Year: 1873

WITH MALICE II
USTIN, MOWER .COUN
principal of bureau officers of til,
varions departments of the govcrnr1en
in Washington.


In front of the parties, but about te1
feet lower, being on q level with tht
trout landing place of the fight O.
marble steps, had been constructed {
platform accommodating, together
with the steps, abou; five or six hun
dred people. Il had a semi-circula1
front, which was covered with Ameri
can flags and tastefully decorated with
wreaths and evergreens. The national
flag was also intertwinad with two o1
the columns supporting the pediment
of the portico, and the general effect
harmonized with the splendor of The
noble building. On reaching the plat.
form the President elect took the seat
provided tor him directly in front o1
the center, Vice-President Colfax and
the Sergeant.at-Arlns i'll charge of the
ceremonies sitting on the right and the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on
his left. The Senate Committee OF
Arrangements were near at hand, and
next to the rear. The Associate Jus.
tices Ut the. Supreme Court occupied
seats on the feft, and members and the
Secretaries of the Senate on the right.
The diplomatic corps were to have oc.
cupied seats in the rear of the Supreme
Court, but many of them were not
sufficiently alert to prevent themselves
from being crowded in the background
by members of the House of Represen>
tatives and others who were pressed
forward by the general crowd behind.


The appearance of the President on
the platform was grseted with entbusi-
estic cheers and with burst of music
from the bands. Ali the various civic
and military organizations, which had
drawn up in line of battle, filed wide
space in front and extending the entire
length Of the Capitol.


The noise Of the greeting was hushed
as the President-elect and the Chief
Justice of the United States rose simul-
taneously, and the latter commenced to
recite the formula of the presidential
oath of Office, which General Grant
took with head uncovered and resumed
his seat for few moments, while the
boom of cannon, the ringing of bells,
and shouts of the vast multitude burst
forth with deafening sounds.


Partial quiet having been restored,
the President arose and proceeded to
read his inaugural address. His voice
was not audible except to persons on
the near platform, and consequently
there were no manifestations of ap-
plause or otherwise during it's delivery,
which occupied less than ten minutes,
and was completed before a large part
of the asscmblage not directly in range
of view knew that it had been com.
menced.


FELLOW CITIZENS: In tho providence oil
God have been called second time to act AZ
Executive over this great nation. 1t has been
my cndeavor in the past to maintain al the
| laws, and, SO tar as lay in my power to act for
the best interests Of the whelc people. NV
best Efforts will be given in the same direction
experience in the office. When my,first term
Of the Office OF Chief Executive began
the country had not recovered IRON
| the effects OF great internal revo-
luton, and three of the foremost states
OF the Union had not been restored TO their
federal relations. 1t seemed to me wise that
no new question should be raised as long as
| that condition or affairs existed. Therefore
| the past four years have endeavored, so far
| as | could control events, to restore harmony,
public credit, commerce, and all tho arts Of
peace and progress. It is my firm conviction
! publicanism Of government by the people,
through their chosen representatives, and our
| own great republic is destined to be tho guild
| ing star to all Others. Under our republic we
| support an army less that Of any European
that Of at least Eve OF then. 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 system is made
available for communicating thought, togetll-
er with rapil transit by steam, all parts Of the
continent are made contiguous for all purpose
! OF Government, and communication between
! the extreme limits OF the country made easier
than it was throughout the old thirteen states





The effects OF the late civil etrlfo have been
| to free the slave aud make him citizen, vet
he is not possessed OF tho rights which the
citizenship should carry with it. This is wrong
and Eceds correction. To this correction I
stand committed so far as executive influence
can avail: Social equality is not subject to te
! legisiated upon, nor shall ask that anything
be done to advance the social status Of the
colored man, except to give him fair chance
to deve'ope what there is good in him. Give
| him access to schools, and when he travels let
him feel at onco that his conduct will regulate
the treatment that he should receive


Tho states lately at war with the General
Government arc now happily rehabilitated,
and no executive control is exercised in any
one OF them that would not be exercised in my
| other state under like circumstances. In the
| filst year OF the past administration the prop
osition came up for the admission Of Hanto
Domlng' as territory Of the Union. It was
not question OF my seeking, but was q prop.
| osltlon from the people OF Santo Domingo, and
which entertained. l believe now, as did
then, that it was tor the best interests of this
country. for the people OF Santo Domingo,
received favorably. 1t was, however, rejected
cOnstitutiOnally. and therefore tho sub
ct was never brought up again by me. In
the future, while hold MY present Office the
subject Of acquisition OF territory must have
the support Of the people before ! will recon-
y
ton. I FAY here now, however, that do not
share in the apprehension held by many as to
the danger of governments becoming weak
| cned end destroyed by reason Of their exten-
| sion OF territory. Commerce. education and
rapid transit OF thought and matter by tele-
graph and steam have changed this belief, or
rather this disbelief that pur great Maker is pre-
pairing the world in his own good time to be
ono nation. speaking one language, and where
armies and navies are no longer required.


NV 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
valnc as compared with the worlds standard
OF values Of gold and ii possible to par with
II; to the construction OF cheap routes OF tran
sit throughout the land, to the end that the
products of all sections may find a market
aud leave living remuneration to the pro-
duccr; to the maintenance OF friendly rela-
tions with all our neighboIs and with distant
nations; to tho. establishment Of our COM
mcrce and share in tho CARRYING trade
upon the ocean; to the encouragement
Of such manufacturing industries as
can bo economically pursued in this
country, to the end.that tho exports OF home
products and industries may pay for our i'm.
ports, the only sure method OF returning to
and permanently maintaining a specie basis
to the elevate II of labor, and by humane
course to bring the abcrigines Of the country
under the benign influence Of education and
civilization, It is either this or q wa,
of extern natiun. Wars Oft determination, en-
gagged IN by people pursuing commerce anl
all industrial pursuits, arc expensive ever
against tho weakest people, and are demoral
izing aud wicked. Oui superiority Of strength
and advantage Of civilization should make
us lcnient towards tho Indian. The wrong
: into az count and the balance placed to hi
| credit. The moral view of tho question slloult