Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-03-12
Inau-uyal kddress-Warch 4, 1853.

inaugural AauseSS-UaicA +, 1919
II, C,aatyu'a.-Iti is relief to fce!
that no heart but my own can know the
r,rsonal regret and bitter sorrow owe!
which | have been borne to a position $
shla5le for others, rather than desirable
fer myself
The c;rcamstanccs under Which I hive
h,su cllisl, f,r limited pay:ol, 10 pre-
side over the des.!ncs Of the Republic, al
lre with profound sense Of responsibility
bat with nothing Ike shrinking apprehen-
sion. | repair to the post assigned me,
l,ot as TO one sought, but in obedience t.
the unsolicited expression Of your will,
aoswerable only for fearless, faithful, aud
dilirent exercise of my best powers |
ou ,ht to be, and am, truly grateful for the
rare manifestations Of the nation conf
d.nce: but this, SO FAR from tightening my
obligations, only ads to their weight You
have summoned me in thy weakness: You
y must sustain TIE by your strength. When
booking for the fuIflment OF reasonable
yeG,iremen,s, ycu will not be unm.ndtul
.t the great chlngcs which have occurred,
even within the last quarter of century,
all ,he consequent augmentation and com
ricxitv of duties imposed, in the admin
is.ra,ion both Of your home and foreign
affairs.
Whether the elements of Inherent force
il tie Republic have kept peace with Its
unparalleled progression in territory, pop
ulAtion. aad wealth, has been the subject
Of earnest thought and discussion on both
lies of the ocean. Less than sixty three
wears ago, the Father of his country made
1.-The then "recent accession OF the IN
portaut State of North Carolina to the
Constitution Of the United States one
ofthe subjects Of his special congratulation
4. :Eat moment, however, when the agl-
tltiou consequent upon the revolutionary
struggle had hardly subsided, when We
were Just EN- 2rging from the weakness and
embarrassmen.s of the Confederation there
was an evident consciousness of vigor, e.
oual to the great mission 50 wisely and
bravelv fulfilled by our fathers. 1t was
not a presumptuous assurance, but calm
flith, springng from a clear view of the
sources Of power, in government consti-
futei like ours. 1t is no paradox 10 say
that, although comparatively weak, the
new bora nation was lntrin5Icai!y stroag.
Jcoa,iderib!e ia population AMI apparent
resources. it was upheld by a broad an!
intelligent com preucnslon CT rights, ana
al a!l-paryadinr purpose to MAINTAIN them,
s.roa-.r than arlEdmcutS. 1t came from
the furnace OF the revolution, tempered to
the necessities Of the times. The thoughts
of the men Of that day were as practical
rs their sentiments were patriotic. They
w1s,el NJ portion Of their energies upon
ji,e and delusive spcculatienS. bat with a
firm and fearless step advanced beyond
the governmental landmarks, which had
hitherto circumscribei the limits of human
freedom, and planted their standard where
!, has stood, against dangers, which have
threatened from abroad, and ntcFna! agl-
cation. winch has at times feariu!y meu
ases at home. Tney approved themselves
c.,iat 10 the solution of TIA. great problem
f. Understand which their minds had been
illumina,e& hy tue dawnin., lights OF t;c
,.volu'ion. Ihe chicct soGgat vas not ii
th;vc dreamed Of; it As j thing realized.
srary had exhibited the power not only to
sca,eye hai wnat all history tthims TO be 50
ir..h More unusual, the e-g@Ify to main
f.,n.-iha oppressed throughout ihe world
from taat day to the presert, haSc turned
their ry,.s nitherw ~. not to hEi th"ss
.sh.> cxumguisAaG, "a 10 te.r ie>t 'hcN
,u,u,., vsuc, bat 20 l.. .'..S'dnt:y ,'hacrrH
ay their steady and increasing r.'r. 'ncH.
La,. "a gpI rI.trr--
r.nt, thus .ar fu filled Its dut, ;S suffering
humanity. 1t has spoken, aud viii c'n-
iinue to speak, not ea!y by lis words hat
by its acts, the language of sympathy,
eseouragement and hope, to those who
ea.sestly listen to tones which pfaaoHnee
for the largest rat"ssi liberty. But, after
all. the most anima,ing encouragement and
poten, sppeai for frecdos. ~:i! be its own
history. its uisl- aud It's triumphs. Pre-
eminently The power of ous advocacy r5
POSES in our example; bat 40 example, be
it rem embered, can be powerful for last
ing good, whateyer apparent advantages
spay be gained. which is not based upon
.etenal principles of ight and justice Onr
gathers decided for themselves, both upon
che bosr to declare and the hour to strike.
They wesa their own judges of the circum
stances under which it became them OF
pledge to e=eh other their lives, their
fortunes, and their sacred honor" for the
acquisition OF the priceless inheritance
UAnsmitted to us--The energy with which
that great conflict was opened, and under
the guidance of a manifest and benefcent
irovidenca, the accomplishing endurance
with which it WIS prosecuted to its CON
summation, were only surpassed by the
wisdom and patriotic spirit Of concession
which characterized all the ea4ly fathers
Jae Of the most impressive evidence Of
hat wisdom il t. be found ID the fact that