Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-03-07
INAuoU1Ax Address
or the Proias~s Of the Uaasd Sissss, Marcel
4ik, 1899.

4h, 1879.
FELLow -CiriIGss:-The uiIl OF the A.
mer'csn people. expressed through their un.
solicited suffssges calls me before you TO
pass through the solemnities preparatory. 10
taking upon N, self the duties Of President
Ut the United States. for another term For
their appreciation Of my public conduct, thro'
. period which hss not been without lie diff.
eulties. and for this renewed expression Of
their confidence in my good intentions, an
81 loss fos terms adequate to the expression
u my gratitude. Il shall be displayed, to
the extent OF my humble abilities, in con-
tinued efforts 20 to administer the govern
ment. - to preserve their liberty and pro-
mote their happiness.
So many events have occurred within the
lest four years. which have necessarily called
forth. sometimes under circumstances the
most delicate and painful. my views Of the
principles and policy which ought TO be pur'
ssed by the General Covcrnme nj, that I need,
on this occasion. but sllude to few leading
considerations. connected ~ith some Of them.
The foreign policy adopted by our Govern.
msnt soon after the formation Of our Consii.
tuition. and very generally pursued by sue.
cessive ADMINISTRATIONS, has been crowned
with almost eompete success, and has eleva.
ted our character among the nations OF the
earth. To do justice TO oil, and submit to
wrong from none, has been, during my ad
minissratioo. its governing maxim. and 90 hap.
py has been its results. that wo are not only
at peace with al the world. but have few
causes Of controversy, and those Of minor in.
postsnee remaining unsdjus,ed.
IN the domestic policy of this government,
there are two objects which especially de.
serve the attention OF the people and their
representatives., and which have been. and
will continue to be, the subjects Of my in-
cressing soliciiude. They are the preservs
ton OF the rights OF the several States, and
the integrity Of the Union.
These great objects are necessarily con-
! nec,ed. aud can only be attained by an en-
iigh,ene6 exercise Of the powers Of each
within lie appropriate sphere. in conformity
with the public will constitutionally express
ed To this end it becomes the duty Of all
TO yield ready aud patriotic submission to
the laws constitutionsily enacted, and there.
by promote and strengthen . proper conf.
dence IN those institutions OF the several
States, and of the United States which the
people themselves have ordained for their
own government.
My experience in public concerns, ard
the observations Of life somewhat advanced,
confirm the opinions long since imbibed by
me, that the destruction OF our State govern.
ments or the humiliation Of their control
over the local concerns Of the people. would
lead directly TO revolution and anarchy, and
finally TO despo,isrp and military domination.
In proportion, therefore, IS the general GO
vernment encroaches upon the rights of the
States, in the same proportion does IL impair
iis own power and detrsct from its ability to
fulfil the purposes of its creation.
2Otemalc inanreased Will, thess rnosiI
lions, my country men will ever find me ready
TO exercise my constitutional pow ers in or.
resting measures which may directly or indi.
recily encroach upon the rights Of the States,
or tend to consolidate all political power in
the General Government. But of equal and
incaIcuiable importance 10 the union of these
States. andth sacred duty Of all TO contribute
TO its preservation by q liberal support of the
Government in the exercise Of its just powers
You have been wisely aJmoaisbed to "accus.
tom yourselves to think and speak Of the
Union rs the palladium Of your political safe
~ and prosperity, watching for its preserva.
ton with jealous anxiety. disccunie sncing
whatever may suggest even . suspicion that
u can in any event be abandoned, aud indig.
nanily frowning upon the FIRST dawning Of
any attempt TO ALLEVIATE any portion Of our
country from the rest, or 20 enfeebi the So.
parts" Without union our indie pendenee and
liberty would never have been achieved
without union they can never be maintained
Divided into tweniy.four, or even o smaller
number OF separate communities, ve shall
see our in'ernsl trade b,irdened with mum.
beriess restraints and exactionsi communica.
ton between distant points and sections oh.
struc,ed, or cut Oft , our sons made soldiers TO
deiuge with blood the Rslds they nov till in
PesceI the mass ct our people borne down
and impoverished by taxes TO support armies
and nAvies, and military leaders At the head
OF their victorious legions becoming our law.
g'vers and judges. The loss Of liberty and ell
good government. Of peace, plenty and hap.
piness, must inevitably follow . dissolution Of
the Union In supporingi', therefore, we
support ell that is dear TO the freeman aud
the philanthropis,
The time t which . stand before you 10
iuIl OF interest. The eyes Of ell nations are
txed on our republic The event Of the ex.
istiDH crisis viii be decisive in the opinion ol
mankind Of the prseiicsbiIty Of our federal
system OF government. Great 10 the stake
placed in our hands, great 10 the response.
biGiy which must rec, upon the people Of the
United States. Let us realize the importance
Ut the attitude in which we stand before the
world. Let Us exercise fofbearsnee and firm
ness Let as exlrieste our country from the
dangers which surround IL. and learn wisdom
from the lessons which they ineulcs,e.
Deeply Impressed with the truth Of these
observations, and under the obligation of that
solemn oath which ] am sbou, TO take, shsll
continue TO exert eli my faculties 10 main
tain the just powers of The Constitution, and
10 transmit unimps'red to posIsriiy the bIes.
sings Of our federal Union. ~ the same time,
u will be my aim 20 ineules,e by my Off.
eisi acts, the necessity Of exercising BY the
General Government, those powers only lhs,
are elesFly deIegsted; 70 encourage Smpliei
] y and economy IN the expenditures Of TIE
Government, 10 raise no more money from
'he people thsn may be requisite fos these
ooJseis, and IN maBnef that Gill best pro
mote The Interests q Ell classes Of the CON
muHHy' snd Of Ell poriions Of the Union