The Nevada journal., 1853-04-15
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF THE
PrcsidcNt of the United States.

E'fcShHcNs OH tshc OlsaCu SGkteSs
MY CouNTRyNtN -
Ii is relief to feel that no heart
but my own can know the personal re-
greet and bitter sorrow, over which /
have been borne to position SO suit
able for others, rather than desirable
for myself.
The circumstances, under which l
have been called, for limited period,
to preside over the desiinies of the
Republic, fill me with a profound sense
of responsibility, but with nothing like
shrinking apprehensions. ] repair to
the post assigned me, not as to one
sought, but IL obedience 10 the unso-
licitcd expression Of your will, answer
able only for fearless, faithful, and
diligent exercise of my best powers.
ought to be, and am, truly grateful for
the rare manifestation of the nations
confidente; but this, so far from light
ening my obligations, only adds to their
weight. You have summoned me in
nay weakness you must sustain me
by your strength. When looking for
the ftliiilment of reasonable require
ments, you will not be unmindtul Of
the great changcs which have occurr-
ed, even within the last quarter of n
century, and the consequent augmen-
ta,ion and complexity Of duties impos-
cd, in the administrator both Of your
home and foreign affairs.
Whether the elements Of inherent
force in the Republic, have kept pace
with its unparalleled progression in
territory, population and wealth, has
been the subject of earnest thought and
discussion, on both sides, of the ocean.
Less than sixty-three years ago, the
Father Of his Country made, "the"
then "recent accession of the important
State Of North Carolina to the Con-
stitution Of the United States" ono Of
the subjects of his special congratula
lation. At that moment, however,
when the agitation consequent upon
revolutionary struggle had hardly sub
sided, when we were just emerging
from the weakness and embarrass-
mcnts Of the confederation, there was
an evident consciousness ofvigor, equal
to the great mission so wisely and
bravcly fulfilled by oar fathers. 1t
was not prcsumptuous assurance,
but calm faith, sprinsing from clear
view Of the sources Of power, in gov
x,..,a,t oa,1cf;t,tnl i;l,a a,,,, :,
no paradox to say that although com
paraiively weak, the new born ration
was intrinsically strong. Inconsider-
able in population and apparent re-
sources, it was upheld by a broad and
intelligent comprehension of rights,
and an all-pervading purpose to main
tain them, m,-sironger than armaments.
1t came from the furnace of the revo,
luton, tempered TO the necessities of
the times.
The thoughts of the men Of that
day were rs practical rs their scnti-
ments were patriotic. They wasted
no portion of their energies upon idle
and delusive specuations, but with n
firm and fearless step advanced beyond
the governmental marks which had
hitherto circumscribcd the limits of
human freedom, and planted their STAN
dard where it has stood, against dan
gers which have threatened from
abroad, and internal agitation, which
has at times fearfully menaced at home.
Thsr snoroved themselves equal to
the he's ssolutien It5 OF s.sse great problem, to
understand which their rG,inds had been
illuminated by the dawning i::Sghts OF
the revolution. The object sougst
was not a thing dreamed fit was
a thing realized. They had exhibit
ell not only the power to achieve, but
what all history aflirms to be so much
more unusual, the capacity to maintain.
The oppressed throughout the world,
from that day TO the present, have
turned their eyes hitherward, not to
find thoir lights .extinguished, or 10
fear lest they should wane, but to be
constantly chesred by theitsteady and
increasing radiance