1869 Inaugural Address: Facts About The 21st Presidential Inauguration

Whether you are of native or foreign birth, the president's inaugural speech is likely to have an effect on you.

This speech is looked forward to by many people since it gives them a glimpse at what a person's tenure as president may look like. This speech essentially informs the people of a president's intentions as a leader of the nation.

The inaugural speech delivered by the 18th American president also holds a dear place in everyone's hearts because it came at a time when people needed some relief from the atrocities of the war.

Ulysses S. Grant, in his inaugural speech, talked about many issues and also strongly argued in favor of the 15th amendment, which called for an equal law.

Keep reading for more facts about Grant's inaugural address!

If you enjoy reading this article, why not also check out Martin Luther King Jr facts and Abraham Lincoln facts here at Kidadl!

What did Ulysses Grant achieve?

Ulysses S. Grant is known and widely celebrated for his achievements during the Civil War. He was vigorous when it came to tackling the Confederate States and containing their rebellion. His vigor in terms of fighting in the war also came to a point where he got multiple promotions from President Abraham Lincoln himself.

His appointment as the 18th president of the United States of America also gave him an added boost. His first inaugural speech attracted speculation since the then president, Andrew Johnson, refused to attend it. He was an important symbol of the win of the Union Armies against the Confederate States and the rebellion that they had started.

Son to a tanner in Ohio, he was employed as a general that had to manage a regiment of unruly men that were to fight against the rebels. He achieved this with little effort and was able to ensure that the Union won.

A few of his wins were quite consequential and eventually led to him being promoted to higher ranks. However, as with all rebellions and wars, there were some events in which Ulysses S Grant was unable to reach his desired ends.

It was after one such unsuccessful endeavor that President Lincoln was urged to remove Grant. However, Abraham Lincoln placed his faith in Grant, which did pay off well in the future.

One of the most significant wins for Ulysses S Grant was when he was able to create his foothold in Vicksburg, thereby dividing the Confederate States in two.

This was a divisive strategy, in addition to the fact that his national pride did not allow him to make compensations.

He was well renowned for his strategy that basically meant that he would either have complete surrender from the Confederates or nothing. It was rather fortunate for the Union Armies that it was the first option that the Confederates chose, and the more difficult route did not have to be opted for.

Ulysses S Grant's speech was well received by the people of the United States, as well as by the press. His speech was received in good faith since it was well put together and also concise.

The basic takeaways from his speech were that there would be equal respect for all members of society, despite their race.

This was also enforced and strengthened by the fact that the Civil Law had just been passed after being ratified by the states. He had the conscious desire to do away with any obnoxious laws, especially after the great rebellion that still marks dark days in the history of the United States.

What was the first recorded inaugural speech?

An inaugural speech is one in which the freshly elected president delivers their first speech as the president of the United States of America. It takes place after the oath-taking ceremony has been concluded and the person has lawfully been appointed to the office of president.

The inaugural speech ceremony was started by President George Washington when he was appointed as the first president of the United States of America. Although it was not a necessity to deliver such an address, the presidents who came after him did and created a tradition around it.

In the present day, this has become a custom. George Washington's inaugural address was recorded on paper and is still available in the national archives for public viewing.

Ulysses S Grant's inaugural speech was well-received but also led to some speculation, although this was through no fault of his own. The then-president, Andrew Johnson, who was the 17th president of the United States of America, refused to attend the oath-taking ceremony.

Grant refused to sit in the same carriage as President Andrew John when traveling to the oath-taking venue. This made Andrew Johnson the first US president to boycott the inaugural speech and oath-taking ceremony.

He was the only president to do so for a long time, until recently. It was President Donald Trump who added to the list after a century and a half, by boycotting President Joe Biden's oath-taking ceremony and inaugural address in 2021.

Famous Presidential Inaugural Speeches

There have been many notable presidential speeches over the years. While some of them have been marked as the best ones to ever be delivered, some others have been known to be the worst.

President Abraham Lincoln and both of his inaugural speeches are still talked about in many circles. He was the symbol of the end to systematic oppression and bad or obnoxious laws.

While his first address talked of national honor, the second talked about an equitable law and a happy union of the North and South at the end of the Civil War.

Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural speech came at a time when America was beginning to understand the power that it held. Hence, his speech had a strong hint of the task at hand and the glory that awaited.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's inaugural speech came when America was struggling with the Great Depression, and hence, it was expected that he would be able to gain public confidence at the very start of his tenure. His strong words and apt oratory skills were successful in doing so.

What were the outcomes of Grant's speech?

Grant's speech on March 4, 1869, had a strong mention of public debt and how it would be paid in gold.

Ulysses S Grant speaking about public debt and how the great debt ought to be paid through national honor was quite influential.

He also ensured the people of his nation that his political opinion would have no influence when it came to enforcing the laws outlined in the constitution. He was also successful in reassuring people that there would be no bad or obnoxious laws during his time as the president of America.

He repeatedly stated that the great debt that was owed would be paid in order for America to become trustworthy around the world, eventually laying the foundation for a strong and sustainable foreign policy as well.

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