Year: 1873

FeLtOs0 Citizens of the United States:


Under Providence have been called a
| second time to act as the Executive over
this great nation. 1t has been my en-
deavor in the past to maintain all the laws
and as far as lay in my power to act for
the best interest of the whole people, and
my best efforts will be given in the same
direction in the future, aided, trust, by
my four years experience in the Office.


THE PAST FOUR YEARS.


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 for
mer States of the Union had not been re-
stored to their federal relations. 1t
seemed to me wise that no new question
should be raised, so long as that condi-
ton of affairs existed; therefore the past
four years, so far as could control events,
have been consumed in the effort to re-
store harmony, public credit, commerce
and all the arts of peace and progress.


THE GUIDING STAR.


It is my firm conviction that the civil
lied world is tending toward Republican
ism, or government by the people,
through their chosen representatives
and that our own great Republic is des-
tined to be the guiding star to all Others
Under our Republic we support an army
less than that of any European of any
standing, and a 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 in
crease of this force, but rather might such
extension enable us to diminish it.


THEORY OF GOVERNMENT.


The theory of government changes
with general progress. Now that the tel
egraph is made available for communica-
ting thought together with rapid transit
by steam, all parts Of the continent are
made contiguous for all purposes of gov
ernment, and communication between
the extreme limits of the country is
made easier than it was throughout the
old thirteen States at the beginning of
our national existence.


THE CoLoRED CITIZEN


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 no wrong and should
be corrected, and to this correction l
stand committed so far as Executive in
fuence can avail Social equality is
subject not to be legislated upon, nor
shall l ask that anything be done to adj
vance the social status of the colored man
" give MIN q -CnancG To Q0-
velop what there is good in him. Give
him access to schools, and when he trav-
els let him feel assured that his conduct
will regulate the treatment and fare he
will receive.


INsURRECTIoNARY STATES.


The States lately at war with the Gen
eral Government are now happily reha-
bilitated, and no Executive control is
exercised in any one of them that would
not be exercised in any other State under
like circumstances.


sANTo DOMINGO.


In the first year of the past administers
ton the proposition came up for the ad-
mission of Santo Domingo as a territory
OF the Union. 1t was not question Of
my seeking, but it was proposition from
the people of Santo Domingo, and which
entertained believe now, as l did
then, that it was for the best interests of
this country, for the people of Santo Do
mIngo and all concerned, that the propo-
sition should be received favorably; it
was, however, regarded adversely, and
therefore the subject was never brought
up again by me.


ACQUISITION OF TERRITORY.
In the future, while hold my present
office, the subject of acquisition Of terri
tory must have the support of the people |
before | will recommend any proposition |
looking to such acquisition. | say here, |
however, that do not share in the appre-
hension held by many as to the danger
of governments becoming weakened and !