Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-03-27
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
PRESIDENT JACKSON,
ON THE FOURTH OF MARCH, 1888.


FELLOW CITIZENS:
The will of the American people, expressed
through their unsolicited suffrages, calls me be-
fore you to pass through the solemnities pre-
paratory to taking upon myself the duties of
President of the United States, for another
term. For their appreciation OF my public con-
duct, through period which has not been with
out its difficulties, and for this renewed express
sion of their confidence in my good intentions,
/ am at loss for terms adequate to the express
sion of my gratitude 1t shall be displayed,
TO the extent of my humble abilities, in CONT
nued efforts so to administer the Government,
as to preserve their liberty and promote their
happiness. j.
last 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 pursued by the
General Government, that | need, on this occa-
sion, but allude to few leading considerations,
connected with some of them.
The foreign policy adopted by our Govern
ment soon after the formation of our presen.
Constitution, and very generally pursued by
successive administrations, has been crowned
with almost complete success, and has elevated
our character among the nations of the earth :.
To do Justice to all, and submit to wrong from
none, has been, during my administration, its
governing MAXIM; and SO happy has been its
results, that we are not only at peace with all
the world, but have few causes of controversy,
and those of minor importance, remaining un-
adjusted.
In the domestic policy Of this Government,
there are two objects which especially deserve
the attention Of the people and their Repre-
.sentatives, and which have been, and will con-
tinue to be, the subjects Of my increasing sol-
citude. They are the preservation of the rights
of the several States, and the integrity OF the
Union.
These great objects are necessarily connect
ed, and can only be attained by an enlightened
exercise of the powers of each within its app
propriate sphere, in conformity with the public
will constitutionally expressed. 10 this end,
it becomes the duty of all to yield ready and
patriotic submission to the laws constitutionaly
enacted, and thereby promote and strengthen
a proper confidence in those institutions of thel
several States and of the United States which
the people themselves have ordained tor their
own government.
NV experience in public concerns, aud the
observation Of life somewhat advanced, con-
firm the opinions long since imbbed by me,
that the destruction Of our State governmental
or the annihilation Of their control over the
local concerns of the people, would lead direct
ly revolution and anarchy, and finally to de-
spotism and military domination. In proper
ton. therefore, as the general government en-
croaches upon the rights Of the States, in the
same proportion does it impair its own power
and detract from its ability to fulfil the pur-
noses of its creation. Solemnly impressed with
these considerations, my countrymen will ever'