Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-03-14
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF President Polk, delivered before the two Ho
ses of Congress, March A. 1S45

vi President PoIk, delivered before the TWO dOu- |
ses of Congress, March A. 1915.
FELLOW CIT1zENs:-Without solicitation on my
part, have been chosen, by the free and volunta-
ry suffiages Of my countrymen, to the most honor
able and most responsible Office on earth. | am
deeply impressed with gratitude for the confidence
reposed in me. Honored with this distinguished
consideration at an earlier period Of life than any
of my predecessors, cannot disguise the diff
deuce with which am about to enter on the dis
charge of my official duties.
1.-THE more aged and experienced men who have
filled the office Of President of the United States,
even in the infancy of the Republic disrusted their
ability to discharge the duties of that exalted sta
ton, what ought not to be the apprehension of one
so much younger, and less endowed, now that our
domain extends from ocean to ocean, that our
people have 50 greatly increased in numbers, and
ut il time when so great diversity of opinion pre-
walls in regard to the principles and policy which
should characterize the administration of our gov
eminent? We'll may the boldest fear, and the
wisest trembe, when mourning responsibilities on
which may depend our country's peace and pros
perity-and in some degree, the hopes and happi-
ness of the whole human family.
In assuming responsibilities so vast Fervently
invoke the aid of that Almighty Ruler of the uni
verse, in whose hands are the destinies of nations
and of men, to guard this Heaven-tavored land a
gainst the lnischiefs which, without His guidance,
might arise from an unwise public policy With
firm reliance upon the wisdom of 0mnpotence,
to sustain and direct me in the path of duty which
am appointed to pursue | stand in the presence
OF this assembled multitude of my counrymen, to
take upon myself the solemn obligation, " to the
best of my ability, to preserve, 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
government, is not only in accordance with the ex-
amples set me by my predecessors but is eminent
IIy befittlng the occasion.
The Constitution itself, plainly written as it is,
the safeguard of our federOtive compact, the off
spring OF concession and compromise, binding to-
gether, in the bonds of peace and uniOn this great
aud increasing family Of free and independent
states, will be the chart by which shall be direct
ed.
1t will be my first care to administer the govern
ment in the true spirit of that instrument, and to
assume no poNcrnot expressly granted, or clearly
implied in Its terms. The government of the U.
States is one of delegated & limited powers; and
it is by strict adherence to the clearly granted
powers, and by uhstalning from the exercise Of
doubtful or unauthorized implied powers, that we
have the on Y sure guaranty against the recurrence
of those unfortunate collisions between the FEEDER
al and State authorities, which have so much dis
turbed the harmony OF our system, and even threat
ened the perpeluity of our glorious Union.
SO TO the States respectively, or to the peoples
have been reserved g the powers not delegated TO
the United States by the constitution, or prohibit
ed by it to the States" Each State is complete
sovereignty, within the sphere Of its reserved pow
ers The government Of the Union, acting within
the sphere of its delegated authority, is also com
plete sovereignty. While The general government
should abstain from the exercise of authority not
clearly delegated to it, TIE states should be equal
careful that, in the maintainance of their rights,
they do not overstep the limits of powers reserv-
ed to them. One of the most distinguished of my
predecessors attached deserved importance to the
Support Of the State governments in all their
rights, MS the most competent administration for
our domestic concerns, and the sureSt bulWarE a.
gainst nnti-repubcan tendencies;n and to the
" preservation of the general government in its
whole constitutional vigor, as the sheet anchor Of
our peace at home, and safety >ahroad,"
To the government of the United States has
been entrusted the exclusive management Of our
foreign affairs Beyond that, it Yields few gem
eral enumerated powers. 1t does not force reform
on the States. 1t leaves individuals over whom it
casts its protecting influence, entlrely free to i'm
prove their own condition by the legitimate cXer-
else of all their mental and physical powers. 1t is
a common protector of each and all the states of
every man who lives upon our soil, whether Of
native or foreign birth Of every religious sect, in
their worship of the Almighty according TO the die
tatcs of their own 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 happi-
ness, prosperity and advancement of our country,
which have been the offspring offreedom, and not
of power.
This most admirable and wisest system of well
regulated self-government among men, ever de-
vised by human minds, has been tested by its sue
cessfu operation for more than half century
and if preserved from the usurpations of the Fed
eral government OH the one hand, aud the exercise
by the States of powers not reserved to them, on
the other will, ! lervently hope and believe, en-
dure for ages to come, and dispense the blessings
of civil and religious liberty to distant generations.
To effects so dear to every patriot, shall devote
myself with anxious solictude. 1t will be my de-
sire to guard against that fruitful source OF
danger to the harmonious action of our system,
which consists in substituting the mere discretion
and caprice of the executive, or Of ma critics in
the legislative powers which have been withheld
from the federal government by the constitution.
BY the theory of our government majolties rule
bat this is not an arbitrary or unlimited one 1t is
right to be exercised in subordnaton to the con
stituton, and in conformity to it, One great OBJ
ect of the constitution was, to restrain majorities
from depressing mnorties, or encroachng upon
their just rights. Minoriiies have right to APP
peal to the constitution as shield against oppres-
sion.
That the blessings of liberty which our constI-
tuition secures may be alike enjoyed by maJortles
and minortes, the executive has been wisely IN
vested with qualified veto power upon the acts
of the legislature, 1t is negative power and Is
conservative in its character II arrests, tor the