Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-03-22
Inaugural Address
JAMES X. POLK.
DELIVERED Arm MARCH, 1915.

on nv part, have been chosen by The free and
voluntary sulfsfages Of ms counlrymen. 10 the
most honorable and most responsible office on
,he earth. ] AN deeply impressed with gran.
indc for the confidence reposed 10 me. Hon.
ored with this consideration at an earlier peri
Cd OF life than any Of my predecessors. ] am
about 10 enter on the discharge Of my official
duties.
If The more aged and experienced men who
have filed the Office Of President Of the United
States, even 10 the Infancy Of The Republic,
dislrusied their ability 10 discharge the duties
of that exalted station, what ought not 10 be
the approximations Of one so much younger and
less endowed. Now that onr domain extends
from ocean 10 ocean, that our people have SO
Increased in numbers, and at lime when so
srca, diversity of opinion prevails in regard
10 he principles and policy which should char.
arIcrize the administration Of our governments
Well may The bodies, fear and tho wIsesl
ifemble. when incUrring responsibilities on
whi-h nay depend our counry's peace and
prosperity, and in some degree, The hopes and
happiness oflhe whole human family.
inassuming responsibilities so vast fetyent-
ly invoke the aid Of that Almighty Ruler Of
The universe, in whose hands are the desinies
81 nations and Of man, to guard this heaven
favored land against Tho mischieis, which.
without liz guidance, might arise from an
unwiss public policy. With firm reliance
upon the wisdom Of Omnpoesce 10 sustain
nnd difor, me 10 The pain OF duty. which au
appop'si 10 pursue, | stand in the presence Of
this assembled multitude Of my counfymen.
TO take rpon myself The solemn obligation, 4" 10
'be best Of my ability TO preserve. project and
defend The Constitution Of the United States"
A precise enumeration OF tho principles
which will guide me in The administrative pol.
cy Of the government. is not only 10 accord
snce with The examples set me by all my pre-
dssessofs but is cm:uen,y bafliing the occa.
sion.
The constitution iIsolf plainly written as il
Is. The safe guard Of our fedefaive compact,
Tho offspring Of concession and compromise,
binding together in The bonds Of peace and un.
ION. this great and increasing family Of the
free and Independent states. will be the chart
BY which shall DO directed.
j. will be my first care to administer the
government 10 the roe spirit Of that instu.
meni and 10 assume no power not expressly
granted. or clearly implied in its terms. The
government Of The United States. 10 one Of
delegated and limited powers; and il is by n
strict adherence 10 The clearly granted powers
iba, we have The only sure guaranty against
The recurrence Of those unfortunate collisions
between the federal aud state authorities.
"hirh have occasionally so much disturbed
the harmony OF our system, and even threat.
eneJ The perpitui,y Of our Union
+" To the states respectively. or 10 The peo.
pie" have been reserved :" the powers not DOL
ags'ed TO tho United STATES by tho Consrilu
non, nor prohibited by tito the States Each
state is complete sovereignty within The
sphere OF its reserved powers. The govern
nen' OF Tho Union. acting within the sphere
OF It's delegated authority, IL also q complete
sovereignty While the general government
should abstain from the exefeise Of authority
not clearly delegated TO it I; the states should
he equally careful that in The maintenance of
'heH rights, they do not overstep the limits OF
powers reserved TO them. Ono Of The most
distinguished Of my predecessors attached de
served importance 10 tho support Of the sia;e
governments Ia all their rights. as the most
competent administration for our domestic con
Germs. and the surost bnIwa;k against ant.re.
publican tendencies. and to the preservation of
The general government in its whole cons,tu
tiGnal vlgor, rs tho sheoi.anchoT of our peace
Al homo and safety abroad"
To the government OF The United States has
been entrusted the exclusive Management, Of
on foreign affairs. Beyond that, II Yields a
few general enumerated powers. II does not
force reform On The states. Ii leaves them as
individuals over whom il casts ITS protecting
'nhnenee. entirely free 10 improve their own
condition by the legitimate exercise of all their
mental aud physical powers. II is a common
protector 10 each and all the States; of every
man who lives upon our SOIL whether Of ma.
i've or foreign birth, OF every religious sect,
IN their worship OF The Almighty according to
the dictates OF their own conscience Of every
shade of opinion aud the most free enquiry
III every art, trade or occupation consistent
with The laws of the states Aud we eioice
~ The general happiness, prosperity and sd
vanromeni Of our country, which cave been
Va" oi'pring OF freedom and not Of power.
This most admirable and wisest system o.
well regulated self government among mon
ever devised among minds. has been tested b,
IT'S successful operation, Cor mere than half 1
rentury and II preserved from The occupations
Of the federal governmen, on the one hand
the exercise by the States Of powers not roset
we'd TO them, on the other, will, feTsently
hone and believe. endure for ayes 10 come
and dispense The blessings OF civil and Religious
liberty. TO distant generations. To affect Oh
isc,s so dear TO every patriot Sha devote my
self with earnest sollcilude. IL vii De IN,
desire 20 guard agRinstih hat most fruitful source
uf dagger TO ihe harmonious action Of our sys
TEN, which consists 10 substituting the mere
discretion and caprice oi the executive, OF ma
,,ii,:es in the Legislative department Of thu
government. for powers which have been with
reid from the Federal Government by The con