The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-03-14

unwbSe puilic poilcy. BWIth nrm re-.
lance upon the wisdom of Omnipo-
tence TO sustain and direct me in the
path Of duty, which am appointed tn
pursue, J stand in the presence of this
assembled multitude Of my country
men, to take upon myself the solemn
obligation, "to the best Of NY ability,
to preserve, protect, and defend the
Constitution Of the United States" o
"A concise enumeration of the prin-
ciples which will guide me in the ad-
ministratiye policy Of the government,
is potonly in accordance with the ex-
amples SET me by all my predecessors,
but is eminenty beftting the occasion.
| The Constitution itself, plainly writ
ten as il is, the safeguard of our edera-
tive compact, the offspring of conces-
sion and compromise, binding toge !her
ia the bonds Of peace and nnioh this
great and increasing family offree and
in, ependent States, will be the chart
by which ] shall be directed. ,al lpse
1t will be my first care to admins
ter the government in the true spirit OF
that Instrument and to assume no pow
ers not expressly granted or clearly
implied in its terms. The government
Of the United States is one of delegat-
ed and limited powers; and il is by o
strict adherence TO the clearly granted
powers, and by abstaining from, the ex-
ercise of doubtful or unauthorized i'm
Piled po wers, that we have the only
sure guaranty against the recurrence Of
those unfortunate. collisions between
the Federal tand State authorities,
which have occasionally so much dis
turbed the harmony OF our system, and
even threatened the perpetuity ofour
glorions Union. eu sTEu elm
sTo the States respectively, or to
the people, have been reserved tthe
powers not delegated to the United
States by the Constitution, nor pro-
hibIted by it TO the States" Each
State is a complete sovereignty within
the sphere of its reserved powers. -
The government of the Union, acting
within the sphere of its delegated au-
thority, is also complete sovereignty.
While the General Government should
abstain from the exercise of authority
| not clearly delegated to il, the States
should be equally careful that, in the
maintenance ,oftheir rights, they do not
over step the limits Of powers reserved
to them. One of the most distinguish
ed Of my predecessors attached deserv-
ed importance to"the support of the
State Governments in all their rights,
as the most competent administration
for our domestic concerns, and the sur
est bulwark against antl.republican ten
dencies;' and to the representation of
the General Government in its whole
constitutional vigor, as the sheet-an-
Choir of our peace at home, and safety
abroad" a.! 2
! To the Cove -nment Of the United
States has been instrusted the exclu-
sive management OF DUR foreign affairs.
Bevond that, it wields few general
enumerated powers. 1t does not force
reform on the States. II leaves indi-
viduals, over whom it casts its protect
ing influence, entirely free to improve
their own condition by the legitimate
exercise of all their mental and physi-
cal powers. It's 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 re-
ligious sect. in their worship Of the AL.
mighty according 10 the dictates OF
their own conscience; of every shade
of opinion, and the most tree inquiry;
of every art, trade or occupation. con-
sistent with the laws of the States.
And we rejoice in the general happi-
ness, prosperity, and advancement of
our country. which have been the Off
spring Of freedom, and not Of power.
This most admirable and wisest sys-
tenn Of we'll regulated self-government
among men. ever devised BY human
minds, has been tested by successful
operation for more than hall a century; !;
and, ifpreserved from the nsurpations
Of the federal government on the one
hand, and The exercise by the States
|ofpowers not reserved 10 them on the
other, will, fervently hope and be-
licve, endure for ages to come, and dis
pense the blessings ofcivil and religious
liberty to distant generations. To
effect objects so dear TO every patriot.
shall devote myself with anxious soli-
citude. II will be my desire to guard
against that ipostfruitinl source ol dan
ger to the harmonious action Of our sys-
ten, which consists in substituting the
mere discretion and caprice Of the ex-
ecutive, or ofmajoritles in the legisla-
tive department Of the government, for