Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-03-13
Inaugural Address of President
Polk.
Deiirered March 4, ls45.

FFLLow-CTTIzENs :-Withou, solicitation on my
part, | have been chosen by the free and vounta-
~ suffrages of my countrymen to the most honor
able and most responsible Office on earth. / am
deeply impressed with gratitude for the confidence
eposed in me. Honored with this distinguished
of nv predecessors, cannot disguise the diff
ience with which am about to enter on the dis
charge 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, distrusted their
ability to discharge the duties Of that exalted sta
ton, what ought not to be the apprehensons OF
one so much younger and less endowed, now that
our domain extends from ocean to ocean, that our
people have so greatly increased in numbers, and
at time when so great diversity of opinion pre-
vails in regard to the principles and policy which
should characterize the administration of our gov
emmentl Well may the boldest fear and the wi
sest tremble, when incurrIng responsibilities on
which may depend our country's peace and pros
psrily. and, in some degree, the hopes and happi-
hess 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 arc the desnies of nations,
and of men. to guard this heaven favored land
against the mischefs which, without His guidance
might arise from an unwise public policy. With
firm reliance upon the wisdom OF Omnipotenc e
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 countrymen, to
take upon myself the solemn obligation 'to the best
my ability to preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States
concise enumeration of the principles which
government, is not only in accordance with the ex-
amples set me by all my predecessors, but is en-
| lnently be6tting the occasion.
The constitution itself, plainly written as it is,
the safeguard of our federative compact, the off
spring of concession and compromise, binding to-
gether in the bonds of peace and union this great
and increasing family of free and independent
States. will be the chart by which shall be d-
/ rected
twill be my first care to administer the govern
men in the true spirit of that instrument, and 10
assume no powers not expressly granted OF clear
implied in its terms. The government Of the
United States is one of delegated and limited pow
ers' and it is by strict adherance to the clearly
granted powers, and by abstaining from the exer-
else of doubtful or unauthorized Implied powers,
| tAat we have the only sure guaranty against The
recurrence of those unfortunate collisions between
/ Inc Federal and State authorities, which have oc-
caslonally so much disturbed the harmony of our
system, and even threatened the perpetuity of our
glorious Union.
10 the States respectively, or TO the people,
nave been reserved the power not delegated TO
ae United States by the constitution, nor prohlbl-
'ed by it to the States Each State is complete
sovereignty within the sphere OF its reserved pow
eS. The government of the Union, acting within
Inc sphere of its delegated authority is also COM
Pele sovereignty. While the general government
should abstain from the exercise OF authority not
clearly delegated to it, the States should be equal
careful that in the maintenance of their rights
'ney DO not overstep the limits of powers reserved
10 them.
one OF the most distinguished Of my pre- deces-
Sofs' attached deserved importance to the support
The State governments in all their rights, as the