The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-03-15
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF JAMES Il. POLK.

FELLOW CITIZENS: Without soIlcIia
ton on my part, have been chosen by The
free and voluntary sufirages OF my country
men 10 the most honorable and most re.
sponsible office on earth | am deeply i'm
pressed with gratitude for the confidence
reposed in me. Hunored with this dlslin
guished consideration at an earlier period OF
life than any OF my predecessors, | cannol
disguise the difidence with which am
abou, 10 enter on The discharge OF my
official duties.
If ,he more aged and experienced men
who haye filled the Office vi President oI
the United States, even in Ihe Infancy ol
the republic, dislrusled their ability TO DIS.
charge the duties Of tia, exalted station,
what ought not 10 be The aPprehensions O'
one so much younger and less endowed
now that our domain extends from ocean 10
ocean, that our people have so greatly III
creased in numbers, and a, time when 50
grea, diversity OF op'n'on prevails 10 regar.
10 ,he principles and policy which sEoul'
characterize ,he administration OF our gov
ernmen! Well may ihe boldest fear, and
,he wisest uemble, when iucurrlng respon
s,biIitcs on which may depend our coun
iry's peace and prosperity, and IN some
degree, The hopes and happiness OF III,
the whole human family.
In assuming responsibilities Sd vast,
fervenllv invoke lhe aid Of lhai almighty
Ruler OF lhe universe, IN whose hands aie
the deslnies OF nations and Of men,to guar
this heaven favored land against tie mis-
chiefs which, WITHOUT HIS guidance, mIgh
arse from AN unwise rubllc policy. WIT
firm reliance upon the wisdom OF OmnIp
o,ence 10 sustain aud d,recl me in the pall
OF duty which am appointed 10 pursue,
sland IN the presence OF this assembled
multitude of my counlrymen, 10 take upOl
myself The solemn obligation, 10 The best o
my ability TO preserve, protect and deient
the constitution Of The U. States
A concise enumeration of the principles
which will guide me in the administrative
policy of The government is not only il
accordance with the examples sci me by al
any predecessors, bul Is emlnen'Iy betting
thess Occasion.
The constitution itself, plainly written "A
it is, The safeguard Of our federaHve com
pact. The offspring of concession and com
promise, binding together in the bonds o
peace and union lhis great and ncreasln!
family of free and independent States, w'I
be the chart by which shall be directed
Ii will be my first care 10 adminisler th'
government in the true spiril OF that lnslru
meni, and 10 assume 10 powers not express
ly granted or clearly implied in lis terms
The government OF the U. States is one o
delegated and limited powers; and II is b,
"a strict adherence 10 The clearly granted
powers, and by absIsning from the exer
else Of doubtful or Unauthorized implied
powers, tina. we have the only sure guaran
dy against The recurrence of those unlOrtu
nate collisions between the federal and Stat
authorities, which have occasionally S
much disturbed The harmony OF our system
and even threatened the perpeIully OF ou
glorious Union.
TO the States respectively, or to IN
people, have been reserved the powers nc
delegated 70 the United States by the cor
stitulon. nor prohibited by il TO 'he States
Each Stale is a complete sovereignty VIII
in the sphere of its reserved powers. III
government Of the Union acting within Il
sphere ol lis delegated authority, is also
complete sovereignty. While The gener
governmen, should abstain from. the exc
cse of authority no, clearly delegated 10
the States should be equally careful that
the maintenance OF lhelr rights, they do NJ
overslep the limits Of powers reserved
them. One of The most distinguished
my predecessors attached deserved impo
tance to 'Ihe support Of the State COVER
,uen,s in all their righ's, as the most COZ
peieul administration ioI our domestic ca
Germs, and the suresl bulwark against an
republican ,endencies;' and 10 the 'prese
Valion Ol he general government IN