The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-03-05
The Inaugural Address.

FELLOW CITIZENS -
Without solicitation on my part, have been chosen
by the free and voluntary susges of my countrymen
the most honorable and most responsible Office earth
am deeply impressed with gratitude for the confidence
reposed IN me. Honored with this distinguished cons
Iteration earlier period of life than any my predc
cessors, cannot disguise the diidence with which am
about to enter on the discharge Of my official duties
II the aged and experienced who have filed
the office OF President Of the United Staes in the
infancy oil the republic distrusted their ability to dis
to be the approximations OF mach younger
endowed no that domain extends from ocean To
ocean, that people have 80 greatly increased in
bers and at time when great diversity OF opinioo
prevails IN regard to the ornclpes and policy which
ment7 Well may the boldest fear and the wisest
ble when mourning responsibilities on which may de.
pend countrys peace and prosperity and in
gree the hopes and happiness OF the whole human iG
mily.
In assuming responsibilities vast, fervently in
woke the aid OF that Almighty Ruler Of the Universe,
whose hands the destines OF nations and of men,
guard this heavenfavored land against the mischeis
which without HIS guidance might arise from an unwse
public policy With firm reliance upon the wisdom OF
Omnipoence to sustain and direct in the path of duty
which am appointed to pursue stand in the presence
Of this assembled multitude Of my countrymen take
upon myself the solemn obligation ITO the best OF my
aSy to protect and defend the constitution
concise enumeration Of the principles which will
not only in accordance with The examples set me by ali
predecessors but eminently BETTING the occasion
The constitution itself plainly written as it is the SAT,
guard OF our federatve compact the offspring of
sion and compromise, binding together in the bonds
and union this and increasing family OF free
and independent States will be the chart by which shall
be directed
1t will be my first care to administer the governmen,
in the true spirit Of that instrument and to assume no
powers not expressly granted clearly implied in II
terms The government OF the United ates is one OF
delegated and limited powers and 1t is by strict adher-
ence to the clearly granted powers and by absainng
from the exercise Of doubtful Unauthorized implied
powers that we have the only guaranty against tn
Federal am State authorities, which have occasionally
much disturbed the harmony OF our system and even
ITO the States respectively or to the people shave
been reserved the powers not delegated to the United
state. ey the constitution nor prohibited by to the
sphere Of its reserved powers The government of the
Union, acting within the sphere of its delegated autho
rity Is also complete sovereignty. While the general
government should abstain from the Of authority
not clearly delegated to it, the states should be equally
careful that, in the maintenance Of their rights they do
overstep the limits of powers reserved to them One
of the most distinguished OF predecessors attached de-
served importance "the support of the State govern
ments in all their rights the most compel mt admins
ta'on for domestic concerns and the bulwark
against antrepublcan and to the
vaon OF the general government in its whole constu
onai vgor as the heetanchor OF our peace at home,
and safety abroad"
trusted the exclusive management of foreign affairs
Beyond that 1t Yields few general enumerated powers
ais over whom casts its protecting influence entel,
free to improve their condition by the legitimate
ercse Of all their mental and physical powers. 1t is
common protector Of each and all the States; of ever,
man who lives upon our SOIL whether Of native foreign
birth; Of every religious Sect in their worship of the
Almighty according to the dictates Of their own consc
ence of every shade OF opinion and the free maui
ry of every art trade end occupation, consistent
the laws oil the States Aud rejoice in the general hap
pness prosperity and Of eur country which
have been the Offspring OF freedom and net of power
This most admirable and wisest system OF wel-regu-
lated seifgo-ernment among men, devised by hui
man minds has been tested by its successful operation for
more than halt century, and preserved from the
patons OIL the federal government on the hand and
the exercise by the powers not reserved to
the other. will, ferveny hope and believe endure
Tor ages to come and dispense the blessings Of civil
religious liberty distant generations 10 effect objects
SO dear to every patriot, shall devote myself with
anxious soctude It will be my desire guard against
that most fruitful source Of danger to the harmonious
ton OF system, which consists in Substituting In.
mere discretion and caprice OF the executive or OF major
tiles in the legislative department of the for
powers which have been withheld from the federal
vsrnment by the constitution BY the theory ef our 20.
vernment msjorties rule but this right not an arb
trary unlimited 1t is right to be exercised in
suborinaon 10 the constitution and In conformity TO
It, One great shject OF the constitution to restrain
maJorities from depressing mnorities, encroachDg
upon their Just rights Minorties have right 10 appeal
to the constitution, as shield against such oppression
Thatthe blessings OF liberty which our constitution
secures may % en- Dyed alike by minores and msjor
ties, the executive has been wisely invested VITA quail
ned veto upon tde acts Of the Legislature II is mega
tive power, and IL conservative in its character n ar
rests for the time hasty nconsderate or unconstution
q les.ison invites reconsideration and transfers ques-
lions at issue between the legislative and executive de-
parmentst u the trb mai OF the people Like ali other
powers 1t Is subject to be abused When udciously and
properly exercised the constitution itself NAV he
from iofracon, and the rights OF all preserved and pro
tected. ~ f
The inesmable value OF federal Union is felt and
acknowledged by all BY this system united and CON
federated States. people permits collectively
AMI Individually to seek their own happiness in their own
way; and The consequences have been most suspicious
since the Union formed the number of the States
increased from thirteen to twenty eight two Of have
ken their position as members OF the confsdcracy with
The last week. Our population has increased from tire,
t0twenty millions New communities and States are seek
ag protection under its egs and from the Old
World are hooking 10 shores to partcipate In is
u sings Beneath ia benign sway peace and prosper
prevail Freed from the burdens and mseries of ar
F trade and intercourse have extended throughout the