Thomas's Massachusetts spy, or, Worcester gazette. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1811-1821, 1821-03-21
INAUGURAL SPEECH.
WASHINGTON. MARcH

WASHINGTON, MARCH b.
Yesterday, at IL o'clock, on taking
the oath to support the Constitution of
the United States, the following Speech
was delivered by JAMES MONROE,
President of the United States :--
FRLLow-CIrlzENs-
/ SHALL not attempt to deferibe the grateful
emotions which the new and very diRinguiihed
proof of the confidence of my fellow.citizens,
evnced by my reelection 70. this high truR, has
excited in my bolom. The appreciation which
it announces of my conduit, in the preceding
tern, affords me coniolation which ihall pro.
foundry feel through life, The general accord
with which ithss been expreGed. adds to the
great and never. ceaing obligation which it i'm
poles. To merit the continuance OF this good
opinion, and to carry il with me into my re-
trement. as the FOLIAGE Of advancing years, will
be the obje9 of my mo& jealous and uncea6ng
efforts.
Having no pretenGon to the high and COM
handing claims of my predictions, whole names
are 70 much more conipicuouily identified with
our revolution, and who contributed 70 pre-eu,-
inently to promote its iucceis. l confider mytelf
rather as the iuRrument than the caule of the u
MON which has prevailed in the late eleaion.--
In iurmounting, in favour OF my humble pre-
,eniions, the difficulties which 70 often produce
diviion in like occurrences, il is obvious that
other powerful cauies, indicating the great reDgth
and liability of our union, have eiIentially cou-
tributed to draw you together. That shele pow
erful csuies exil, and that they are permanent,
is my fixed opinion; that they may produce a
like accord in all qaeftions, touching, however
remotely the liberty, PROPERTY and happiness,
Of our country. will always be the objea Of
my tnolt tervsnt prayers to the Supreme Author
of all good.
In government which is founded by the
people, who pofleis exclusively the fovercignty it
teems proper that the perion who may be placed
by their iuhfages in this high truf, mould de-
clare, on commencing its duties, the principles
on which he intends to coudua the adminiflra-
ton. If the perfon, thus elected, has ierved the
preceding term, an opportunity j. afforded him
TO review its principal occurrences, and to give
iuch further explanation. veipetaing them as, in
his Judgment, may be alsful to his conilituents.
The events of one year have influence on thole of
another; and, in like manner, of preceding on
the fueceediug administration. The movements
OF great nation are connected in all their parts.
II errors have been committed, they ought to be
corrected If the policy 10 foond, il ought to be
Imported. It il bya thorough knowledge Of
the whole fubjea that our fellow-cisizens arc en-
ablcd to judge eorretaly Of the pat, and TO give
proper dire6fion TO the future. rs
Jua before the commencement Of the laR term,
the United States had concluded war with
very powerful nation, on conditions equal and
hononrabie to both parties. The events Of that
war are too recent, and too deeply imPreGed On
the memory Of all. TO require development
fEom me. Our commerce had been in great
rneaiure driven from the Zee our Aslansick and
inland fronsiers were invaded in almoR every
Parfi she waite Of life along our COAT, and on
Tome Parss OF our inland frontiers, to the defence
OF which our gallant end pstriosick citizens were
calico wss bnmsnie; in addition to which, not