Year: 1873

OF extern nation. Wars of discrimination en-
8ageG IN by people pursuing commerce anC
al ihdaSIflal pursuits, are expensive ever
against the weakest people, and are demoral
lzing ana wicked. Our superiority of strength
ana advantage Of civilization should make
US lement towards the Indian. The wrong
already lnf1leted upon him should be taken
INTO ae count 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 q peaceful and nro.
ductlye member of society by proper teaching
and treatment? When the effort is made in
good falth, we win stand justified before the
civilized nations of the earth, and in our OWL
CONSCIOUSNESS, for having made it. All these
thln@s are not to be accomplished by one in
dlvidUai, but they will receive support and
Such recommendation to Congress as will in
my Judgment best serve to carry them into
effect, and beg your support ana encourage.
ment.


It has beer, and it is my earnest desire tc
correct abuses that have grown upon the pub
lie service OF the country. To secure this re-
formation, rules and regulations and methods
Of appointment and promotion were estab-
lished and have been introduced. Nv efforts
for such reformation shall be continued to the
best of my Judgment. The spirit of the rules
adopted will be maintained.


l acknowledge before this assemblaee, rep
resenting as it does every section of our coun-
y
men for the great honor they have conferred
on me by returning me 20 the highest office
within their gift, and the further obligation
resting on me to render them the best services
within my power. This l promise, looking
forward with the greatest anxiety to the day
when shall be released from the reponsibili-
ties that at times are almost overwhelming.
and from which have scarcely had a respite
since the eyentful firing upon Fort Sumpter in
April, 1861, to the present day. Ny ser.
vices were then rendered and accepted
under the first call for troops grow
ing out of that event. [ did not ask
for place or position, and was entirely
without influence or acquaintance of persons
of influence, but was resolved to peform nv
part in a struggle threatening the very exist
ence OF the nation. [ performed a conscious
duty without asking promotion or command
and without q revengeful feeling toward any
section or any individual. Notwithstanding
this, throughout the war, and from my can d i
dacy for my present Office in 1868 to the close
OF the last Presidential campaign, | have been
the subject of abuse and slander scarcely ever
equalIed III political history, which. to-day [
feel that | can afford to disregard, in view of
your verdict, which gratefully accept as my
vindication.


Congratulations followed from
friends, and President Grant soon af-
ter left in his carriage from the White
House escorted by the procession,
which meanwhile had reformed and
taken up the line of march with other
bodies. The crowd began to disperse,
and the inaugural ceremonies were
over


Immediately in front of the House,
on Pennsylvania avenue, large COW
cred platform was erected, from which
the President was to review the mill
tary. The stand was decorated with
flags and streams, and inside was hand
somely upholstered and contained seats
for the Presidential party. The review
stand was guarded from the
throng by five files of soldiers and
mounted policemen. Shortly after the
return from the Capitol, the President,
marshalled by Secretary Robeson and
accompanied by nearly all the Cabinet
officers and all of their ladies, took
seats on the platform Mrs. Grant
and other ladies connected with the
Presidents family also took seats with
the rest of the party on the stand.


Just before arriving at the head of
the column in the vicinity of the
stand, Generals Sherman, Sheridan and
Howard, dressed in full uniform, and
accompanied by ladies, walked through
the crowd, and took position on the
stand. The review was by far the most
imposing portion of the military dis
play, and more than an hour was con-
sumed in passing the President.