The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1837-03-17

then delivered by Mr.. Van Buren,, after
which he took the oalhs Of office:
Inaugural Address.
FELLOW CITIZENS The practice OF all
Any predecessors imposes on me an oblisa'
ton cheeriully fulfil, 10 accompany the hrsi
and solemn act 0! my public trust with an
avowal OF the principles that will guide inc
10 performing 1t, and an expression OF my
feelings On assuming charge 50 response
Bile and vast. In Initiating their example,
tread IN the footsteps OF llusinous men,
whose superlors, IT Is our happiness to be-
leve, are not found on the executive calen-
dar OF any country. Among them, We re.
coguse the earliest and hrneSi pillars Of
the republic those b. whom our national
independence was first declared; hun Who,
above all others, contributed to establish II
on the field of battle; aud those whose eN.
banded intellect and patriotism constructed,
improved, aud perfected the measurable M.
slItulions .under which We live. Ii such
men, "a ne position now occupy, felt them.
selves overwhelmed by sense OF gratitude
for this, the hlghes, Of all mark ut their
country 5 confidence, and By a CONSCIOUSNESS
Of their inability adequately 10 discharge
the duties Of an office 81 difficult and exilt
ed, how much more must these considers.
tons affect one, ~ho can reiy on no such
claims Tor favor or lorbcafance. Unlike
all who have preceded me. the revolution,
that gave Us existence "a one People, vas
achieved at the period OF my birth; aud,
whilst | contemplate Nth grateful feser.
encc tina, memorable event, feel that b..
loog 10 a later aye, and that may not ex.
pect my counlrymen to weigh my actions
with the same klad and partial band.
81 senslbIy, fellow citizens, DO these CIR.
cunistances press themselves upon me, that
| should not dare to enter upon NY path OF
duty, did no, look for the generous ald oi
those " 10 will be- associated with me 10 the
various aDd coordinate branches OF the Go
yefnmcnt dad not repose, 18th un@aser.
ing reliance, on the patriotism, the Intelh.
gence, aud the kindness, Of a people vino
never YET deserted rablic servant honest.
IL Iaborns IN their cause aud above ali,
did not permit myself bumbly 10 hope for
the sustaining support Of an evcr.watchiul
and benehcent Providence.
To the confidence and consolation derv.
ed from these sources, 1t would be migrate.
ul not 10 add those which spring from our
present fortunate condition. Though not
altogether exempt from embarrasmcnts that
disturb our tranquility al home aud threat.
en- It abroad, yet, IN all the attributes Of a
great, happy, and hourlshing people, We
stand without a parallel ia the world. A..
broad, We ENJOY the respect, and, with
scarcely an exception, the friendship Of eve.
~ nation; at home, while our Government
quietly, bu, efficiently performs the sole le.
climate end OF political institutions, IN do
ing the greatest good to the greatest nun.
Der, We present an aggregate OF human
prosperity surely not elsewhere TO be found.
How lmperlOus, then, IS the obligation
imposed upon every citizen, IN his own
sphere Of action, whether limited or extend.
ed to exert himself IN perpetuating con.
diilon Of things so singularly happy. All
the lessons Of history and experience mus,
be lost upon US, If We are conten, to trust
ALONE to the peculiar advantages We happen
to possess Position and climate, aud the
boun,eous resources tina. nature has scat.
tered wfh so liberal hand--even the DIFF
fused intelligence and elevated character Of
our peopse-wll avail US nothing, il We fail
sacredi5 20 uphold those political instilu.
tons that we're wisely and deliberately form.
ed, with reference to every circumstance
that could preserve, or might endanger, the
blessings We enjoy. The thoughtful trainers
Of cur constlt itIon leglslated for our coun.
try as they found it. Looking upon it with
the eyes Of statesmen and OF patriots, they
saw all the sources Of rapid aud wonderful
prosperity; but they saw also tina, various
habits, opinions, and institutions, peculiar
to the various portions Of so fast region
were deeply fixed. Distinct soyreigntle.
we're 10 actual existence, whose cordial u.
nlon was essential 10 the welfare aud happl.
! ness Of all. Between many Of them there
was, at least TO some extent, a eal dlyersi
ty Of interests, liable to ID exaggerated
through sinister designs; they differed il