The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-03-09
THE INAUGURAL ADDESS:
Of the President of the United states.
WAsr1neror. March 4. 1a5s.

can know the personal regret and bitter sorrow
over which haze l.een borne 10 position suit
able for others, rather than desir4be for myself
The circumstances under which l have beer !
called ior limited period to preside over the dss /
tinies Of this republic, ill me with a profound |
eeDse of responsibility, but with nothing lie /
shrinking apprehensions. repair TO the post as.
signed me, not as to sought, but in obedience
to the unsolicited expressions of your will, ac-
swerab.e only for fearless, faithful and digens
exercise If my best powers. | oughtsio be, aud
an, truly grateful for the rare manifestation ofae
Dations confidence; but this, SO far ftom ss',iet'-
ing my obligations, only adds 10 their weight.
You have summoned mo in my weakness; you
mn sustain me by Jour strength.
When looking for the fuIflmcut of reasonable
requirements. you VIII not be unHiallul of the
| great cbsngss which have occurred. ever within
the last quarter cf century. and The consequent
augmentation and conult xity Of duties imposed
on the administration boh Of your home and
foreign rffairs. Whether the e,enents of inhe-
rent lurce ia the republic have kept race with lis
unparalleled progression in territory. poi'ua,iop
and wealth. has been The suiec. of EARNEST thought
| ard discussion both sides of the ocean.
Less than sixty three years ago the Father IF
lis Country made the recent accession of the
important State of North Carolina to the confed
sruiion of the United States. Of the subjects
of his special consideration. At that moment, how
ever. when the agitation consequent upon the
revolutionary struggle had hardly subsidized
whom we were just emerging from The weakness
and euGarrassmerts OF the confederation, there
was an evident Consciousness of ygor equaI TO the
great mission SO wisely and bravely fulfilled by
our fathers. 1t was not presumptuous assur-
ance, but calm faith springing from Gear view
of the sources of power in government eonstitut-
ed like uurs 1t is NO paradox 10 say, that although
comparatively weak, The new-born nation was in
| iiiuscaiy strong. Inconsiderable in population
| and apparent resources, it upheld by broad
and intelligent comprehension of rights, and an a
i,ervading purpose maintain them stronger than
u nla-nts. : 1t came from the furnance of tils
Revolution tempered to the necessityof the tunes.
The thoughts of the men of that day were as
practical as Their thoughts were patriotic. They
wasted no portion Of their energies upon idle and
deiusive specula,ious, but With firm and fearless
step advanced beyond tho governmental land
marks which had hitherto circumscribed the limits
where it has stood against dangers which have
threatened from abroad, and internal agitation
which has AZ times fsa,fuily meaaced Mt home.
They proved themselves equal to the solution OF
the problem to understand which their minds had
been Illuminated by the dawnins lights of the
Revelation. The object sought was not thing
dreamed of, it was thing realized. They sx-
hibted not only the power to achieve, but what
all history affirmed to be so much more unusual,
the capacity to maintain. The opp eased through
out the WORLD fIom that day to the present, have
turned their eyes hitherwarj, not TO find those
lights exiinguished, or to fear last they should
wane; but TO be constantly chesred by their steady
and increasing radiance. In this, our country has,
in my Judgment, thua far fulfilled its highest duty
: 10 sing hnmani'y 1t has sp ken, and will
continue TO speak not only by its words but by its
acts. .ihe language Of sympathy and encouragement
to ttezA who earnestly listen to tones which pro-
nounce for The largest rational liberty. But alter
I'll. the most annatipg epcourag cement and potent
appeal for freedom vii! be ts own his ory, its trial.
and its triumph. Pre-eminenily the power of our
advocacy reposes in our example; bat no example
be it remembered, can be powerful for lasting
good, whatever appai ent advantage may be gsined
which is not based on eternal principles of righl
) and justice.
y Our fathers decided for themselves both uron
the hour to declare and The hour to strike. They
were their own judges of the circumstances unde,
r which it becnms them to pledge to each other
their lives. their fortunes, md their sacred honor
= for tho acquis;to of the priceless inheritance
o transmitted to us The energy with which tha,
great conflict opened. and uuder lie guidance o
o a manest and b nt ficiHi Providence, the uncom-
i plaioing endurance with which it was prosecuted
r to its consummaion, were only surpassed by the
wisdom and patient spirit Of concession which
characterized all the councils of the early fathers
One of The most impressive evidences of that " is
dorn5 is to be found in tho fact that the actual
working of our system has dispelIed a degree oI
solicude which the outset distui bed bold hearss
and far reaching intelects The apprehension Of
dangers from extended territory, multiplied States
accumulated wealtt. anI augmented population,
has proved to be unfourded. The stars upon your
, bunner have become nearly threefod their origi-
nal number. Your densely populated posses
sions skirt the shores of two great oceans and yet
this vast increase f people and territory has not
only shown itself compatible with the harmonious
action of the States and the Federal Governments
in their respective constitutional spheres but has
afforded an additional guaranty Of ths strength and
integrity of both.
! With an experience thus sasgastivo and cheer
ing. The policy Of my administration will not be
controlled by any timii torebodngs of evil fiom
expansion. Indeed it is not to be disguised that
our uttule Us n nn,ioa. aud our POSITION the
globe render the acquisition of certnn possessions
i not within our jurisdiction. eminently important
for our protscttop If in the future essential for
The preservation Of the rights of commerce and the
D peace of the worlJ, should thew be- obtained
through GO grasplng spirit, but with n view to
o"S'o"s national interests and security, and in a
manner consistent with the s!rieiest observance Of
| r