Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1849-03-08
T'Hh INAUGURAL.
Washin0ton, March 8


Washington, March 5.
To-day at IL o'clock, Gen. TAYLOR
delivered to the Senate and House Of
Representatives, and thousands Of citi-
zens assembled IN front Of the Capitol,
the following
ADDRESS. ar
FellOaC Citizens - -.
Elected by the American people to the
highest Office known to our laws, ap-
pear here to take the oath prescribed by
The Constitution, and IN accordance with
atime honoredw custom, witness those
who are now assembled. The confidence
and respect shown BY my countrymen,
in calling me to the Chief Magistracy of
a country holding high rank among the
nations Of the earth, has inspired me with
feelings of most profound gratitude; but
when / reflect that the acceptance OF the
Office which their partiality has bestowed,
imposes the discharge of arduous duties,
and involves the weightiest obligations,
am conscious that the station which l
have been called to Ell, though sufficient
to satisfy the Hottest ambition, is surroun-
ded by fearful responsibilities. Happily
in the performance OF my new duties, l
shall not be without able cooperative le-
gislation; and judicial branches of the
government present prominent exam
pies Of distinguished civil attainments and
mature experience. And it shall be my
endeavor to call to my assistance in the
Executive Departments. individuals whose
integrity and purity of character will fur
nish ample guarantee for the faithful and
honorable performance of the trust COM
mitted to their charge. With such aids,
and an honest purpose to do whatever is
right, hope to execute diligently, i'm
partially, and for the best interests Of the
country, the manifold duties devolving
on me.
In the discharge Of my duties, my guide
shall be the Constitution. / swear to
preserve, protect, and defend it. For the
Interpretation of the institution, l shall
look to the decision of the Judicial tribu-
nal, and abide by its authority, and to
the practice of Government under the
earliest Presidents, and to the example
of the illustrious patriots l shall always
refer with reverence: and especially, to
his example, who by the many illustri-
Gus examples, obtained the title Of the
Father of his Country. To command
the Army and Navy of the U. s. with
the advice and consent Of the Senate, to
make treaties-to appoint ambassadors
and other offieers-give Congress infor-
nation of the State of the Union-and to
communicate such measures as he shall
Judge to be necessary, and take care that
the laws shall be faithfully executed
Important fuactions are intrusted to the
President by the Constitution, and il
may be expected that I shall briefly por-
tray the principles which will control me
in their execution. Chosen by the body
of the people. under the assurance that
my administration should be devoted to
the welfave of the whole country, and
not to the support of any particular
section, or any local interest, I this day
renew the decision l have heretofore
made, and proclaim my fixed determi-
nation to maintain to the extent of my
ability, to administer the government in
its original purity. and to adopt as a
basis Of my public policy, the great re-
publican doctrines which constitute the
strength of our national existence.
In reference to the army and navy,
lately employed with so much distinction
in active service, care should be taken to
ensure their highest condition of eficien-
cy, and in furtherance of that object, the
military and naval schools, sustained BY
the liberality Of Congress. shall receive
especial attention.
AS American freemen, we cannot but
sympathise with all the efforts to extend
the Blessings Of civil and political liberty,
and at the same time we are warned by
the admonitions of history, and the voice
of our own beloved Washington, to abstain
from entangling alliances with foreign ma
tons on all disputes between conflicting
governments. 1t is our intention, no
less than our duty, to remain strictly
neutral.
While our geographical position, the ge>
MUS of our Institutions and our people, the
advancing spirit Of civilization, and above
all, the dictates Of religion, direct us to the
cultivation Of peaceful and friendly relations
with all other powers, it is to be hoped that
no International question can now arise
which a government, confident in its own
strength aud resolved to protect its own
rights, may not settle by wise negotiation.
And il eminenlly becomes q government
like our own, founded on the morality and
intelligence Of its citizens, and upheld by
their affections, TO exhaust every resource Of
honorable diplomacy, before appealing 70
arms.
Ia the conduct OF our Foreign Relations
I shall conform TO these views, as believe
them essential to the best Interests and hon.
or sf the country.
The appointing power. vested in the Pre-