The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-03-09
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF
ANKLlN PIERCE

orne 10 position so suitable Tor others rather
han desirable for myself The circumstances
nder which | have been called, for limited
eriod to preside over the desnics of the Re
ublic, fill me with profound sense of respon
with nothing like speaking of APP
'rchension, repair to the post assigned me,
,ot as to one sought but in obedience to the |
unsolicited expression of you. will. Response
de only FIR fearless, faithful and d!ligent ex
'rcise Of my best powers, l ought to be and am
ruly grateful for the rare manifestation of the
rational confidence.
But this, far from tightening my obliga
ions, only adds TO their weight. You have
me inmy weakness, you mus, sustain
me with your strength, when looking for the
Iulfilment of reasonable requirements You
will not be unmindful of the great changes
which have occurred even within the last quar-
ter OF a century, and the consequent complex
l'y OF duties in the administration, both of your
home and fo.eign affairs. Whether the ele-
ments OF inherent force of the Republic have
kept pace with its unparalleled progression in
Territorial population and wealth, has been the
subject of earnest thought and discussion on
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 con-
federation Of the United States 1t was one of
the subjects Of his special congratuation at
That moment, however, when the agitation con-
sequent upon the revolutionary struggle had
hardly subsidized, when we were Just emerging
from the embarrassment Of the Confederation,
that there was an evident consciousness of
vigor equal to the great mission so wisely and
bravely fulfilled by our fathers.
1t was not presumptlve assurance, but a
calm faith, springing from clear view of the
sources Of power In government constituted
like ours, it is no paradox to say that although
comparatively weak, the new born nation was
lnsensibly strong. In condition, in population,
and apparent resources it was upheld by a broad
and intelligent comprehension of rights, and an
all pervadins purpose to maintain them, stronger
than ornaments 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
prophetic as their sentiments were patriotic.
They wasted no portion Of their energies upon
idle and deusive speculations, but with firm
and fearless step advanced beyond governmental
landmarks which had hitherto circums ribbed
the limits OF human freedom, and planted
their standard where it has stood against dam
gers which have threatened from abroad, and
an internal agitation, which has, at times, fear
fully menaced at home. They have proved
themselves equal to the solution of the great
problem, t. understand which, their minds had
been Illuminated by the dawnng light Of the
revolution. The ooject sought was not thing
dreamed of, it was thing realised. They had
not only the power to achieve, but what all
history affirms 10 be as much more unusual
the capacity to maintain. The oppressed
throughout the world from that day the present
have turned their eyes hitherward, not to find
those lights extinguished, or to fear lest they
should wane, but to be cheered by their steady
and increasing radiance.
In this our country has, in my judgment. thus
far fulfilled itshighest duty to suffering hui
mainly. 1t has spoken, and it will continue
to speak not only by its words, but by its acts
the language Of sympathy and encouragement,
| to those who listen to tones which pronounce
the largest rational liberty But after all, the
most enthusiastic and potent appeal for free
dom will be its own history its trials, and its
trumphs.
Preeminently the power of our confederacy
reposes IN our example; but no example, be
| it RENE mbered, can be powerful for lasting good
whatever apparent advantage may be gained
| which is not based upon eternal principles Of
right and justice.
Our fathers decided for themselves both
upon the power to declare, and the power
to strike; they were their own Judges Of
the circumstances under which it became me-
cessary for them to pledge to each other " then
tires their fortunes, and their sacred honor" fol
the acquisition of the priceless inheritance trans
mitted to US. The energy with which that grea
conflict opened under the guidance of a benificen
Providence,-the endurance with which it wa.
prosecuted to its consumation, were only sur
passed by the wisdom, patience and spirit o.
concession, which characterised all the councils
of the early Fathers and the last impressive evi
| dence of that wisdom, is to be found in the fac
| that the actual working of the institutions es-
ta5lished by our sres, has dispelled ell feeling:
of solicitude which at the outset, disturbed bolc
| hearts and far-reachng intellects.
| The apprehension of danger from ex
| tended territory, multiplied States, accumuat
ed wealth, and augmented population has PROVED
to be unfounded. The STARS upon your banner
have brought nearly three-fold to their origina
| number, while your possessions skirt the shore:
of the two great oceans, and yet this vast in
crease OF people and of territory, has not only
| shown itself compatible with the harmonou
| action Of the States and the federal government
| in their respective constitutional spheres, bu
has afforded an additional guarantee of the
| strength and integrityof both
With an experience thus suggestive and cheer.
ing, the policy of my administration, will not b.
controlled by any timid forebodings of evil from
expansion. Indeed, it is not to be disguised
| that our attitude as nation, and our position or
the globe, render the acquisition Of certain
possessions not within jurisdiction, emf
nentIy important for our protection, if not il
| the future essential to the preservation of The
rights, the commerce, and the peace of the
world Should they be obtained, it will be
thought no grasping spirit, but with view to
obvious national interests and security, and in
manner entirely consistent with the strictes
observance of national faith.
We have nothing in our history or position tc
invite aggression. We have every thing to im-
press upon US the cultivation of relations oil
peace and amity. | intend my administration
shall leave no blot upon our fair name, and trust
may safely give the assurance that no legis
lative act within scope Of my constitutional con
troll will be tolerated on the part of any portion
Of our citizens, which cannot challenge ready
justification before the tribunal of the civilised
world. An administration would be unworthy
of conf .dence at home, or respect abroad,
should it cease to be influenced by the convic-
ton that no apparent advantage can be pur.
chased at price SO dear, as that of national
wrong or dishonor.
1t is not your privilege as nation, to speak
Of a distant past the striking incidents of your
history, replete with instruction and furnish
ing abundant grounds for hopeful confidence
are comprised in a period comparatively brief
But if your past is limited, your future is bound
less. The obligations that throng the unexplor
ed pathway of advancement, will be limltless
as duration. Hence, sound and comprehen
slve philosophy should embrace no less.,he dis
tant future, than the urgent present
The great objects of our pursuit as PEG
pie are best to be attained by peace, and are
entirely consistent with the Tranquility and inter
ests of the rest Of mankind. With the neigh
boring nations in our continent we should cult
vate kindly and friendly relations. We can de.
sire nothing in regard to that, so much as to see
them consolidate their strength and pursue the
path of prosperity and happiness. If in the
course of their growth we should open new
channels of trade and create additional facilities
for friendly intercourse, the benefits realized
will be equal and mutual.
Of the complicated European systems Of
national policy, we have heretofore been inde-
pendent From their wars, their troubles, and
anxie,ies we have been happily almost entirely
exempt. While these are confined to the ma
tons which gave them existence and with their
separate jurisdiction, they cannot effect us ex-
cept as they appeal to our sympathies in the
cause of human freedom and universal advance
ment But the vast interests of commerce are
common to all mankind, and the advantages OF
trade and international intercourse must always
present noble field for the moral influence OF