The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-03-09
PRESIDENT PIHRCE's
GuRAL ADDRESS

PRESIDENT PIERCE's q
ADDRESS.
Fsllow Citizens:-The circumstances in
which have been called, for limited period,
to preside over the destinies of the Republic,
fill me with a profound sense of responsible
ty; but, with nothing like shrinking appre-
tensions, repair to the post assigned me,
unsought, but in obedience to the unsolicited
expressions of your will, answerable only
for a fearless, faithful, and diligent exertion
OF my best powers. -
ought to be, and am truly grateful for the
rare manifestation of a nations confidence;
but this, so far from tightening my obligations
only adds to their weight. You have sum-
moned me in my weakness. You must sus-
tain me By your strength. When looking
for the ful6lment of reasonable requirements,
you will not be unmindful of the great chan
ges which have occurred, even within the last
quarter of century, and the consequent aug
mentation and completely Of duties imposed
on the administration, both of your home and
foreign affairs.
Whether the elements of inherent force,
in the Republic, have kept pace with it's un-
PARALLEL 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 ago, the
Father of his country, made the then recent
accession of North Carolina, to the United
States, one of the subjects of his special con-
graduation. s--
At that moment however, when the agita-
ton consequent upon the revolutionary strug-
gle, had partly suDsded, when we were just
emerging from the weakness and embarraSs-
ment of the confederation, there was an evil
dent consciousness ofvigor, equal to the great
mission, witch was so wisely and bravely full
filled by our fathers. 1t was not p-esump-
tious assurance, but a calm faith, springing
| from clear view OF the source of power in a
Government, constituted like ours; and, it is
no paradox to say, that although weak, the
new born nation, was intrinsicaily strong
Uncomfortable in population and apparent re-
sources, it was upheld by broad and intelli-
gent comprehension of right; and an all per-
vading purpose to maintain that power; stron-
ger than ornaments, it came from the furn-
ace of the Revolution, tempered to the neces-
sity Of the times. ~
The thoughts of the men of that d,y were
patriotic; they wasted no portion of their en-
erses upon idle and delusive spec ulations,
but, with firm aad fearless step, advanced
beyond the governmental landmarks, which
had hitherto circumscribed the limits of hu-
man freedom, and planted their standard
where it has stood against the dangers which
threatened it from abroad, and internal agta-
ton which has fearfully menaced il at home.
They proved themselves equal to the solution
of the great problem, and showed that their
minds had been illuminated by the dawning
light OF The revolution. The object sought
was not thing dreamed of, but was thing
realized, She had exhibited the power nol
Only to achieve, but as all history firms, tina,
power which is much more unusual the capac.
ity to maintain. The oppressed Throughout,
the world, from that day to the present, have
turned their eyes hi,herward, not to find these
lights extinguished, or to lear lest they should
wane, but to be cheered by their steady ant
increasing brilliancy. In this, our country
to suffering '-hi humanity. y
1t has spoken and will continue to speak
not only by its words, but by its acts, in Ian.
guage Of sympathy, encou- agement and hope
to all those who earnestly listen TO tones
which proclaim the largest national liberty.-
But. after all, the most animating encour.
agement and potentappeal for freedom, will
be its own triumphs. Pre-eminently the
power OF our advocacy reposcs in our exam.
pie, but no example, be it remembered, can
be powerful for lasting good, whatever appa-
rent advantages may be gained, which is not
based upon the eternal principles of right and
justice.
| Our fathers decided for themselves, both
upon the hour to declare, and the hour T.
strike: they were their own Judges of the
circumstances under which it became the m
to pledge to each other their lives, fortunes
and sacred honors for the acquisition of the
principles and inheritance transmitted To rs.
The energy with which that great conflicr
was opened, uuder the manifest guidance of
a munihcent Providence; the uncomplaining
endurance with which it was prosecuted to
Its consumaiion, were only surpassed by the
wisdom and the patriotic spi' it, and the con-
cesslons which characterised all the councils
of the early fathers of our country. One OF
the most impressive evidences of that wis
dom is to be found in the fact, that the actu-
al working of our system has dispelled that
degree of soficitude which, at the outset dis
turbed bold hearts and far reaching inteilects.
The apprehension of dingers from extended
territory, multiplied States, &C cumulated
wealth and augmented population, has PROV ed
to be unfoHnded. re 500.
The stars upon your banner have become
nearly threefold their original number
Your densely populated possessions skirt the
shores OF two great oceans, and yet this ". ..
increase of people and territory has not only
shown itself compatible with the harmonious
action OF the States and The federal govern.
ment in their respective constitutional spheres
but has afforded an additional guar antee oil
the strength and integrity of both. With an
experience thus suggested, the policy of my
administration will not be controlled by any
timid forebodings of evil from expansions; in.
coed. it is not to be disguised, that our attitude
and our position on the globe, :ender the acqu.
sition OF certain possessions, not within our
jurisdiction, evidently important for our pro.
lection in the fufure and aSSantial Ca= q IL