Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-03-13

SURFACES OF my countrymen TO the most honorable
and most responsible Office on earth. am deeply i'm
pressed with gratitude for the confidence reposed In
me- Honored with this distinguished consideration
at earlier period of life than any of my predeces-
sors, cannot disguise the didence with which am
about to enter the discharge Of my Official duties.
If the more aged and experienced men who have
filed the Office of President of the United States
In the infancy of the republic distrused their ability
to discharge the duties of that exalted station, what
ought not to be the apprehensIODs OF one so much
younger and less endowed, now that our domain
tends from ocean to ocean, that our people have
greatly increased In numbers. and at time when
great diversity Of opinion prevails in regard to the
principles and policy which should characterize the
administration of our government Well may the
boldest fear and the wlsest tremble when mourning
responsibilities on which may depend our countrys
peace and prosperity, and, in degree the hopes
and happiness of the whole human family.
In assuming responsibilities vast, ervently in
woke the aid of the Almighty Ruler of the universe,
In whose hands are the des;nies of nations and OF
men, to guard this heaven-avored land, against the
mschies which, without His guidance, might arise
from unwise public policy. With firm reliance
upon the wisdom of Omnipotence to sustain and d.
rect me in the path of duty which am appointed to
pursue, stand IN the presence Of this assembled null
titude of my countrymen take upon myself the sol
emn obligation, ''tO the best of my ability, to pre-
serve, protect, and defend the Constitution Of the
United States"
A concise enumeration of the principles which will
guide me In the administrative policy of the govern
ment, only in accordance with the examples set
me by all my predecessors, bat Is eEnentIy BETTING
the occasion.
The constitution itself, plainly written it is, the
Safeguard of ederative compact, the offspring of
concession and compromise, binding together In the
bonds of peace and union this great and increasing
family of free and independent States, viii be the
chart by which l shall be directed.
1t viii be my first to administer the govern
ment In the spirit of that instrument, and
GRANTED. o
piled in its terms. The government of the United
States is of delegated and limited powers and 1t
IS by strict adherence to the clearly granted powers
and By ahstainng from the exercise of doubtful OF
unauthorized implied powers that we have the only
guaranty against the of those unfor
tunate collisions between the Federal and State
thorities, which have occasionally so much disturbed
the harmony Of our SYSTEM and even threatened the
perpetuity of our glorious Union.
To the States respectively, to the people" have
been reserved the powers not delegated to tie
United States by the constitution, prohibited by
the States Each State Is a complete sovereignty
within the sphere of its reserved powers. The gov
eminent of the Union, acting within the sphere of
Its delegated authority is also complete sovereignty
While the general government should abstain from
the exercise of power not clearly delegated to It, the
States should be equally careful that In the mainte-
OF their rights, they do not oversep the limits
of powers reserved to them One of the most diStin-
gulshed OF my predecessors, attached deserved I'M
portance to the support of the State governments In
all their rights, the competent adminisra ton
Tor our domestic concerns, and the surest bulwaTk
against anl-repubican tendencies and TO the pre-
servation of the general government in IFS whole con-
sttutional vigOr the sheet anchor of peace
home, and safety abroad"
To the government of the United States has been
intrusted the exclusive management of our foreign
affairs. Beyond that, it yields few general enume-
rated powers. 1t does not force reform the States
1t leaves individuals whom it casts its protecting
influence, entirely free to improve their condition
by the legitimate exercise of all their mental and
physical powers. 1t Is a common protector of each
and all the States; of every who lives upon the
soil, whether of native foreign birth; of every
gious sect, IN the worship of the Almighty according
to the dictates of their conscience of every shade
OF opinion, 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 the offspring of freedom and not of power
This most admirable end wisest system of well re-
gulated selfgOvernment among men, ever devised by
human minds has been tested by its successful oper-
alton for than half century, and if preserved
from the usurpations of the federal government the
hand and the by the States of powers
reserved to them on the other, will, ferventy hope
and believe, endure for ages to come, and dispense
the blessings of civil and religious liberty to dIstan
generations. To effect objects dear to every pat
riot, shall devote myself with anxious solicitude.
Will be my desire to guard against that most fruitful
of danger to the harmonious action of sys
TEN, which consists substituting the dlscre
ton and caprice of the executive, Of majorities
the Legislative department of the government, 70
powers which have been withheld from the fedora
government by the constitution. BY the theory Of GU
government maloritieS rule; but this right not
arbitrary unlimited 1t Is right to be exer
csed in subordlnation to the constitution, and in con
formty to it. One great object of the constitution
to restrain maj orites from depressing mnorities
encroaching upon their just rights. Mnoritie
have right to appeal to the constitutions, a shield
against such oppression.
That the blessings of liberty which constitution
secures may be enjoyed alike by minorties and ma
jorities, the executive has been wisely invested witt
qualified veto upon the acts of the legislature It'll
negative power and is conservative in Its character
1t arrests for the time hasty, inconsiderate
stitutional legislation invites reconsideration, ant
transfers questions at issue between the Legislative
and executive departments the tribunal of the PEG
pie Like all other powers, 1t is sube to be abused
When judiciousy and properly exercised, the consti
tuition itself may be saved from intracton, and thu
rights of all preserved and protected
The inestimable value of our federal Union is fel
and acknowledged by ALL. BY this system of unite,
and confederated States, our people are permitted
collectively and Individually, to seek their own hap
piness in their own way and the consequences hav
been most aus2icious. Since the Union formed
the number of the States has increased from hirtee
TO twenty-eight two of these have taken their posi-
ton as members of the confederacy within the las
week Our population has increased from three t
twenty millions. New communities and States ar
seeking protection under It's gs, and muttudes iron
the old world focking shores participate
in Its blessings Beneath its benign sway, peace ant
e