The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1853-03-11
Inaugural Address,
.PREsIDEAT FRANKLIN PIERCE.
,WAsuIsoros, March a, .S5s,

/ have been called, for q limited period, to pres
side over the destinies Of The Republic, 6llme
with Rprofound sense Of responsibility but
with nothing Hike shrinking apprehensionS I
repair to the post assigned me, one not sought
but in obedience to the unsolicited expression,
Of your will. answerable only for a fearless
faithful and diligent execution Of my best
powers sis j taSs h
Iought 10 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 sumlnons
ed me In my weakness, you must sustain me By
yopF strength. When looking for the fulfil
nentsof reasonable requirements, you will nos
be unnindful Of the great changes which haye
occurred EVEN thin the lRsy quarter OF asesSs
tury and the consequent augmentation and
complexity Of duties imposed on the admins
tration, both of your home and foreign affairs.
Whether the elements of inherent force, in
the Republic, have kept pace with its uDpar-
alleled progression in territory, population,
and wealth, has been the subject of learned
thought and discussion on both sides Of the
ocean. Less than sixty-three years ayo, the
Father of his country made the then receut ac-
cession Of North Carolina to the United States,
one Of the subjects Of his special congratula-
tions. Atthat moment, however, when the ag
itation conse quent upon the revolutionary
struggle, had partly subsidized /; when we were
fast emerging from the weakness and embar-
rassment of the confederation, there was an ev-
ident consciousness OF vigor, equal TO the great
mission, which was so wisely and brayely full
filed by our fathers. It was not presumpt-
uous assurance, but calm faith, springing
from clear view of the source of power in a
government constituted like ours; and it is no
paradox o say, that although weak, the new
born nation was intrinsically strong. Incon-
siderable in population and apparent resources
it was upheld by broad and intelligent com
prehension Of right and an ah-pervading pur-
pose TO maintain that power stronger than ar
maments, it came from the freemen of the
Revolution, tempered to the necessity Of the
times. sjts lsl
The thoughts of the men of that day were pa
triotic; they wasted no portion Of their energies
upon idle and delusiye speculations; but with q
firm and fearless step, advanced beyond the gov
ernmental landmarks, which had hitherto cir
cumscribed the limits Of hnman freedom, and
plantedtheirstandard whereit had stood agains,
the dangers which threatened itfrom abroad and
internal agitation, which had fearfully menaced
it at home. They proved themselves equal tC
the solution of the great problem, and showed
that their minds had been illuminated by tn,
dawning light of the revolution. The objec
sought, was not thing dreamed of, but was
thing realized. They hal exhibited the powe
not only to achieve, but as all history affirms
that power, so much more unusual, the capaci
ty to maintain. The oppressed throughout tn,
world, from that day to the present, have turned
their eyes hitherward, not to find these light,
extinguished, or 10 fear lest they should wane
but to be cheered by their steady and increasing
b:ilhaucy, H7 ~
In this, our country has. in my Judgment
lulhlled its highest duty to suffering humanity
1t has spoken, and will continue to speak, no
only by its words, but by its acts, in languag
OF sympathy, encouragement and hope. to al
those who earnestly listen to tones which pro
claim the largest national liberty. But afe
all, the most animative encouragement and pc
tent appeal for freedom, will be its own history
and its triumphs. Pre-eminenly the power O
our advocacy reposes in our example but nj
example, be it remembered, canbe pow erful 70
lasting good, whatever apparent advantages
may be gained, which is not based upon th,
eternal principles Of right and Justice.
Our fathers decided for themselves, both upol
the hour to declare, and the hour to strike they
were their own judges of the circumstance
under which it became them to pledge to eacl
other, their lives. fortunes, and their sacred
honors, for tie acquisition of the priceless in
stitutions transmitted to US.
The energy with which that great confic
was opened, under the manifest guidance of I
munifcent Providence the uncomplaining en-
durance with which it was prosecuted to it
N oti ua hty
wisdom, and patriotic spirit, and the conces
sons which characterised all the early father
Of our country.
One Of the most impressive evidences Of tha
wisdom is to be found in the past, that the &C
tual working of our system, has dispelled tha
degree of solicitude, which, at the outset, dis
turbed bold hearts, and far reaching intellects
The apprehension of dangers from extende,
territory by multiplied States, accumulatet
wealth and augmented population, has proyel
have become nearly three-fold their origina
number; your densely populated possessions
skirt the shores of two great oceans, and ye
this vast increase of people and territory, ha
not only shown itself compatible with the har
monous action Of the States, and the fedora
government in their respective constitutional
spheres, puG nus anoruea an aualtionai guar
antee OF the strength and integrity OF both
With an experience thus suggested, the polio.
OF my administration viii not be controlled 3.
n; ~ IL u uOt ~ 81 u %;srn;sad % % ,ha, att;
o,;an anJ onr po.;,;on at ~, ~ ~, ,,aS, %IS,
uu1 40 ans ge Sps.s;n " s siVDs
' HnaS. a for ~ ovr ~ rotdcs;on ssse0s,V e. ~
stus inI lsoat;ai fortSe @ @ nrpsOrs.,;nn o y ~ ~
.ase anu nS vs5'S sor ,ha ~ Srs sos' ,bo noid y ~
Tha. - anu ~ ~. yne odS9 ~ Sno
ar saOu niv;, ivt Hvt ~;,b v;ew 10 natop.