Mobile register and journal., 1845-03-12
NATGuRAL ADnREss.

 FELLOW CITIzRHs:-Wnhont soI,citude on my | patt, have been 3bosen by the free and voluntary | snfrages of my countf, men the most honorable and most responsible office earth. am deeply im- | pressed with gratitude for ihe confidence retosed in me Honoured with this distinguished cons alteration al earlier period of lie thnn any of my pre- leces- sors, cannot disguise the difidence with which am about enter the discharge of my official dt- ties.
 If the more aged and experienced men who have filled the office of President o the United States in the infancy of the republic, dstrusted their ability to discharge the duties of that exalted stalion what ought be the aEprehensIons oc one so much younger and less endowed, that our domain extends ion 10 ocean, that people have SO greatly increased in numbers and aI time when SO great diversity of opinion prevails in regard the principles lad policy which should characterize the administration of our government We'll may the boldest fear and the wisest trembe, when mourning responsibilities which may depend counlry's peace and prosperity, and, m degree the hopes and happiness of the whole human family.
 In assuming responsibilities vast, ferveniy In- yoke the aid of that Almighty Ruler of ihe universe in whose hands are the desiinies of nations and of men, to guard this heaven favored land against inc mischefs which, without his guidance, might arise from unwlse public policy. With firm reliance upon the wisdom of Omnpotence to sustain and di- in the path of duty which am appointed 10 pu sue, l stand in the presence oi this assembled multitude of my cnuntrymeu, 10 take upon myself the V. serve, protect, and defend the constitution of the | United States
 concise enumeration of the principles which will guide me in the administrative policy of Il govern ment, is not only in actordance with the examples by all my predecessors but Is emlnenlIy be- | fitting the occasion.
 The constitution itself, plainly written as 1t is the safeguard of ouI lederave compact, the offepri'g of concession and compromise, binding together in the b Rd' of peace and union ihis great and increasing l lIn, l,nfrr md in,a Cfutaa I. d.. chart by which shall be directed.
 l twill be my first care 10 administer the govern men, in the true spirit of that instrument, and to as. sume powers not expressly granted or clearly inn 1 piled in It's terms The government of the United l States is of delegated and limited powers; and it is by strict adherence io te cc rly granted pow CTS, and by absaining from the exercise of doubtful or unauthorlzed implied powers, that have Ihe on- y sure guaranty against the recurrence of those fortunate collisions between the Federal and Slate authorities, which have occasionally much disturb. ed the harmony of our system, and even threatened the perpetu,ty of onr glorious Union.
 "Fo the States respectively, to the people," have been reserved 'ihe powers delegated to the United States 6y the constitution, prohibited by l it to the States D Each Stale is d complete soye. l reignty within the sphere of it's reserved powers. l The government of the Union, acting within the sphere of its delegated authoriy IS also q compIetr | sovereignty. While the ge ,eral government shoui abstain from the exercise O authority clearly tel- 1 egated t0 it, the States should be equally careful that, in the maintenance of their rights they do not overstep the limits of powers reserved to them. One of the most distinguished or my predecessors attach. 1 ed deserted importance the support of the Slae governments in all their rights, as ile most coupe tent administration for domestic concerns, and 1 the surest bulwark against aAtI-repubcan teniem, ces; |" and 10 the "preseryalon of the general gov ernmeat m its whole cpns tuonal yig r, the sheet, anchor of our peace ai home, and safety abroad " To the government of the United Slnles has been intrustsd the exclusive of our foreign affairs. Beyond that, it wieds few general enu- merated powers. IL does not force reform on the siaIes. IL leaves individuals, whom it it's protecting influence, entirely free 10 improve their own condition by the legitimate exercise of all tlcir | mental and physical powers. IL k a co,auon rro- tector ui each and all the States; of every who l,ves upon our soil, whether of native or iorelgn birth; of every religious sect, in the worship of the Almighty according 10 the dictates of their own con- science; of every shade of opinion, the free inquiry; of every art, trade, and occupation, consis tent with the laws of the Slates And we rejoice in the general happiness. prosperity, and advancement ot our country, which have been the Ofspi ing of free dom, and not of power.
 This most admirable and wisest system of well regulated self governmen among men, ever devised by human minds, has been tested by it's successful operation for more than bafa century; and, If pre- served from the usurPa;ons of the .ederal govern. ment the hand, and the exercise b, the States of powers not reserved to them the other. will. fervenly hope and believe, endure for ages come, and dispense the blessings of civil and religious lib ery 10 distant generations. To effect objects dear to every patriot, shall devote myself with anxious solicitude. It will be my desire to guard against that most fruitful source of danger the harmonious action of our system, which consists in substituting the mere discretion and caprice of the executive of moortes in the legislative department of the gov ernmenl, for powers which have bten withheld from the federal government by the constitution. By the theory of our government, ma jories rule; but this right Is not an arbitrary or unlimited one. It is right to be exercised in subordinaton to inc consu- tion and in conformity to it. One great object of the constitution WAS tO restrain mnjoriies from op- pressing minorilies. encroaching upon their just rights. Minorities have right 10 appeal to the slution, as shield against such oppression.
 That the blessings of liberty which constitu-
 lion secures may be enjoyed alike by mnorties and majorities, the executive has been wisely invested with qualified veto upon the of the legislature. IL is a negative power. and is conservative in it's character. It arrests for the time isy, inconsider- ate, or unconstitutional legislation; invites reconsid- eraton, and transfers questions issue between the legislative and executive departments the tribunal ol the people, Like all other powers it is subject to be abused. When judiciously and properly exer- cised, the constitution itself may be saved from fraction, and the rights ofa preserved and protected
 The inestimdble value of our federal Tnion is felt and acknowledged by all. By this system of united and coniederaltd States, our people are permitted, collectively and individually, 10 seek their own hap- pness in their own.r ny and the consequences have been most suspicious. Since the Union was formed, the number of the States has increased from thirteen to twenty eight; two of these have taken their posi- ton nas members of the conlederacy within the last week. Our population has increased from three to twenty millions. New communities and states are seeking protection under it's @gis, and multiiudes from the Old World hocking shores 10 par ticipate in its blessings. Beneath its benign sway peace and prosperity prevail. Freed from the bur. dens and miseries of war; trade and intercourse have extended throughout the world. M,nd, no long CT tasked in devising means to accomplish or resist schemes oi ambition, usirpaen. conquest, IS de- voting itself to mans interests in developing his faculties and powers, and the capacity of nature to minister to his enjoyments. Genius is free to an- nounce its inventions and dscoyeries and the hand is free to accomplish whatever the head conce,ss, nnt incompatible with the rights of fellow be- ing. All distinctions of birth Of rank have been aho lished. Al citizens, whether native Or adopted, are placed upon terms ot precise equality. All are entitled to equal rights and equal protection. No union exists between church and state; and perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed to all sects and : ereeds. rt rl
 These are some of the blessings secured to our happy land by our federal Union. To perpetuate them, Is sacred duty to preserve il. Who shall assign limiIs to the achievements of free minds and free hands, under the protection of this glorious l UnioD? No treason 10 mankind since the organza- ton of soGiey, would be equal in arociy to that of him who would lift bIs band to destroy it. He would overthrow the noblest structure ol human wisdom, which protects himself and his eIlow-unan He would stop the progress of free government. and involve his country either in anarchy or desp0tism. He would exlipguish the fire of liberty which warns and ani. mates he hearts of happy millions, and invites al the nations of the earth to initiate example. Ifhe says that error and wrong are committed in the ad-