The Aliened American., 1853-04-09
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Il the President of the United States

own can know the personal regret and bit.
ter sorrow over which have been borne
to position so suitable for others, rather
than desirable for myself The circumstan-
ces under which have been called for
limited period to preside over the destinies
Of this republic, fill me with profound sense
OF responsibility, but with nothing like
shrinking apprehensions. | repair to the
post 'sagned me, not as to one sought, but
In obedience to the unsolicited expressions
Of your will, answerable only for fearless,
faithful and diligent exercise of nv best
powers. | ought to be, and am truly,
grateful for the rare manifestation of the
nations confidence; but this, so far from
tightening my obligations, only adds to their
weight You have summoned me in nv
weakness; you must sustain me by your
strength.
When looking for the fulillment of rea-
sonabe requirements, you will not be un-
mindful OF the great changes which have
occurred, even within the last quarter of a
century, and the consequent augmentation
and complexity of duties imposed on the
administration both of your home and
foreign affairs. Whether the elements of
inherent force in the REPUBLIC have kept
pace with its unparalleled progression in ter
ritory, population and wealth, has been the
subjectsof earnesa theught and discussion
OH both sides of the ocean.
| Less than sixty-three years ago the Father
Of his Country made the recent accession
of the important State of North Carolina
to the confederation of the United States,
one of the subjects of his special considera
tions. At that moment however, when the
agitation consequent upon the revolutionary
struggle had hardly snbsided-when we
!, were just emerging from the weakness and
embarrassment of the confederation, there
was an evident consciousness of vigor equal
! to the great mission so wisely and bravely
fulfilled by our fathers. 1t was not pre-
sumptuous assurance, but calm faith spring.
ing from clear view Of the sources of
power in government constituted like ours.
, IL is no paradox to say, that although com
parauyeiy weak the new born nation was
intrinsicaly strong. Inconsiderable in pop
ulation and apparent resources, it was up
held by broad and intelligent compre-
pension of rights, and an all pervading pur-
pose to maintain them, stronger than arma-
nents. 1t came from the furnace of the
Revolution tempered to the necessity OF
the times The thoughts of the men of that
day were as practical as their thoughts were
patriotic. They wasted no portion of THEN
energies upon idle and delusive speculations
but with firm and fearless step advanced
beyond the governmental landmarks which
had hitherto circumscribed the limits of hu.
man freedom, and planted their standard
, where it has stood against dangers which
have threatened from abroad, and interna
agitation which has at times fearfulIy men
anced at home. They proved themselve:
! equal to the solution of the great problem
a to understand which their minds had beer
t illumined by the dawning lights of tht
Revolution. The object sought was not
thing dreamed Of it was thing realized
, They exhibited not only the power to achiev,
! but what all history affirmed to be so mucl
more unusual, the capacity to maintain
1 The oppressed throughout the world, from
Z that oay 10 tho present have turned theil
eyes hitherward, not to find those light.
d extingqlshed, or to fear lest they should
r wane; but to be constantly chee1ed by
their steady and increasing radiance. In
this. our country has, in my judgment
il thus far fulfilled its highest duty to suffer
: ing humanity, 1t has spoken and will con
e tinue to speak, not on y by its words but by
d its acts, the language of sympathy and en-
:, couragement to those who earnestly lister
9 to tones which pronounce for the larges
i rational liberty. But, after all, the mos
: animating encouragement and potent appea
r for freedom will be its own history, it:
: trials and its triumph. Pre-eminently the
$ power of our advocacy reposes in our ex
ample; but no example be it remembered
e can be powerful for lasting good, whatever
e apparent advantage may be gained, which
is not based on eternal principles of righ
q and justice.
e Our fathers decided for themselves bott
e upon the hour to declare and the hour tt
b strike. They were their own Judges 0
the circumstances under which it became
them to pledge to each other their lives
$ their fortunes and their sacred honor, fol
3 the ACQUISITION of the pricelesS- -inharitaae.
transmitted 60 us. The energy with which
that great conflict opened, and under the
guidance of manifest and beneficial Provi
, dence, the accomplishing endurance with
] which it was prosecuted to its consumation
were only surpassed by the wisdom and
patient spirit of concession which charac-
terized all the councils of the earl,' fathers.
One of the most impressive evidences OF
, that wisdom is to be found in the fact that
the actual working of our system has dis
PEELED degree of solicitude which at the
outset disturbed bold hearts and far reach
ing intellects The apprehension of dam
gers from extended territory, multiplied
States, accumulated wealth, and augmen-
ted population, has proved to be unfognded
'fThe stars upon your banner have become
nearly threefold their original number
Your densely populated possessions skirt
the shores of two great oceans, and yet
this vast increase of people and territory
has not only shown itself compatible with
the harmonious action of the States and
the Federal Governments in their respect
i've constitutional spheres, but has afforded
an additional guaranty of the strength and
integrity of both.
With an experience thus suggestive and
cheering, the policy of my administration
will not be controlled by any timid forebo-
dings of evil from expansion. Indeed it
is not to be disguised that our attitude as