Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-03-14
PRESIDENT pOLK'S INAUGURAL
AID RESS.

The following is the Address delivered
by JAMES X. Polk, President Of the United
States, on the occasion Of his Inauguration,
at Washington, on Tuesday of last week.
Fellow CITIZENS Without solicita-
ton on my part, have been chosen by the
free and voluntary suffrages of my country
men to the most honorable and most respon-
sible office on earth. | am deeply Impress
ed with gratitude for the confidence repos-
ed in me. Honored with this distinguished
consideration at an earlier period of life
than any of my predecessors, cannot dis
guise the difidence with which l am about
to enter ON the discharge Of my official du-
ties.
If the more aged and experienced men
who have filled the office Of President of the
United States, ever in the infancy of the
Republic, distrusted their ability to dis
charge the duties of 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, that our people have SO greatly in
creased in numbers, and at time when so
great diversity Of opinion prevails in regard
to the principles and policy which should
characterize the administration of our gov
eminent 7 Well may the boldest fear, and
the wisest tremble, when mourning response
bilties upon which may depend our coun-
try's peace and prosperity. and, in some de-
gree, the hopes and happiness Of the whole
human family.
In assuming responsibilities so vast, l
fervently invoke the aid Of that Almighty
IL 80 h. -, nh han1o
the destinies of nations and of men, to guard
this heaven-favored land against the mis-
chiefs which. without His guidance, might
arise from an unwise public policy. With
a firm reliance upon the wisdom of Omnip-
otence to sustain and direct me in the path
of duty which am appointed to pursue,
stand in the presence Of this assembled null
titude of my countrymen, to take upon my
self the solemn obligation, to the best OF
my ability, to preserve, protect, and defend
the constitution Of the United States
A concise enumeration of the principles
which will guide me in the administrative
policy Of the government, is not only in ac-
eordance with the examples set me by all my
predecessors, but is eminently BETTING the
occasion.
The constitution itself, plainly written as
j, is, the safeguard of our federative com
pact, the offspring of concession and COM
promise, binding together in the bonds ol
peace and union this great and increasing
family Of free and independent States, will
be the chart by which shall be directed.
1t will be my first care TO administer the
government ia the true spirit of that instru-
ment, and to assume no powers not express
Iy granted, or clearly implied in its terms
The government of the United States is one
of delegated and limited powers and it is
BY strict adherence to the clearly granted
powers and by abstaining from the exer
else of doubtful or unauthorized implied
powers, that we have the only sure guaran
ty against the recurrence Of those unfortu
nate collisions between the Federal ant
State authorities, which have occasionally
so much disturbed the harmony Of our sys
TEN, and even threatened the perpetuity o
our glorious Union.
TO the States respectively, or to the peo
ple,' have been reserved the powers no
delegated TO the United States by the con
stitution, nor prohibited by it to the States.
Each State is complete sovereignty within
the sphere of its reserved powers. The gov
sphere of its delegated authority, is also
complete sovereignty. While the genera
government should abstain from the exercis
OF authority not clearly delegated to it, tn
States should be equally careful that, in tn
maintenance of their rights, they do not 0
verstep the limits of powers reserved 4
them One of the most distinguished o
nv predecessors attached deserved impo;
lance to the support of the State govern
ments in all their rights, as the most com
petent administration for our domestic con
Germs, and the surest bulwark against anti
republican tendencies; and TO the 'preser
walton of the general government in II
whole constitutional vigor, as the sheet-an
Choir of our peace at home, and safet
abroad.
To the government of the United State
has been entrusted the exclusive manage
ment of our foreign affairs Beyond that
1t yields a few general enumerated powers
1t does not force reform on the States.
leaves individuals, over whom it casts il
protecting influence, entirely free to improv
their own condition by the legitimate excl
else of all their mental and physical powers
1t is common protector Of each and all tn
States of every man who lives upon on
soil, whether Of native or foreign birth; {
every religious sect, in their worship of tn
Almighty according to the dictates of the
own conscience of every shade of opinion
and the most free inquiry OF every ar
trade and occupation, consistent with II
laws Of the States. And we rejoice in ii
general happiness, prosperity and adyanc