The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-10

5 Thomn.oo If Nav Jersey Robert Toombs,
of Georgia and William Wright OF New Jer-
sey.
THE INAUGURATION AND THE INAUGURAL.
Last Friday the Inauguration of the new
President took place. The city was thronged
with strangers, but the procession, CIVIC ana
military which escorted the President 70 the
CAPITOL. was a small one. The usual amount
of enthusiasm was displayed, and the ceremo-
MES of the inauguration, simple and not very
impressive. passed off without the occurrence
of ANYTHING remarkable The President did
not read his speech. but recited it, as If from
the rostrum to Il popular audience He COM
mended the wisdom OF our forefsthers, glorled
in the growth of our nation, avowed HIM
self in favor of the acquisition OF territory not
now under our jurisdiction, saw no danger TO
our Union from expansion, pledged his Admin
istratiou to peace good faith, and homer,
announced his purpose to protect the American
citizen wheresoever he might wander or So
journ, oomplimented the Army and Navy, de-
Federal Rights as to Office would demand tit
ness and fidelity, repeated the usual htany in
regard to the Compromises of the Constitution
Slavery and Fugitive Slaves, bowed reverently
before the Union, planted himself firmly upon
the Compromise measures of 1850, and hoped
that no sectional or ambitious, or fanatical
excitement" would again threaten the dura-
bility of our institutions. No distinctive Demo
cratic principle or measure was announced
no doctrine was uttered in regard to domestic
affairs which Mr. Fillmore has not uttered in
/ his annual messages no sentiment was ex-
pressed in relation to foreign affairs, which
had not been fully expressed by Mr.. Everett
in his letter about Cuba
The National Inteihgencer is, on the whole,
pleased with the speech, although it is little
distrustful of portion Of his sentiments rea-
ting to foreign affairs. The Washington Re-
public bunker Whig) seems delighted with
the whole of it. and predicts that if he should
adhere to the views expressed in it, he will
find " more factious opposition in the ranks of
the Democratic party, than from the friends Of
the late Administration the Washington
Union is of course delighted with every word
of the speech which it seems to consider per-
feet
awe will only say here, therefore, that
while il struck MS in our glance through it, rs
containing much that is unexceptionable, a few
passages met our eye which we confess rather
tlat, hp, fba
to our readers, without further comment
National Inteliigeneer.
President Pierce acknowledges his obligs-
tons to the masses of his cOuntrymen, and
to them alone He seems to be sincere in this
sentiment, and his address presents in no part
any contradiction to it, IL he acts in accord
ance with it, and with the general views of his
address, we apprehend that he will find more
iactious opposition in his own ranks than in
those of the friends of the late Administra-
ton. Washington Republic.
"The Inaugural Address of President Pierce
is comprehensive though brief and it perfectly
accom- lishes its design No principle of pub
lie policy is omitted--no great question about
which the nation is supposed to feel an anxious
concern is avoided or confused by the ambigu-
GUS expressions of mind pretending to d.
vulge, but solicitous to conceal.
"The ship is again on the republican tack >
disciple Of Jefferson and jackson is at the
helm OF State aud the country has, in the In
augural Address, a chart of the voyage before
il. Confding in his honesty, in his energy,
and in his constancy of purpose-the distin-
gushing elements In the character Of Presi-
dent Pierce-the country will repose in quiet
security under the bright promise Of his lnau-
| Il do, tkokL - A..
istration will realize the fulhlment Of every
pledge, aud the discharge of every duty
Washington Union.
Who are to be the opponents Of the Admin
istratoD Of General Pierce, when Hunker
Wings and bunker Democrats emulate each
other in praise of his Inaugural, and in pledges
Of support to its views Of public policy
But lot us examine q little more closely this
declaration Of sentiments by the new Admin
stratiOn
1t omits all alluson to any of the old issues
between the Wing and Democratic parties.
In relation to territorial -extepsion, neither
the Wing nor Democratic Convention which
net at Baltimore last spring gave any any ex-
preston Of opinion and neither of the old
parties has defined its position. The Free De-
mocracy has declared itself frankly in favor OF
such extension, and the President in his Inau-
gural occupies its ground
Concerning the wisdom of the trainers of the
Constitution, the growth Of the Nation and the
value Of the Union, his views accord with the
views generally entertained by Americans,
without distinction of party
The Democratic party was supported at the
late election by the large majority Of natural.
lied citizens, chiefly on the ground that it,
triumph would encourage the Democracy OF
Europe in their struggle with Despotsm, and
they had q right to expect from General Pierce
some expression of opinion ~ his Inaugural
which would at least transcend the positipn
taken by the Wing Convention at Baltimore,
in relation To foreign affairs. But they will
DO surprised to ses him boldly planting himself
in the sSma position. That Convention held
that the only influence we should exert on
the contest between Democracy and Despot.
ism in Europe was the influence Of our er.
ample. The President, referring to our success
in achieving aud maintaining our liberties,
, says
ain this, our country has, in my judgment,
the far fulfilled its highest duty to suffering
humanity 1t has spoken, and will continue To
speak, not only by its words but by its acts, the
language Of sympathy, encouragement, and
hope, to those who earnestly listen to tones
whicb nrnnounca c,r tho Iarvest ratinnal lii.
erty But after all, the most animating en-
couragement and potent appeal for freedom
will be its own history its trials and its tri-
umphs"
This il the sum and substance Of the Inter
, vention for Freedom, pledged by the new AID.
minstratiOn We have governed ourselves We