Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-04-28
OFFICIAL

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, late
President Of the United States. Unon
him YOU had conferred your suffraues for
the first Office in your gift, and had select.
ed him as your chosen instrument to cor.
rect 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 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 Ell.
forts 10 be directed to the accomplishment
Of this vitality important task have deYol.
we'd upon myself This same occurrence
has subjected the wisdom and sufficiencv
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 contingen.
cy provided for in the Constitution, has
had devolved upon him the Presidential
office. The spirit of faction, which is
directly opposed TO the spirit Of a lofty
patriotism, may find in this occasion for
assault upon my administration. And,
in succeeding, under circumstances so
sudden and unexpected, and to response
bilities so greatly augmented, TO the ad-
ministration of public affairs, ] shall place
in the intelligence and patriotism Of the
people, my onl " sure reliance. My ear
nest prayer shall be constantly addressed
TO the all wise and all powerful Being who
made me, and by whese dispensatioa | am
called 10 the high office of President of
this Confederacy, understandngly to car
ny out the principles of that Constitution
which have sworn to preserve and de-
fend."
The usual opportunity which is afforded to
Chief M1strate upon his induction 10 Office
Of presenting to his countrymen an exposition
of the policy which would guide his admins
tration, 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, a brief exposition
of the principles which win govern me in the
general course of my administration of public
| affairs would seem to be due as well to myself
as to you. In regard 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 with one and all, it will be
my most imperative duty to see that the honor
ofthe country shall sastain no blemish. With
view to this, the condition ofour military de-
fence will become matter of anxious solicit
tude. The army, which has in other DAYS
| covered itselfwit renown, and the Navy, not
inappropriately 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 vouched by history
that the tendency of all human institutions is
to concentrate power in the hands of a single
! man, and that their ultimate downfall has pro-
| ceeded from the cause, deem IL of the most
| essential Importance, that complete separation
| SD oud take place between the sword and the
purse. No matter where or how the public
mony shall be deposited, so long as the Presi.
dent can exert the power of appointing and
removing, at his pleasure, the agents selected
for their custody, the commandments of
the Army and Navy is in fact the Treasurer.
a permanent and radical change sbouldthere
fore be decreed. The patronage incident to
tile PRESIDENTIAL ofice, already great, is con-
stantly increasing. Such increase is destined
to keep peace with the growth of our popula-
ton, until without figure of speech, an army
OF ofhceholders may be spread over the land.
| The unrestrained power exerted by selfishly
ambitious man, in order either to perpetrate
| his authority or to hand it over to some favor
] tie as his successor, may lead to the employ
| ment OF all the means within his control to ac-
liz oh h. IL
from office, while subject to no lust restraint.
is inevitably destined to produce a spirit of
COUGHING severity with the Official corps, which
feeds them, would lead to direct and active
interference in the elections, both State and
Federal, thereby subjecting the course ofState
legislation to the dictation of the Chief Exec
utlve Officer, and making the will OF that off,
Ger absolute and supreme. will, at proper
time, invoke the action Of Congress upon this
sublect,and shall readily acquiesce in the adop-
ton OF all proper measures which are calcula-
ted to arrest these evils, so full of danger in
their tendency. / viii remove 10 incumbent
from office who has faithfully and honestly ac-
quilted himself of the duties ofhis office, ex-
cept IN such cases where such officer has been
guilty OF an active partiZanship, or by secret
means-the less manly, and therefore the
more obJectlonable-has given his official infiu-
ence to the purpose of party, thereby bringing
the patronageof the Government in conflict
with the freedom reflections. Numerous re-
movals may become necessary under this rule.
These will be made by me through no acerh;-
ty of feeling. | have had no cause to cherish
or indulge unkind feelings towards anv, but nv
conduct will be regulated by profound sense
OF what is due to the country and Its institu-
tons; nor shall neglect to apply the same IN.
bending rule to those of nv own appointment
Freedom of opinion will be tolerated. the fulI
enjoyment of the right of suffrage will no
maintained, as the birthright official corns
"thus tar and no farther" / have dwell the
longer upon this subject, because removals
from ONCE are likely often to arise, and I
would have my country men to understand
the principles of Executive action.
In all public expenditures the most ricid. ec.
onomy should be resorted to, and, as one of its
results, bubble debt in time of peace he seju-
lousy avoided. A wise and patriotic consis.
iency Will never object to the imposition ofne.
csssary burdens for useful ends: and true wis.
1om dictates the resort to such means. in o,der
TO supply cehciences in the revenue than those
70 doubtful expedlentS, which utimating in |
pubic debt, serve to embarrass the resources
d the country and TO lessen its ability to meet
any great emergency which may rise. An
should be abolished. The ammo. |
orlatlons should be direct and explicit, so as TO
cave as limited share ofdiscretion to the
lls:ourslng agents as may be found compatible
Win the pubic service. A strict responsible
y on the part ofall the agents of the govern
nehs should be maintained and speculation or
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