The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-03-09
INAUGURAL ADDR ESS.
OF Gen. Zachary Taylor.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS

lNAIdOh aL "A ODRESS
Elected by The American people to the
HIGHEST office known 10 our laws. appear
here to take The oath. prescribed 10y the
Constitution, aud, in compliance with O
time-honored custnm, Io address those
who are now assembled. -.
The confidence and respect shown by
nv counlrymeu, in calling me To be the
Chief Magistrate Of the Republic of the
United Statess holdings high rauk among
the nations Of the earth, have inspired
me with feelings of the most profound
gratitude.
But when reculeCt that The office
which their partiolty has bestowed, i'm
poses the discharge of the most arduou'
duties. and involves The weigh!iesl obi
cations, am conscious that the position
which have been called to ill, though
sufficient To satisfy the Infiiest ambition,
is surrounded by fearful responsibilities.
Happily, however, in the discharge ol
my new duties, | shall not he without The
ca. operation Of line Legislative and Ju-
dicial branches ofIho Government, which
present prominent examples of distin-
puished civil altainments and matured ex-
pericnce; and it shall be my endFeayor Ia
call TO my assistance in the Executive de
partment individuals whose talents integ
Iity and purity of character will furnish
ample guarantees for The faithful and hon.
orable performance Of the trust commit.
ted totheir charge.
With such aids, and aa honest pur.
pose to do whatsoever is right. hope to
execute diligently, imparlially, and fur
the best interests ofthe countrylhe mani.
fold duties devolvipg upon me. In the
discharge Of these duties. my guide will
be the Constitution, which this day
swear To preserve, prutecl and defend.
For The interpretation Of that instrn.
ment, shall look to the decisions of the
judicial tribunals established by its aI-
thorily, and the practice Of the govern.
ment under the earlier Presidents, who
had SO large a share in lis fOrmstion. To
the example of those iIluslIious patriots.
| shall always refer with reverence. and
especially to bis example, who was by so
many titles the Father of his country.
70 command the Army and Navy Of
the United States; with the advice and
consent of the Senate. to make treaties.
and appoint ambassadors aud other off.
GERS; 10 give to Congress other informa-
ton of the state of the Union, and recon.
mend such measures as no shall deem
necessary; and to take care that tho laws
shall be faithfully executed.
These are the most important functions
entrusted to the President by the Consli-
tuition; and i, may be expected that |
shall briefly indicate the principles which
will control me in their execution.
Chosen by the body of the people un.
der the assurance that my administration
would be devoted to the welfare Of the
whole country, and not 10 the support of
any particular section or merely locul in
forest, this day renew tho declarations
| have heretofore made, and proclaim my
fixed determination 10 maintain, to the
extent of my ability. the Government in
its original purity and TO adopt, as The bas
is Of my public policy, those great repub.
lican doctrines which constitute the
strength Of our national existence.
In reference to tho Army aud Navy
lately employed with so much distinction
in active service. care shall be taken to
secure the highest condition of efficiency.
And, in furlherance of that object, the
military and naval schools sustained by
the liberaliIy Of Congress, shall receive
the especial attention Of the Executive,
As American freemen, we cannot but
sympalhize in all Efforts In extend the
blessings ofciyil and political Liberty; but
at the same time We are warned by the
admonilions of history, and the voice of
our own beloved Washington, to abstain
from all eulangliug alliances with loreign
nations. In all disputes between con.
flictug governments, 1t is our interest no
less than our duty to remain perfectly
neutral. while our geographical position.
the genius of our institutions aud our
people, the advancing spirit ofciviIizaiion
and, above all, the doctrines of religion
direct US to the cultivation of peaceful
and friendly relations with all other
powers.
1t is to be hoped that no international
questions can now arise which the gov.
ernment. confident in its own strength,
and resolved to protect its own just rights
may not settle by wise negotiation. And
it eminently becomes government Ike
our own, founded on the morality aud
intelligence of its citizens, aud upheld by
their affections, to exhaust every resort
ofhonorable diplomacy. bcfrre appealing
TO arms. In the conduct Of our foreign
relations. shall conform to these princi.
pies, as | believe them essential To the
best interests and the true honor of the
country.
Toexercise the appointing power in.
vested in the President, imposes diicate
aud onerous duties So far rs it is pos.
sible to be Informed shall make honesty
capacity, and fidelity, Indispensable pre-
requisites to the bestowal ofoiiice; aud the
absence ofthese qualities shall be deemed
sufficient cause for removal.
1t shall be my steady aim to recon.
mend such constitutional measures to
Congress as may be necessary and prop.
er to secure encouragement and protec
tion to the great Interests Of agriculture,
commerce aud manufactures; Ia improve