Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1845-03-22
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


the free and voluntary sullrages Of my
Icountrymen 10 The most honorable and
most responsible ollics on earth. | an
deeply impressed with gratitude Coz the
confidence reposed IN me. iloaored witt
this distinguished consideration at an ear.
Iier period of life than any Of my predces
sors, cannot disguise the difidence will
which am about to enter on the dis
charge of my official duties.
If the more aged and experienced men
who have filled the office OF President oil
The United States, even in the infancy oil
The republic, distrusted their ability to
discharge the duties of that exalted sta.
.tcn, what ought not to be The apprehen.
sions 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 a
time when 50 great diversity Of opjaion
prevails ia regard to the principles and
policy which should characterize the ad
mnlstration Of our government? Well
may the boldest fear, and the wisest trcm
Bile, when mourning responsibilities on
which may depend our tolntry's peace
and prosperity, and in some degree, the
hopes and happiness Of the whole hu,
man family.
In assuming responsibilities so vast, |
ferventIy invoke the aid Of the Almighty
Ruler OF the Universe, in whose hands are
the datinos of nations and Of men to
guard this heaven-lavored land against
the mschIofs, which, without his guild
ance, might arise from an unwiSe public
policy. With firm reliance upon the
wisdom Of Omnipotence to sustain and di,
rect me in the path of duty which | am
appointed to pursue, stand in the pres
ence of this assembled multitude OF my
TO take upon myself the So
Iemn obligation, ITO the best of my obili-
ty, to preserve, protect, and defend the
of the United States"
a concise enumeration OF the prnci pies
which viii guide me in the administrative
policy of the Government, is not only IN
accordance with the examples set me by
all my predecessors, but is evidently befl-
ing The occasion.
The Constitution itself, plainly writ
en- as it is, the safeguard Of our Iedera-
i've compact, the offspring of concession
md compromise, binding together in the
bonds of peace and union this great and
Increasing family Of free and indep enden;
States, will be the chart by which | shall
be directed.
1t will be my first care TO administer
he Governmental the true spirit OF that
and to assume no powers not
expressly granted, or clearly implied in
It's terms The Government; Of the Uni
ted States is one of delegated and Iimi-
ted powers; and ii is by a strict adhe-
renee 10 the clearly granted powers, and
by abstalnlng from the exercise Of doubt
Iul or unauthorized implied powers, that
we have the only sure guaranty against
The recurrence Of those unfortunate coils
ons between the Federal and State au-
horties, which have occasionally so
much disturbed the harmony Of our sys
EN-, and even threatened the perpetuity
IF our glorious Union.
"Tothe States respectively, or to the
people," have been reserved "the powers
rot delegated TO the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the
States" Each State is complete sover-
'ignty within the sphere of its reserved
lowers, The Government Of the Union,
citing within the sphere Of is delegated
is also complete sovereignty |
While the General Government should
Lbstan from the exercise Of authority
lot clearly delegated to it, the States
hould be equally careful that, in the
Of their rights they do MOI
verste1 the limits Of powers reserved |
o them. One of the most distinguished
f my predecessors attached deserved
Importance to "the support OF the State
Governments in all their rights, as the
nosl competent administration for our do
nestle concerns, and the surest bulwark
gainst The hnti-repubIlcan tendencies"
nd to- the preservation oil the General
government its whole CONSTITUTIONAL VIC Il
r, as the sheet anchor Of our peace at
ONE and safely abroad"
To the Government Of the U. States
as been entrusted the exclusive man
cement of our foreign affairs. Beyond
lat, it yields few general enumerated q
overs. 1t does not force reform on the /
tates. 1t leaves individuals, over whom
casts its protecting influence, entirely +
zee TO improve their own condition BY I
le Legitimate exercise Of all their mena!
hysical powers. Ii is common protec- I
II of each and all the States; of every {
an who lives upon our soil, whether Of
alive or foreign birth; Of every religious 9
,ct, in the worship OF the Almighty nc 4
riding TO the dictates Of their own con-lt