The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1853-03-10
ADDRESS
or the President OF the U. stntes.
wAsHlserox, March 4, 1853.

WASHINGTON, mdrcn q, 1908.
My C uatrymeRs-t is a relief to feel that
no heart but my own can know the personal
roget and bitter sorroN over which have
been borne to a position so suitable for 9TH
ers, rather than desirable for myself. The
circumstances under whirh / have been-csl-
led for a limited period to preside over the
Idestinies Of this Republic, fill me with a pro-
found sense Of responsibility, but with moth
ing like shrinking apprehensions. repair
to the post assigned inc, not as to one sought,
but in obedience, 10 the unsolicited ezpres-
sions Of yOur will, Hnswerable only for a fear
less, faithful aud diligent exercise Of my
powers. ought to he, and am truly, CRATE
full for the rare manifestation ofthe nations
confidence; but this so far from tightening
my obligations, only adds to their weight
You have summoned me in my wenknessj
you must sustain me by your strength.
When looking for the ful6llment Of reas-
enable requirements, you will not be un.
mindful Of the great changes which have oc-
cured, even within the last quarter Of a
century, and the consequent augmentation
and complexity of duties imposed on the ad-
ministfation both Of your home and foreign
affairs. Whether the elements of inherent
force in the republic have kept pace with its
unparalleled progression in territory, popu-
latiou and wealth., has been the subject of
earnest thought on both sides Of the ocean.
!, Less than sixty-three years ago the Faith
> er Of his Country made the recent accession
Of the important State Of North Carolina to
: the confederation of the United States, one
G of the subjects of his special consideration
| At that moment, however, when the agita-
ton consequent upon the revolutionary
struggle had hardly snbsided-when we were
just emerging from the weakness and en-
B barrassments of the confederation, there
was an evident consciousness of vignr equal
I to the great mission so wisely and bravely
fulfilled by our fathers. 1t was not u pre-
sumptuous assurance but a calm faith spring
| ing from a clear view Of the sources Of pow
. er in a government constituted like ours
u II is no paradox to say, that although COM
parHtively weak, the newborn nation was
intrinsically strong. Inconsidersble in popu-
II latiOD and apparent resources, il was upheld
u by a broad and intelligent comprehension OF
| rights, and an ail-pervading purpose to main
d tain them, stronger than ornaments. 1t
came from the furnace of the Revolution
! tempered TO the necessity Of the times
i The thoughts Of the men of that day
u were as practical as their thoughts were
d patriotic. They wasted no portion of their
energies upon idle and delusive speculations,
but with a firm and fearless step advanced
s beyond the governmental landmarks which
had hitherto circumscribed the limits Of hu-
o man freedom, and planted their standard
where il lFas stood against dangers which
have threatened from abroad, and internal
g agitation which has at times f~earfully men,
aced at home. They proved themselves
equal to the solution of the great problem to
understand which their minds had been IL
Illuminated by the d~awning lights of the Rev
: ~olution. The object sought was rot a thing
dreamed Of, II was a thing realized. They
exhibited not only the power to achieve, but,
i what all history affirmed to be so much more
unusual, the capacity to maintain. The
oppressed throughout the world, from that
day to the present, have turned their eyes
, hitherward, not to find those lights extin-
q %guishedr or to fear less they should wane;
a but to be constantly cheercd by their steady
and increasing radiance. In this, our coun.
If try has, in my Judgment, thus far fulfilled its
highest duty to suffering humanity. 1t has
: spoken, and will continue to speak, not only
by it's words but by It's acts, the language OF
sympathy and encouragement TO those who
= earnestly listen 10 thnes which pronounce
for the largest RATIONAL liberty. But, after
all, the most animating encouragement and
i potent appeal for freedom will be its own
, history, its triak~ and js triumph. Pre-emi-
; nent|y the power u fodr advocacy reposes in
x our example; but no example, b. it remem-
beIed,can be powerful for lasting good, what
ever apparent advantage may be gained
which is not based On eirrnc4 principles OF
: right and %justicc.
Z Our fathers decided for themselves both
u upon the hour to declare and the hour to
# strike. They were their own judges of the
h circumstances under which it became them
to pledge to each.other their lives, their for.
tunesr aatNtheir sacred honor, for tlpe' acqui-
l. sition Of the priceless inheritance transmit
ted to us. The energy with which thai
great conflict opened, and under the guild.
ance ola manifest and beniicial Providence
the accomplishing endurance with which il
was prosecuted to its contamination, were
4 only surpassed by the wisdom and patien,
spirit Of concession which characterized all
the councils of the early fathers. One o
Y the most impressive evidences Of that wis.
o dom is to be found in the fact that the actu-
y al working of our system has dispelled n de.
gree of solicitude which at the outset dis
I turbed bold hearts and far reaching intel.
$ lects. The apprehension Of dangers from
extended territory, multiplied States and
accumulated wealth, and augmented popula.
ton, has prOveJto be unfounded. The stars
upon your banner have become nearly three.
v fold their original number. Your densely
e populated possessions skirt the shores OF two
great oceans, and yet this vast increase oil
people and territory has not only shown
o itself compatible with the harmonious ac-
ton Of the States and the Federal Govern.
m.nt. in. their respective constitutional
spheres, but has afforded an additional guar
G any Of the strength and integrity of both.
r With an experience thus suggestive and
Il cheering, the policy of my administratio
q will not be controlled by any timid forebod.
Jugs Of evil from expansion. Indeed it is
. not to be disguised that our attitude as a
8 nation, and our position on the globe, rem
der the acquisition Of certain possessions
not within our Jurisdiction, eminently i'm
=, portant for our protection, If not in future
essential for the preservation of the rights oil
commerce and the peace ofthe world, should
they he obtained through no grasping spirit,
but with a view to obvious national inter
ests aud security, and in manner consist
Q ent wish the ~strictest observance of nation
al faith.
We have nothing in our history or posi-.
ton to invite aggression. We have every
G thing to beckon TO the cultivation of rela.
n Time nf naaca md am;ty y,;tb al ...;a-.