Year: 1873

route of the inaugural procession found it
impossible to keep themselves comfortable.
The President occupied an open carriage,


and was accompanied by Senators Cragin,


Logan, and Bayard. He joined the process


sion soon after the starting, taking posi-


tion in the third division of the parade.
The carriage in which he sat was drawn


by four closely clipped mouse-colored horses,


and his appearance was the signal of hearty


cheering, waving of handkerchief and


other demonstrations of applause as he rode


along.


The procession altogether, civic and Or
ganizations, numbered at least twelve thou
sand, and made an imposing display. Nearly
every organization in the march was accom-
panied by an effective brass band, and the
route was enlivened by excellent music for
space nearly two miles in length.


After the ceremonies in the Senate, that
body proceeded to the eastern portico of
the Capitol, accompanied by the House of
Representatives, and the distinguished per-
sonages invited to be present, and the regu-
lar Inauguration ceremonies were then pro-
ceeded with, according to the programme
previously announced.


The oath of Office was administered to
the President, elect, by Chief Justice Chase
after which he proceeded to deliver the fol-
lowing inaugural address:


sFELLow CITIzENs:-Under Providence
l have been called second time to act as
Executive over this great nation. 1t has
been my endeavor in the past to maintain
all the laws, and so far as lay in my power
to act for the best interests 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 the office.
When my first term of office of Chief Ex-
ecutive began, the country had not recov
cred from the effects of a great internal rev.
olution, and three of the former States had
not been restored to their Federal relations.
1t seemed to me wise that no new questions
should be raised so long as that condition OF
affairs existed. Therefore the past four
years, SO far as could control events have
been consumed in the effort to restore har-
mony, public credit, commerce, all the arts
of peace and progress. 1t is my firm con-
viction that the civilized world is tending
towards republicanism, or government by
the people through their chosen representa-
tives, 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 that of either
of at least five of them.


s"There could be no extension of territory
on this continent which could call for an in
crease of this force, but rather might such
extension enable us to diminish it.


''The theory of Government changes with
the general progress. Now that the tele
graph is made available for communicating
thought, together with rapid transit by
steam, all parts of the continent are made
contiguous for all purposes of Government
and communication between the extreme
limits of the country made easier than it
was throughout the old thirteen States at
the beginning of our national existence.


e'The effects of the late civil strife have
been to free the slave and make him citi-
zen. He is not possessed of the civil rights
which citizenship should carry with it
This is wrong and should be corrected.


sTo this correction stand committed so
far as Executive influence can avail. Social
equality is not subject to be legislated up
on, nor shall ask that anything be done to
except to give him fair chance to develop
what there is good in him. Give him ac-
cess to schools, and when he travels let him
feel assured that his conduct will regulate
the treatment and fare he will receive.


ssThe States lately at war with the Gen
eral Government are new happily rehabili-
tated, and no executive control is exercised
in any one of them that would not be exer-
cised in any other State under like circum-
In the first part of the past ad-
the proposition came up for
the admission of Santo Domingo as terri
of the Union. 1t was not question of my
SccAlu9, Uuo w do eb plOpocAulOI AlOih PoOPiS
of Santo Domingo, and which entertained.
I believe now, as did then, that it was for
the best interests of this country, for the
people of Santo Domingo, and all concerned,
that the proposition should be received ia
vorably. 1t was, however, rejected consti-
and therefore the subject was
never brought up again by me.


''In future, while hold my present office,
the subject of acquisition of territory must
have the support Of the people before I will
any proposition looking to such
acquisition. say here, however, that I do
not share in the apprehension held by many
as to the danger of governments becoming
weakened and destroyed by reason of their
extension of territory.


Commerce, education, and rapid transit
of thought and matter by telegraph and
steam, have changed all this. Rather do
believe that our Great Maker is preparing
the world in His own good time to become
one nation, speaking one language, and when
armies and navies will be no longer required.


ssMy efforts in the future will be directed
to the restoration of good feeling between
the different sections of our common coun-
try, to the restoration of our currency to a
fixed value as compared with the worlds
standard of values, gold, and, if possible, to
q par with it; to the construction of cheap
routes of transit throughout the land, to the
end that the products of all sections may
ind market and leave living remunera-
5ion to the producer; to the maintenance OF
friendly relations with all our neighbors and
with the distant nations; to the re-establish-
ment of our commerce and share in the car
rying trade upon the ocean; to the encour-
agement of such manufacturing industries
as can be economically pursued in this coun-
try, to the end that the exports of home
products and industries may pay for our
imports, the only sure method of returning |