The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-03-04
THE MADISO MA


SURFACES OIL my eoantrymon To the most hoaof.o'e
and naost responsible office earth. am deeply
impressed with gratitude for the confidence reposed In
Honored with this distinguished consideration
earlier period Of life than any Of my Pedsess-
sors cannot Jissu use the difidenee with which am
about the discharge of my ofheiai duties
II the more aged aud experienced men who have
filled the oftc. OF President Of the United States,
in the infancy OF the republic, dis'fusted ther
ability discharge the duties Of that exalted s'Aton'
what ought not To be Tie spprohensions OF ons So
much younger ADD less endowed no" that our do
main extends from ocean 10 ocean, that our People
have SO greatly increased IN numbers, and al Time
when so great diversity OF opinon prevails IN regard
10 the principles and policy which should character
ine the administration Of our government Well may
the bodest fear and the wisest trembe when incur
ring responsibilities which may depend our coun-
trys peace aud prosperity, and, IN some degree, the
hopes and happiness Of the whole human family.
10 assuming responsibilities so vast, fsryenty In
woke the sid OF that Almighty Ruler Of the universe,
IN whose hands the destlnies Of nations aud OF
men 10 guard this hsaven-favored land against the
mischief which, without His guidance, might arise
from unwlse public policy. With firm reliance
upon the wisdom OF Omnipotenee 10 sustain and d.
rect me IN the path OF duty which am appointed TO
pursue, stand In the presence ofthis assembled null
tilude Of my eoantrsmen, To take upon myself The
solemn obligation, " TO the best OF my ability, to pre-
serve, protect and defend the Constitution Of the
Unled States"
A concise enumeration Of the principles which will
guide Ia the administrative policy OF The govern
ment Is not only 10 accordance with the examples set
me by all my predecessors, but IS eminently behtlins
the occasion.
The Constitution itself plainly written as u, the
safeguard OF fedorative compact the offspring OF
concession and compromise, binding together 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 directed.
IL will be my first 10 administer the Govern
meut in the true spirit OF that instrument, and TO
sumo no powers not expressly grained or clearly i'm
piled 10 its terms. he Government of the United
States IS Of delegated and limited powers and II
Is by strict adherence to tho clearly granted pow
ers, and by abstaining from the exercise Of doubtful
or unauthorized implied powers, that We have the
only sure guaranty against the recurrence Of those
unfortunate collisions between the Federal and State
authorities which have occasionally much disturb
ed the harmony Of our system, and even threatened
the perpetlity Of our glorious Union.
10 the States respectively or to the people, ~
have been reserved the powers not delegated to the
United States by the constitution, prohibited by
IT TO the States" Each State Is a complete soyer-
eighty within the sphere ofts reserved powers. The
government Of the Union, acting within the sphere
Of It's delegated authority is also a complete sover-
eigniy. While the general government should alb
stain from the exercise of authority clearly dele
gated TO It, the States should De equally careful that
IN the maintenance OF their rights they do not over
step the limits of powers reserved To them. One of
the most distinguished Of my predecessors attached
deserved importance to the support of the State
governments in all their rights, $ the most compe-
tent administrations for domestic concerns and
The surest bulwark against anti-npubican tenden-
clts and 10 the preservation of the general gov
eminent IN It's whole constItut onal vgsr as the
sheet-anchor ofour peace at home, and safety abroad
To the government of the United States has been
intrusted the exclusive Management of our foreign
tfiirs. Beyond that, it wieIds few general emu
mersted powers. 1t does not force reform on the
States. 1t leaves individuals, over whom it casts It's
protecting influence, entirely free TO improve their
own condition by the legil mate exercise of all their
me tai and physical powers. 1t is a common pro.
tector Of each aud all The States Of every man who
lives upon our soil, whether OF native or foreign
Birth OF every religoW Sect in their worship OF the
Almighty according to the dictates of their own con-
science; Of every shade Of opinion, and the most
free inquiry Of every art, trade, aud occupation,
consistent with the laws OF the States and we re-
Joce IN the general happiness, Prosperity, and adj
ysncement OF our country, which have been the of.
spring of freedom, and not Of power.
Tbs most admirable and wisest system of well
regulated sef-governmeDt among men, ever devised
by human minds, has been tested by its successful
operation for more than half injury; and if pre-
served from the usurpalions of the federal govern
The hand, and he exercise by the States
of powers not reserved TO them the other, will IL
come,
and dispense the blessings of civil and religious lib.
ery to distant generations To effect objects so dear
to every patriot, l shall devote myself with a.x-
ious soliciude 1t will be my desire to guard
against that most fruitful source of danger to the
harmonious acton of our system which consists in
substituting the mere discretion and caprice of the
executive, or of majorties in the legislative depart
ment OF the government, for powers which have been
withheld from the federal government BY the cops.
tuition. By he theory of our government, majorities
rule but this right is not arbitrary or unlimited
one. II RICH, TO be exercised in subordnation to
the constitution, and in conformity to it, One great
object of the constitution rest ain maioTties
from expressing minortes, encroachinp upon their
just rights Minorites have right to appeal to the
constitution, as shield against such oppression.
That the blessings Of liberty which our constitution
secures may be enjoyed alike by minorities and ma
jorIties, The executive has been wisely invested with
qualified veto upon the acts of the legislature 1t is
negative power, and is conservative in It's charac-
TEL IT arrests for the time hasty, inconsijerate or
unconstitutional legislation invites reconsideration
and transfers questions at issue betwen the leeisa-
tive and executive departments TO the tribunal of the
people. Like all other powers, it is subject to be
abused w hen Judiciousy and properly exercised
the constitution lsef may be saved from nfraction
and the rights OF all preserved and protected
The nestimabe value of our federal Union ia fell
and acknowledged by all. BY this system of united
and coniederated States, people are permitted
collectively and individually, to seek their own hap
Piness IN their own way and the consequences have
been most suspicious. Since the Union was formed
the number OF the States has increased from thirteen
TO tweny-eigh: two OF these have taken their posi-
ton members of the confederncy within The last
week. Our population has increased from three TO
twenty millions. New communities and states are
seeking protection under its egs and mutitudes from
the Old WerId are hockng to our shores to particle
pate IN It's blessings Beneath its ben gn sway peace
and prosperity prevail Freed from the burdens and
miseres OF war, trade and intercourse have ex.
tended throughout the world Mind, no longer tasked
IN deyis'ng means to accomplish resist schemes of
ambition, usurpation, or conquest is devong itself
to mans true interests, IN developing his faculties and
powers, ana tne capacity of nature to minister to his
enjoyments Genus is free to announce ts inven.
lions and discoveries AMI the hand is free 10 accom-
plish whatever the head copceives, not incompatible
with the rights OF a fellow being All Distractions Of