Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-03-14
RAJ ADDR ESS
OF PRESIDENT POLK.

with this distinguished consideration at an ear
lier period of lie than anv Of my predecessors,
] cannot disguise the d %filence with which
am about to enter on the discharge of my off
cal duties.
II the more aged and experienced men who
have filled The office of President Of the United
States, even in the infancy of the republic, dis
trusted their ability TO discharge the dnties of
that exalted station, what ought not io be The
approximations Of one so4tarrh younger aud less
end wed, now thai our 1NS/n extends from
ocean to ocean, that our people have so greatly
increased IN numbers. and at a time wien so
gr,at diversity OF opinion prevails in regard To
the principles and policy wldch should clarac.
terize the administration Of our government p!
We'll may the buldest tear, and he wisest ,rem-
bic. when mourning responsibilities on which
may depend oar c0uulrv's peace and prosperity
and, III sumo degree. the hopes and happiness OF
the whole human family.
In assuming responsibilities 30 vast, %fervent-
" invoke the aid Of the Almighty Ruler Of the
Universe, in whose hands are the dcslinies of
nations aud OF men,' 10 guard this heaven favored
land against the m~ischlcis which, without HIS
guidance, might arise from an unwlse public
policy. With a firm reliance upon the wisdom
of Omnipo'cnce 10 sustain and direct me IN the
path of dutv which | an appointed To pursue, !
stand in The presence OF Tins assembled multi
tud. of my counrrymen, to take upon myself the
solemn obligation, to the best OF my ability, to
preserve, pro Get, 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 " nrcnrdance with the
examples set me by all my Predecessors, but is
erninenily BETTING the occas on.
The constitution itself, plainly written as it
is. the safeguard of our lehcrarive compact, the
offspring OF concrss on aud compromise, binding
together in the bonds of peace and unlnn tins
great and Increasing family of free and Inde-
pendent States, will be the chart by winch
shall be d recied.
1t will be nv first care 10 administrative row
eminent IN the true spirit of that instrument
ard 10 assume no powers not expressly gran'et
or clcarl y imaiIe1 in lis terms. The govern
ment nj the United States is one of delegated
and limited powers and It Is by a strict adie'
renee To the clearly granted powers. and by alb
staining lro.n the exercise ol doubtful or unau
thorlzrd Implied powers, that We have the oni,
sure guarantee against the recurrence Of iI.n>,
unfortunate collisions between the Federal AN,
Stale authorities, which have occasionally -
much disturbed he harmony If our s"stem, an,
even threatened the perpetu'y OF our glorious
Union.
" To the States respectively, or to the pen
pie" have been reserved "the powers not de-
ega,cd 10 The UaiIod ates by the constitution
.9r psntohltcd ~ II - &~..-Ssfes." E4rh s;ia'
Is a comp etc sovereignty WITHIN the sphere u
Is re-erveh poNers. The government of III,
Unnu, actIHg within III" sphere of lis delegate,
authority, l. also 4 complete severe 4uiy. Win,
the genera government should abstain ron III.
exercise 81 authority nor clearly delegaled II
| - sIn asa Il .s,1l L., ..-1N. .---..l II =, :.
he maintenance OF their rights, they do 10
o~verslep the hunts of powers reserved to then
One Of the most distinguished Of my %predeces
sors attached deserved inheritance to "the SUP
/, port OF The State governments in all their right.
as the most competent administration Tor our d.
ne-tlc concerns. and the surest bulwark aIains
an,i-repuhlican teudeuc es :" and to the {" pres
! ~erva'ion al the genera government IN Us who,
constitutional vIIor, as The sheet-anchor OF on
4 peace at home and safety abroad"
To the government of the United States ha
been inrru>ted the exclusive management OF ol
foreign affairs. B yond that, t WEEDS a fe,
general enumerated powers. j. does not fore
reform on the States. It leaves individuals. owe
whom it casts its protecting Inl renee, entirel
free 10 improve tier own condition by the |,
climate exercise of all their mental aud phys
cal powers. II is a common protector of eac
anu III ne spltlee VI sN'Ar man VINO ives upl
our soil, whether of lirive or foreign birth
n ever5 relig Gus sect, IN their worship of the A
mighty according 10 the dictates of their on
conscience; of every shade of opinion, aud III
most free Inquiry Of every art, trade, and o,
y cupatinn, consistent with the laws Of The State
= And we rejoice IN the general happiness, pro,
= perry, and Advancement OF our country, VIII c
9 have been the offspring OF freedom, and not
d power.
n This most admirable and wisest system
well. regulated self. government among men, O.
er devised by human minds, has been tested
lis successful operation for more than half a rei
: turv; aud, If preserved from the Inscriptions
u the fed ral government ga the one hand, and &
;, exercise By The States Of power moi reserved
= them On the other, will, | lerventlv hope and b.
O lleve, endure for ages To rome aud dispense II
blessings of crv,l and religious liberty To dlsia
- generations. To effect objects so dear to eve
\ patriot, | snail devote myself with anxious so
y cltude. II will be my desire 10 guard again
that most fruitful! source of danger To the la
Y mpnious action of our system, which consists
j. substituting the mere discretion and caprice
" the executive, or Ii IN iTTules IN The le-lslat'
department Of the government, for powers wifi
have been withheld from the federal 20, ernme
10 by The constitution. BY the theory of our 90
,r ernme,,, maj1rities rule but his right is not
" arbitrary or nlimlte one. II is "A right to
a exercised IN subord naiion to the constitute
ID aud IN conformity to it.. One great object of I
,e constitution was to restrain IN ilorIiies from q
pressing minorlIlcs, or encroaCling upon III,
lust rights. MnoHties have a right to appe
a, to the constitution, as a shIeld against such @
a preston.
a. That the blessings of liberty which our ca
81 ~sritution secures may be eujpved alike by II
a ~norliies aud mllortlcs, The executive has be
Ii wisely invested with a qualified vetu upnn /
Dr acts Of the legislature. II is a negative pow,
g and is conservative IN its character. II ARE
I'd tor the time hisiy, lncnnsideraie, or uurousilt
N tlonal legislation invites recnusider,iiun a
transfers questions at issue between the ley
I'd laiive and executive departments To The lrlbui
d. OF the people. l. Ike all other powers, il is 81
Iect Ia be abused. When judlcionsly and pre-
erly exercised, the constitution Itself may be
no we'd from iniractlou, and the rights OF all p
as served and protected.
he The inesiimabie value If our federal Unior
~ felt aud acknowledged by all. BY this syst,
as If united aud coniederaled States, our PEG
's' are permitted, collectively and ind ividually,
zee seek their own happiness in their own way
= an' the Consequences have been mast ausl
old In.' Since ..,s Union was formed, The NJ
IT. Der OF States has increas from thirteen
'tweniy.elght: two Of these have tsken their