The Woodville Republican, and Wilkinson advertiser. (Woodville, Miss.) 1853-18??, 1853-03-22

INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
President Franklin Pierce.
The People must Sustain the President,


FelloC. Citizens-The circumstances under
which have been called, for limited period,
to preside over the destiny of the Republic, ill
me with profound sense of the responsibility,
but with nothing like shrinking apprehensions.
repair to the post assigned, not as to one
sought for, but in obedience to the unsolicited
expression of your will, answerable only for
fearless, faithful, and digent execution of My
just powers. fought to be and am truly CRATE
full for the rare manifestation of the nations
confidence; but this, so far from lessening my
obligations, only adds to their weight You
must sustain me by your strength. When look
ing for the ful6ment of reasonable require
ments, you will not be unmindful of the great
changes which have occurred even within the
last quarter Of century, and the consequent
augmentation and complexity of duties imposed
on the administration, both of your home and
foreign affairs. Whether the clements Of in-
herent force of the Republic have kept pace
with its unparalleled progression in territory
population and wealth, has been the subject of
earnest thought and discussion on both sides of
the ocean.
Retrospect.
Less than sixty-three years ago, the Father
of his Country made the then recent accession
of North Carolina, one of the subjects of his
special congratulation; at that moment, how
ever, when the agitation consequent upon the
revolutionary struggle had partially subsided,
when we were just emerging from the weak
ness and embarrassment of the Confederation,
there was an evident consciousness of vigor,
equal to the great mission which was so wisely
and bravely fulfilled by our fathers. 1t was
not presumptious assurance, but calm faith,
springing from clear view OF the sources OF
power of government constituted like ours.
II is no paradox TO say that although weak,
the newborn nation was intrinsically strong.
lnconsderable in population and apparent re-
sources, it has upheld the broad and intelligent
comprehension made of the right and al-per-
vading purpose to maintain the stronger power.
II came from the furnace of the revolution tenn
pered TO the necessity of the times. The
thoughts of the men of that day were patriotic
they wasted none of their energies upon idle
or delusiye speculations, but with firm and
fearless step advanced beyond the government
tai landmarks which had hitherto circumscrib-
ed the limits of human freedom, and planted
their standard where il has stood against dam
gers from abroad and the internal agitation
which has at times fearfully menaced them at
home. They have proved themselves equal to
what their minds had been illuminated with by
the dawning light Of the revelation, The OBJ
iect sought was not thing dreamed Of; ii was
thing realized They bad exhibited, not only
the power to achieve, but what history affirms
to be much more unusual, the capacity to main
tain. The oppressed throughout the world,
from that day to the present, have turned their
eyes hitherward not to find these lights extn-
- c. Ia. tha.v huf
to be constantly cheered by their steady and
increasing radiance In this our country has,
in my opinion, fulfilled its highest duties TO
suffering humanity. 1t has spoken, and will
continue to speak, not only by its words, but by
its acts--in language of sympathy encourage
ment and hope, to those who earnestly listen to
tones which pronounce for the largest rational
liberty. But, after all, the most animatlng en-
couragement and patient appeal for freedom
will be its own history and its trlumphs, and
prominently, the power Of our example; but
no example, be il remembered, can be power
ful for lasting good, whatever apparent advan-
tages may be gained, which is not based upon
the eternal principles Of right and justice
Our Progress.
Our fathers decided for themselves, both up
on the hour to declare and The hour to strike
they were their own judges of the circumstan-
ces under which il became them to pledge to
each other atheir lives, thei. fortunes, and
their sacred honor" for the acquisition Of their
priceless inheritance. transmitted TO as. The
energy with which that great conflict was open
ed, and, under the guidance Of a manifest and
munifcent Providence, the uncomplaining en-
durance with which il was prosecuted to It's
consummation, were only surpassed by the
wisdom and patriotic spirit and concessions
which characterized all the counsels Of the ear
" fathers. One Of the most impressive evi-
dences OF That wisdom is 10 be found in the
fact, that the actual working Of our system has
dispelled degree Of solicitude, which at the
outset disturbed bold hearts and far-reaehing
intellects. Tho apprehension ofdanger from ex-
tended territory--States accnmulated-wcalth,
and augmented population, has proved to be
unfounded. The stars upon your bsnner have
become nearly thrse-fod their original number;
your densely populated possessions skirt the
shores Of two great oceans; and jet, this vast
Increase of territory and people has not only
shown Itself compatible with the harmonious
action Of the State and Lederai Governments
10 their respective cousttutionaT srllrress lHt