Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-03-08
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
p r + ENT POLK.
DELIVERED March Ath, 1915

honorable and most responsible office on earth
am deeply impressed with gratitude for the !
confidence reposed in mr. Hunored with this |
| distinguished consideration at an earlier period |
| of liie than any OF my predecessors, | cannot |
| disguise the dffdence with which am about 10 |
enter on the discharge Of my official duties.
| IL the more oged and experienced men, who |
have filed the office of President of the United
States. even in the infancy of the Republic, dis.
trusted their ability 10 discharge the duties uf
that exalted station, what ought not to be- the
npprehensions ofone so much younger and less
| endowed, now that our domain extends from o.
cean to ocean, that our people have so greatly
increased IN numbers, and at time when so
great diversity ofoplnion prevails in regard to
the principles and policy which should charac.
! ter'zc the administration of our government
Well may the bodest fear and the wises, trem.
5le, when ncurring responsibilities on which
may depend our countrys peace and prosperity.
and, IN some degree, the hopes and happiness of
the whole human family
In assuming responsibilities so vast ! fervent-
ly invoke the aid of that Almighty Ruler of the
Universe, in whose hands are the des,inies of
nations and ofmen, to guard this heaven favor
ed land against the mischicfs which, without
llis guidance, might arise from an unwse pub.
+ lie policy. With a firm reliance upon the wis
dom OF Omnlpotence 10 sustain aud direct me in
the path of duty which am appointed to pur.
sue, stand in the presence of this assembled
multitude nf my counirymen. TO take upon nv.
self the solemn obligation ITO the hes, ot nv n.
bilny tn preserve, protect and defend the Con.
situton Of the U. States"
coLcse enumeration Of the principles
which will guide me IN the administrative poli.
cy of the government, is not only in accordance
with the examples set me by all my predeces.
sors, but is eminenty bci,ting the occasion.
hn ,,1,,.
the safeguard Of our tederative compact; the
offspring of concession and compromise, bind
INC together in the bonds of peace and union
tins great and increasing family Of tree and in
Gependent STATES, will be- the chart hy which
shall BE- directed. IL Will be my first care to
administer the government in The true spirit OF
that instrument, and to assume no powers not
expressly granted or clearly implied in ts terms
e The government of the u. States is one of.dele.
gated and limited powers; and it is by strict
adherence TO the clearly granted powers, and
by ahstaining from the exercise uf doubtful or
unauthorized implied pow ers, that we have the
y only sure guaranty against the recurrence OF
i those unfortunate collisions between the Fed
g ernl and State authorities, which have occa-
sionalIy so much disturbed the harmony of our
, system. and even threatened the pcrpetui,y of
y our glorious Union.
i "'ro the States respectively, or to the peo.
plc,' have been reserved "the power not dele.
!. gated 10 the q. States by The constitution, nor
|. prohibited by it to the States" Each State is
a complete sovereignty within the sphere of its
reserved powers. The government of the Uni.
:, on, acting within the sphere of its delegated au
!, thnrlty, is also a complete sovereignty. White
the general government should abstain iron
=. the exercise of authority not clearly delegated
. 10 1t, the States should br equally careful that
IN the maintenance of their rights they do moi
a. oyersiep the limits Of powers reserved 10 them
s. One OF the most dltingushed of my predeces
d. sors attached deserved importance to ":he sup
;"rt OF The Safe governments IN a II their rights
as the most competent administration tor ou
domestic concerns. and the surest bulwark n
u gain,t anti,republican tendencies :" and to IL,
lie representation of The general government in it
whole constitutional vigor, as the sheet ancho
, OF Onr peace AT home, and safety abroad
, To the Government Of the United States ha
- been inrns'cd tn the exclusive management
y our foreign affairs. Beyond that. il wlrlds
c. few general enumerated powers. il does ~
N, force reform on the States. II leaves indivil
uals, over whom it casts its protecting iuht
ence, entirely free 10 improve their own cond
, ti"n by the legitimate exercise of all their mel
y tai and physical powers.
Ia u Is a common protector of each and oil tll
,s States, OF every man who lives upon sol
,1 whether OF native or foreign birth Of every r.
Iig'ous sect, IN their worship of the AlmIght
according To the dictates OF their own conscienc
OF every shade OF opinion, and the most free il
a quiry of every art. trade, and occupation. col
,e. sstent with the laws of the States And "
reloice in the general happiness. prosperity, an
=, advancement Of our country, which have bee
~ the tfsprlng of freedom, aud not of power.
'I' The most admirable and wisest system
I'M woll-reguated felt government among men,
le- Yer devised hy human minds has been tested
l,s successful operation for more than half Gel
fury and, # preserved from the usurpatiOns
'e' the federal government on the one hand and u
ht, exercise by the States OF powers not reserved
Re- them on the other will, ierventy hope and b.
he leve, endure for ages TO come, and dispen,
>, the blessings of civil and religious liberty
distant generations
ef' To effect objects so dear to every patriot,
lse shall devote myself with anxious solicitude.
ity will he my desire TO guard against that mo
,ge fruitful source of danger to the harmonious a
-, tion of our system, which consists in subs,t
~ ting the mere discretion and caprice the Q
ecutlve, or Of ma 10: ties in the legislative d
be- partment Of the government, for powers whit
90 have been withheld from .he federal Cover
ment by the constitution.
!" BY the theory Of our government. majortl
pa rate but this right is not an arbitrary or un
mited one. 1t is right to be- exercised in :
ge. bordination 10 the constitution and in conform
" to it. One great object Of the constitute
pla- por;,ies or encroacbino unon their inst riph
fur Minorites have a right to appeal to the cons
and tuition, as shield against such oppression.
,est Tint the blessings of liberty which our co
stitution secures may be enjoyed alike by II
II