Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1841-05-01
EICIA

HENRY HaKRIsoN, late President Of the United States
Upon hin you Ind conferred your ~sufiares for tho
first office in yeur gin, and had selected hin as Won,
chosen instrument IN cOrrect and resorn all such error
and abuses rs had manifested themsclyes fr,p tim. o.
time in the practical operations Of the government
While standing nj the threshold Of this great work. he
has. by the dispensaiion of an all-wise Providence.
been removed from amongst Us. and by the provisions
of the constitution, the efforts TO be Directed Ia The nc.
comprising Of this vitality important task have de
volved upon myself This same occurrence has s,b-
Jected the wisdom and sufficiency Of our institutions
TO a new test For the first time in our history, the
person elected TO the Wee Presidency Of the United
States, by tie happening Of a contingency 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
IND IN this occasion for assaults upon my administra-
ton. And in succeeding. under circumstances so
sudden and unexpected. and 90 responsibilities so
greatly augmented, To the administration Of public az
fairs, | shall place in the intelligence and patriotism
OF The people my only reliance. My earnest PRAYER
shall be constantly addressed To the alL-wise aud all.
powerful Being who made me, and by whose dispen.
sation I am called TO the high office of President of
this c~snGedcmcy. undersiandingly TO carry our the
principles OF that Constitution which | have sworn
Ito protect, preserve. and defend"
The usual opportunity which is afforded to a Chief
Magistrate upon his induction 10 office. of presenting
TO his coun,ryInen an exposition Of the policy which
would guide his administration, IN the form Of an in.
augural address. not having, under the peculiar cir.
cunsiances which have brought me 10 the DISCHARGE
of the high duties of President of the United States,
being afforded 10 me, n brief exposition Of the prin.
ciples which will govern me in the general course o.
my administration Of public afIins would seem 10 be-
due rs well TO myself as 90 you.
In regard To foreign nations. the groundwork Of my
policy will be justice on our part To Ill.,, submitting 10
injustice from none. While I shall scdulously culti-
waite the relations OF peace and amity with one and
all. II will be my most imperative duty TO see that the
honor Of the country shall sustain no blemish. With
a view To this. the condition Of our military defences
will become a matter ofanXious soliciiude. The almy.
which in other days covered itself with rennwn, and
the public defence. which has spread n light of glory
over the American standard IN all The waters of the
earth. should be rendered reple,c with efficiency.
In view Of the fact. we'll avouched by history, that
the tendency Of all human institutions is To cnncen.
Iraie power IN the hands of a single man, and that
their ultimate downfall has projected fum this cause.
| deem II of the most essential importance that a com
plete 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 al
pleasure, The agents selected fur their custody. the
:n-chief Of the army and navy is i'm fact
the treas lrer, A permanent and radical change should
therefore be decrecd. The patronage incident 10 the
presidential office, already great is constantly increas.
ing. Such increase Is destined TO keep pace with the
w " " pppuiilllils uilAls MlIlOut n nUure oil
speech, an army of otlice-holders may be spread over
the land. The unresirained power exerted by a self
ishly ambitious man, in order either to perpetuate his
authority or 10 hand ii over 10 some favorite as his
successor, may lead 10 the employment of all the
means within his control To accomplish his object
The right 10 remove from office, while subjected Ia
no just restraint, Is inevitably destined 10 produce a
spirit OF c%rouching serviliIy with the official corps.
which, IN order To uphold the hand which feeds ibe'l,
would lead Ia direct and active Interference IN the
both state and federal, thereby subjecting
the course Of state legislation To the d.ciaion of the
chief executive officer. aud making the will Of that
officer absolute aud supreme. 1 will. at a proper time.
invoke the acton Of Congress upon this subject. and
shall readily acquICscc "a the adoption of all proper
measures which are calculated b. arrest those evils,
80 full ui danger IA their tendency. will remove no
incumbent from oil c WIN has faithfully and honestly
acquitted himself OF tho dulles of hts office, EXCEPT
IA such cases where such officer has been guilty of
an active participation, or by secret meins-lhe less
manly, an therefore the more OalccliOnable-has
given his official influence To the purposes Of party.
thereby bring the patronage Of government in conflict
with the freedom OF elections. Numerous removals
may become necessary under this rule. These will be
made by me through no sscerbiiy of feeling. I have
had no cause to cherish ar indulge unkind feelings
towards any, but my conduct vii be regulated by a
profound sense of what IL due 10 the country and its
institutions; nor shall neglect to apply the same un.
bending rule To those of Dy own appointment. Free
dom of opinion will be tolerated. the full enjoyment
of the right of suffrage will be maintained us the
Of every American citizen, but | say en-
phatieally TO the Official corps, "ihus far and no far.
lher." | have dwell The longer upon this subject, be-
cause removals from office are likely often To arise,
and would have my countrymen to understand the
principle Of the executive action.
In all public expenditures the most rigid economy
should be resorted TO, and, as one Of lis results. a pub.
lie debt in time Of peace be sedulously avoided. A
wise and patriotic constituency will never object 10
the imposition Of nee sslry burdens for useful ends:
and true wisdom dictates the resort to such means. ia
order to supply deficiencies in the revenue. rather han
TO those doubtful eSpedieuts, which, uliim1ting in a
public debt. serve To embauass the resources of the
country and 10 lessen its ability TO meet any great
emergency which may arise. All suecures should he
abolished. The appropriations should be direct and
explicit, so rs to leave as limited a share Of discretion
TO the discussing agents as may be found compatible
with the public service. a strict responsibility on the
part Of oil the agents Of the government should be
maintained, and peculaiion or defalcalion visited with
immediate expulsion from Office AID the most condign
punishment.
The public interes; also demands that, If any war
has existed between the government and the currency
it shall cease. Measures Of a financial character. now
having the sanction Of legal enactment, shall be faith
fully enforced until repealed by the legislative autho.
nty. But | owe 1t to myself 10 declare that regard
existing enactmenis as unwise and impOlItic, ard in a
high degree oppressive. I shall promptly give my
SANE lion 10 any constitutional measure which. origina-
ting in Congress, shall have for its object the reslorl-
lion Of a sound circulating medium, 80 essentially ne.
cessary 10 give confidence ia all the Transactions Of
life, to secure to industry its just aud adequate re.
wards. and 10 re-esablish the public prosperity. In
deciding upon the adaptation Of any such measure %
the end proposed, as well ~ It's conformity 10 lhe con-
stitution. I shall resort 10 the fathers Of the great re-.
publican school for advice and instruction, 10 be drawn
from their sage views Of our system Of government.
and the light of their ever glorious example.
The Institutions under which we live, my country.
men, secure each person IN The perfect enjoyment Of
all his rights. The spectacle is exhibited e. the world
Of a government deriving lis powers from The consent
Of the governed. and having impaired TO IL only ~
much power NJ Is necessary for its successful opera
ton. Those who are charged with is administration
should carefully abstain from all attempts to enlarge
The range OF powers thus granted 10 the several de-
parmenls Of The government. other han bY On arpeal