The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-03-15
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF
PRESIDENT VAN BUREN,
FELLOW CITIZENS

poses on me an obligation cheerfully ful-
iii, to accompany the first and solemn act
of nv public trust with an avowal Of the
principles that will guide me in performing
it, and an expression Of my feelings on as
sumng charge SO responsible and vast
In initiating their example, tread in the
footsteps of illustrious men, whose supe-
riors, it is our happiness to believe, are not
found on the executive calender of any
country. Among them, we recognise the
earliest and frmest pillars OF the republic !;
those by whom our national independence
was first declared him who, above all 9TH
ers, contributed to establish it on the field
of battle and those whose expanded intel
lect and patriotism construed, improved,
and perfected the inestinable institutions un-
der which we live. If such men, in the
position now occupy, felt themselves over
whelmed by sense of gratitude for this
the highest Of all marks of their country's
confidence, and by consciousness of their
inability adequately to discharge the duties
of an Office so difficult and exalted, how
much more mus, 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 one people, was achieved at
the period of my birth and, whilst con-
template with grateful reverence that me-
m orable event, feel that belong to la
ter age, and that l may not expect nay
countrymen to weigh my actions with the
same kind and partial hand.
So sensibly, fellow citizens, do these cir
"a thar
Tshould 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; did l not repose, with un-
wavering reliance, on the patriotism, the in
telligence, and the kindness of a people
who never yet deserted a public servant
honestly laboring in their cause and, above
all, did not permit myself humbly to hope
for the sustaining support of an ever-watch-
fu and benificcnt Providence. -'
To the confidence and consolation de-
rived from these sources, it would be un-
grateful not TO add those which spring from
our present fortunate condition. Though
not altogether exempt from embarrassments
that disturb our tranquility at home and
threaten it abroad, yet, in all the attributes
of great, happy, and flourishing people,
we stand without parallel in the world
Abroad, we enjoy the respect, and Gwith
scarcely an exception, the friendship OF
every nation; at home, while our Govern
ment quietly, but efficiently, performs the
sole legitimate end of political institutions
in doing the greatest good to the creates,
number, we present an aggregate OF hu-
man prosperity surely not elsewhere to be
! found.
How imperious, then, is the obligation
imposed upon every citizen, in his owr
sphere of action, whether limited or cxten.
ded, to exert himselfn perpetuating con-
dition of things so singul1rly happy. Al
the lessons of history and experience mus
be lost upon us, if we are content to trus
alone to the peculiar advantages we happer
to possess. Position and climate, and the
bo,inteous resources that nature has scat.
tered wife so liberal hand-even the diff.
fused intelligence and elevated character oi
our people--wilI avail US nothing, if we fail
sacredIy to upholdt those political institutions
that were wisely and deliberately formed
with reference to every circumstance thai
could preserve, or might endanger, the
blessings we enjoy. The thoughtful fra.
mers Of our constitution legislated for oul
country as they found it. Looking upon i,
with the eyes Of statesmen and of patriots
they saw all the sources of rapid and won.
derful prosperity but they saw also that
various habits, opinions anil institutions
peculiar to the various portions of so vast q
region, were deeply fxed.-Distlnct sover'
eighties we're in actual existence, whose
cordial union was essential 10 the welfar,
and happiness of all. Between many o
them there was, at least to some extent, {
real diversity Of interests, liable to be exag
gerated through sinister designs; they diff
fered in size, in population, in wealth ant
in actual and prospective resources ant
power; they varied in the character Of thei
industry and staple productions; and II
some existed domestic institutions, which
unwiseIy disturbed, might endanger tn
harmony of the whole. Most CAREFUL.
; were ali these circumstances weighed, AM
/ the foundations ofthe new Government la
upon principles ofreciProcal concession an
, equitable compromise. The jsalousie
which the smaller States might entertain c
the power Of the rest were alIayed by ruI
, cf representation, confessedly unequal q
= the time, aud designed forever to renal
r so. A natural fear that the broad scope {
general legislation might bear upon an
unwisely control particular interests wa
I coun,erac,ed by limits strictly draw
around the action Of the federal authority
and to the people aud the States was le
uninpaired their sovereign power over 'h
iinumerable subjects embraced in the intel
3 nal government Of a Just republic, eKcep
lug such only as necessarily apperain
: the concerns Of the whole confederacy, {
its intercourse, as united community, vii