The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-03-07
PRESIDENT TAYLOR'S INAUGURAL
ADDRESS.
wAsH1NGroN, Monday, March 5, lss9.


and thousands of assembled citizens, in front of
the Capitol, the following
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Elected by the American People TO the highest
Office known TO our laws, appear here to take
the Oath prescribed by the Constitution; and, in
compliance with time. honored ustom, to ad-
dress those who are now assembled.
The confidence and respect shown by my
Countrymen in calling me to be the Chief Mag
istrate OF Republic holding high rank among
the nations of the earth, have inspired me with
feelings of the most profound gratitude; but,
when | reflect that the acceptance of the Office
which their partiality has bestowed imposes the
discharge OF the most arduous duties, and involves
the weghtiest, am conscious that the position
which have been called to fill, though sufficient
to satisfy the Hottest ambition, is surrounded by
fearful responsibilities. Happily, however, in
the performance OF my new duties, shall MT be
without able cooperation. The Legislative and
Judicial branches of the Government present
prominent examples of distinguished civil attain
ments and matured experience; and 1t shall be
my endeavor TO call to my assistance in the Elk
ecutive Departments individuals whose talents,
integrity, and purity of character will furnish
ample guarantees for the faithful and honorable
performance of the trusts to be committed to their
charge. With such aids, and an honest purpose
TO do whatever is right, | hope to execute dill
gently, impartially, and for the best interests of
the country, the manifold duties devolved upon
me.
In the discharge of these duties, my guide will
be the Constitution which |, this day, swear to
''preserve, protect, and detend.'' For the inter-
probation of that instrument shall look 10 the
decisions of the Judicial Tribunals established by
Its authority, and to the practice of the Govern
ment under the earlier Presidents, who had SO
lsroa share its formation To tha evamnla
of those ilustrous sPatriots shall always defer
with reverence; and especially to his example
who was, by so many titles, ''the Father OF his
Country"
To command the Army and Navy OF the Unit
ed States with the advice aud consent of the
Senate, to make Treaties and to appoint Ambas.
sailors and other officers; to give to Congress in
formation of the state of the Uuion, and recon-
mend such measures as he shall Judge to be ne
cessary; and to take care that the laws shall be
faithfully executed-these are the most impor-
tant functions entrusted to the President by the
Constitution; and it may be expected that shall,
briefly, indicate the principles which will control
me in their execution.
Chosen by the body of the People under the
assurance that my administration would be de-
voted TO the welfare of the whole country, and
not to the support OF any particular section or
merely local interest, this day renew the de-
clarations have heretofore made, and proclaim
my fixed determination to maintain, to the extent
of my ability, the Government in its original pu-
rity, and to adopt as the basis OF my public policy
those great republican doctrines which consti ute
the strength of our national existence.
In reference to the Army and Navy, lately
employed with so much distinction on active SER
vice, care shall be taken to ensure the highest
condition OF efficiency; and, in furtherance of
that object, the military and naval schools, sus-
tanned by the liberalty OF Congress, shall receive
the special attention of the Executive.
AS American freemen, we cannot but sympa-
thize in all efforts to extend the blessings OF civil
and political liberty; but, at the same time, we
are warned by the admonitlons OF history and the
voice of our beloved Washington to abstain from
entangling alliances with foreign nations. In all
disputes between conflicting Governments, it is
our interest not less than our duty to remain
strictly neutral; while our geographical position
the genius OF our institutions and our people, the
advancing spirit OF civilization, and, above ALL
the dictates of religion, direct us to the culiva-
ton of peaceful and friendly relations with all
other Powers. 1t is to be hoped that no inter.
national question can now arise which Govern
ment, confident in its own strength and resolved
to protect its own just rights, may not settle by
wise negotiation; and it eminently becomes a
Government like our own, founded on the NOR
atty and intelligence OF its citizens, and upheld
by their affections, to exhaust every resort of
honorable diplomacy before appealing to arms
In the conduct of our foreign relations shall
conform to these views, as believe them essen.
a to the best interests and the true honor of the
country.
The appointing power vested in the President
imposes delicate and onerous duties. So lar as
it is possible to be informed, shall make homes
ty, capacity, and fidelity indispensable pre-re-
quisies to the bestowal of Office and the absence
of either of these qualities shall be deemed suffi-
cent cause for removal
1t shall be my study to recommend such con-
stitutional measures to Congress as may be me-
cessary and proper to secure encouragement and
protection to the great interests of Agriculture,
Commerce, and Manufactures to improve our
rivers and harbors; TO provide for the speedy ex-
tnguishment OF the public debt; to enforce
strict accountability the part Of all officers of
the Government, and the utmost economy in all
public expenditures. But it is for the wisdom OF
Congress itself, in which all islative powers
are vested by the Constitution, to regulate these
and other matters of domestic policy. / shall
look with confidence to the enlightened patriot
ism OF that body to adopt such measures Of con-
ciliation as may harmonize conflicting interests,
and tend to perpetuate that Union which should
be the paramount object of our hopes and afec-
tions. In any action calculated to promote an
object so near the heart Of every one who truly
loves his country, will zealousy unite with the
co.ordinate branches of the Government