Year: 1873

ilitated, and no executive control Is eYer
. cised in any Of them that would not bG
exerclsedin any other State under like
circumstances.


In the first part Of the administration
the proposition came up for the admis
sion OF Santo Domingo as Territory o.
; the Union. It was not question Of my
seeking, but came from the people oI
SRnto Domingo and which l entertained.
. II believe now as did then, that It was


for the best interests OF the country fol
the people Of Santo Domingo and all con


cerned that the proposition should be re


ceived faVorably. It was, however, re-


jected constitutionally and therefore the


subject was never brought up again by


me. In the future, while l hold my


present office, the subject of tho ,acquisi'


ton of Territory must have the support


of the people before l will recommend


any proposition looking 10 such acquisi.


ton. l say here, however, that l do not


share in the approximations held by many


as to the danger of Governments becom-


ing weakened and destroyed by reason Of


their extension of limits. Commerce, edu.


cation, rapid transit Of Thought and mat


ter by telegraph and steam have changed


this. Rather do l believe that our


great Maker Is preparing the world in


his own good time 10 become ono nation,


speaking one tongue and when armies and


nayles will be no longer required.


Ny 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 cur


rency 10 fixed value compared with the


worlds standard OF values, gold, and, if


possible, to par with il; TO the construc.


ton Of cheap routes Of transit throughout


the land, to the end that the products Of
all sections may find market and leave
a living remuneration to the producer; to


the maintenance of friendly relations
with all our neighbors and with the distant
nations; to the re.establishment Of our
commerce to a share in the carrying trade
upon the ocean; to the encouragement Of
such manufacturing industries US can be
economically pursued In this country to
the end that the exports Oi home products
and industries may pay for our imports,
the only sure method Of returning 10 and
permanently maintaining specie basis;
TO the elevation Of labor; and by hu-
name course to bring the aborigines ol the
country under the benign influences Of ed
ucatlon and civilization. 1t is either this
or a war Of determination. Wars OF eX-
termination engaged in by people pursu-
Ing commerce andall industrial pursuits,
are expensive even against the weakest
people, and are demoralizing and wicked.
Our superiority Of strength and advan-
tages Of civilization should make US len
lent towards the Indian. The wrong al
ready inflicted upon him should be taken
into account, and the balance placed 10
his credit. The moral view OF the Ques- |
tion should be considered and the ques.
tion asked, cannot the Indian be made q |
useful and productive member Of society |
by proper teaching and treatment? Ifthe
effort is made In good faith, we will
stand better before the civilized nations of
the earth, and in our own conscicnces for
having made it. All these things are not |
to be accomplished by one individual, but |
they will receive my support and such re-
Communications 10 Congress as will in my |
judgment best serve TO carry them into
effect. l beg your support and encourage
ment. t-


II has been and Is my earnest desire 10
correct the abuses that have grown up In
the Civil Service Of the country. To &C.
cure this reformation rules regulating the
methods OF appointment and promotion
were established and have been tried.
My efforts for such reformation shall be
continued 10 the best Of my judgment.
The spirit OF the rules will be maintained.


acknowledge before this assemblage,
representing, as 1t does every section Of
the country, the obligation am under to
my countrymen for'the great honor con-
ferred on me by returning me 10 the
highest Office within their gift, and the
further obligation resting on me to rem.
der them the best services within my
power. This Iipromise, looking forward
with the greatest anxiety to the day when
l shall be released from the responsible.
ties that ut times are almost oVerwhelm.
ing, and from which ! have scarcely had
q respite since the eventful firing upon
Fort 5umpter In April, 1861, to the present
day. My services were rendered and &C.
cepted under the first call for troops
growing out Of that event. ! did not ask
Tor place or position and was entirely
without influence or the acquaintance Of
persons Of influence, but was resolved 10
perform my part In struggle threaten
ing the very existence OF the nation-a
conscientious duty, without promotion or
command and without reVengeful feel.
ing towards any section or individual.
Notwithstanding this, throughout the
war and from my candidacy for my pres.
eut Office In! 1858 10 the close Of the last
Presidential campaign, l have been the
subject Of abuse and slander scarcely ever
eQusled in political history, which today
/ feel that l can; afford to disregard In
view OF your verdict which gratefully
accept as my vindication.


His voice was not audible except TO
persons on or near the PLATFORM and con.
seq1entlY there were no manifestations Of
applause or otherwise during It's delivery
which occupied less than ten minutes, and
was completed before a large part Of the
sssemblage not directly in range Of view
knew It had commenced. At the con.
clusion of the address the President was
warmly congratulated by his friends, and
soon after left In his carriage for the
White House, escorted by the procession
which had formed and taken up the line
Of march. Most of the outside crowd
followed in the same direction and tho
rest dispersed to their homes, while the
Senate returned 10 their chamber, and
the inauguration ceremonies at the
Capitol were concluded. Immediately in
'front.'; OF the White House, on Pennsyl-
vanis avenue, was large covered plat
form from which the President was to re.
view the military. The stand was decora'
ted with flags and streamers and inside 1t
was handsomely upholstered and contain
ed seats for the Presidential party. The
review stand was guarded from the