The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-03-22
wAsmINcroN, MARCH 4, 1909.


wAsHINoroN, MARCH 4, 1909.
This day, at 10 O'Clock, JAMES MADISON took
the oath of Office, President of the United States,
and delivered in the Chamber of TIE House OF Re-
presentatves in presence of the senate, most OF the
ate Representatives and large concourse OF Cri-
zens, the following
UNWILLING to depart from examples
of the most revered authority, l avail
myself OF the occasion now presented, TO
express the profound impression made
on me, by the call of my country 10 the
station, to the duties of which am a.
bout to pledge myself, by the most SOL
emn of sanctions. SO distinguished a
mark of confidence, proceeding from the
deliberate and tranquil suffrage OF a free
and v;rtuous nation, would under any
circumstances have commanded my graf
itude ard devotion as well as flied me
with an awful sense OF the trust to be
assumed. Under the various circum-
stances which give peculiar soiemni'y to
the existing period. | feel that both The
honour ard Inc responsibility allotted to
me arc inexpressiblI' enhanced.
The present sirustitn OF the world is
indeed without pSrallel land that ofour
own country full of difficulties. The
pressure OF these 100 is the more severely
felt, because they have iallen upon us at
moment, when the national prosperity
being at height not before attained, the
contrast resulting from the change has
been rendered the more striking. Under
the benign influence of ovr Republican
institutions, and the maintenance Of peace
with all nations, whilst so many of them
were engaged in bloody and wastelul
wars, the fruits of a just policy were en-
joyed in an unrfvalled growth ofour fac
ulties and resources. Proofs of this were
seen in the improvements of agriculture !;
III the sscceStui v.-.--.---',v-z-- vrs ,--7,r--
merce; in the progress ot manufactures
and useful arts, in the increase of the
publick revenue, & the use made Of ], in
reducing the publick debt and in the
valuable works and establishments every
where multiplying over the face OF our
land.
Ii is precious reflection that the tran
sition from this prosperous condition OF
our country, TO the scene which has fov
some time been distressing us, is no.
chargcable on any unwarrantable views,
nor as / trust,on any involuntary errors,
in the pub!ick councils. Indulging no
passions which tresspass on tie rights, or
the repose OF other nations, thas been
the true glory of the United States to
cultivate peace, by observing justice, and
to entitle themselves to the respect of the
nations at war, by fulfilling their neutral
obligations, with the most scrupulous
| impartiality. If there be candour in the
world, the truth of these. assertions vii
not be questioned posterity, at least,
viii ] do justice to them.
This unexceptionable course could
no, avail against the injustice and vio-
lence Of the belligerent powers. In their
rage against each other, or impelIed BY
more direct motives, principles of retalia-
tim have been introduced, equally con-
trary to universal reason, & acknowledg.
ed law. How long their arbitrary edicts
will be continued in spite of the demon
STATIONS that not even pretext for them
has been given by the United States, and
Of the fair and liberal attempt to induce
a revocation of them, cannot be anticipa.
ted. Assuring myself, that under every
vicissitude, the determined spirit and
united councils of the nation will be safe
guards to its honour and its essential in
terests, | repair TO the post assigned me,
with no other discouragement than what
springs from my own inadequacy to its
high duties. III do not sink under the
,.,p;orht oc THE fleer co,,,;,,;op ~ 20 te