Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1841-04-22
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNI
TED STATES.

menrs, Of the deeply regretted death of
William Henry Harrison, lae President OF
the United States. Upon him you had con-
ferred your suffrages for the first office in
your gift, and had selected him as your
chosen instrument 10 correct and refer all
such errors and abuses as had manifested
themselves from lime to time in the prac-
tical operation of the Government. While
standing at tho threshold ofthis great work,
he has by the dispensation of an all-wise
Providence, been removed from amongst
us, and by the provisions OF the Conslitu-
ton the efforts to be directed 10 the accom-
plishing of this vitality important task have
devolved upon myself. The same con-
currcnce has subjected the wisdom and
sufIiciency of our institutions to new lest.
For the first time in our history The person
elected 10 the Vice Presidency of the Uni
ted States, by the happening of contin-
gency provided for in the Constitution, has
had dcvolvcd upon him the Presidential
office. The spirit of faction, which is d.
rectly opposed to the spirit of lofty pa
triotism, may find in this occasion for as
saults upon my administration. And in
succeeding, under circumstances so sudden
and unexpected, and to responsibilities so
greatly augmented, to The administration
of public affairs, shall place in the intel.
ligence, and patriotism of the People my
only sure reliance. My earnest prayer shall
be constantly addressed to the all wise aud
powerful Being who made me, and by
whose dispensation AMI called 10 the hig
office of the President Of this Confederacy,
understandngly to carry out The priaci-
piles of that Constitution which ! have
sworn "lo protect, preserve, and defend"
The usual opportunity which is afforded
to Chief Magistrate upon his induction
10 Office of presenting to his coun,rymen au
exposition of The policy which would guide
his administration, in the form Of an inau-
gura address, not having, under the pecu-
liar circumstances which have brought me
to The discharge of The high duties ofPre-
sident Of the United States, been afforded
to me q brief exposition of the principles
which will govern me in the general course
ofmy administration of public affairs would
seem 10 be due as well 10 myselfas 10 you.
In regard to foreign nations, the ground
work of my policy will be justice on our
par, to all, submitting to injustice from
none. While I shall sedulously cultivate
the relations Of peace and amily with one
and all, il will be my mostimperative duty
TO see that the honor Of the country shall
sustain M bemish., With view 10 this,
the condition of our military defences will
become a matter Of anxious solicitude.
The Army, which has in other DAYS cover
ed itself with renown, and the navy, not
inaprropriately termedhe right arm Of the
public defence, which has spread light
of glory over the American standard in all
the waters of the earth, should be render
cd repleie with efficiency.
In view of the fact, well avouched by
history, that the tendency of all human in
situtions is 10 concentrate power in the
hands Of single man, and that their ulti-
mate downfall has proceeded from this
cause, deem it of the most essential i'm
portanco. that complete separation should
take place between the sword and the
purse. No matter where or how the pub.
lie moneys shall be deposited, so long as
the President can exert the power of ap-
pointing and removing, at his pleasure,
the agents selected for their custody, the
COMMANDMENTS Chief of the Army and
Navy is in fact the Treasurer. A perma-
nent and radical change should therefore
be decrecd. The patronage incident to
the Presidential Office, already great, is
constantly increasing. Such increase is
destined to keep pace with the growth Of
our population, until without figure of
speech, an army of Office holders may be
spread over The land. The unresIrained
power exer,ed by selfish ambitious man,
10 order 10 perpetuate his authority, or TO
hand i, over 10 some favorie as his sue
cessor, may lead TO the employment Of nll
the means within his control to accomplish
his object. The right 10 remove from Of
flee, while subjected TO no just restraint, is
inevitably destined to produce spirit Of
crouching servility with The official corps,
which, in order to uphold the hand which
feeds Them, would lead to direct and active
interference in The elections, both State and
Federal. thereby suhjecting the course of
State legislation 10 the dctation of the
Chief Executive Officer, and making the
will of that officer absolute and supreme.
| will, al proper time, invoke The action
of Congress upon this subject, and shall
readily acquiesce in the adoption of all
proper measures which are calculated to
arrest these evils, so full of danger in their
tendency. | will remove no iucumben,
from Office who have faithfully and hon
eslly acquitted himself of the duties of bis
Office, except in such cases where such Of
fcer has been guilty Of an active parlizan-
ship, or by secret means--the less manly,
and therefore the more Observation-Disclosures
given his official influence to the purposes
Of party, thereby bringing the patronage of
The Government in conflict with the free
dom of elections. Numerous removals
may become necessary under this rule.
These will be made by me with no acerbi-
ty of feeling. have had no cause to cher
ish or indulge unkind feelings towards any.
but my conduct will be regulated by pro-
found sense of what is due to the country
and its institutions; nor shall neglect 10
,,,ly tho came unheudiup rnle m tboee rs