Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-03-06
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
MAseu 4. ls4i

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suished consideration earlier period Of life any
OF my predecessors, cannot disguise tho didencc with
which am about to enter the discharge Of my official
duties.
IL the more aged and experienced men who have filed
the Office OF President Ut the United States even in the
inaey OF the republic, dsuusicd their ability TO discharge
the duties al that exalted station what ought not 10 be the
sppehensions OF much younger and less endowed
now that our domain extends from ocean, our
pcope have 50 greatly increased In numbers aud time
when great diversity o opinion prevails in regard Il, the
principles anc policy which should characterize tho sdmi
nstaiion ct government Well may the bolest fear
and the wisest remhle when mourning on
which may depend eountrys peace and and
some degree the hopes aud happiness Of tho whole hu.
family.
In assuming responsibilities so vast, feryeny invoke
tho aid OF tina, Almighty Ruler OF the universe whue
hands are the dcsncs OF nations and Of mcn guard hi.
land against the mischiefs which without
ils guidance, might arise from unwsc public policy
WIN hrm reliance upon tho wisdom Of Omnipoicncc
sustain and direct IN the path ut duty which
pointed Ia pursue, stand in the presence OF this assem-
eied multitude OF my eounymen take upon myself the
solemn obisation TO the best of my ability preserve
project and defend the Constitution OF the United States
A concise enumeration OF the principles which will
GUIDE me IN the administrative policy OF the guyernmen
nor on IN aesordancc with the examples set by all my
predecessors, butts cmncntIy be,tine the OCCASION
The Constitution ITSELF plainly written it is. the safe
guard OF our fedea've compact the offspring
and compromise binding together in the bonds of peace
and union. this great and family of free and i'm
dependent States will be the chart by which shall be d.
rectcd.
the true spirit that instrument and TO assume no pow,rs
not expressly granted or clearly implied in terms The
Government ct the United Stses is Of delegated and
limited powers and is by adherence 10 the clear
granted powers and by ub-sning from the exercise of
doubtful or unauthorized implied powers ha, VIC have the
only guaranty against the recurrence of tbos,
nate collisions between the Federal and State authorities
which have occasionally much disturbed the harmony of
our s,sem aud even threatened the perpey of our glo-
| nous Union.
ITO the States respectively or TO the people have been
reserved the delegated United State. by
the Constitution, prohibited by the Satcs Each
state complete sovereignty within the sphere of its
reserved powers. The government OF the Union acting
within the sphere OF its delegated authority, also com
plee sovereignty. While the General Government should
abstain from the exercise of authority not clearly delegated
To IT, the States should be equally careful that in the main
,enance OF THEN rights they do ovcrsiep the limits of
powers reserved TO them One Of the distinguished
OF predecessors attached deserved importance 10 he
support ut the State oil their rights. the
most competent administrations for domestic concerns
and the surest buwark against anti.Repubcan tcnden
eies aud to the preservation of the General Government
IN its whole constitutional vgor the sheet anchor OF our
peace at home, and safety abroad"
To the government of the United States has been in
trusted the exclusive MANAGEMENT of foreign afias-
Beyond that, II yields few general enumerated powers
does NOT force reform the States teayes individuals
over whom 1t casts its protecting influence entirely free to
improve their condition by the legitimate exercise of
all their mentsrand physical powers 1t is a common pro-
tccor OF each and all the Saies of every man who lives
upon our SOIL whether o native foreign birth; of every
religious Sect in their worship Of the Almighty according
TO the dictates OF their 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 happiness prosperity and advance
ment OF country, which have been the ofsprny of
freedom, and not of power.
This most admirable and wisest system Of well regulated
sefgovernmen among men, devised by human minds
has been tested by its successful operation for more than
halt century, and it preserved from the usurpaton. of
the federal government hand and the exercsc
o ice states oil powers not reserved to them the other
w erSenty nope and believe endure for ages come
aud dispense the blessings of civil and religious liberty 10
distant generations. To effect objects SD dear TO every M,
mot, shall devote myself with anxious soictude II will
be my desire TO guard against that fruitful source of
danger 10 tue harmonious action OF SYSTEM which con-
ssts IN substituting the discretion and caprice Of the
Executive, or Of maortes in the legislative department of
the Government for powers which have been withheld
from the Federal Government by the Constitution BY the
neory OF our Government, maoriios rule but this right
not an arbitrary or Unlimited Ii night 10 be ex
creased In subordinnrcn 10 the Constitution and in con-
iormy to IT. One great object of tho Constitution was 10
re'in maIones from expressing minoritcs, encroach
ing upon their Just rights Minoes have right 10 an
peal TO the constitution shield against such oppression
That the blessings of liberty which our Constitution
secures may be enjoyed alike by mnores and maioies
the executive has been wisely invested with qualified
veto upon the acts of the Legislature. 1t negative pow
Grand IL is in its character for the time
hssiy inconsdeTaIe legislation in
yies reconsideration and transfers questions ut be-
tween the legislative and executive departments Il, the
tribunal OF the people. Like all other powers subject
TO be abused. When judicousy aud properly exercised
the constitution itself may be saved from fraction and
rights OF all preserved and protected.
The ines,mab!e value Of federal Union is felt and
acknowledged by OIL ly this system OF united and con.
federated States people permitted collectively and
individually, seek their happiness in their own wav
and The consequences have been auspcious Since the
Union was orned the number Of the States has
from thirteen TO twenty eight: Of these have
their position members of the confedeacy within the
last week Our population has increased from three TO
twenty millions New communities and states are seek
ing protection under its gs and multludes rom the Old
World ockng shores to participate in its bless
nss beneaihIs benign sway peace and prosperity pre-
van, FREED from Tie burdens and mseries Of war;
trade and intercourse have extended throughout the world
Mind longer taskcd in devsng accomplish or
resist schemes Of ambition, usuTpstion, conquest is
voting itself TO mans interests, developing his ia
cultes and powers, and tie capacity OF minister
to his cnoyments. Genius free inyen-
ions and discoveries; and the hand free accomplish
whatever the head conceives, Incompatible with the
rights Of iellowbeing. All distinctions Of birth or Of
rank have been abolished. All citizens, whether native
or adopted arc placed upon terms Of preces equality. All
are entitled to equal rights and equal protection No union
exists between church and sate and perfect freedom of
opinion is guaranteed 10 all sects and creeds
These some OF tho blessings secured happy land
by our federal Union To pcrpeuae them. il is sacred
duty TO preserve II. Who shall assign limits the achieve
men Of free minds and free hands, the protection of
this glorious Union No To mank nd since the or
ganzaton OF society would be equal In atrocy 10 that of
him who would lift his hand destroy it, lie would over
throw the nObles structure Of human wisdom which pro-
tocts himself and his fcow.mnn lie would stop the pro-
Of free government and involve his country either IN
anarchy or despoisn. lie would extingui the ro of
liberty which warns and animaies the hearts Of happy mil.
lions. and invites oil the tho Garth initiate our
example, II he say that and wrong committed in
the administration Of the government lei him remember that
nothing human can be poec and that under other sys
TEN Of government revealed by Heaven, devised by man.
has been allowed free and broad scope to combat
Has the sword despo proved be in
srumcnt Of reform In government eason1
Does he expect TO find among the ruins Of this Union hap.
pier abode for swarning millions that they have
under IL Every lover Of his country shudder the
thought of the possibility Of its dissolution, and will be
ready TO adopt the patriotic sentiment federal Union
must be preserved" TO preserve IL. the compromises
which alone enabled fathers form a common const
tuition for the government aud protection Of many States
and distinct communities Of such diversified habits inter.
esis and domestic Institutions be sacfedly and rc
gOusy observed. Any attempt 10 disturb destroy these
compromises, being of the compact Of Union can
lead TO none other than the unous and disastrous con-
sequences.
source of deep regret that 10 sections Of our
country, misguided persons have occasionally INDUCED in
schemes aud ogitiOns whose object is the destruction Of
dOneste institutions existing In other seciionsinsiutong
which existed tho adoption Of tho cansiuon aud were
recognised and protected by IL. All that II il were