Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-03-09
Ssse ses1U%ssHRfiOks.

from places more or less remote, than on any pre-
vious occasion OF the kind. The procession was
formed in trent Of the City Hall, and about noon
mar I'd thence. down Louisiana to Pennsylvania
Avenue to escort the President Fleet from his
lodgings ('yillard's H6,el)' to tire Capitol.
Arrived at the Hotel, the procession was joncd
by an open banuche, containing the President
and President Eject, the Hon. Jesse d. Bright
and Hannibal .liamlin. Of the Committee Of Ar
raugeneEts 1.-The barouche being surrounded BY the
Marshal of the District of Columbia aud his Aids.
The President, President Elect, and Commit
tee of Arrangements, Marshals, Sc, having ar
rived in the Senate Chamber, after the usual for
malties there they proceeded thence TO the Plat
form erected fer the occasion over the steps lead
ing up 1.-THE eastern p6rtico. The President f.
lect then stood forward, land, holding up his right
hand took heoath ofottice, which was admins
tered by the Chief Justice of the United States
The new President then delivered his Inaugu-
raj Address, without the use of notes or written
paper, but with much energy and considerable or
aturical action and With strong, clear. voice,
that made itself heard over nearly all that large
area which TO his eye was floor of from len to
fifteen thousand appraised and eager couutenances.
The scene on the pOrtico during the administra-
ton Of the oath, and the delivery Of the address,
was imposing in the extreme. Prominent in the
foreground stood the incoming and outgoing Pres
idents, the city Justice Of the Supreme Court AM
his associates, the new Cabinet and the old Cabl-
net, Senators and Representatives, the members Of
the Corps Diploaatique in the gorgeous uniforms
Of their respective -alLunc0vered, amidst
driving snow storm, whilst the.rchosen ruler OF
this great Republic sDemnlytook his oath to main
tain the Constitution inviulate.
TIE ADDRESS.
My CoUNTRyMES.---It is relief to feel that
no heart but my own can know the pers nal re-
pret and bitter sJrrUw, over which | have been
borne to position, 50 suitable for others, rather
than desirable for myself.
The circumstances, under which have been
called, fora limited period topreside over the des-
TIMES of the Republic, fill me with q profound
sense of responsibility, but with nothing like
shrinking apprehension. | repair to the post as
signed me, notas to cue sought, but in obedience
to the unsolicited expression Of your will, answer
able only fora fearless, faithful, and diligent ex-
ercse Of my best powers + ought TO be, and am,
truly grateful for the rare manifestation Of the
nations confidence but this. so far from tighten
ing my obligations, only adds to their weight
You have summoned me in my weakness you
must sustain me by your strength. when looking
for the fullhlment Unreasonable requirements, you
will not be unmindiul Of the great changes which
have occurred even within the last quarter Of
a century, and the consequent augmentation and
c2mpleXity Of duties imposed, in the administra-
tron both of your home and foreign affairs.
Whether the elements of inherent force in the
Republic have kept pace with lis unparalleled
progression in territory. population, and wealth,
has been the subject Uf earnest thought and dis
cussion, ON both sides of the ocean. Less than
sixty three years ago, the Fatherof his Country
made the then recent accession Of the impor-
taut State of North Carolina to the Constitution
of the United States" one of the subjects OF his
special congrauaton. At that moment, how
ever, when the agitation consequent upon the rev.
olu,onary, struggle had hardly subsidized, when we
were just emerging from the weakness and en-
barrassments Of the Confederation, there was an
evident consciousness Of viGOr, equal to the great
mission 81 wisely and brayely fulfilled by our Ia
Tiers. 1t was not presumpuous assurance, but
calm faith, springing from clear view OF the
sources of power, in government constituted like
ours. 1t is no paradox to say that, although con-
paratively weak, the newborn nation was lntrln-
sically strong Inconsderablc in population and
apparent resources, it was upheld by broad and
intelligent comprehension Of rights. and an all-per-
vading purpose to maintain them, stronger than
ornaments. 1t came from the furnace oil the rev.
olution. tempered to the necessities of the times.
The thoughts of the men Of that day were as prao-
teal as their sentiments were patriouc. 1hey
wasted no portion OF their energies upon idle and
decisive speculations, bat with firm and fearless
1 al, gFtt fol and
marks, which had hitherto circunscribed the lin
its ofhuman freedom, and planted their standard
where it has stood, against dangers which have
threatened from abroad. and internal agitation
which has at times feariuly men2ced at home
They approved themselves equal to the solution OF
the great problem, to understand which their minds
had been Illuminated by the dawning lights OF the
revolution The object sought was not a thing
dreamed of: it was thing realized" They had
exhibited not only the power to achieve, but what
all history affirms TO be SUmueh more unusual the
capacity to maintain The oppressed thrc ughCu
the world, from that day TO the present, have turn
ed their eyes hitherward not to find those lights
extinguished, or to fear lest they should wane but
to te constantly cheered by their steady and IN
creasing radiance.
In this, our country has, in myjudgment, thus
far fulfilled its highest duty to sufioring humanity
1t has spoken, and will continue TO speak, not on
ly by its words but by its acts, the language of
sympathy, encouragement andhope, to those, who
earnestly listen to tones, which pronounce for the
largest rational liberty. But, after all, the most
animatiug encouragement and potent appeal for
freedom will be its own history, its trials and its
trumphs re-eminently the power Of our advo-
cacy reposes in our example but no example, be
IL Il
whatever apparent advantages may be gained
which is not based upon eternal principles Of right
and Justice. Our fathers decided for themselves,
both upon the hour to declare and the hour to strike
They were their own judges of the circumstances,
under which it became them to pledge to each
other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred
honor" for the acquisition Of the priceless inheri
lance transmitted to us. Fhe energywith which
Guidance of manifest and Denefcient Providence,
e>uncomplaining endurance with which it was
prosecuted to its contamination. Were only sur
passed by the wisdom and patriotic spirit of CON
cesson which characterized all the counsels the
early 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 dispelled degree of
solcitude. which, al the outset, disturbed bold
hearts and tar-reaching intellects. The appre-
henson of dangers from extended territory, multi.
Piled States, accumulated wealth, and Augmented
population, has proved to be uhf6unded The
stars upon your banner have become nearly three,
fold their original number, your densely populated
possessions skirt the shores OF the two great O.
ceans, and yet this vast increase ofpeop and ter
ritory has not only shown itself compatible with
the harmonious action of the State and the Fede-
raj government in their respective constitutional
spheres, but has afforded an additional guarantee
OF the strength and Integrity of both.
With, an experience thus suggestive and cheer
a. he