Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-03-10
PRESIDENT PIERCE'S
In AUGU RAJ ADDRESS.

heart but my own can know the personal regret
and bitter sorrow over which have been borne
to position SO suitable for others, rather than
desirable for myself
The circumstances, under which have been
caed,tora limited period, preside over the des-
TIMES OF The republic, fill me with profund
sense of responsibility, but with nothing like
shrinking apprehension. repair TO the post
assigned me, not as to one sought, but in obedi-
ence to the unsolicited expression of your will,
answerabe only for fearless, faithful and dill
gent exercise of my best powers. ough, to be,
and am, truly grateful for the rare manifestation
OF the aaton's confidence; but this, so far from
tightening my obligations, only adds to their
weight You have summoned me in my weak
ness you must sustain me BY your strength.
When looking tor the fulfllment of reasonable
requirements, you will not be unmidful of the
great changes which have occurred, even within
the last quarter of a century, and the consequent
augmentation and completely OF duties imposed,
in the administration both of your home and for
eign affairs.
Whether the elements of inherent force in
the Republic have kept pace with its unparal-
leled progression in territory, population and
wealth, has been the subject of earnest thought
|
than sixty-three years ago, the Father of bis
Country made "the" then recent accession of
the important State of North Carolina to the
ConstiutH 81 the United States" one of the
subjects oPaIis special congratulation. At that
moment, however, when the agitation consequent
upon the revolutionary struggle had hardly sub
sided, when we were just emerging from the
weakness and embarrassment of the Confedera-
| t,o thora xuao , n of
equal 10 the great mission SO wisely and brave
y fulfilled by our fathers. 1t wos not pre-
snmpuous assursnce, but calm faith, springng
from clear view of the sources of power, in
government constituted like ours.
1t is no paradox to say that, although compar.
atyely weak, the new born nation was intrinsic
ally strong. Inconsiderable in Its population and
andapparent resources, it was upheld by broad
and intelligent comprehension of rights, and an
al-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
as practical as their sentiments were patriotic.
They wasted no portion Of their energies upon
idle and dellsive speculaions, but with firm
and fearless step advanced beyond the govern
mental land marks, which had hitherto clrcum-
scrbed the limits of human freedom, and plant
ed their standard where it has stood, against
dangers which have threatened from abroad, and
internal agitation, which had at times fearfully
menanced at home. They approved themselves
equal to the solution of the great problem to
understand which their minds had been lunIi
mated by the dawning lights Of the revolution.
The object sought was not thing dreamed of,
it was thing realized They had exhibited not
only the power to achieve. but What all history
affirms to be so much more unusual, the capacity
to maintain, The oppressed throughout the
world, fiom that day to the present. have turned
their eyes hitherward, not to md those lights ex
tngushed, or to fear lest they should wane, but
to be constantly cheered by their steady and in
creasing radiance.
In this, our country has in my judgment thus
far fulfilled its highest duty to suffering humani-
ty. 1t has spoken and will continue to speak,
not only by its words but by its acts, the Ian
guage Of sympathy, encouragement and hope.
to those, who earnestly listen to the tones which
pronounce for The larges rational liberty. But,
after all, the most animating encouragement and
potent appeal for freedom will be its own history,
its trials and ltiu.nphs. Permanently, the pow
er OF our advocacy reposes in our example but
mo example, SSft remembered, can be powerful
for lasting good, whatever apparent advantages
may be gained which is not based upon eternal
principles of right and justice
Our fathers decided for themselves, both upon
the hour to declare and the hour to strike. They
were their own judges of the circumstance, un
der which it became them to pledge TO each 9th
er I" their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred
HONOR" for the acquisition of the priceless inner
itance transmitted to US. The energy with
which that great conflict was opened, and under
the guidance of manifest and beneficIent Prov
idence, the accomplishing endurance with which
ii was prosecuted to It's consummation we're on
y surpassed by the wisdom and patriotic spirit
of concession, which characterized all he coun-
sells of the early fathers
One Of the most impressive evidences of that
wisdom Is 10 be found in the fact that the actual
working Of our system has dispelled degree OF
soiicitude which at the outset disturbed bold
hearts and far reaching inteects. The appre
hension of dangers from extended territory, null
tiplied States, accumulated wealth, and aug
mented 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 compatl
BILE with the harmonious action OF the States anC
the Federal government in their respective con
sttutlonal spheres, but has afforded an addiliona
guarantee of The strength and integrity of both
With an experience thus suggestive and cheer
ing, the policy of my administration will not bt
controlled by any timid forebodlhgs OF evil fron
expansion. Indeed, il is not 10 be disguised tina
our attitude as nation, and our position on the
globe, render the acquisition of certain posses
sions not within our jurisdiction, eminenty i'm
portant for our protection, if not, in the future
essential tor the preservation OF the rights o
commerce and the peace of the world. Shonlt
they be obtained, it will be through no graspins
spirit, but with a view to obvious national inter
est and security, and IN manner entirely con
sistent with the strictest observance OF nationa
faith. We have nothing in our history or posi-
ton to invite aggression, we have everything tt
beckon US to the cultivation of relations of peac,
and amity with all nations. Purposes, therefore
at once just and pacific, will be Significantly
marked in Tn. sonduct of our foreign aifairs
intended thai my administration shall leav,
no blot upon our fair record, and trust may safe
~ give the assurance that no act within the lie
Ultimate scope of my constitutional control vii
be tolerated, on the part OF any portion OF ou
citizens. which cannot challenge a ready justifi
cation before the trbunal of the civilized world
An administration would be unworthy Of trus
at home, or respect abroad, should it cease to be
Influenced by the conviction that no apparent ad
vantage can be purchased at price so dear a,
q, that OF national wrong or dishonor. 1t is not you
privilege, as nation, to speak of distant past
The striking incidents of your history, replet'
with nstruction,and furnishing abundant ground:
for hopeful confidence, are comprised in a peri
cd comparatively brief. But if your past is lm
tied, your future is boundless. It's obligations
throng the unexplored pathway of advancement
and will be limitless as duration. Hence, q
sound and comprehensive policy should embrace
not less the distant future than the urgent pres
ent.
The grea, objects of pursuit, as people, are
best to be attained by peace, and are entirel,