concerned that the proposition should
be received fayorably. II was, however, reject
ed constitutionallY, and therefore the subject
was never brought up again by me.
In future, while hold my present office, the
subject Of the acquisition OF territory must have
the support Of tile people before l will recon-
mend any proposition looking to such acquisi-
tion. say here, however, that 1 do not share
in the apprehension held by many TO the dan
ger Of governments, beeoming weakened and de-
stroyed By reason OF their extension of territory.
Commerce, education, aud rapid transit Of
thOFluht nv tall al afa
have changed all this. Rather do | believe that
Uur Great Maker Is preparing the world in his
own good time to become one nation, speaking
one language, and where armies and naVies will
be no Longer required. Ua@ ,r8
My efforts in the future will be directed to the
restoration of good feeling between the different
SECTIONS of our common country; to the restor-
alton bf our currency to q liked value as COM
pared with the worlds standard OF value, gold,
and, II possible, to par with 1t /; to the con-
struction OF cheap routes Of transit throughout
the land, and to the end that the products of
all sections may hnd market and leave living
remuneration to tue producer to the mainten-
anee OF friendly relations with all our neighbors
aud with distant uations to the establishment
of our commerce and share in the carrying trade
upon the ocean TO the encouragement Of such
manufacturing industries as can be economically
pursued in this country to the end that the
exports of home products and industries may
pay for our import, the only sure method
Of returning to and permanently maintaining
a specie basis to the elevation OF labor
and, Hy humane course, to bring the
the benign influences OF education and civilza-
tion. 1t Is either this or war OF determination.
Wars OF determination engaged in by people
pursuing commerce and industrial pursuits, are
expensive even against the weakest people, and
are demorAlizing and wicked Our superiority
of strength and advantages OF civilization
should be taken into account and the balance
placed to his credit The moral view af the
question should be considered and the question
asked Cannot the Indian be made useful aud
productive member of society by proper teach
ing and treatment 2" II the effort Is made in
good faith we will stand better before the civili
zed nations Of the earth and in our own con-
sciences, for having made it.
All these things not to be accomplished by
one individual, but they will receive my support
and such recommendations to Congress as will
IN my judgment best serve to carry them into
effect. beg your support and encouragement
1t has been, and is my earnest desire, to cor
rect abuses that have grown up in the civil ser
vice Of the country. To secure this reformation.
r le egulating methods Of al p i ltment andpro-
no lUn were established, and nave been tried.
My efforts for such reformation shall be con-
tinued to the best OF my judgment. The spirit
of the rules adopted will be maintained.
acknowledge before thiaA assemblage, repre-
senting as it does every section of our country,
the obligation am under to my countrymen
for the great honor they have conferred on me
their gift, and the further obligation resting on
me to render to them the best services within
my power.
This promise, looking forward with the
greatest anxiety to the day when l shall be re-
leased from responsibilities that at times are
almost overwhelming, and from which l have
scarcely had q respite since the eyentful fir
ing upon Fort Sumpter in April, 1861, to
the present day. My services were then
rendered and accepted under the first call for
troops growing out Of that event did not ask
for place or position, and was entirely without
influence or the acquaintance of persons or in
huence, but was resolved to perform my part in
a struggle threatening the very existence Of the
nation. performed conscientious duty with
out asking promotion or command, and without
areyengeiul feeling towards any section or in
dividual.
Notwithstanding this, throughout the war and
from my candidacy for my present Office in 1868,
to the close of the last presidential campaign.
have been the subject OF abuse and slander
scarcely ever equalled in political history which,
to-day. 1 feel that l can afford to disregard, in
view Of your verdict, which l gratefully accept
as my vindication.
Vice President Wilson's Inaugural Address.
Upon calling the Senate to order, yesterday,
at noon, Vice President Wilson said:
Senators :-In assuming the position as
signed me by the voice OF the nation, l am not,
l trust unmindful OF the obligation ii imposes.
A service here somewhat prolonged, covering a
period crowded with great events, and an asso-
citation here with nearly two hundred and thirty
Senators, many Of them statesmen OF large and