The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-03-17
From the GaltAa Adrofsser Of the Eh insf.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
} R lNKLIN PIE + G B
My CouNTRYMEN:

My CouNTRYMEN:
II is relief to know that no heat but NY
Know the PEI sonaI req et and bitter over
which have been borne 10 position 40 suitable Tor
Others, rather than desirable for myself. The cir
cun,stances under which have been called for lm
tied period to preside the destinies Of the Re-
public, I'LL it'll profound sense Of respons,b bill
~, but, With nothing like speaking Of apprehension,
repair 10 The post assigned me, not To sought
bu, in obedience the unsolicited expression Of your
will, auswe,able only for a ea less faithful and dill
gent exercise Of III, best powers. ought to Ic, ard
am, truly grateful Cor the manifestation Of the
national confidence but this far from tightening my
obligations, OIL, adds to their weight. You have
| summoned me IN my weakness, You mist sustain me
with your strength.
When looking Tor the fu6Iment of reasonable e.
qui,ements, you will not he unmindlui of the great
changes that have occurred, even within the last
quarter Of a century, and the consequent comrlcxity
Of duties in the administration, both of your home
and foreign affairs. Whether the elements Of inner
ent force Of the Republic have kept pace with its
unparalleled progression territorial population and
wealth, has been the subject Of earnest thought and
dmcussion on both sides Of the Ocean.
Less than siNtythree years ago, the fathers Of this
country made the important accession Of Louisiana 10
the confederation Of the United States. 1t was a
subject 81 special conglatulation. At that moment
however, when the agitation consequent upon the
dictionary struggle had hardly subsidized, when we
were just emerging from the embarrassment of the
Coniedei alton thai there coacionsaess Of vgor,
equal to the great mission wisely and bravcl, ul-
filed by our fathers. Ii not presulnptve as
surance, but calm faith sp,ngins from clear view
o! the source OF power. In great country constitu-
ted like own, II paradox 10 say, that aho'
comparatively weak, the newborn nation in
sensibly strong. In population and apparent
ces, it was upheld by broad and intelligent compre-
hension OF rights, and an all-rcrvading purpose to
maintain them, stronger than ar,uaments. IL came
from the furnace OF the revolution tempered 10 the
necessities Of the times. The thoughts of the men
Of that day were as prophetic their sentiments
were patr ofic. They wasted rottion If their
ergies Wild and delusive speculations, but with a
firm and fearless step advanced beyond government.
al marks which had hitherto circunsc,ibcd the lin
It's of human freedom, and planted their standard
where il has stood against dangers which have
threatened from abroad, aud internal agitation Which
has at times teatiully menaced IT home.
They have proved themselves equal to the solution
Of the great problems to understand which, THEN
minds had been illuminated BY the dawning light o
the Revolution. The object soua ht was not a thing
dreamed Oft a thing realized. They had nc
the power To achicve-but what all history a,ns tt
be nn re Hn'sual-thc capacity TO maintain. ] he OPP
pressed throughout the world, ON that day To The
present, have turned their eyes hitlerward, not it
find their lights cNtnguished or to fear lest the,
should wane, but to Ike chccred by their steady and
l
Judgment, thus far fulfilled It's highest du,, to suit
iering humanity. il has spoken and it will continue
To speak, not only by its word, but by its acts, the
language Of sympathy and encouragement to those
who listen 10 tones which pronounce the largest IA
ton; liberty.
After all 1.-The most enthusiastic and potent appea
for freedom, will be it, hi>ory-its trials ant
its troubles. Pre-emineny the power Of con
icde'acy feposes IN example, but example, be
1t remembered, can be powerful for lasting good
whatever apparent advantage may be gained, which
is not based upon eternal principles Of right aud JUS
ticc.
Our fathers decided for themselves, both upon the
power to declare and the power to strike. The,
were their own Judges Of the circumstances under
which it became necessary for them pledge each
other their lives, then fortunes and their sacred hon
or ior the acquisition OF the priceless inheritance
transmitted TO by the energy which that great
ict opened, under the guidance Of Prov dence. The
endurance with which, If proses uted to IFS consunn,-
ton, were only surpassed by the Wisdom, patience
and spirit ol concession, which characterized all the
councils Of The ea, flhers. and The best impressive
evidence Of that wisdom he found in the fact
that The actual working of the institutions established
by ses, has dispci!ed the feeling of so!iciiudc
which the event, distu bed the whole heat aud
far reaching mteiiccts.
The apprehension of dangers from extending ter
ritory, multiplied States aud accumulated wealth,
augmented population has proved to be untounoed,
The stars upon your hammer have brought nearly three
told TO their ginal number, lille POS sessions
sknt the shores OF the two great oceans; and yet
this vast increase Of people and territory has only
shown itself compatible with the harmonious actor,
OF the States and the Federal Government III their
respective constitutional spheres, but has afforded an
additional guaranty Of the strength and intciccts of
both. With experience thus suggestive and cheer
ing, the policy of my will not he con-
uoled by any ti'nd ioibodnss OF evils from extern.
sion.
Indeed, it is not to be disguised that Our altitude
as nation aud our position on the gobe render the
acquisition OF cetIau possessions within our ju-
rsdiction, emncniI, important ior protection if
not in the future, essential 10 the presci walton OF the
rights OF commerce aud the peace Of the world
Should they Ike obtained, il Will be through grasp
ing spirit, bat with view obvious national inter
est and security, and in entirely consistent
with the strictest observance of national iah. We
have nothing in our history position TO invite ag
erosion. We have everything to impress upon Us
the cultivation Of relations Of peace and amiy |
intend that my administration shall leave blot up
on our fan name, and trust | may safely give the
assurance that no act within the scope of my consti
tutiona' control will be tolerated The Fart Of any
portion o ciiizeas which cannot challenge ready
justification before the tribunal Of The civilized we, Id
An adminsts alton would be unworthy Of confidence
at home respect abroad, should cease 10 be in
iitenced 10y the convictions that al parent advau-
tase can bc purchased AT price so dear as that Of
Rational wrong or dishonor
1t Is not our privilege nation to speak Of dis
tant past. The striking incidents of our history are
seplete with instruction, and furnishing abundant
grounds for hopeful confidence, are comp, iscd in "A
period comparatively brief, but if orr pas, is limited
future is boundess. The obligations that ,hrony
the uneNpored rahwa, Of advancement, will be him
it!ess duration.
Hence sound and comprehensive philosophy should
embrace no less the distant future than The mgcnt
present The great objects Of pursuit people
are best TO he attained by peace, and entirely con
sstent with the tranqut, and interest Of the rest f
mankind With the neighboring nations our constant
wish should be to cultivate kindly and friendly r,k.-
,ions. We can desire nothing in regard to that so
much us that they consolidate their strength, and
pursue the Path OF prosperity and happiness in their
growth. We should open channels OF trade, and
international intercourse must always present a na Ll
field Ior the MOI al influence of ,eat people,
IT, IN the course # then gIowtb, we should open
new channels q, ade, and additional facilities
Tor endy intercourse, The benefits realized will be
equal and mutual OF the complicated Eu, orcan s,s,
tens aud national policy, have heretofore been n-
dependent Fiom their wars. their toubes and any
ietes, we have been happily almost entirely exempt;
while those confined TO The nations which give
them existence, and within their separate juri.dc-