The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-10
OFFICIAL.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES.

STATES +. E.
FELLow-CIrzENs: Before nv arrival at the
Seat OF Government the painful communication
was made TO you by the officers presiding over
the several Departments of the deeply regretted
death of WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, late Presi-
dent of the United States. Upon him you had
conferred your suffrages for the first office in
your gift, and had selected him as your chosen
instrument TO correct and reform all such errors
and abuses as had manifested themselves from
time to time in the practical operation of the
Government. While standing at the Threshold
ofthis great work, he has, by the dispensstion
ofan al-wise Providence, been removed. from
amongst us, and by the provisions of the Consti-
tuition the efforts to be directed to the accomplish
ingofthis vitality important task have devolved up
onmyself This same occurrence has subjected
the wisdom and sufciency of our institutions to a
new test. For the first time in our history the per
son elected to the Vice Presidency of the United
States, by the happening Of contingency pro-
vided for in the Constitution, has had devolved
upon him the Presidential office. The spirit of
faction, which is directly opposed to the spirit
OF lofty patriotism, may find in this OCCASION
Tor assaults upon my administration. And n
succeeding, under circumstances so sudden and
unexpected, and to responsibilities so greatly
augmented, to the administration of ublic af
fairs, shall place in the intelligence and patriot
ism Of the People my only are reliance. N.Y.
the all-wise and all-powerful Being who made
me, and by whose dispensation | am called to
the high office of President Of this Conf, deracy.
Understandings to carry out the principles Of
that Constitution which I have sworn "to pro-
tect preserve, and defend"
The usual opportunity which is afforded to a
Chief Magistrate upon his induction to Office Of
presenting to his countrymen an exposition of
the policy which would guide his administration,
IN the form of an inaugural address, not having,
under the peculiar circumstances which have
brought me to the discharge of the high duties of
President of the United States, been afforded to|
me, brief exposition of the principles which,
VIII govern me in the general course of nv ad !
ADMINISTRATION of public affairs would seem to bel
due as well to myself as to you. In regard to To-
reign nations, the groundwork of my policy will
De justice on our part to ALL submitting to inius-
tlce from none. While shall sedulously cult
Vate the relations of peace and amity with one|
and all 1t will be my most imperative duty to see|
that the honor of the country shall sustain mol
blemish. With a view to this, the condition of|
our military defences will become matter of
anxious sollcitude. The Army, which has in|
other days covered itself with renown, and the|
Navy, not appropriately 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, well avouched by history,
that the tendency of all human institutions is to
concentrate power in the hands of single man,
aud 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. Nc
matter where or how the public moneys shall be
deposited, solong as the President can exert the
power Of appointing and removing, at his plea
sure, the agents selected for their custody, the
Commander-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, all
ready great, is constantly increasing. Such in
crease is destined to keep pace with the growth
OF our population, until, without figure of
speech, an army of oficeholders may be spread
over the land. The unrestrained power exerredI
by selishly ambitious man, in order either to|
perpetuate his authority or to hand it over toI
some tavorite as his successor, NAV lead to the
employment of all the means within his con-
troll to accomplish his object. The right to re-
move from office, while subjected to no Just re-
straint, is inevitably destined to produce spirit
of crouchipg servility with the official corps |
which, in order to uphold the hand which feeds
them, wouldlead to direct and active interference
in the elections, both State and Federal, thereby
subjecting the course of State legislation to the
dictation ofthe Chief Executive Officer, and max
ing the will of that officer absolute and supreme
will, at proper time, invoke the action of
Congress upon this subject, and shall readily ac-
quiesce in the adoption of all proper measures
which calculated to arrest these evils SO full
OF danger in their tendency. will remove no
incumbent from office who has faithfully and
honestly acquitted himself of the 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--has given his official iniu-
ence to the purposes of party, thereby bringing
the patronage of the Government in conflict with
the freedom of elections. Numerous removals
may become necessary under this rule. These
will be made BY me ihsoRshs - aeertity OF feei1
ing. Ihaye had no cause to cherish Or indulge
unkind feelings towards any, but my conduct
will be regulated by profound sense OF what is
due to the country and its institutions nor shall
l neglect to apply the same unbending rule to-
those Of my own appointment Freedom of
opinion will be tolerated, the full enjoyment of
H. ~:obt IF suffro0a will he al &c tb u