New-York daily tribune., 1845-03-05
PRESIDENT POLK'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
March I. 1916

FL1Low-CITIZESS = w ltnoct solicitation On NV
nart. have been chosen by the tree and voluntary
.nff1ages Of nv countrymen 10 the most honorable
and most responsible office on earth. l ain deeply
impressed with graiiuce for the confidence rePosed
in me Honored with TINS distinguished consider
alton al an earlier penod ct !ue than any OF my
predecessors, cannot disguise the dIinselce WIN
which am about 10 enter on the discharge oi my
official duties
II ihe more aged and experienced men VINO have
filed the Office OF President OF tne United States,
even in the infancy OF the republic tsiTUsted theiF
ability 10 discharge The duties OF that exalted STA
ilon what ought not to be the apprehensions OF one
so much Younger and less endowed, noT that our
domain extends from ocean 10 ocean, that our peo-
pIe have so greatly increased II numbers, and al
time " hen so great diversity OF opinion prevails IN
regard 10 the principles and policy which shou!d
characterize the administration OF orr sovernmen;
Well may the boldest tear, and ihe w!Sesi 'leHoie,
when mourning responsibilities on when may oe-
pend our countrys peace and prosperity, and, IN
come degree, the hopes anc happiness OF the wnole
In assuming responsibilities so vast, ervently
invoke the aid OF ,hat Almighty Ruler oi the uni
verse. in whose hands the destInies OF nations
and of men. TO guard this heaven-ta"ored land
against the mscheis;whch, without HIS guidance,
might arse from an unwlse public policy WIN
firm reliance upon the wisdom OK Omnipoience 10
sustain and direct me Ii The path OF duty which !
am appointed 10 pursae, stand IN the presence oi
this assembled multitude oil my countryIaeD, 10
take upon myself the solemn obligation, "tC the
hes, of my ability, 10 preserve, protect ana defend
the Constellation Of the United States"
A concise enumeration OF the principles when
will guide me in the administrative pocy OF the
government, Is not only IN accordance with the eX-
ampes set me by all my predecessors, out Is eIn!-
nenlly beiiitlng the occasion.
The constitution itself, plainly written as II .s, the
safeguard Of our tederave compact, The OF. prng
of concession and compromise, binding together In
The bonds of peace and union this great and IN
creasiug family OF free and independent etatcs VIII
Je the char, by which shal! be directed
II Will be nv first care 10 administer the govern
nent in the true spirit of that instrument, and 10 as
sumo no powers not expressly granted, OF clearly
IMPLIED in It's terms. The government OF the Unl-
ted States is one of delegated and limited powers;
and ii is by strict adherence 10 the Clearly granted
powers, and by abslainlng from the exercise oi
doubiful 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 occasionally
so much disturbed the harmony OF our system,
md even threatened the perpetuly OF our glorious
Union.
'sTo the States respectively, or TO the people"
have been reserved " the powers not delegated 10
ihe United States by the Constitution, nor prohl5-
tied by ii 10 the States" Each State Is a complete
sovereignty within the sphere OF lis reserved pow
ers The Government OF the Union, acting With
IN the sphere OF It's delegated authority. Is also
complete sovereignty. While the General Gov
ernment should abstain from the exercise OF ar-
thoriy not clearly delegated 10 III the States should
be equally careful that IN the maintenance OF their
rights, ihey do not oversep the limits OF powers re-
served ta Them. One oil the most distinguished OF
my predecessors attached deserved Importance 10
the support OF the State Governments IN all Their
rights. AS the most competent administration for
our domestic concerns, and the sureSt bulwark
against anii-republican tendencies" and to the
g preservation of the General Government in lis
whole constitutional veor the sheet-anchor OF
our peace al home, and safety abroad. y
To The Government OF the United states has been
intrusted the exclusive management OF our Foreign
Affairs Beyond that, II wlclds few general emu
meraied powers il does not torce reform on the
States. 1t leaves individuals. over whom Ii casts
lis protecting influence, entirely tree 10 improve
their own condition by the legitimate exercise oi
all their mental and physical powers II Is com
mon protector OF each and all the States; OF every
man who lives upon our soil, whether of native or
foreign birth; OF every religious sect, in their wGr-
ship of the Almighty according to the dictates OF
their own conscience of every shade OF cplnlon,
and the most free inquiry; 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 Country, which have been
he offspring of Freedom, not OF Power.
This most admirable and wisest system of we'll
regulated sell government among men, ever de-
viSed by human minds, has been tested by It's sue
cessfu operation for more than halt century;
and it preserved from the uSurpauons OF the Fede-
raj Government on the one hand and The exercise
by the States OF powers not reserved 10 them on the
other, will | terventIy hope and believe, endure tor
ages 10 come and dispense the blessings OF civil
and reilgl glous liberty TO distant generations 10
effect objects dear TO every patriot shall devote
myself with anxious sollciiude. II Will be my de-
sire TO guard against that most fruitful source OF
danger TO the harmonious action OF our system,
which consists in substituting the mere discretion
and caprice Of the Executive, or OF maIortles IN
the legislative department OF the Government, tor
powers which have been withheld from the Federal
Government by the Constitution BY the theory
Of our Governmen', maJ1yiues rule; bu, this night
4. not an arbitrary OF unlt:IiteC one II Is d uio
br exercised III subordlnaIi0u 10 the Constitution.
and "a conformity 10 II. One great object OF the
Constitution 10 restrain maJortes from op-
pressing minorlties or encroachng upon their lust
rlghta Minorites have right 10 appeal 10 the
Constitution, as a shield against such oppression.
That the blessings of liberty which our Consii-
tutIon secures may be enjoyed alike by minorities
and malorueS. the Executive has been wisely III
vested with qualified veto upon the acts of the
Legislature. II is negative power, and Is con-
servauve IN lis character. 1t arrests FOR the time
nasty, lnconsideratr, or unconstitutional legiSla-
non; invites reconsideration, and transfers qurs-
tons al issue between the Legislative and EX-cu-
i've departments OF the tribunal OF the people. Like
u
Iudlciously and properly exercised the Constitution
Itself may BE- saved from lntracon, and the rights
OF all preserved and protected.
The inestlmabe value OF our federal Union is FL,
and acknowledged by sll. BY this system Of uni
ted and conederated States, our people are permit
ted, collectively and Individually, 10 seek their own
happiness intheir own way and the consequences
have been most auSpicious. Since the Union was
formed. ihe number ot States has increased from
thirteen 10 twenty-eisht; two of these have taken
helr position as members OF the contederacy with
IN the last week. Our populaiionl has increased
from three 10 twenty millions New communities
aud states are seeking protection under It's ngis.
and multitudes from the Old World ale fockns 10
our shores 10 participate in lis blessings Beneath
us benign sway, peace and prosperity prevail
Freed from the burdens and mSerleS oi war. cur
trade and intercourse have extended throughout
the world Mind, no longer tasked in devisins
means 10 accomplish or resist schemes rf ambition.
usurpsnon, or conquest, Is devotns itself 10 mans
true Interests, in developing his faculties and pow
erS, and the capacity OF nature 10 minister 10 his en-
loymen!S, Genus Is tree 10 announce lis inven-
lions and discoveries: and the hand Is free 10 ac-
compSh whatever The head concelves. not incom-
p3thie with the rights ot a fellow be,np All Dis