Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-03-10

The PRACTICES oil all my predecessors III
poses on me an obligation cheerfuily fulfil,
10 accompany the first and solemn aci Of
INV public trust with an avowal Of the prin-
ciples that will guide me in performing H.
and an expression OF my feelings on assum-
ing charge so responsible and vast In
initiating their example, tread 10 the foot
steps OF illustrious men, whose superiors, it
is our happiness to believe, are not found on
the executive calendar Of any country
Among them, we recognise the earliest aud
irmest pillars OF the republic; those by
whom our national independence was first
decIared-him who. above all others, con-
.ributed to establish it on the field Of battle /;
and those whose expanded intellect and pa
trioism constructed, improved and perfected
the ineslimable institutions under which we
live. If such men, in the position | now
occupy, felt themselves overwhelmed by a
sense Of gratitude for this, the highest Of all
marks Of their country's confidence. and by
consciousness Of their inability adequately
10 discharge the duties Of an Office so diff
cult and exalted how much more must these
considerations affect one. who can rely on
no such claims for favor or forbearance.
Unlike all who have preceded me, the
revolution. that gave us existence as n ma
ton. was achieved at the period my BIRTH
aud whilst contemplate with grateful rev.
erence that memorable event. feel that |
belong TO later age. and that may not ex-
pect my countrymen 10 weigh my actions
with the same kind and partial hand.
So sensibly, fellow ciiizens. do these cir
cums,ances press themselves upon me. that
should no, 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; did | not repose with unwa-
vering reliance on the patriotism, the intel
ligence, and the kindness. Of people who
never yet deserted public servant honestly
laborng in their cause; and, above all. did
not permit myself humbly 10 hope for the
sustaining support OF an ever-watchful and
bene6ceni Providence.
To the confidence and consolation derived
from these sources, il would be ungrateful
not 10 add those which spring from our pres
ent fortunate condition. Though not alto
gether exempt from embarrassments that
disturb our tranquility at home and threaten
i, abroad. yet. in all the attributes Of great,
happy, and tiourishing people, we stand
without parallel in the world. Abroad,
we enjoy the respect. and. with scarcely an
exception. the friendship Of every nation -
at home. while our Government quietly, but
efficiently, performs the sole legitimate end
OF political institutions, in doing the great.
est good TO the greatest NUMBER we presen;
an aggregate Of human prosperity surely
not elsewhere to be found.
How impefious, then. is the obligation i'm
posed upon every citizen, in his own sphere
OF action, whether limited OF extended. 10
exert himself in perpetuating condition oil
things SO singuiarly happy. All the les
sons Of history and experience must be lost
upon US. il we are content TO trust alone to
the peculiar advantages we happen TO pos.
sess. Position and climate. and the bounie
GUS resources that nature has scattered with
so liberal hand--eveu The dinused inlelli
gence and elevated character Of our people
will avail us nothing, il we fail sacredly
TO uphold those political institutions thai
were wisely and deliberately formed with
reference to every circumstance that could
preserve or might endanger. the blessings
we enjoy. The thoughtful trainers OF ouI
constitution legisla,ed for our country a.
they found IT, Looking upon il with the
eyes of Statesmen and Of patriots, they saw
allthe sources of rapid and wonderful pros
perity; but they saw also that various hab
its, opinions. and institutions, peculiar to the
various portions Of so vast region, were
deeply fixed. Distinct soveregniies were
in actual existence, whose cordial union wa.
essential 10 the welfare and happiness OF all
Between many of them there was at least Ia
some extent. a real diversity Of interests, LA
Bile to be exaggerated through sinister de-
signs; they differed in size, in population
in wealth, and in actual and prospective re-
sources and power; they varied in the char
acter of their industry and staple produc.
lions; and in some existed domestic nsti,u.
iions which, unwisely disturbed. might en-.
danger the harmony of the whole. Most
carefully were all these circumstances weigh.
ed. and the foundations of the new Govern.
ment laid upon principles of reciprocal con-
cession and equitable compromise. The
jealousies which the smaller States mig hi
entertain OF the power Of the rest were al
layed by a rule of representation, confessed
~ unequal at the time, and designed forever
to remain so.
A natural fear that the broad scope OF
general legislation might bear upon and I'M
wisely control particular interests, was coun.
teracled by limits strictly drawn around the
action of the federal authority; and to the
people and the States was LEFT unimpaired
their sovereign power over the nnumerable
subjects embraced in the internal govern
ment Of Just republic, excepting such only
as necessarily appertain to the concerns o
the whole confederacy, or its intercourse. a,