Year: 1873

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President Grants Inaugural Address.


FeHop C;tizems-Under Providence l
have been called second time to act as


Executive over this great nation. 1t has
been my endeavor to maintain all the
laws. and, go far as lay in my power. to
act for the best interests of the whole
people. My best efforts will be giveu in
the future. l trust my four years expe-
rience in the office has not been without
profit.


When my first term of the Office of
Chief Executive began, the country had
not recovered from the effects Of a great
internal revolution, and three of the four
States of the Union had not been restor-
ed to their federal relations. 1t seemed
to me wise that no new question should
be raised so long as that condition Of af
fairs existed therefore the past four
years, go far as l could control events,
have been consumed in the efforts to res
tore harmony, public credit. commerce
and all the arts Of peace and progress ..


1t is nay firm conviction that The civil
lized world is tending towards 'Republi-
canism, or government BY the people, and
that our own great Republic is destined
to be the guiding star to all others. Un-
der 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 terri
tory on this continent which would call
for an increase of this force, but rather
might such extension enable US to dimin-
ish it. The theory of government
changes with the general progress. Now
that the telegraph is made available for
communicating throughout, together with
the rapid transit by steam to all parts of
the continent, are made continuous for all
purposes of government, and comunica-
ton between the extreme limits Of the
country made easier than it was through
out the old thirteen States at the begin
in of our national existence.


The effects of the late civil strife have
been to free the slave and make him a
citizen; yet he is not possessed of the
civil rights which citizenship should car
ry with it. This is wrong and should be
corrected. To this correction l am COM
mitted so far as executive influence can
avail.


Social equality is not a subject to be
legislated OH, nor shall | ask that any
thing be done to advance the social status
of the colored man. except to give him
fan chance to develope what is in him
Give him access to schools, and when he
travels, let him feel assured that his con-
duct will regulate the treatment and fare
he will receive.


The States lately at war with the gener-
al government are now happily rehabi!i
tated, and the executive control is not
exercised in any other State under the
s


In the first year Of the past admins
tration a proposition came up for the ad-
mission of San Domingo as a territory Of
the Union. 1t was not question of my
seeking, but was proposition from the
the people of San Domingo, and which l



l believe as 1 did then, that it was for
the best interests of this country, for the
people of San Domingo and all concern
ed. and that the proposition should be
received favorably. 1t was however, re-
jceted conatitutionally, and therefore the
subjected was never brought up again by
me-


In futured, while hold the present
office, the subject Of the acquisition of
territory must have the support of the
people before / recommend any PROPOSE
ton looking to such acquisition. How
ever. I do not share the apprehension
held by many as to the danger of the
government becoming weakened and des-
troyed by reason of the acquisition of
territory. Commerce, education, rapid
transit of thought and matter by tele-
graph and steam have changed all this !;
rather, l believe, our great Maker ia pre-
pairing the world, in his own good time,
to become one nation, speaking one Ian
guage, and that armies and navies will
be no longer required.