The herald., 1837-03-06

TO accompany the first and solemn act of nv public
trust with an avowal OF the principles that will guide
me In performing u and an expression of my feelings
On assuming charge responsible and vast In
initiating their example, tread in the footsteps of IL
iusous men, whose superors, it is our happiness to
believe are not found on the executive calendar OF any
country. Among them we recognize the earliest and
flrmest pillars of the republic; those by whom our ma
tonal independence was first declared; him who,
above all Others contributed to establish it the
field of battle; and those whose expanded intellect
and patriotism constructed, improved and perfected
the inestlmuble institutions under which we lve III
such men in the position now occupy, felt them
selves overwhelmed by sense of gratitude for this,
the highest of all marks of their counrys confidence,
and by consciousness of their inability adequately
10 discharge the duties OF an office so dlfhcult and
exalted, how much more must these considerations
affect one, who can rely no such claims for ia
vor, or forbearance. Unlike all who have preceded
me, the revolution which gave Us existence as one
people, achieved at the penod OF my birth !;
and whilst contemplate, with grateful reverence,
that memorable event. feel that belong to later
age, and that may not expect my countrymen to
weigh my actions with the same kind and partial
hand.
So sensbly fellow citizens, do these circumstances
press themselves upon me, that should not dare
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 Gov
eminent; did not repose, with unwavering reliance
on the patriotism, the intelligence, and the Kindness
OF peoplc, who never yet deserted public servant
honestly aborng in their cause; and above all, did
not permit myself humbly to hope for the sustain
ing support Of an ever-watchful and benefcent Pro-
vidence
To the confidence and consolation derived from
these sources it would be ungratefu not to add those
which spring from our present fortunate condition.
Though not altogether exempt from embarrassmcnts
that disturb our tranquility at home and threaten il
abroad, yet, in all the attributes of great happy,
and hourishing 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 insthi-
TONS In dong the greatest good to the greatest
Der. we present an aggregate of human prosperity
surely not elsewhere to be found.
How mperlous then, is the obligation imposed upon
every cltizen in his own sphere Of action, whether
condition Of things 50 singuary happy. All the les
sons of history and experience must be lost upon us
We are content 10 trust alone to the peculiar advan
tages we happen to possess Position and climate,
and the bouneous that has scattered
with so liberal hand-even the diffised intelligence
and elevated character of our people-will avail AS
nothing, we fail sacrcdly TO uphold those political
institutions that wisely and deliberately formed
with reference to every circumstance that could pre-
serve, might endanger the blessings we enjoy.
The thoughtful trainers of constitution egslaed
for our country as they found it. Looking upon it
with the eyes of statesmen and OF patriots, they
saw all the sources of rapid and wonderful pros
perity; but they saw aso that various habits opin-
ios, and institutions, peculiar to the various portions
OF so vast region, were deeply fixed Distinct
eighties 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 exag
gerated through sinister designs; they differed in SIZE
in population, in wealth, and in actual and prospective
and powers they varied in the character Of
Their industry and staple productions; and in some
tingdomesc Institutions which unwisely disturb
ed, might endnnger the harmony of the whole. Most
careful all these circumstances weighed, and the
E,un ndato of laid snf
reciprocal concession and equitable compromise. The
eaouses which the smaller States might entertain
OF the power the rest allayed by rule of
presentaton, confessedy unequal AT the time and de-
signed forever to remain natural fear that the
broad scope Of general legislation might bear upon and
unwsey control particular interests was counteracted
by limits strictly drawn around theaction of the fede
raj authority; and TO the people and the States was
LETT unlmpared their sovereign power over the nnu
merabe subjects embraced in the internal government
of just republic, excepting such only necessarily
appertan to the of the whole confederacy,
or It's intercourse as united community, with the
other nations OF the world
This provident forecast has been verified by time
Half century, teeming with extraordinary and
elsewhere producing astonishing results, has passed
along; but on our institutions II has left no injurious
mark. From small community, we have risen TO a
people powerful in numbers and in strengths; but with
our increase has gone hand in hand the progress of
just principles; the privileges, civil and religious of the
humblest individual are sacredly protected at hom6I
anu White ut sdlul Vi people nave
removed far from the slightest apprehension of fo-
reign power, they have not yet induced us in single
Instance, 10 forget what is right Our commerce has
been extended 10 the remotest nations the value and
nature of our productions has been greatly |
changed; wide difference has nrisn in the relative
wealth and resources Of every portion OF our country
yet the spirit ofmutual regard and of faithful adhcr
TO existing compacts has continued to prevail in
our councils and never long been absent from
duct We have learned by experience fruitful lesson:
that implicit and undertaking adherence to the prn
clpes on which we setout can carry prosperously
onward through all the conflicts OF circumstances,
and the vicssltudes inseparable from the lapse Of
years.
The success that has attended our great experiment
is, IN itsef sufficient cause for gratitude account
of the happiness 1t has actually conferred and the
ample has unanswerably gwen. But to me, my
citizens, looking forward to the far distant fll
ture, with ardent praye and conding hopes this re-
Prospect presents ground for still deeper delight II
imprcsscs on my mind firm belief that the perpeui-
~ ofour Institutions depends upon oursevcs that if
we maintain the principles which they were estab-
lshed they are destined to confer their benefits on
countless generations yet to come; and that America
will present 10 every friend of mankind the cheering
proof that popular government wisely formed il
wanting in no element ofendruance or strength. Fifv
years ago its rapid failure was predicted Latent and
uncomfortable causes Of dissolution were supposed 10
exist even by the wise and good; and not only did
unnendly speculative theorists anticipate for the
fate of past repabcs but the fears Of many honest
patriot overbalanced his sanqune hopes. Look back
e. '',sse forebodings, not hastily, but reluctantly
-, AMI soc how, in every instance, they have COM