Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-05
Inaugural Address

|
THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
| Mare, {, 1883.
Ny Coumtrymen:
| 1t is relief to feel that no heart but nv own
can kno the personal regret and bitter sorrow.
over which have been borne to q position. so
suitable for others rather than desirable for my
| self.
The circumstances under which huye been
called for limited period, to preside over the
destinies of the Republic, fill me with pro-
found sense of responsibility, but with nothing
like shrinking apprehension. | repair to the
post assigned me, not as to sought, but in ODE
dionce to the unsolicited expression of your will,
nnswerabe only for fearless, faithful, and dill
gent exercise OF my best powers. ought to be,
and am truly grateful for the rare manifestation
of the nations confidence; but this. far from.
tightening my obligations, only adds to their
weig ht. You have summoned me in my weak
ness you must sustain me by your strength
When looking for the ful6lment of reasonable
requirements, you will not be unmindu of the
great changes which have occurred even within
the last quarter of century, and the consequent
augmentation aud completely of duties imposed,
in the administration both of your he me and
| foreign affairs.
| Whether the elements of inherent force in
the Republic have kept pace with its unparalleled
| progression 10 territory, population, and wealth,
has been the sub ect of earnest thought and dis
cussion, on both sides of the ocean. Less than
| sixty-three years ago, the Father of his Country
made ''the" then ''recent accession of the inn
| porsant State of North Carolina to the Constitu-
ton of the United States" ono of the subjects of
| his special congratuation. At that moment,
however, when the agitation consequent upon
| the revolutionary struggle had hardly subsidized,
/ when were just emerging from the weakness
! and embarrassments of the Confederation, there
was an evident consciou sness of vigor, equal to
| the great mission wisely and bravelv fulfilled
by our fathers. 1t was not n presumptuous as
surance, but calm faith, sprnging from a clear
view of the sources of power, in a government
constituted like ours. 1t is no paradox to say
that, although comparatively weak, the new
born nation was intrinsicaly strong. Inconsider-
able in population and apparent resources, it was
upheld by broad and intelligent comprehension
of rights, and an all-pervading purpose to main
tain 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 practical US their
sentiments were patriotic. They wasted por-
ton of their energies upon idle and deusive
spsculations, but with firm aud fearless step
advanced beyond the governmental landmarks,
which had hitherto circumscribed the limits of
human freedom, and planted their standard
where it has stood, against dangers, which have
threatened from abroad, and internal agitation,
which has at times fearfuy menaced at home.
They approved themselves equal to the solution
of the great problem, to understand which their
minds had been illuminated by the dawning
lights of the revolution. The object sought was
not thing dreamed of: it was thing realized.
They hadexhibted not only the power to achieve,
but what all history alfirms to be SO much more
unu 'ual, the capacity to maintain. The oppress-
ed throughout the world, from that day to the
present, have turned their eyes hitherward, not
to find those lights extnguished. 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 its highest duty to suffering humani-
ty. 1t has spoken, and will continue to speak,
only by its words but by its acts, the language
of sympathy, encouragement and hope, to those
who earnestly listen to tones which pronounce
for the largest rational liberty. But afterall the
most anmating encouragement and potent ap-
peal for freedom will be its own history, its trials
and its triumphs. Pre-e minenty, the power of
our advocacy reposes in our examples; but no ex-
ample, be it remembered, can be powerful for
lasting good, whatever apparent advantages may
be gained, which is not based upon eternal priu-
ciples of righ5 and justice. Our fathers decided
for themselves, both upon the hour to declsre and
the hour to strike. They were their own jud-
| ges of the circumstances under which it became
| them TO pled90 TO oacn Otnef "Cn6lr lives, their
fortunes, nd their sacred honor, for the acquis-
ton of the priceless inheritance transmitted to
us. The energy with which tint great conflict
was opened and, under the guidance of manifest
and benehcient Providence, the accomplishing
endurance, with which it was prosecuted to its
consummntion, were only surpassed by the wis
dom and patriotic concession which character
lied all the counsels of the early fathers.
One of the most impressive evidences of that
| b. a. e. IL
| working of our system has dispeed degree of
solicitude which, at the outset, disturbed bold
| hearts and far-reachng ntellects. The aprre-
| hension of dangers from extended territory, null
| tiplied States, accumulated wealth. and augmen-
| ted population has proved to be unfounded The
stars upon your banner have become nearly three
fold their ori ginal number, your denseIy popua-
ted 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 han munous action of the States and
Federal government in their respective consti.
tutional spheres, but has afforded an additional
guarantee 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 forebodings of evil from
expansion. Indeed it is not to be disguised that
our attitude nation. and our position on the
globe, render the acquisition of certain possess
sions, not within our jurisdiction. eminently I'M
portant for our protection if not, ia the future,
essential for the preservation ofthe rights If com
merce and the peace of the world. Should they
be obtained, it will be through graspng
spirit, but with view to obvious national inter-
est and security, and in manner entirely con-
sistent with the strictest observance of national
faith. We have nothing in our history or posi-
ton to invite aggression, we have every thing
to beckon US to the cultivation of relations of
peace and amity with all nations. Purposes.
therefore, ut once just and pacific, will be sig
nfcantly marked in the conduct of our foreign |