Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-03-12
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
JAMES k. POLK, President.
IN the presence Of the Senate and People
Of the United States Of America.
CAPITOL, March 4lh, 1S45.
PRONOUNCED BY

FELLow-CITlzENs: Without solicitation on
my part, have been chosen by the free and
voluntary suffrases Of my CT ln!rymen 10 the
most honorable and most res JoHsble office on
earth / am deeply impressed with gratitude
for the confidence reposed in me. Honored
with this distinguished consideration at an ear
her period of Ike than any ofmy predecessors,
cannot disguise the ditfidence with which
am about to eIler on the discharge of my Off
cial 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 duties OF
that exalted station, what ought not 10 be the
apprehension Of one so much younger and less
endowed, now that our domain extends from
ocean to ocean, that our people have so greatly
Increased in numbers, and at a time when so
great diversity of opinion prevails in regard 10
the principles aud policy which should charac.
terizs The principles Of our government? Well
may the bodies, fear and the wisest ,remb1e,
when incurring responsibilities OIL 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, | fer
vently invoke the aid of that Almighty Ruler
of the Universe, in whose hands are the desti-
nies Of nations and of men, to guard this hea-
vcn-favored land against the mischiefs which,
without His guidance might arise from all
unwise public policy. With a firm reliance
upon the wisdom Of 0mnipotence to sustain
and direct me in the path oi duty which am
appointed 10 pursue, stand in the presence Of
this assembled multitude of my countrymen, n
take upon myself the solemn obligation, ito
the best Of my ability 10 preserve, project, and
defend the Constitution of The United States" I"
A concise enumeration of the principles
which will guide me in the administrative pol
icy Of the Government, is not only in accord
ance with the examples sci me by all my pre-
decessors, but is cniinentiy bcfitting the occa-
sion.
The Constitution itself plainly written as il
is. the safeguard oi our federaiiye compact, the
offspring of concession and compromise, bind
ing together in the bonds of peace and union
this great aud increasing family OF free and in
dependent States, will be the chart by which
shall be directed. 1t will be my first care TO
administer the Governmental the true spirit Of
that instrument, and to assume no powers not
expressly granted or clearly implied in lis
terms. The Government of the United States
is one Of delegated and limited powers; and ii
is by a strict adherence to the clearly granted
powers, and by abstaning from the exercise Of
doubtful or unauthorized implied powers, that
we have the only sllre guaranty against the re
currence Of those unfortunate collisions between
the Federal and State authorities which have
occasionally 80 much disturbed the harmony Of
our system. and even threatened the perpetuity
Of our glorious Union.
"To the States respectively. or to the peo.
ple," have been reserved 1.-The powers not del
egated to the United States by the Consti,u-
lion, nor prohibited by it to the States" Each
State is complete sovereignty within the
sphere of its reserved powers. The govern
ment of the Union, acting within the sphere Of
its delegated authority, is also a complete SOW
ereignly. While the General Government
should abstain from the exercise Of authority
not clearly delegated 20 it, the States should be
equally careful that IN the maintenance Of their
rights. they do no, overstep the limits of pow.
crs reserved to Them. One Of the most dstin-
suished Of my predecessors attached deserved
importance to 1.-The support of the State 60.
vernlnents in all their rights, ms the most com
petent administration for our domestic con-
cerns aud the surest balwark against anti re-
publican tendencies;" and to the "preserva.
ton of the General Government in its whole
constitutional vigor, as the sheet-anchor Of our
peace at home, and safety abroad"
Tothe Government OF the United States has
been inrusted the exclusive management Of our
foreign affairs. Beyond that, it wlelds lew
general enumerated powers. 1t does not force
reform on the States. Ii leaves individuals.
over whom j: casts its protecting influence. en-.
tirely free to improve their own condition by
the legitimate exercise Of all their mental and
phvsical powers. Ii is common protector Of
each and all the States, of every man who lives
upon our soil. whether Of natiYe or foreign
birth; of every religious sect in their worship
of the Almighty according to the dictates Of
their own conscience of every art, trade and
occupations, consistent with the laws of the
States. And we rejoice in the general happi-
ness, prosperity, and advancement of our coun-
try, which have been the offspring of freedom.
and not Of power.
This most admirable and wisest system Of
well regulated selcgovernment among men.
ever devised by human minds has been tested
by it's successful operation for more than half
century; and if fpreseryed from the usurpation
Of the Federal Government on the Une hand,
and the exercise by the States of powers not
reserved TO them on the other, will, ferven,ly
hope and believe, endure for agcs to come,
and dispense the blessings of civil and religious
liberty to distant generations. TO effect oh.
jects SO dear 10 every patriot, shall devote
myself with anxious solicitnde. 1t will be my
desire to guard against that mos, fruitful source
of danger to the harmonious action Of our sys-
tenn, which consists in substituting the mere
discretion and caprice of the executive, or Of
major,ies in the legislative department the
government, for powers which have been with
held from the Federal Government by the Com
sttution. By the theory Of oui government,
majorites rule; but this right is not an arbilray
or unlimited one. Itis a right to be exercised
in subordination 10 the Constitution. and in
conformity 10 ii. One'great object Of the Con-
st,ution was to restrain majorlties from op.
pressing minorities, or encroaching upon their
jus, rights. Minoriues have right TO appeal
to the Constitution, as a shield against such op
preston.
That the blessings of liberty which our con-
stitu,on secures may be enjoyed alike by mi
norities and majorilies, the executive has beeu
wisely invested with qualified veto upon the
acts Of the legislature. II is u negative power
and is conservative in its character. 1t arrests
for the time, hasty, inconsiderate, or unconsti-
tutional legislation; invites reconsideration, and