Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1845-03-14
PRESIDENT POLK'S
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
MARCH q. 1915


on my part have been chosen by the free
and voluntary sufTrages of my counuymen
to the most honorable and most RESPONSE
BILE Office on earth. lam deeply impressed
with gratitude for the confidence reposed
in me. Honored with this distinguished
consideration at an earlier period Of life
than any Of my predecessors, cannot dis
guise the diflidence with which am about
to enter on the discharge OF my official du-
ties.
If the more aged and experienced men
who have filed the office of President of
the United States, even in the infancy Of
the republic, distrusted their ability to dis
charge the duties of that exalted station,
" hat ought hot TO be the apprehensions of
ole so much younger and less endowed,
now that our domain extends fom ocean
10 ocean, that our people have so greatly
increased in numbers, and at a time when
so great diversity Of opinion prevails in re-
! gard to the principles and policy which
should characterize the administration Of
our government Well may the boIdest
lear, and the wisest trembe, when incur
ring responsibilities on which may depend
our country's peace and prosperity, and
in some degree, the hopes and happiness
Of the whole human family.
In assuming responsibilities so vast,
fprvently invoke tho aid Of that Almighty
Ruler Of the universe, in whose hand are
the destnies of nations and of men, to
guard this heavpn-Iavored land against the
mschiei- which, without HIS guidance,
might arise from an Unwisp public policy.
With a firm reliance upon the wisdom of
Omntpetence 10 sustain and direct me in
the path Of duty which am appointed to
Persue, ! stand in the presence Of this as
semhled multitude Of my countrgmen, to
take upon myself the solemn obligation, so
the best ot my ability. TO preserve, protect.
and defend the Constitution of the United
States"
A concise enumeration Of the principles
which viii guide me in the administrative
policy Of the government, is not only in ac-
cordance with the examples set me by NV
predecessors, but is emnendy betitting the
occasion
The constitution itself, plainly written as
+ it is, the safeguard Of our fedevative COM
pact, the offspring OF concession and com
, promise, binding together in the bonds OF
pence and union this great and increasing
family Of free and independent States,
will he the chart by which shall be di.
' rectcd.
1t will be my first care to administer the
! government in the true spirit of that inslru-
ment, and to assume no powers not ex-
pressly granted, Or clearly implied in its
terms. The government of the U. States
is one Of delegated and limited powers;
and it is by a strict adherence to the clear
ly granted powers, and by abstaining from
the exercise Of doubtful or unauthorized
implied powers, that we have the only sure
guaranty against the recurrence Of those
unfortunate collisions between the Federal
and State authorities, which have occasion
ally so much disturbed the harmony of our
system, and even threatened the perpetuity
OF our glorious Union.
ITO the States respectively, or to the
people" have been reserved "the powers
not delegated to the United States by the
constitution, nor prohibited by it to the
| States" Each State is complete sovpr-
eighty within the sphere of its reserved
powers. The government of the Union,
acting within the sphere of its delegated
authority, is also a complete sovereignty.
While the general government should alb
stain from the exercise of authority not
clearly delegated to 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 of my predecessors
attached deserved Importance to "lhe SUP.
port of the State governments in all their
rights, as the most competent administra-
ton for our domestic concerns, and the
surest bulwark against anti-repuhcan ten
dencics;" and 10 the "preservation of the
general government in its whole constitu-
tonal vigor, as the sheet-anchor of our
peace at home, and safety abroad"
To the government Of the United States
has been intrusted the exclusive manage
mrnt of our foreign affairs, Beyond that.
it wields few general enumerated powers.
Ii does not force reform on the States. 1t
leaves individuals over whom it casts its
protecting influence, ,entirely free toimprove
their own condition by the legitimate ex-
ercise Of all detrimental and physical pow
ers. It's a common protector of each and
all the States; of every man who lives up.
on our soil. whether of native Or foreign
birth; Of every religious sect, in their wor-
ship of the Almighty according to the die
tates Of their own conscience; of every
shade of opinion, and of the most free in
quiry; of every art, trade and occupation,
consistent with the laws of the States
And we rejoice in the general happiness,
prosperity and advancement of our coun-
try, which have been the offspring of free
dom, and not of power.
This most admirable and Wisest system
of weI-regulated selEgovernment among
men ever devised by human minds, has
been tested by its successful operation for
more than half a century; and if preserved
from the usurpatons of the federal govern
ment on the one hand and the exercise by
the States Of powers not reserved to them