Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-03-29
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
MARTIN VAN BUREN,,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Fellop Citisens The practice of all my pre-
decessors imposes on me an obligation cheerful
ly fulfil, to accompany the first and solemn act of
my public trust with an avowal OF the principles
that will guide mo in performing it, and an ex.
preston of my feelings on assuming charge so
responsible and vast In initiating their exam
pie, tread in the footsteps of illustrious men,
whose superiors, lis happiness to believe, are
not found on the executive calendar OF any coun-
try. Among them, we recognise the earliest and
iirmest pillars Of tho Republic; those by whom
our national Independence was first declared hun
who, above ell others, contributed TO establish il
on the field OF battle; and those whose expanded
intellect and patriotism constructed, improved,
and perfected the inestiinsble institutions under
which we live. If such men, in the position l
now occupy, falt themselves overwhelmed by
sonse of gratitude for this, tho highest Of all
marks of their country's confidence and by
consciousness of their inability adequately 10 dis
charge the duties Of an office difficult and ex
allied, how much more must these considerations
affect ons, who can rely on no such claims tor fi
vor or forboarance? Unlike all who have pre-
ceded me- the revolution that give us existence as
one people, was achieved at tho period of my
birth and, whilst contemplate with grateful
reverence that memorable event. ! feel tina. be-
long to later age, and that may not expect my
countrymen to weigh my actions with the same
kind and partial hand.
So sensibly, fellow citizens, do these circum-
stances press themselves upon me, that should
not dare to enter upon my path of duty, did ! not
look for the generous aid of those who will be
associated with me in the various and coordinate
branches of The government; aid l not ropose
with unwavering reliance, on the patriotism, the
intelligence, and tho kindness of people who
never yet deserted public servant honestly Ia
boring in their cause and above all, did not
permit myself humbly TO hope for the sustaining
support of an ever watchful and benehccnt Pro-
vidence.
To the confidence and consolation derived from
these sources, il would be ungratoiul not TO add
those which spring from our present fortunate
condition. Though not altogether exempt from
embarrassmonts that disturb our tranquility at
home and threaten it abroad yet in all the attr-
butcs of great, happy, and furnishing people,
we stand without parallel in the world. Abroad,
we enjoy the respect, and, with scarcely an ex-
ception, the friendship of cvery nation at home,
while our Government quietly, but efficiently,
Performs the sole legitimate end Of political in
stituions in doing the greatest good to the great
est number, we present an aggregate OF human
prosperity surely not elsewhere to be found.
How imperious, then, is tho obligation imposed
upon every citizen, in his own sphere of action
whether limited or extended, to exert himself in
pcrpetuating condition of things so singularly
happy. All the lessons Of history and experience
must DO lost upon us, if we are content to trust
alono TO the peculiar advantages we happen to
possess. Position and climate, and the bounteous
resources that nature have scattered with so ber-
al a hand-even the ditfused intelligence and ele-
waited character Of our people-will avail US no.
thing, if we fail saeredly to uphold those political
institl tons that were wisely and deliberately
formed, with reference to every circumstance
fI,.tc N,,Id ;rhf dt
sings VIC enjoy. The thoughtful trainers of our
constitution, legislated for our country as they
found it. Looking upon it with the eyes Of
statesmen and Of patriots, they saw all the sour
ces Of rapid and wonderful prosperity; but they
saw also, that various habits, opinions and insti-
tutions, peculiar to the various portions of so vast
a region, were deeply fixed. Distinct sovereign
ties were in actual existence whose cordial union
was essential TO the welfare and happiness of ALL
Between many Of them there was at least to some
extent, real diversity of interests, liable to be
exaggerated through sinister designs they diff.
fered in size population, in wealth, and in actual
and prospective sources and power they varied
in the character Of their industry and staple pro-
auctions and in some existed domestic institu-
tions, which, unwisely disturbed, might endan-
ger the harmony Of the whole. Most carefully
were all these circumstances weighed, and the
foundation of the now Government laid upon
compromise. The iealousies which the smaller
states might entertain of the power of the rest
were allayed by rule ofrepresentation,c confessed
~ unequal at the time, and designed for ever to
main so. A natural fear that the broad scope of
general legislation might bear upon and unwisely
control particular interests, was counteracted by
limits strictly drawn around the action of the
federal authority; and to the people and the
States was left unimpaired their sovereign power
ternal government Of just republic, excepting
such only as necessarily appertain to the concerns
of the whole confederacy, or its intercourse, as
united community, with the other nations of the
world.
This proviient forecast has been verified by
time. Half century, toeming with oxtraor-
binary events, and elsewhere producing astonish-
ing results, has passed along, but on our institu-
tons il has left no injurious mark. From small
community, we have risen to people powerful
in numbers, and in strength; but with our in
crease has gone hand in hand, the progress Of
just principles the privileges, civil and religious
of the humblcst individual, arc still sacredly pro-
tected at home and, while the valor and forttude
of our people have removed far from the slight
est apprehension of foreign power, they have not
yet induced us, in single instance TO forget what
is right. Our commerce has been extended to
the remoest nations the value and even nature of
our productions has been greatly changed, wide
difference has arisen in the relative wealth and
resources Of every portion of our country, yet
the spirit of mutual regard and of faithful ad-
herence to existing compacts, has continued to
prevail in our councils, and never long been abb
sent from our conduct. We have learned by ex-
perience fruitful lesson that an implicit and
undertaking adherence to the principles on which
we set out, can carry prosporously onward
through all the conflicts of circumstances, and
the vic isstudes nseparable from the lapse years.
The success that has thus attended our great
experiment, is, in itself, sufficient cause for
gratitude, on account of the happiness it has ac-
tually conferred, and the example it has unans-
weraby given. But to me, my fellow citizens,
looking forward to tho far distant future, with ar
dent prayers and confding hopes, this retrospect
presents ground for still deeper delight. II I'M
presses on my mind a firm belief that the porpe-
tuty of our institutions depends upon ourselves !;
that, if we maintain the principles on which
they were established, they arc destined to confer
their benefits on countless generations yet to come
and that America will present to overy friend Of
mankind the cheering proof, that popular Go
vernmcnt, wisely formed is wanting in no elo-
mont of endurance and strength. Fifty years
ago. its rapid failure was boldly predicted. Latent
and uncomfortable causes of dissolution were sup.
posed to exist, even by the wise and good and
not only did unfriendly or speculative theorists
anticipate for us the fate past republics, but the
fears of many an honest patriot overbalanced his
sanguinc hopes. Look back on these forobodings,
not hastily, but reluctantly made, and SEQ how,
in every instance, they have completely failed.
An imperfect experience, during the struggles
Of the revolution, was supposed TO warrant be.
lief that the people would not boar the taxation
requisite to discharge an immense public dcSt al