Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1853-03-10
THE ISAUGuRAL ADDRESS
f or
GEN. FRANKLIN PIERCE.

and bitter sorrow over which have been borne. 10
pes.slon g suitable for others rather than Sesta
The circumstances under which have been 1
called ios limited period Il reside over the des
nnies ~ the Republic gu me with aprofound sense
o. Responsibility, bur with nothing like shrinking
repair 10 The post assigned me MOI a. 10 one
sought but 10 ooehience 10 the unsolicited cxpres-
sion 81 yeur Will-tnswefable only for fearless
falihfal and digent exercise Of my best powers
ought 10 be- and am truly grateful for the rare
manifestations Of the nations Confidence but this
30 far from lighteuihg my obligations, only adds Id
their weight You have summoned me in my
weakness; you must sustain me hy your slrcngth
When looking iot the fulflment Of reasonable
requirements, yon will not be unmindfuI al he
II great changes which have occurred, even within
The last quarter Of century, and The consequent
Augmentation and cpmplexiiy Of The duties imposed
Ia the administrator both q our home and fSfsigu
Whether tho elements IL inherent fvfce ID lhs
republic have kept pace with ilsAupafaA eied pgoA
II gressibn 10 territory, population aud wealth. has
been the subject q earnest ,heuehi and diseassIea
on bo b tldRs Of The ocean.
Il Lest ihan sIIsy.lhfee yssrs ago. The Father 81
n his cSuHity made The (lhea reesnl1 accession u
II The Important State Of NoHh CiFolina 70 the con.
siltuiiSn 81 The United States VI The subjects 81
u his special congratulations.
M,hM moment, however when lhe ssasllon
consequent upon The revolutionary Struggle had
| hardly shbsldfd WheH w were JUS, emefRinR
from lhe wetsnes, ed s.noaFfi,smenlso 81 he con.
federation There was an evident Consciousness Of
u yigof eqtal TO the great mission 90 wisely aud
4 brayely fpl6lled BY our fathers.
!. was net pEesumplucus assurance bu, cam
i faith sprnging from eear view Of The sources Of
4 power ID government constituted like eurs. 1t Is
no paradox 10 say that although comparatively
weak The ne w-borh nation was intrnsicaliy strong.
Il Inconsiderable in population and apparent resonr-
II ces twas upheld BY broad and iniellgeh, COM
prehepsian Of rights, and an al peryading pur-
pose 10 maintain them, stronger than ornaments
Ii came from the furnace Of the revolution, tenn
pered 10 The necessities Of the times The thoughts
Of The men OF that day were as practical as their
\ sentiments were patriotic. They wasted no potion
Of their energies upon idle and delusive specna-
lions bnt with a firm and fearless step advanced
beyond The governmental landmarks which had
hiih.rto circumscribed the limits OF human freedom
ard planted their standard where il has. stood )
,eansl The dangers which have threatened from q
broad and intern al citations which have At times
feartu|ly menaced lat home. They proved them
selves equal 10 the solution Of the great problem 10
understand which their minds had been illumina-
led by The 1awning lights OF The revolution
The object sought was not thing dreamed Of
II was aithing realized They had exhibited not
only. The power to achieve, but what all history al.
firms 70 BE so much more UNUSUAL, the capacity to
mainlsin il,
The oppressed throughout the world from thai
day ID tie present have tanned their eyes hither-
ward motto find those lightsextnguished or TO fear
thai they should wane but 10 be antly cheered
by their steady and increasing radiance. ln this
oarcdantry has 10 INV Judgment, thus far iulhHed
! lis higheSt duty 70 suffering humanity.
Ii has spoken, and will continue 10 speak, not
H only ty lis words hut BY lis acts, the language Of
N sympathy. encouragement and hope 10 those vho
earnestly listen totones which pronounce far the
lafgesl raiianal liberty. But, Rfier all The mosl
\ animaiing encouragement and potent appeal for
freedom viii b. is own history its lrias, and its
triumphs. IN
Preiemncnlly the power Of our advocacy reposcs
d. IL. -. ,aVRb.i ral
can b powerful Cob lasting good, whatever appa
Fl rent advantages may be gained which is not based
. upon The eternal principles Of tigh. and Justice.
Our fathers decided for themselves bYlh upon
The hour 10 declare and the hour TO strike They
were their own judges Of the circumstances under
which II became them to pledge TO each other thei
lives their fortunes aud their sacred htnar for the
/ acquisition OF the priceless inheritance transmitted
. to as The energy with which that great con1ic
], was opened, and under the guidance VI 4 nantes
= and benifieent Providence.
;, The uneomb planning endurance with which II wa
prosecuted 10 its Contamination, were only sur
tassea hE The. wiSlou, spd paHa saitii 81 IN
early fathers One Of the mo,t lin nressye eyilrn
ces oithn wisdom Is TO be lountfn tie fact that III,
y scps working Of ont syslemshas hispeled de
gree Of solcitude which Al the optsetdsufbed bolt
A hearts and far.rcachi tx intelleeR3t
: . The apprehension d dangers frbm extended ter
! rEoryl multiplied States, accumulated wealth ans
d augmfnted population has proved to be unfounled
q The Stars upon your banner haYe become nearl,
three fold their original number your densely pom
nlated possessions skirt the shores Ut Two great
ceans and YET this vast increase oi people and ter
riIorylhas not only shown it,e compatible with III
harm9nous action Of the Stats and federal govern
!. men IN their respective constitutional spheres hn
mas anorded an additional guaranty of The strerg
and integrity Of both. With an experience ,Iu
y suggeftiye and cheering my administration vii
4 from e1 pansion.s
Indeed, ii isnotie b, disguised that our a,tilud
/ NJ ain aTd Ion Il
2 the adqulsiton4 Of CERTAIN possessions nor With
! our lqrisdietpn eminkntly important for our pro
tectioI u not the future essential for The prescr
|. yaionlof the rights ofIcommerce and The peace 3
!, Should they bcobtained it will be through d,
! grasping spirit, but with view to obvious nation
al interest and security, and in manner entireh
consistent with th.stFicest observance OF nati5aa
| faith.
we have nothing in our history or position /,
invite aggression we hare everything 10 becker
us 10 the cultivation Of resi ns Of peace and amt
with all nations. Purposes, therefore, once jus
a1d PACIFIC will be Significantly marked in The con
duct OF Our foreign affairs.
| a intend that my administrator shall leave nc
! foul blot uponsour fair record, and trust NAV
safely give the assurance that no act within the
legitimate scope Of my constitutional control will
be tolerated on the part OF any portion of our Cit
zens. which cannot challenge a ready Justification
before thu tribunal oil the civilized world
f An Standardization would be unworthy Of conf
denee 81 nome or respect abroad should il cease ID
be innneseed by The conviction that no apparent adj
vantage can be purchased at price so dear as that
Of national wrong or dishoner.
X is not your privilege nation 10 speak Of
distantRast- The striking incidents OF your histo.
~ feplste with instruction, AID furnishing abun.
dant gIounds for hopeful confidence are comprised
VI IN Il period comparatively short.
gl But ifyour past Is limited your fa;ure is tound
II less lts obligations through The unexplored path
Il way OF Advancement will Be lmtess as duration
n Hence sound and comprehensive policy shonld
embrace mol less the distant future Than the urgs Mt
I preseni
The great objects ofour pursuits as people are
best TO pc attained by peace, and are entirely
sstent with the tranquility and interests OF the rest
OF mankind. With The neiehboring nations upon
our continsnt We should cultivate kindly and ira
leFnal relations
We can desire nothing in regard 10 them 80
much rs to see them consolidate their strength
and pursue the paths Of prosperity and happiness.
II II in tAe course Of their growth I'VE should open
new channels Of trade, and create additional facil
lilies for friendly intercourse The benefits realized
will be EQUAL and mutual
u OTtht Complicated European systems OF national
policy we have heretofore ben indep.ndent-
From their wars, their fumnls and anxieties We
have BEEN almost happily entirely exempt
Whilst these are confined 70 The nations which
gave them existence. and within their Legitimate
ljurisdelion, theT cannot affect except as they
appeal 10 our sympahes IN The cause If human
freedom and universal advancement
But the vast interests Of commerce are common
10 ar tnsnkind and the advantages OF trade and
/ International fntereOurne nfust aftars nfesenf Z