Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-04-22
PR ESD E I TYL E R s
ADDRESS,
TO THE PEOPLE OF TIE UNITED
STATES

officers presiding the several Departments, of the deep
,egrced death of William H. Harrison, late President of
the United States, Upon him you had conferred your suh
RACES for the first Office in your gift and had selected him
your chosen instrument and reform all such
and abuses had manifested themselves from time to time
in the practical operation of government. While standing
the Threshold of this work. he has by the DISPENSE
ton of advise Providence been removed from amongst
and by provisions of the Constitution the efforts be
directed the accomplishment; of this vitay important
task have devolved upon myself This has
subjected the wisdom and sufeiency o institutions
test,
For the first time in history the elected to the
Vice Presidency of the United States the happening of
contingency provided for in the Constitution, has had de
volved upon him the Presidential Office The spirit of fac
ton, which is directly opposed the spirit of lofty
patriotism, may find in this occasion for assaults my
administration And in succeeding, under circumstances so
sudden and unexpected, and to responsibilities so greatly
augmented the administration of public affairs, shall
place in the intelligence and patriotism of the People
only reliance. My earnest prayer shall be constantly
addressed to the ALL wise and apowerf Being who made
me, and by whose dispensaon am called to the high of
flee of PesidentTof this Confederacy understandngy
carry the principles of that Constitution which have
sworn ''to protect preserve and defend.
The usual opportunity which afforded Chief Magistrate
upon his induction to office of presenting his countmen
exposition of the policy which wonld guide his admins
traon in the form of Inaugural Address, not having,
under the peculiar circumstances which have brought
the discharge of the high duties of President of United
Sates been afforded 10 brief exposition Of the prnci
pies which viii govern in the general Of adj
ministraon Of public affairs would be due well
myself YOU In regard foreign nations, ground
work Of my policy will be Justice part ALL submit
ting 10 injustice from While I shall sedulonsly
cuvat" the relation of peace and amy with one and ALL
it will he my most imperative duty that the honor of
the country shall sustain blemish With view to this
the condition Of our military defences will become
of anxious socuda-The Army, which has in other days
covered itself with renown, and the Navy, nappro-
praiy termed the right arm Of the public defence, which
has spread light Of glory American standard in all
the waters OF the earth, should be rendered rpee
efficiency.
In view of the fact, w,ll avoucled by history, that the
tendency of all human to concentrate power
in the hands of single man, and that their down
fa 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 where
how the public moneys shall be deposited, long as the
President exert the of appointing and removing
his pleasure the agents selected for their CUSTODY the
Commanderncicf of the Army and Navy is in fact the
Treasurer permanent and radical change shopl therefore
be decreed The patronage incident to the Presidential
Office, already great, is constantly increasing. Such in
is destined to keep pace with the growth of our
population, until without figure of speech, army Of
ofice-hodfrs may be spread the land The unrr
strained power exerted by sefshly ambitious man. in
order either to pepeuac his authority hand over
fayore his successor may lead the employ
of all the within his control to accomplish
his object.
The right to from Office while subjected to no
Just restraint is inevitably destined to produce spirit
crouchng servy with the official corps, which, in order
to uphold the hand which feeds them, would lead di
rect and active interference in the election both State and
Federal thereby subectng the of State legislation to
dctation of the Chief Executive Officers and making
the will of that officer absolute and supreme. will att
proper Time invoke the action of Congress this subject
and shall readily acquesce the adoption of all proper
which calculated to these evils so full
of dangrrin their tendency
| will remove no incumbent from Office who has
faithfully and honestly acquitted himself of The du
lies of bis office, except in such cases where such
officer has been guilty Of an active partsanshp, or
by secret means-,he less manly, and therefore the
more Objectionable has given his official influence
to the purposes of party, thereby bringing the patron
age of the Government in conflict with the feedo m
of elections. Numerous removals may become
necessary under this rule. These will be made by
me through acerbity of feeling. l have had no
cause to cherish or indulge untnd feelings towards
any, but my conduct will be regulated by profound
of what is due TO the country and its instru-
tons nor shall neglect to apply the same nnbend-
ing rule 10 those Of my own appointment. Free
dom of opinion will be tolerated. the right of suil-
rage will he maintained as the brthright of every
American citizen, but say emphaiically to the Off
cial corps, thus far and no farther. have dwell.
the longer upon this subject because removals from
office are likely often to arise. and would have my
counrymrn to understand the principle of the Ex-
eculive action.
In all the public expenditures the most rigid econ
omy will be resoried 10, and one of its results,
public debt in time of peace be sed uIously avoided
"A wise and patriotic constituency will never object
to the imposition Of necessary burdens for useful
ends, and true wisdom ctates the resort to such
means, in order to supply deficiencies in the revenue
rather than to those doubtful expedents, which, ul
imatjng in public debt, to embarrass the re-
sources of the country and to lesson its abb ity to
meet any great emergency which may arise. All
sinecures should be abolished. The appropriations
should he direct and explicit, go as to leave as limit
ed share Of discretion to the disbursing agents as
may be found compatible with the public service.
A strict responsibility on the part of all the agents
of the Government should be maintained, and pecu-
laton or deiacation visited with immediate expul-
sion from office and a most condign punishment.