Weekly national intelligencer., 1853-03-05

INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT PIERCE,
MARCH A. 1858.


Ny CoUSrRYaES 1t is relief to feel that no hear
but my know the personal regret and bitter sor
which have been borne to position SO suta-
bic for others rather than desirable for myself
The circumstances under which have been called,
for limited period to preside the estines of the
Republic f me with profound sense Of responsibility
but with nothing like shrinking apprehension. repair
the post assigned not as to one sought but in obe
dience to the unsolicited expression of your will
BILE only fer fearless faithful and dgent exercise of
my best powers ought TO bs, and am truly grateful
for the rare manifestation of the nations confidence but
this far from tightening my obligations only adds to
their weight You have summoned me in my weakness:
you must sustain me by strength. When looking for
the fufment Unreasonable requirements you will not be
anmndful of the great changes which have occurred
even within the last quarter of century, and the
quent augmentation and complexy of duties imposed in
the administration both of your home and foreign affairs
Whether the elements of inherent force in the Republic
have kept pace with its unparalleled progression in terri
tory population and wealth, has been the subject Of
earnest discussion both sides Of the
Less than sKtfour years ago the Father Of his Country
made the then "recent accession of the important
State Of North Carolina the Constitution of the United
States of the subjects of his special congratulaon
At that moment however, when the agitation consequent
upon the revolutionary struggle had hardly subsided
of the Confederation there evident
of vgor equalto the great mission
y and bravey fulfilled by fathers 1t pre-
sumptuous assurance but calm faith springing from
clear view of the of power in Government
stitnted like 1t paradox to say that although
comparatively weak the born nation intrinsica
y strong. nconsderable in population and apparent
resources, it upheld by broad and intelligent
prehension of rights, and an apervading purpose to
maintain them stronger than ornaments 1t from
the furnace of the revolution tempered the necessities
of the times The thoughts of the Of that day
practical their sentiments were patriotic. They
wasted portion their energies upon idle and deusve
speculaons, but with firm and fearless step advanced
beyond the governmental landmarks which had hitherto
crcumscrbed the limits of human freedom and planted
their standard where has stood against dangers which
have threatened from abroad, and internal agitation
which has at times fearfuy menaced at home They ap
proved themselves equal to the solution of the great pro-
blem to understand which their minds had been ilum
mated by the dawnng lights of the revolution. The OBJ
ject sought not thing dreamed Of it thing
realized. They had exhibited not only the power to
achieve, but what all history arms be SO much more
unusual ecapacity to maintain Theoppressed through
out the world from that day to the present have turned
their eyes hherward not to find those lights extinguish
ed to fear lest they should wane but be constantly
cheered by their steady and increasing radiance.
filled its highest duty to suffering humanity. 1t has
spoken and will continue speak, only by its words
but by its acts the language sympathy encouragement
and hope to those who earnestly listen to tones which
pronounce for the largest rational liberty But after
ALL the most anmating encouragement and potent APP
peal for freedom will be its history trials and its
triumphs Pre-eminently the power of advocacy
poses In our example, but example, be eitremembered
can be powerful for lasting good whatever apparent ad
vantages may be gained which 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 judges of the circum-
stances under which it became them to pledge to each
other their lives their fortunes and their sacred honor
for the acquisition of the priceless inheritance transmit
ted to The energy with which that great conflict
opened and under the guidance of manifest and bene
tcent Providence, the planning endurance with
which was prosecuted to its consummation, only
surpassed by the wisdom and patriotic spirit Of
sion which characterized all the counsels of the early
fathers.
One of the impressive evidences of that wsdomi
to be found in the fact that the actual working of
system has dspeled degree of socitude which, at the
outset disturbed bold hearts and farreachng intelects
The apprehension of dangers from extended territory
multiplied States, accumulated wealth and augmented
population has proved to be unfounded The upon
your banner have become nearly threefod their original
number your densey populated possessions skirt the
shores of the two great and yet this increase
of people and territory has only shown itself compa
tbe with the harmonious action of the States and the
Federal Government in their respective constitutional
Spheres but has afforded additional guarantee of the
With experience thus suggestive and cheering the
policy of my Administration will not be controlled by any
tmid forebodngs of evil from expansion Indeed, it is
not to be disguised that attitude naten and
position the globe, render the acquisition of certain
possessions not within jurisdiction, eminently i'm
portan for protection if not in the future essential
for the preservation of the rights of and the
peace of the world Should they be obtained will be
through grasping spirit, but with view to obvious
national interest and security, and in entirely
consistent with the strctest observance of national faith
We have nothing in history position to invite ag
gresson have every thing beckon to the cultya
tion Of relations of peace and amy with all nations.
Purposes therefore at once just and pacific will be sig
nhcantly marked in the conduct Of foreign affairs
intend that my Administration shall leave blot upon
our fair record and trust may safely give the
that act within the legitimate scope Of my constitution
al control will be tolerated the part of any portion Of
citizens which cannot challenge ready justification
before the tribunal of the civilized world An Admins
tration would be unworthy of confidence home
spect abroad should it be influenced by the
vction that apparent advantage be purchased
price dear that of national wrong dishonor 1t is
not your privilege nation to speak of distant past
The striking incidents Of your history replee with
sructon and furnishing abundant grounds for hopeful
confidence, comprised in n period comparatively
brief But if your past is limited your future is bound
less Its obligations throng the unexpored pathway Of
advancement and will be lmitless duration Hence
sound and comprehensive policy should embrace not
less the distant future than the urgent present
Th great objects of pursuit, people, best
to be attained by peace, and entirely consistent with
the tranquility and interests Of the rest Of mankind
With the neighboring nations upon our continent we
should cultivate kindly and fraternal relations We
desire nothing in regard to them much to them
consolidate their strength and pursue the paths Of
perity and happiness IT, in the OF their growth
we should open channee of trade and crente addi