Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-04-22
President Tylcr's Address.
TO TIE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES

FELLOW CITIZENS: Before my arrival at
the seat Of Government, the painful commu-
nlca'ion was made to you by the officers pre-
siding over the several Departments, of the
deeply regretted death of William Henry
Harrison, late President of the United
States. Upon him you had conferred your
suiirages for the first Office in your gift, and
had selected him as your chosen instrument
TO correct and reform all such errors and abu-
ees as had manifested themselves from time
to time in the practical operation of the Gov
ernment. While standing at the threshold of
this great work, he has. by the dispensation
OF an all-wise Providence, been removed
from amongst us, and by the provisions of the
Constitution the efforts to be directed to the
accomplishing of this vitality important task
have devolved upon myself. This same &C.
currence has subjected the wisdom and sutl-
cheney OF our institutions to new test. For
the first time in our history the person elected
to the Vice Presidency of the United States,
by the happening Of a contingency provided
for In the Constitution, has had devolved up
on him the Presidential office. The spirit of
faction, whichis directly opposed to the spir-
1t OF lofty patriotism, may find III this &C.
caslon for assaults upon my administration.
And IN succeeding, under circumstances so
sudden and une expected, and to responsible
ties so greatly augmented, to the administra-
ton Of public affairs, shall place in the in
telligence and patriotism of tho People my
only sure reliance. My earnest prayer shall
be constantly addressed to the all-wise and
all-powerful Being who made me, and by
whose dspensntion am called to tho high
office OF President of this Confederacy, un-
derstandingly to carry out the principles of
that Constitution which / have sworn '.to
protect, preserve, and defend"
The usual opportunity which is afforded to
Chief Magistrate upon his introduction to
office Of presenting to his countrymen an
exposition ofthe policy which would guide
his administration, in the form of an inaugural
address, not having, under the peculiar cir
eumstances which has brought me to the dis
charge fthe high duties of President Of the
the United States, been afforded to me, a
brief exposition Of the principles which will
govern me in the general course of my ad-
ministration of public affairs would seem to
be due as we'll to myself as to you. In re-
gard to foreign nations, the groundwork Of
my policy will be justice on our part to all,
submitting to injustice from none. While
shall sedulously cultivate the relations of
peace and amity will, ono and all, it will be
my most imperative duty to see that the ho-
nor OF the country shall sustain no blemish.
With view to ,his, the condition Of our mil
ltary defences will become a matter of anX-
other days covered itself with renown, and
tho Navy, not inapproprately termed the
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 rendered replete with efficiency.
In view Of the fact, we'll avouched by his
tory, that the tendency Of all human institu-
lions is to concentrate power in the hands ola
single man, and that their ultimate downfall
has proceeded from this cause, deem it of
the most essential Importance that complete
separation should take place between the
sword and the purse. No matter where or
how the public moneys shall be deposited, so
long as the President can exert the power of
appointing and removing, at his pleasure, the
agents selected for their custody, tho Com
mander-in-chief of the Army and Navy is in
fact the Treasurer. A permanent and radi-
cal change should therefore be decreed. 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 olfice-holders
may be spread over the land. The unrestrain-
ed power exerted by a selfshly ambitious
man, in order either to perpetuate his author
ity or to hand it over to some favorite as his
successor, may lead to the employment ofall
his object. The right to remove from office,
while subjected to no just restraint, is nevi-
tably destined to produce a spirit ofcrouchng
servility with the official corps, which, in or
der to uphold the hand which feeds them,
would lead to direct and active interference in
the elections, both State and Federal, thereby
subjecting the course of State Legislation to |
the dictation of the Chief Executive Officer |
and making the will of that officer absolute
and supreme. | will, at q proper time, in
woke the action ofCongress 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 incumbent from
office who has faithfully and honestly acquit-
ted himself ofthe duties of his office, except |
In such cases where such officer has been |
guilty Of an active partisanship, or by secret |,
means-the less manly, and therefore the |
more objectionable-ha given his official in |
fiuence TO the purposes of party, thereby |
bringing the patronage of the Government in |
conflict with the freedom of elections. Nu- |
merous removals may become necessary I'M
der this rule. These will be made by me |
through no acerbity of feeling. / have had |
no cause to cherish or indulge unkind feel
ings towards any, but my conduct will be |
regulated by profound sense of what is due /
to the country and its institutions; nor shall
1 neglect to apply the same unbending rule
10 those ofmy own appointment. Freedom
OF opinion will be tolerated, the full enjoy
Inent of the right of suffrage will be main
tanned as the birthrigbt Of every American CT
tizen, but say cmphaticaly to the official
corps, thus far and no fnrther.'' have
dwelt tse longer upon this subject, because
removals from Office are likely often TO arise,
and would have my countrymen to UNDER
stand the principle Of the Executive action.
IN all pablo expenditures the most rigid |
economy should be resorted to, and, as one of |
lie raenlls = r.uhlic debt In tirno sf 1900 L..