The St. Landry whig., 1845-03-20
[rRoN OUR ExTRA.l
PRESIDENT POLK'S
ADDRESS

a 49, = HHNGII
FeAov Citizens without solicitation on my
part, I have been chosen BY the free and yolun-
tary suifrages of my countrytGen TO the most hon
orable and most responsible office on earth. \ am
deeply impressed with gratitude for the conf
dence reposed in me. IIonored with this distin-
guished consideration at an earlier period of life
thgfn any of my predecessors, | cannot disguise
tlsss difidence with which | am about to enter
Oh the discharge of my official duties.
If the more aged and experienced men who
have filled the o~ficerof President ofthe United
States, even in the iEssancy Of the republic, dis
trusted their ability to discharge the duties OF
that exalted station, what ought not to be the APP
Iprehensions 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 a time when 50
great diversity of opinion prevails in regard TO
the principles and policy which should charac-
terizc the administration of our government
Well may the boldest fear, and the wisest trcm.
BILE, when mourning responsibilities on which
NAV aenend our country's peace and prosperity,
and, in some degree, the hopes and happiness OF
the whole human family.
In assuming responsibilities so vast, f~ersently
invoke the aid of the Almighty Ruler Of the Uni
verse, in whose hands are the d~estiuies ofna-
tians and of men, to guard this heayen-favored
land against the mischiefs, which, without His
guidance, might arise from an unwise public
policy. With a firm reliance upon the wisdom
Of ns,,..-i,potenGe TO sustain anu ai.@ct me IN me
path IF duty which ! am appointed TO pursue,
stand in the presence ofthis assembled multitude
ofmy countrymen, to take upon myself the sol
emn obligation, ssto the best OF my ability, to pre-
serve, protect, and defend the constitution Of the
United States
Aconcise enumeration ofthe principles which
will guide me in the administrative policy ofthe
Government, is not only in accordance with the
examples set me by all my predecessors, but is
eminently BETTING the occasion.
The Constitution itself, plainly writtenas it is,
the safeguard of our federatiye compact, the off
spring of concession and compromise, binding
togefherin the bonds of peace and union this
great and increasing family of free and indepen.
tdent States, will be the chart by which I shall
be directed.
twill be my first care to administer the Gov
ernment in the true spirit ofthat instrument, and
" assume no powers not expressly granted, OF
clearly implied in its terms. ThF Movement
Ofthe United states isone Of deleAated and limi-
ted powers; and it is by strict adherence to
the clearly granted powers, and by abstaining
/ Athht Law SAIANt1 0&4Ou1utAuAO VI uhAVtAOl l1Su kAh-
piled powers, that Ne have the only sure qua
ranty against the recurrence ofthose unfortunate
collisions between the Federal and State author.
} tiles, which have occasionally SO much disturbed
J the harmony Of our system, and even threaten.
ed the perpetuity of our glorious Union.
"Tothe States respectively, or to the people,
: have been reserved ssthe powers not delegated
: to the United States by the Constitution, nor pro.
hibited by it to the States Each State is
complete sovereignty within the sphere fit
reserved powers. The Government ofthe USIion
acting within the sphere Of its delegated author
ity, is also a complete sovereignty. While tn
General Government should abstain from tn,
: exercise ofauthority not clearly deldyafed to il
the States should be equally careful t%lsatsssin thu
maintenance oftheir rights, they do ndA &ersteI
1t the limits Of powers reserved to theml One 0
n the most distinguished ofmy predecessor attach
!. ed deserved Importance to .'the suppoF of tn,
d Stale Governments in all their rightE as thu
e most competent administration for our lsomesti
o concerns, and the surest hulwark agaiPlst anti
republican tendencies = and to the s'preisrvatiol
of the General Government in its who'll consti
%tutional vigor, as the sheet-anchor of dir peac
q, at home and safety abroad"
~ 10 the Government Of the United States ha
q been entrustedthe exclusive management ofou
III lAUIGAEH# alihlISs l1GJUHu tudly IL yleluS u ICY
g general enumerated powers. 1t does not fore
a. reform on the States. It leaves individuals, owe
whom it casts its protective influence, %entirel
lr free to improve their own condition by the leg
'e mate exercise Of all their mental and physics
powers. II is q common protector Of each an
:, all the States ofevery man that lives upon OF
I" soil, whether ofnative or foreign birth of ever
s. religious sect, In the worship of the Alm,ght
le according to the dictates o.. their own consc
ence ; Of every shade of opinion, and the mo
free Inquiry of evetY art, trade, and occupation
consistent with the Jaws ofthe States. And "
a rejoice in the generaae happiness, prosperity an
ne advancement of our 9huntry, which have bee
cd the offspring Of freedSasn, and not ofpower.
~ This most admirable and wisest system olive
\, regulated selt-goyernment among men, ever III
yised by human mind, has been tested BY its su,
~cessful operation for more than half a century
y and, if preserved from the usurpations ofthe fec
y eral government on the one hand, and the 81
I ercise blythe States of power not reserved
70 them on the other, will, 1 feryently hope and b.
lE lieye, endure for ages TO come, and dispense til
d. blessings Of civil and religious liberty to distal
generations. Toefiecto objects so dear to ever
~patrait, ! shall devote myselfwith a~nxioua sole
% tude. Il will be my desire to guard against tn
e most fruitful source ofdanger to the harmoniol
IActlQn OF our SySlenl, Wnich consists m substlt
lting the mere discretion and caprice Of the Z
az ecunYes or 81 maloslsies - me iesls'atlve S1ePai
N ment OF tle government, for powers which ha'
been withheld from the federal government
I the constitution. BY the theory Of our 20
4 eminent, maiorities rule utthis right is not
1 arbitrary or unlimited one. 1t is a right 10
exercised in subordination to the constitutio
m and in conformity to it. One great object Oft
al constitution vast to restrain majorities from o
pressing minorities, or encroaching upon the
s. lust RIGHTS. Minorities have a riahf 70 annenl 10 Il