Congressional Record - The Proceedings and Debates
Volume I
March 4, 1873
Special Session of The Senate of The United States
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CRECB-1873-pt1-v1/pdf/GPO-CRECB-1873-pt1-v1.pdf

Hon. HENRY WILSON, Vice-President of the United States, having taken the oath of office at the close of the last regular session of the Forty-second Congress, took the chair and directed the Secretary to read the proclamation convening a special session of the Senate.

Newly-elected Senators were sworn in

In 1873, at the convening of the the Forty-second Congress, there were 37 states.

President Ulysses S Grant, having been elected to a second term, gave his second Inaugural address before the Senate.

"Fellow citizens: Under Providence I have been called a second time to act as Executive over this great nation. It 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, I trust, by my four years' experience in the office."

Notable quotes:

"It is my firm conviction that the civilized world is tending toward republicanism, or government by the people through their chosen representatives, and that our own great Republic is destined to be the guiding star to all others.

The theory of government changes with general progress. Now that the telegraph is made available for communicating thought, together with rapid transit by steam, all parts of a 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.

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 carry with it. This is wrong, and should be corrected.

Social equality is not a subject to be legislated upon, nor shall I ask that anything be done to advance the social status of the colored man, except to give him a fair chance to develop what there is good in him, give him access to the schools,

and when he travels let him feel assured that his conduct will regulate the treatment and fare he will receive.

All these things are not to be accomplished by one individual, but they will receive my support and such recommendations to Congress as will in my judgment best serve to carry them into effect. I beg your support and encouragement.

It has been, and is, my earnest desire to correct abuses that have grown up in the civil service of the country. To secure this reformation rules regulating methods of appointment and promotions were established and have been tried.

My efforts for such reformation shall be continued to the best of my judgment. The spirit of the rules adopted will be maintained.

I acknowledge before this assemblage, representing, as it does, every section of our country, the obligation I am under to my countrymen for the great honor they have conferred on me by returning me to the highest office within their gift,

and the further obligation resting on me to render to them the best services within my power.

This I promise, looking forward with the greatest anxiety to the day when I shall be released from responsibilities that at times are almost overwhelming, and from which I have scarcely had a respite since the eventful firing upon Fort Sumter, in April, 1861, to the present day.

My services were then tendered and accepted under the first call for troops growing out of that event.

I did not ask for place or position, and was entirely without influence or the acquaintance of persons of influence,

but was resolved to perform my part in a struggle threatening the very existence of the nation. I performed a conscientious duty, without asking promotion or command, and without a revengeful feeling toward any section or individual.

Notwithstanding this, throughout the war, and from my candidacy for my present office in 1868 to the close of the last Presidential campaign,

I have been the subject of abuse and slander scarcely ever equaled in political history, which to-day I feel that I can afford to disregard in view of your verdict, which I gratefully accept as my vindication."

Compile @threader_app