The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-03-18

United States, delivered 10 the Senate
and members OF the House or Represen
tatives Of the United States, and thou
sar ds Of American citizens, in front q
the Capitol, the following
INAUGURAL ADDRESS:
My CoUNTRYMEN:--It is q relief tc
feel ,ha, no heart but my own, can know
the personal regret and bite, sorrow owe
which have been borne, TO position s,
suitable for others rather than desirable
for myself
The circumstances in which | have
been called for limited period, to pre-
side over the desiinies of the Republic
ill me with profound sense Of responsi
bilny, but with nothing like shrinking
apprehension. Irepair to the post as
signed me, not as to one sought, but in
obedience TO The unsolicited expression
Of your answerable only for a fear
less, faithful and dligen. exertion Of my
best powers. i ought TO be, and am
truly greaiful for The rare manifestation
of the Nations cnnfidence-b II this 50
far from tightening my obligations, only
adds 10 their weight. You have sunmon.
ed me in my weakness you must sustain
me by your strength. ''
When looking for the fulillmen, oI
reasonable requirements, you will moi be
unmindful Of the grea, changes which
have occurred even within the last quar-.
ter Of century; and the consequent
augmentation aud complexity Of duties
imposed on tho administration, both oI
your home and foreign affairs; whether
the elements Of inheren, force in the
Republic have kept pace with its unpar.
al!eled progression in territory and popul-
alton, and wealth, has been the subject
of earnest thought and discussion ON botl
sides of,he ocean. Less than sixiy.ihree G
years ago the Father Of his Country
made the then recent accession Of the
impor,an, State of North Carolina, TO the
confederacy Of the United States, one Of
his subjects Of special congratulation at
that moment. However, when the agi-
ta,ion consequent upon tho revolutionary
struggle mad partly subsided; when we
were just emerging from the weakness
and embarrassing Mt ofihe Confederation
there was an evident consciousness oI
viger, equal o',be great mission which
was SO wisely and Sravely fulfilled by
our fathers. 1t was not p:esumptuous
assurance, but calm faith, springing
from clear view Of the source OF power
in government, constituted like ours.
II is no paradox TO say thai, although
comparatively weak, the new born nation
was nlrinsically strong.
Inconside Fable in population and ap-
parent resources, il has been upheld BY
a proud and intelligent comprehension
of right, and an all pervadng purpose to
maintain them stronger than ornaments.
|, came from the furnace Of the Revolu-
ion tempered 10 the necessity Of the
times. The thoughts of the men Of that
day were as practical, as their sentiments
were palrio.ic-,hey wasted no portion
Of their energies upon idle and de-
lnsive speculations, but, with firm and
fearless step, advanced beyond the gov
ernmsnlal landmarks which had hitherto
circumscribsI The l,hils Of human free
dom, and planted their standard where it
has stood against dangers which have
threatened from abroad, and internal agi-
taiion which has a, times fearfully men,
aced at home. They have proved taem.
selves equal 10 the solution of the g'eal
problem, tn understand which their minds
had been Illuminated by the dawn'ng
lights of tbs Revolution. The object
sought was not thing dreamed Of,
was a thing realized. They had exhibit
ed moi only the power 10 achieve thai
which all history afirms to be SO mncl
more unusual, tho capacity TO maintain
the oppressed throughout The world, from
that lime to the present all eyes lave
turned hilberwurd, not TO find those
lights ex'inguished, or TO fear lest they
! should wane. but TO he constantly cheered
by their sieady and increasing radius
10 this, my country has, in my Judgment
thus far fulfilled its highest duty 10 suffer.
lug humanity. 1t has spoken, and will
continue to speak, noi only by its words
bu, by its acls, in language ofsympa,hy
encourage and hope to those who
earnestly listen to tones which pronounce
for the largest national libehy. But af-
ter all The most animating encourage
men, and potent appeal for freedom viii
be its own history, trials aud its 'ri-
nmphs.
Pre- eminently, the power of our advo
cacy reposes in pnr example, bu, no eS'
ample, be il remembered, can be power
ful for lasting good, whatever apparent
advantage may be gained, Which is MOI
based upon eternal principles of righ
aud Justice. Our fathers decided fo'
themselves, both npon the hour TO declare
and to strike. They we're their o"r
Judges of the circumstances under Which
lii become them in pledge to each other
their lives, their fortunes and their sacrcc
homer, for the acquisition ofthe priceless
IN t1a l'hQ pn