Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-03-14
1NAUGURAL ApDREss
OF pREsrpLST VAN BuRyv.


The practise OF all my predecessor imposes
oome On obligation cheeriully lOiil, 10 accom-.
pauy The FIRST and solemn act Of my public
trust win an avowal Of the principles that will
guide 10 IN performing it, and an expression
OF my feelings ON assuming charge 80 res.
ponslblc and vast In initiating their exam
pie, tread in the footsteps Of illustrious men
whose euponors, IL IS our happiness to believe,
arc no, found on the executive calendar of any
country. Among them, We recognize the car
lest and frmest pillars Of the republic those
by whom our Latonal independence was first
declared; him who, above all uthcre contribu-
ted TO establish II on the field Of battle; and
those whose expanded intellect and patriotism
constructed, improved and perfected the ines
Unable institutions under which we live II
fuch men, ia The position now occupy, felt
themselves overwhelmed by sense Of graft.
Iude or this, the highest of all marks Of their
connty's confidence, and by q consciousness
Of their inability adequately TO discharge the
duties Of on office SO difficult and exalted, how
much more must these considerations affect
one who can rely on no such claims for favor
or lorbenrance. Unlike III who have preceded
me, the revolution that gave US existence as
one people, was acbes ed at tho period Of my
birth and whilst contemplate with grateful
reverence that memorable event, feel that
belong 10 a later age, and that may not ca
pect my countrymen TO weigh my actions with
The same kind and partial hand.
So selslbly, fellow citizens, do these cir
cumstances press themselves upon me, that /
should not dare 10 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 unwavering reliance on
a 4
ne ?, Of a people who never yet deserted
public servant honestly ahoring in their cause !;
aud, above all, did | not permit myself hGmbly
10 hope Tor the sustaining support OF ali ever
Natchful and bonificent Providence.
To The confidence and consolation derived
from these sources, il would be ungrateiul not
10 adj those which spring from our present
fortunate condition. Though not altogether
eysnnj. from enibatrassHents that disturb our
trangn.ty ethome and threaten il abroad yet,
IN all tae attributes Of a great, happy, and
houfishing people, we stand without paral-
lei IN the world. Abroad we enjoy the res
peci and, with scarcely IN exception, the
friendship Of every naiicni at home, while our
Government quietly, but efficiently, performs
the sole legitimate end OF political institutions,
in doing the greatest good TO the greatest num-
bef, We present an aggregate Of human pros
How imperious, then, is the obligation I'M
posed upon every ct.zen, in hie own sphere Of
action, whether limited OF extended, TO exert
himself in perpciuating condition ofthingg so
gingularly nappy. All the lessons oil history
nd experience must be lost upon US, # we are
content 70 trust alone 10 the peculiar advanla-
ges We happen 10 p9ssess. Position and cli-
mate, aud The buuntcUus resources that nature
las scattered win 90 liberal hand-eyen the
Gifnsed intelligence and elevated character OF
cur pcople-Hl avail VI nothing, II We fail
Gacredy 30 uphold those political institutions
that we're wisely and deliberately formed, with
De ;rence to every circumstance that could
lnes9'ye, or might enIungCr the blessings we
enjoy. The thoughtful trainers Of our COAST,
tDl,ou lcgIslated Io1 our country as they found
Y. looking upon i with the eyes OF STATES
inan and OF patrols, they saw all the sources
Of rapid aud wonderful prosperity; but they
saw also that various habits, opinions, and in
slitniions, peculiar 10 the various portions Of
20 yasl region, were deeply fixed. Distinct
sovcfeigntiee were IN actual existence, whost
corJ4 union was essential to the welfare and
happiness Of al. Between many OF them there
was. at least 10 some extent q reel diversity
Of iutorests, liable 10 be exag geEated throuSi
sinister dcsigne they differed in size, IN pop
ulauop, in wealth and 10 actual and prospec
Two resources and poweri they varied IN the
cAalucier nf their industry and staple prodnc
tons and in come existed domestic iuslitu'
tio1s. which, unwisely disturbed, might en-
DANCE the harmony 81 the whole. Most care
fully @cre all these circumstances weighed
aud The foundations OF tho new government
lsil upon principles OF reciprocal concesHio'
ard quahs compromise. The Jeulouslo
which lie smaller States migni entertain OIL TN
power 81 he rost were alsy5d by ruio o
Representation, confessedly unequal NJ tn
time, ard designed forever 10 remain so.
natural tear ihat the broad scope of general le
cislaioo mizht bear upon and unwiseiy coniro
pa,'iculs, ieresis, VIVA coun,cTacted BY lint
strictly drawn around tho action OF the fedora
authority and 10 the people and the State
Nas lett saimpaired their sovereign powe
over tae irnGMslnble SUBJECTS embraced m III
intnTnal goVprnment Of a just republic, except
ing ouch only a. necessarily epperialn 10 ih
concerns Of the whole oonfederacyi or i.s II
tefcourae. as G united COMMUNITY, with ID
othar nations Of The world.
This provident forecast hos been ge,ifed b
i,me Half century, teemins wih ex.raoi
dilaty events and elsewhere predicting aeIor
isnlne results, has passed aioogi b0' on at
ia4t,urioGs Il has lcft no injurious marx e
= Fibru a small community, sc have risen to
eoole powelfa IN numbers and IN strength
but Viii on; Increase has gone, hand IN hah'
ne oroe-ess Of Just principles the privilege
civil anil religious of'thc 'humhlest i0diy'd1
are SIN sacrcdly protected at home and win
the yaio. and forinde Of our peopl e have 8
MAYED from as the iii shtest apprehension
foreign power, they have not yeiinduced US,
a single instance to forget what 10 right u
commerce has been extended to Tue remote
nations the value, and even nature, OF o.
productions has been greatly changed wac