Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-03-18
TIE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

we Intentionally allowed the Inaup ural
ADDRESS OF our new Chief Magistrate to 90
torth to our readers unaccompanied by any
commentary of ours. That Address is acom-
position SO clear and comprehensive as to
need no eiucidation; appealing so directly to
'he understandings and so powerfully to the
Patriotism Of the Presidents fellow-citizens
as 70 require no enforcement by argument;
ana' IN Its main points, SO impregnable, and
inoeed unassailable, as to need no defence.
comment upon document Of such a char
acteI' when first presenting it to our readers,
Wouid nave been superauous and ill-timed.
Nor shall we now, after il has been for some
days In evcry hand, offer more than few
general observations upon it.
Inc hrst thought which, upon perusal of
the Address, suggests itself to every mind
capable OF forming conclusions from internal
evidence, must be, that it is throughout, in
every line Of 1t, characteristic of its author.
ne ardent patriotism, the ripened Judgment,
the pure philanthropy, .he fervent aspiration,
the fearless independence, the downright
honesty, the entire absence Of reserve in any
thlng-these leading features of the Address
are but the lincaments of its authors mind
faithfully Impressed upon the paper. No
man, who has studied the Generals charac-
ter, can for a moment doubt that it is ''his
own writing" 1t is evidently wrought af.
| ter no pattern, but is, on the contrary, so per-
fectly original as to leave no room for the
dispute about its paternity which has been
raised about addresses on similar occasions
heretofore. Washington's Inaugural NAV
have been more stately Jeterson's more phi
iosophic; Madison's more terse each in uni
son with the character of the writer's mind
zen. HARRisoN's Address might have resem-
oied either of these models more than il does
out, II 1t had done SO, it would not have beer
h's otr". Nor, unless we wholly mistake the
popular taste and feeling. would it have beer
as acceptable to the great body of the Presi
dents constituents as in its present shape
We do not of course expect it to pass with
out cavil; but there are few real Republicans
call themselves by what names they may
who will not yield to it, as whole, their
hearty appreciation.
For ourselves, we should be treacherous to
the principles which, with unvarying faith
we have upheld and defended, from the early
days Of MIR. Madison's Administration through
all the changes which have interviewed, if we
did not most cordially assent to and adopt the
principles of this Address. Separately, they
have had our support heretofore collectively
we shall stand by them now and hereafter
We rejoice in the authoritve enunciation Of
them, in the Inaugural Address, as the first.
fruit of the great political victory, in bringing
about which this journal has been one of the
humblest instruments.
Having thus delivered our opinion of the
Address as whole, we shall not at present
enter into a consideration of its details
Should they be assaulted from any respectable
qnrter, 1t will be at once our pride and oul
pleasure to sustain them with such earnest.
ness as belongs only to entire conviction OIL
| the truth.-NAT INT