Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-03-16
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF President PIERCE.

undcr which have been called for limited
time 70 preside over the destinies of the Repub-
lie. FIJI me with profound sense of responsible
ity. but with nothing like shrinking apprehen-
sion. repair to the post assigned me, not as
to one sought, but in obedience to the unsolict-
ed expression of your WILL sensible only OF q
fearless, faithful and dligent exercise OF my best
powers. ! ought to be, and am truly grateful
for the rare manifestation OF the national conn.,
dence but this, so far frcm tightening my OBJ
legations, only adds to their weight. You have
summoned me in my weakness, you must sus-
tain me with your strength. When looking Tor
the fulfilment of reasonable requirements, you
will not be unmindful of the great changes
which have occurred even within the last quar-
ter of a century, and the consequent augmenta-
ton and compexity 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 its unpar-
alleled progression in territory, population and
wealth, has been the subject of earnest discus
sion on both sides Of the ocean. Less than six
ty-three years ago, the Father Of his Country
made the recent accession of the important State
of North Carolina to the confederation OF the
United States, one of the subjects of his special
congratulation. At that moment, however, when
the agitation consequent upon the revolutionary
struggle had hardly subsidized, when we were
Just emerging from the weakness and embarrass-
ment of the confederation, there was an evident
consciousness of vigor equal to the mission so
wisely and bravely fulfilled by our fathers. 1t
was not presumptuous assurance, but calm
faith, sprnging from clear view of the sources
ofpOwer in government constituted like ours.
1t is no paradox to say that although cOmpara-
lively weak, the new born nation was intrinsic
ally strong Inconsiderabe in population and
apparent resources, it was upheld by a broad and
intelligent comprehension of rights, and an all
pervading purpose to maintain them, stronger
than ornaments. 1t came from the furnace OF
the revolution, tempered to the necessities of
the times. The thoughts of the men of that
day were rs practical as their sentiments were
patriotic. They wasted no portion of their en-
crgies upon idle and delusive speculations. but
with firm and fearless step, advanced beyond
the governmental landmarks which had hitherto
circumscrbed the limits of human freedom, and
planted their standard, where it has Stood a.
gainst dangers which have threatened from a.
broad, and agitation, which has at times fearful
ly menaced at home. They approved themselves
equal to the solution of the great problem, to
understand which, their minds had been illumin-
ated by the dawnng light of the revolution
The object sought was not a thing dreamed of;
it was thing realized. They had exhibited
not only the power to achieve, but what all his
tory affirmed to be so much more unusual, the
capacity to maintain. The oppressed thro'out
the world, from that day to the present. have
turned their eyes hitherward, not to find those
lights extinguished, or to fear lest they should
wane, but to be constantly cheered by their
steady and increasing radiance. In this, our
country has, in my judgment, thus far fulfilled
"a. L.-Lo LII, -, onifx hao
spoken, and will continue to speak, not only by
its words, but by its acts, the language of SYM
pathy and encouragement to those who earnest
ly listen for tones which pronounce for the lar
gest rational liberty. But, after all, the most
animating encouragement and potent appeal for
freedom will be it's own history, its trials, and
its triumphs. Pre-emnently the power of our
advocacy reposes in our example; it cannot be
powerful for lasting good, whatever apparent add
vantage may be gained, which is not based on
eternal principles Of right and justice. Our ia
theirs decided for themselves, both upon the
hour to declare and the hour to strike. They
were their own judges of the circumstances un-
der which it became them to pledge to each 9TH
or their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred
honor for the acquisition of the priceless nher-
itance transmitted to us. The energy with
which that great conflict opened, and under the
guidance OF kind and benehcent Providence,
the Incompatible endurance with which it was
prosecuted to its consummation, were only sur
passed by the wisdom and patriotic spirit of
concession which characterized all the counsels
of the early fathers. One of the most Impress
i've evidences Of that wisdom is to 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 reaching in
teects. The apprehension of dangers from ex-
tended territory, multiplied States, accumulated
wealth, and augmented population, has proved
to be unfounded. The stars upon your banner
have become nearly three-fold their original
number. Your densely populated possessions
skirt the shores of the two great oceans, and yet
this vast increase of people and territory has
not only shown itself compatible with the har-
monious action of the state and the federaal gov
ernments, in their respective constitutional
spheres, but thus far afforded additional guar
antee of the strength and integrity of both.
With an experience thus suggestive and cheer
ing, the policy of my administration will not be
controlled by any timid forbodings Of evil from
expansion. Indeed, it is not to be disguised
that our attitude as nation, and our position
on the globe, render the acquisition Of certain
possessions, not within our jurisdiction eminent
ly important for our protection, if not in the fu-