Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-03-10
INAUGURAL ADDRES

Elected by the American people 10 the
highes, office known to our laws, ! appear
here TO take the oath prescribed by the Con-
stitution, and in compliance with The time
honored custom, to address those who are
| now assembled.
The confidence and respect shown by my
countrymen in calling me to be the Chie'
Magistrate Of Republic, holding high rai,k
among the nations Of The earth, have inspired
me with feelings of the most profound erai-
iude but, when reflect that the acceptance
of the office which their pariialiy has be-
slowed, imposes the discharge of the most
arduous duties, and involves the weiohtest
obligations. Iam conscious that The position
which have been called to fill, though suffi-
cient TO satisfy the loftiest ambition, is sur
rounded by fearful responsibilities Happily,
however, n the performance of my new du-
| ties, shall not be without able cooperation
The Legislative and Judicial branches of the
government present prominent examples ot
distinguished civil attainments and r,alurcI
experience, and i, shall be my enJ,avur 10
call 10 my assistance. in the Executive dapar,-
ments individuals whose talents, irtceli.-
and purity of character will turGish AMP
guarantees for the faithful and ho.aah!e pr
| formance of the trusts to be c0ulllIil-a -
their charge. With such aids, aud an homes;
purpose TO do whatever is right, | hope to
execute diligently, impartially; and for the
best Interests of the country, the manifold
duties dcvOlvcd upon me.
In the discharge of these duties, ny guide
will be the Constitution, which | this day
swear TO preserve, 'protect and defesd,''
For the Interpretation of that instrument,
shall look to the decisions Of the Judicial tr-
bunals established by its authority, and 10 the
practice of the government under the earlier
Presidents, who had so large share in liz
formation. To the example of those illesirous
patriots, shall always defer with reverence,
and especially TO his example who was by 50
many titles. '.the Father of his Country" To
command the Army and Navy cs h United
States, with The advice and consent
Senate, TO make treaties and to appoiut Pie
b4sss1ors and other officers, to gise ,HCn.-
gress information OF the STATE of III T.i...
ant recommend such measures ss b. shall
Judge TO be necessary, and 10 tske care fHat
the laws shall be faithfully executed-;hese
arc the most imporar, functions entrusted 10
the President by the Constitution; and itIua,
be expected lha shall briefly indicate ihc
principles which viii con,roli,e III iheii eAe-
cution.
Chosen By the body of the people under
the assurance that nv administration would
be devoted 10 the welfare OF the whole uouI-
. trv, and not to the support Of any parIIcr!a
section OF merely local interest, this iav e-
D new the declarations have heretofore uIsig.
r and proclaimed my fixed determination -
maintain to the extent of my ability, the 90
vernment in It's original purify, and 10 adopt
Il as the basis of my public policy, those great
Republican doctrines which constitute the
. strength Of our national existence.
In reference to the Army and Navy, lately
employed with so much distinction on active
service, care shall be taken to insure tn,
Il
= ance of that object, the military naval schools
It sustained by the liberality of Congress, shall
receive the special attention of the Executive
As American freemen, we cannot but sym
paihiZe in all efforts to extend the Blessings
of civil and political liberty, but at The s;,inc
time we are warRed by the admuniions of
history, aud the voice of our OWN beloved
Washington, to abstain from en,anclng ALI
ances with foreign nations. In all disputes
between conflicting governments, il is our in
terest, not less than our duty, 10 remain strict
ly neutral, while our geographical position,
the genius OF our institutions and our people,
the advancing spirit of civilization, and abe 9
all, the dictates of religion, direct Us to the
cultivation of peaceful and friendly relation:
with all other powers. 1t is to be hoped tina
10 international question can now arise which
a government, confident in its own strength
and resolved 10 protect its own Just rights
may not settle by wise negotiation; and /
eminently becomes n government like on
own, founded on the morality and ntelli
gence of lis citizens, and upheld by their at
fections, TO exhaust every resort OF honorable
diplomacy before appealing TO arms. Ia th'
An conduct Of our foreign relations, shall con
Ia form 10 these views, as | believe them essen
VI iial to The best interests and the true honor o
The country.
The appointing power vested in the President
imposes delicate and onerous duties. 81 f.
- as il is possible 10 be informed, shall ns,h
honesty capacity and fidelity indispensable
A prerequisites TO tie besiowal of Office, a
the absence of either of these qualities sh;
IS Is be deemed sufficient cause Fer r-:navai.
md Il shall be my study to recommend sGc
ind constitutional measures 10 Congress as ma
w w BE- necessary and pTOpe! to secure encourage
see ment and protection TO the great interests G
agriculture, commerce and manufacturers : I
for improve our rivers and harbors, TO provid
for the speedy ex,ingushmcnt of the publ
r., debt, To enforce a strict accountability OF th
. part of all officers of the Government an
80 80 the utmost economy in all public expend
a. lures. But il is for the wisdom OF Congres
z itself, in which all legislative powers ave ve'
- ted by the Constitution, to regulate these n.
~ other matters of domestic policy. | sha
81 look with confidence 10 the enlightened pa
o. trlo,ism OF that BODY Il ad,p' such measure
ie of concliaiiou as NAV hr-0~g.ge gv.iiir'lp
:, interests, and lent % 0err .Hae .n.' g1-.
= vhich sh1ulI b. he p.-tr'on,' obi c c-n.
. hopes AID affections. | aae ucl"r calc-''-
:he tel 90 promote an ubiec. SO .5H a nea--
ny every one ~ 40 ,rlY I-g-s 49,. ...i.g n
10 zeaiousy Lnile with the eo-aelasf 0~a..cR
sls of the government
'As In conclusion, | congratulate you. MY te
low-cliz,us, uToa he high state Of prosper
iy to which the goodness Of Divine Prov
J. dence has conducted our country Let
invoke our,iuuace OF the same Protecur
Care which has Ia Us from s.sall -ba. .luula,
to The eniinence we this day occupy, aal I
nv Us seek TO deserve that Continuance bv ~
ally dence and moderation in our councils I
sc. well directed attempts 10 assusae the bite
on ness which too often marks u.a ayoiiable ID
bs ferences of opinion; ~ he pgomnlgauou AZ
,sun,d practice of pst aud liberal principles, an
OOo by an enlarged patriotism, which shall AZ
:, knowledge no limits bu, those OF our ow
/" wide spread Republic a--s s-