The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-03-12
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
MARCH 4, 1875.

md voluntary SURFACES oil my conntrIHth ~
the most honorable and most responsible Of
fee Oh earth. am deeply impressed with
gratitude for the confidence reposed in me.
Ilonured with this distinguished consdera-
ton at an earlier period Of lie than any fmy
predecessors, cannot disguise the difdence
with which am ahout to enter on the dis
charge Of my official duties.
IL the more aged and experienced who
have filled the Office of President of the Uni
ted States, even in the infancy OF the repub
lie, dis,rus,ed their ability to discharge the
dutic. Of that exalted station, What ought not
To be the arprehensious Of one SO much
younger and less endowed, now that our do
riain extends fran ocean TO ocean, that our
people have so greatly increased in numbers,
aud at time when 50 great diversity oiorin-
sou prevails in regard TO the principles and
. policy which should characterize the admin
istration Of our government Well may the
horlest fear, and the wisest tremble, when IN
curing responsibilities which may depend
our coan,rys peace aud prosperity, and, IN
some degree, the hopes and happiness Of the
whole human family.
In assuming responsibilities so vast, Ter
vanity invoke the aid Of the Almighty Ruler
of the universe, in whose hands are the desii-
nies OF nations and of men, TO guard this
heaven favored land against the mischiefs
which, without His guidance. might arise from
an unlSise public policy. With "A firm reli
aace upon the wisdom of Omnipotcnse to
sus.ain and direct me in the path of duty which
am appointed to pursue, stand in the pres
ence of this assembled multitude of my
couhtrymen, 10 take upon myself the solemn
obligation, " to the best of my ability, 10 pre-
serve. protect, and defend the Constitution OF
the United States"
! concise enumeration OF the principles
which will guide me in the administrative
POLICY of The government, is not only in ac
cordarce with the examples set me by all my
predecessors, but is eminenily b eftting The
occasion.
The constitution itself, plai1ly written as it
is, the safeguard of our federaiive compact,
the offspring Of concession and compromise,
b.nding together in the bonds of peace and
urior this great and increasing family OF free
md independent States, will be The chart by
which | shall be directed.
1t viii be my first care to administer the
government iithe true spirit eli that instru
meuI, and to assume no powers lot expressly
granted, or clearly implied in its terms. The
government Of the United States is ole ofdel-
esatsd and limited powers; aud it is by a
Strict adherence to the clearly granted pow
ers. and BY absiaining from the exercise Of
doubtful or unauthorized implied powers,
that we have tho only sure guaranty against
the recurrence of those unfortunate collisions
between the Federal and Stale authorizes,
which have so much disturbed the harmony
OF cur system, and even threatened the perpe-
tI,y -four glorious Union.
ITO the States respectively, or to the peo-
I a..
delegated 10 the United States by the Consii-
,Ition, nor prohibited by it to the States."-
Each Stale is complete sovereignty within
The sphere of its reserved powers. The gov
eminent ofthe Union. acting within the sphere
o.: lis delegated authority, is also complete
sovereignty. While the general government
should abstain from The exercise of authority
ID; clearly delegated 10 it, The States should
bs equally careful that in the maintenance of
their rights, they do not overstcp the limits
Of powers reserved 10 them. One of the most
distinguished Of my predecessors attached
deserved importance TO The support of the
STATE governments in all their hts, as the
most competent administration for our dcmes-
tic concerns and the surest bulwark against
aui-Tepublican tendencies and 10 the "pres-
ovation of the general government in its
whole constitutional vigor, as the sheet-an-
cilor of our peace al home, and safety a.
broad''
To the government Of The United States
has been entrusted the exclusive management
o. quc foreign affairs. Beyond that, it wields
few general enumerated powers. 1t does
not forca reform on the states. 1t leaves in
,vdGai5, over whom it casts its protecting
Influence entirely free TO improve their own
condition by the legitimate exercise of all
their mental and physical powers. Il is a
common protector OF each and all the States;
oil every man who lives upon our soil, wheth-
rr of native Or foreign birth; of every relig-
ious sect ia the worship of the Almighty ac-
cortlinS to the dictates ofhi; own conscience;
Of every shade OF opinion, aud the most free
inquiry Of every art, trade and occupation,
consistent with the laws The States. And
~. rejoice in the happiness, prosperity and
advancement Of our country, which have been
tire offspring Of freedom aud not Of power.
This most admirable and wiscst system OF
wclreguaied sclf-government among men,
ever devised by human minds, has been test
cd by it's successful operation lor more than
L.lf a century; and if preserved from the
usurpasions Ct The federal government on the
one hand, and The exercise Of the STATES of
ROVER not reserved to them on the other,
will fervenily hope and believe, endure for
ages to come, and dispense the blessings of
civil and religious liberty 10 distant genera
tinns. To effect objects SO dear 10 every pat
riot. shall devote myself with anxious So
lcitnde. 1t will he my desire to guard against
that mcsi fruitful source of danger to the har-
inonious action Of our system, which consists
il Substituting the mere discretion and ca
price Of the executive, or o. nlajofiiics in the
legislative department of The government, for
powers which have been withheld from the
federal government by the constitution. b,
the theory of onr government. maioritics
rnle; but this right is not an arbitrary or I'M
limited one. II is right 20 he exercised in
sa5ordination to the constitution. and in con-
iormity to it. One great object of the con-
Fi!!ion wal 10 restrain maioriiies from oppres-
sins mlnorities, or encroa7h hing upon their
Just rights. Minorities have right to appeal
to the constitution, as shield against such
oppression.
That the blessings Of thirty which our
constitution secures mag be- eniovci alike bv
n'incri'ies and maioriics, tic executive has
been wisely invested with clalified vote u3-
Oil The acts Of the Iepisl,f.,ra I, =, rao.