Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-03-24
lNAU G j RAIL I'D d Il d IS
or PRESIDENT POLK.

voluntary suhiages of my coun;rymen 10 the
most honorable and most responsible Office OH
earth. | am deeply impressed with gratitude
for the confidence rcposed in me. Honored
with this distinguished consideration at an
earlier period of life than any of my prcdc-
cessors, cannot disguise the d,liilencc with
which am about to enter on the discharge
O my official duties.
If more aged and experienced men who
have filed the Office of President Of the
United States, even in the infancy Of the
republic, dstrusted their ability tG discharge
the duties o that exalted station, what ought
not TO be the apprehensions OF one so much
Younger and less endowed, now that our
domain extends from ocean to ocean, tina,
our people have SO greatly increased in
numbers, and at time when SO great d.
versity Of opinion prevails in regard to the
principles and policy which should charac-
terze the administration Of our government!
Well may the boldest fear, and the wisest
tremble, when incurring responSib lilies on
which may depend our counry's peace and
prosperity, and, in some degree, the hopes
and happiness Of the whole human family.
In assuming responsibilities so vast, |
reyerenily invoke the aid Of that Almighty
Ruler of the Universe, in whose hands arc
the destines Of nations and of men, to guard
this Ileaven-favored land agans, the mis-
chief, whlch, without His guidance, might
arise from an unwso public policy. With
firm reliance upon the wisdom Of Omni-
potence to sustain and direct me in the path
Of duty which am appointed to pursue, |
stand in the presence OF this assembled
multitude Of my cochtrymen, TO take upon
myself the solemn obligation, ''io the best
OF my ability to preserve, protect, and
defend the constitution Of The U. States"
A concise enumeration of the principles
which will guide me in The administrative
policy Of The government, is not only in
accordance with the examples set me by
my predecessor but is eminently BETTING
the occasion.
The constitution itself, plainly written as
il is, the safeguard Of our lede ratve com
pact, the offspring Of coaccs ion and com
promise, binding together in the bonds OF
peace and union this great and increasing
family of free an indeProd mt States, will
be the chart By which ShrlI he dir cted.
Ii will be nv first care to administer the
government in the true spirit o. tAlt lns,ru-
ment. and 10 assume ~ powers not ex-
prcssly granted, or cIeirly Implied in lis
terms. The government Of the u. States
is ono OF delegated and limited powers !;
aud it IS by a strict adherence To the clearly
granted powers. and by absta Ming from the
exercise Of ,ubtrul or unau hOrzed implied
powers that we have the only sure guaranty
against the recurrence of those unfortunate
collisions between the Federal and State
authorities, which have occasionally much
disturbed the harmony of our system, and
even threatened the perpetu'ty OF our GO
rouS Union.
"To he States rcSpec i've or II the pco-
PIE" h,ve b en- reserved the powers not
,eg rtc t. The u. States by the constu-
ton. nor prohibited by i to The StateS.-
Each Sat: is complete sovereignty within
the sphere Of its reserved powers. The
government Of the Union acting within the
sphere o. its delegated authority, is also a
complete sovereignty. While the general
government should abstain from the exer-
csc of authority not clearly delegated 20 it,
the States should be equally careful that, in
tho maintenance Of their rights, they do not
ovcrsle2 the limits Of powers reserved 10
them. One of the most distinguished OF
nv predecessors attached deserved imror-
tancc To The support o! the State govern,
meniS in all their rights, as The most com
petcnt administration for our domestic con-
Germs, and the sureSt bulwark against anti
republican tendencies" and TO "thc pre-
scrvaion of the general government in It's
whole constitutional vjgor, rs the sheet
anchor Of our peace at home and safety
abroad"
To the government Of the U. States has
been entrusted The exclusive management
Of our fore ign affairs. Beyond that, it
yields few general enumerated powers.
Ii does not force reform on the States. Ii
leaves individuals, over whom ii casts its
protecting influence, entirely free TO inn
prove their own condition by the legitimate
exercise Of all their mental aud physical
powers. 1t is a common protector Of each
and all The States and Of every man who
lives upon our soil, whether of native or
foreign birth Of every religious sect. in
their worship Of The Almighty according
70 the dictates of their own conscience OF
every shade Of opinion, and he most free
enquiry; Of every art, trade and occupation
consistent with the laws Of The States. And
We rejoice in the general happiness. pros
perity and advancement OF our county,
which have been the offspring of freedom,
and not OF power.
This most admirable and wsest system
OF well-regula,ed self-government among
men, ever devised by human minds, has
been tested by its successful operation for
more than half century and, if pre-
served from the Csurpations of the federal
government on the one hand, and the exer-
else by the States Of powers not reserved
to them on the other, will, fervenily hope
and believe, endure for ages to come, and
dispense the blessings Of civil and religious
liberty 10 distant generations. To effect
objects so dear TO every patriot, shall de-
vote myself with anxious sorcitude. Ii
will be my desire TO guard against that most
fruitful source of danger 10 the harmonious
action of our system, which consists in
substituting the mere discretion and caprice
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