The Arkansas advocate., 1837-03-27
ENAUGURAE ApEsEaEss.
E-,, C.....,-
 I BELOW CITJZENS:
Or OF THE Ii | iiss;i REssi i5 i5isiS

al ofthc principles that will guide me ia nerorminr 1t, and an expression of my feelings on assuming charge so responsible and vast. ia initiating their example, tread ih the footsteps of llustrous men,
 whose superiors 1t Is happiness to believe, are not found on the executive calender of any country
 Among them, we recognize the earliest and frnest pillars ot the republie those by whom our national
 independence was first deciafed; him who above all others, contributed 10 establish t the field of bat tie; and those whose expended intellect and patriot tism constructed, improved and pelacted the inesti
 mable institutions under which we i've. If such men, inthe position now occupy, felt themselves overwhelmed hy a 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 ex- ated, how much more must these considerations af- feet one, who rely no such claims for favor or torbearance. Unlike all who have precededme the revolution that gave existence as one people, was achieved at the period my birth; and whilst con template with grateful reverence that memorable event, feel that belong to later age and that may not expect my eounfrYnen to weigh my actions with the same kind and partial hand.
 So scnsibly, fslIow-eitzens, do these eircumstan- ces press themselves upon lae, that I should not dare to enter upon my path of duty, did l not
 look for tbe generous aid of those who Will be associ- ated with me n the various and coordinate branches of the Government; did not repose, with unwaver-
 ing reliance the patriotism, the intelligence. and IHS hIl2iIess oi pe09lG never yet ueSefLSf public servant honestly laborng in their cause; and above all did not permit myself hainby to hope for the sustaining support ofan Watehful and bene- ficent Providence.
 To the confidence and consolation derived from these sources 1t would be ungrateul not to add those which spring from pfesentfortunate eondition.-- Though not altogether exempt from embarrassments that disturb our tranquility at home and threaten 1t abroad, yet, in all the attributes of great happy, and foa rishing people, VIC stand withouta 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, fforms the sole legitimate end of pol tical institution in doing the greatest good to the greatest number we present aggregate of human prosperity surely lot elsewhere to be found.
 How imperiods, then, is the obligation imposed upon every citizen, in his own sphere of action, whether4mited or extended. to exert hlmsefln per petuating condition of things so singuiarly happy. All the lessons of history and experience must be lost upon us if we are content t trust alone to the pecu liar advantages we happen to possess. Position and climate and the bounteoas resources that nature has scattered with so liberal ham, -eVen the dfused intelligence and elevated character ot our people will avail US rothiag, if we fail sacredy to uphold those political institutions that were wisely and delib esaely formed, with reference 10 every circumstance that could preserve, might endangel. the blessings we enjoy. The thoughtful framers of our eonstltu- tion legisated for our country as they found it, Looking upon 1t with eyes of statesmen and ot pat riots they saw all the sources of rapid and wonder u prosperity but they saw also that various habits, opinions, and institutions, peculiar to the various portions ofso vast region were deeply fixed. Dis- tinc sovereignties were in actual existence, whose cordial union was essential to the welfare and happl- ness of all. Between many of them there was, at least to some extent real diversity of interests, h. able to be exaggerated through sinister desgns they differed in size in population, n wealth. and Tn &C., tuf and prospective resources and p0Wer they varl ed in the character of their industry and staple pro- ductions; and in existed domestic institutions, which, unwisely disturbed, might endanger the har- mony of the whole. htost eaIefuly were all these circumstances weighed, and the foundations of the new Government laid upon principles of reciprocal concession and equitable compromse. The lealods- ies which the smaller States might entertain of the power ofthe rest, were alayed by rule ofrepfesen- tation confessediy unequal at the time, and desgn- ed forever to remain so. natural fear that the broad scope of general legislation might bear upon and unwisey control particular interests, was coun, teracted by limits strictly drawn around the action of the federal authority and to the people and the States was left unmpaired tAelr sovereign power over the innHmerahie subjects embraced Tn the ln- teraal government ofh iast republic, excepting such only US necessarily appgFtan to te eoneefBs Of the whole oonfederacy, or. it's intercourse, as united community, with the other nations ofthe world
 Fms proVident forecast has been verified by time. Half century teeming with extraordinary events and elsewhere producing astonishing results, has passed along but institutions 1t has left no nu- rious mark From a small community, we have ris- en to people powerful in numbers and in strength; but with our increase has gone, hand in hand, the progress just principles; the privileges civil and religious of the humblest individual are still sacred ly protected at home; and while the vaor and tortl- tude of our people have removed far from us the slight est apprehension of foreign power they have not vet induced us in single instance to forget what IS right Cur commerce has been extended to the re- motest nations; the value. and even nature, of our productions, has been greatly changed; wide differ ence has arisen in the relative wealth and resources ofeyery portion of countrY yet tha spirit ot mu- tua regard and of faithful adherence to existing pacts has continued 10 prevail nour councils, and ne- yer long been absent from onr conduct We have learned by experience fruitful lesson; that an imp- cit and undertaking adherence to the principles on which we set out can prosperousiy carry Us onward through all the conflicts of circumstances. and the
 ;nsafa ra hle from fhe laDse of years.