The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-17
permanent and enviable rank as one of the members

permanent and enviabe rank as one of the members
ola confederacy, whose brilliant career and proud
pre-eminence in all that is great or useful IN the
simplicity and purity ofts civil Institutions; the mar
tal achievements offs heroes, the fervd eloquence
of its orators and the practical wisdom of its states
men, challenge the wonder, the admiration, and the
rivalry of all Christendom: confederacy whose do
minions increasing with colossal strides, already
extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the
SUNNY regions of the tropics to the ce-bound pos
sessions of the Autocrat of the north.
To all, therefore, 1t must be obvious, that upon
the policy now adopted, depend in great measure
the reputation, the prosperity the happiness and the
glory OF our common country.
with such Incentives before them, the patriot phi
lanhropst, and statesman will enter the lists with
eager delight, with united energies, common effort
and generous emulation and selfdevoton, effect
results 80 desirable.
II Is not my purpose this occasion to enter into
asPecifc enumeration of all such would
Unprotected efcctth the attainment Of our utmost wish
es; but feel called upon, by a sense of duty, to
alude, IN an especial manner, to the necessity Of
sound constitutional currency to the preservation of
the public credit; to awell-regulated system of
mon schools and the schoo-fund to the finances Of
the State and to the promotion Of "virue, science,
and knowledge; " all Of which are deemed essential
TO the purity and preservation Of our republican
Institutions, and which cannot be entirely disre-
garded without violation Of the injunctions of the
constitution. These subjects, being deemed of vi
tai importance to the ultimate success of our govern
ment, and to the happy condition Of the people in
dividualy, shall at all times receive such assurance
of executive appreciation may come within the
constitutional scope Of the authority of that depart
ment Of the government.
To the same department is intrusted the high re-
sponsibty Of seeing that the laws are faithfully and
impartially executed; nor is the obligation Of this
duty in amy way essened by any supposed inexpedi-
ency of the law; the execution of which he may be
required TO enforce.
This high, important, and responsible duty, l ex-
pect faithfully and promptly to discharge, from a
we-founded and deliberate conviction, that few
wise laws, faithfully and impartiay executed, are
the best security for life, liberty, and property.
And now, senators and representatives, l APP
proach with trembling solicitude the discharge of
the duties assigned me, relying upon your support
in the discharge of them, whenever my official con-
duct may commend itself to your favorable con-
sderation and invoking the aid ofthe Father of the
Universe in our attempt at selfgovernment, that He
would be in the midst Of our councils, guiding and
directing them for the common good. And appealing
to him for the sincerity of my motives, and the
titude ofmy intentions, in the performance of my
duty to my country and to myself, take upon me
the high, responsible, and solemn obligations en-
joined Ivy the constitution, with the anxious wish
and fervent hope that my administration may be
as successful in promoting the best interests of our
beloved country, as my fellow-ctizens have been
kind, indugent, generous, and confdng.