The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-03-07

" ptS dh vi uS SOktCltOuS, DIS YOU may ca
silly conceive to hear the inaugural Esfosc
of this celebrated Statesman.
WASHINGTON. March 4, 1909.
This Day, at IL O'Clock, LINES M.4DL-.
SON took the oath Of office as PREsr-
DENT IMe UNITED STATEs, and deli
pered, IN The Chamber Of the House IF
Representatives, in The Presence of The
Senate. most Of the late Representatives,
and a large concourse Of Citizens, tie
following
SPEECH:
UNWILLING to depart from examples,
OF the most revered authority, i avail my
self of the occasion now presented, to express
the profound impression made on me, by the
call OF my country to the STATEN, to the duties
of which am about to pledge myself, by
the most solemn of sanctions. So distinguish
ed a mark OF confidence, proceeding from
the deliberate and tranquil suffrage of a free
and virtuous nation, would, under any Cir
cunstances, have commanded my gratitude.
and devotion as well as filled me with an
awful sense of the trust 20 be assumed
Under the various circumstances which give
peculiar solemnity to the existing period, 1
feel that both the honor and the. responsible
Ivy allotted tome are incxpressibiy enhan-
ced,
The present situation of the world is in
deed without a parallel and that of our
own country full of difficulties. The pres
sure OF these too Is the more severely felt.
because theyhave fallen upon us at a mo-,
ment, when the national prosperity, being
at a height not before attained. the contrast
resulting from the change, has been render
ed the more striking. Under the benign in
fuence OF our Republican, institutions, ana
the maintenance of peace with all nations,
xUhI.nf e IN pna-r Sc .l -.
bloody and wasteful wars, the fruits Of a list
policy were enjoyed in an unyivallcd growth
OF our faculties and resources. Proofs of tbs
were seen in the improvements of a~gricrl-
ture /; In the successful enterprises of COM
merce IN the progress OF manufactures and
useful arts in the increase CT the public
revenue, and the use made of it in reGucin.
the public debt and in the valuable works
ana establishments every where multiply
ing over the face OF our land.
itIsa precious reflection that the transition
:. from TINS prosperous condition Of our country,
TO the scene which has for some time been
distressing US, is not c~Gargcable on any IN
lW'arrantabie views, nor, go ! srust, CT any
involuntary errors, i'll tle public Councils
lndui8lng 20 passions which trssDass on the
rlghts, or the reposc OF other nations, it has
6sen the true glory of the Urited GtaSes to
cultivate peace, by observing Justice, and TO
entitle themselves to the respect Of the ma
tioRs at war, by fulfilling their neutral obi
cations, with the most scrupu'ous Impartial
ty. III there be csndcr in the word, the
truth of these assertions will rot be cues
Toned /; posterity, at least, viii do justice to
them.
Ihis unexceptionable Course could not
avail against the injustice and violence OF the
Deiligerent overs. In their rage agains.
each other, Or impellcd by noe direct mo
tives, principles of retaliation have been IN
trodnced, equally contrary to universal rea-
son, and acknowledged law. How long their
arbitrary edicts will be continued, In spite of
the demonstrations that not even a pretexs
Tor them has been given by the United States,
apd OF the fair and liberal attempt to induce
revocation OF them, cannot be anticipated.
Assuring myself, that under every %vicissi-
tude, the determined spirit and united cotn-
c'ls OF the nation will &c safeguards to its
honor and its essential interests, | repair
10 the post assigned me, with no other dis
couragemens than what springs from my.
own Inadequacy to its high duties. IfIdonot
sunk under the weight Of this deep conviction.
1T is because | find some supportin a consci-
BUSINESS ot TIE purposes, and a confidence in
7tse principles which l bring with me, into
this a'duous service.
10 Cherish peace and friendly intercourse
VIII" "apUIS having correspondent diSpO-
sitions ; 70 maintain sincere neutrality tow
ards b~eIli%erent nations to prefer in all ca
ses, amicabie discussion and reasonable ac-
commodation of differences, to a decision of
them by an appeal TO arms to exclude TO
reign lntrigues and foreign partialitieis, so
degrading 10 all countries, and so baneful to
free ones; to foster a spirit of independence,
too just to invade the rights of others, tor
proud 30 surrender our swD too liberal to
indulge unworthy preindices ourselves, and
TOO e!eVatednOt to look down upon them in
others to hold the union of the States as
the basis OF their peace and happiness to
support the constitution which is the cement
of the union, as we'll in its limitations as in
us authorities; to respect the rights and
authorities reserved to the states and to the
people, as equally incorporated with, and
essential to the success of the general sys-
ten to avoid the slightest interference
with the rights of conscience or the functi-
ons OF religion, so wisely exempted from CT
VII jurisdiction; to oppressive IN their full en-
ersy the other s~alutary provisions in behalf
OF private and personal rights, and Of the