Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-03-08
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF GENERAL PIERCE.
WAslnNcroN. March 4th, 1889.

W.snscroN, March 4th, 1883.
Feiiow Ciisens THE circumstances il
which have bjen called, for Limited period
Z to preside over the destinies Of the Republic
: fill me with profound sense Of responsibility
but, with nothing like shrinking apprchensions
. repair to the POST assigned me, one not sought
but in obedience 10 the unsolicited expression
of your will, answcrable only for fearless
faithful and diiigent execution OF my best pow
cTs.
: ought to be, and am truly grateful for tht
rare manifestation of the nation's confidence
but this, 80 far from tightening my obligations
, only adds TO their weight. Won have summon
cd me in my weakness, you must sustain me b,
your strength When looking for the fulfil
ment of reasonable requr .ments, you will moi
be unInindful Of the great changes which have
occurred even within the last quarter OF cen
luIy and the consequent augmentation, both ol
your home and foreign affairs.
Whether the elements OF inherent force, in
the Republic, have kept pace with lis unparal.
leled progression in territory, population, and
wealth, has been the subject of learned thought
and discus sion on both sides Of the occan.--
Less Than sixty three years ago, the Father ol
his country made the then recent accession ol
North Carolina u the United States. one of the
subjects Of his special congratulations. AT that
moment, however, when the agitation consc-
qucnt upon the revolutionary struggle, had
partly subsidized; when we were fast emerging
from the weakness and embarrassment Of the
confederation there was an evident conscious
ness of yipor. eoual 10 the great mission, which
was q, wisely and brayely fulfilled by our faith.
ers. II was m, n presl,nptuo,,s assurance, but
n calm fniib. spriIeing from a clear view of the
source of power in a government constituted
! like ours; and il is no paradox TO say, that al
| though weak, the new born nation was in.rln-
sically strong. lnc,nsiderable in population
and apparent resources, it was upheld by a
| broad and intelligent comprehension of right,
and an all .pcryaling plrp Jsc 10 mlnta II that
power; str0ngc. than amamcns, it came from
the irccmen of the Revolution tempered 10 the
necessity OF the times.
| The thoughts OF the men of that day were pa
triolic; they wasted no portion Of their energies
upon idle and delusive spccula,ions; bat with
firm and fearless step, advanced beyond the
governmental landmarks. which had hitherto
c!rculnscribed the limits OF human freed )m ana
planted Their standard, where 1t hau stood a.
gainSt the dangers which threatened it from n
broad, an internal agitation, which had fear
;uliy m !naced Ii at home. They proved them
selves equal 10 the solution Of the great prob
. I'm, and showed That Their minds had been IL
il'lh.hattu by The GawhinS light OF Tic Fevplu-
toh. The object sougnt, was not a thing
dreamed OF, Dat was thihs realized. lhey
had exhibited Me power, MT oaiy - achie't,
I hul rs al! history ailifsiS mat p'wcr' 50 iunch
fAfc uhtsia', the capic!'y 10 iniintaih. lhe
oppieSsco throughout tHe Worlu, from ma aay
- 'ne present, have Turned Their eyes hithc'-
ward, not 10 find these lights eNtln. n.uishcd, or
" 'Il' ics' tAc! Shoulu "aie' out 10 DC checr-
=" .! tne' s'taiy ana increasing ptiiiiaic!.
.,'' 80 '"i'' oat CUNT! h'S' III III! Juosnicn''
.ui"'tu us !iisheSl du'y 10 suffering h0ihaiit!.
II nus sp1Ae!' ana w!ii co!llihue u speak, ho'
on'! by MS words. but by It's acts. IN language
oi sympathy encouragement and hope, to all
'n0Sc VINO earnestly listen to tones W. pro-
c.a'in The largest national liberty. Bat after
ali 1he III 'St ahulative encouragement and po.
c". appear Tor freedom, VIII BE- us own history
ana us 'riomphs. Pre- 'emIhcntiy the power OF
our advocacy rep,ses IN our example; but no
example be 1t remembered, can be Powerful for
lasting good, whatever apparent advantages
may be gained, which is not based upJn the e.
tGriial principles Of right and jus.ica.
Our fathers decided tor themselves, both up
on 'Ae ilullr to declare, an the hour to s.rike;
lhey were their own judges of the circ,mstan.
ccS under which it became them to pledge to
cach other, their lives their fortunes, and their
sacred honors, for the acquisition Of the price
1858 institutions transmitted to us.
The cherry with which that great conflict
""S ppCHcl, WNitr tlt manifest guidance Dt Il
munl.icent Providence; the uncompla,ning en-
duTalce with which it was Prosecuted to its
contamination, wcfc onIy s,,rna sei by the wis
dom, and the patriotic spir, I'd the conccss-
IONS which characterised all Iii. carly fathers of
our coun'ry.
One of The most impressive evidences of that
wisdom is to be found i'm the past, that the ac-
tual workins O. o II system, has djspellcd that
degree of so.lci,ude. which, at the outset, dis.
tGro,d bo d hears, and far reaching utcllccls.
IAG apprehension Of dangers from extended
territory by mVltiplied States, accumulated
wealth and augmented population has proved
to be uniounJtl. The stars up,n your banner,
have become nearly three fold tse.r original
number; your denscly populated pusscssons,
skirt the shores of two great oceans, and yet
this vas. increase Of people AMI territory, has
not onl: SiIJ En itself compatible with the har-
monious acton of the States, and the Federal
government in their respective constitutional
spheres, but has afforded an additional ruaran.
tee OF III strength AMI integrity of both. With
an experience tnlS suggested, the u ,licv OF nv
adm nislration will not BE- controlled hv onv
timid fO.rbodngs of evil from eyp,nsion in
deed, it is not to BE- disguise |, that our attitude
as nation, and our POSITION on the globe. rem.
der the acquisition of certain possessions. evil
IDENTITY important for our protection in In. rn,nre
and essential for the preservation of our com.
mcrce and the peace ofthe world, Thev sbnuId
not be obtarned however, through prasnino
spirit, but with a view TO national interests ana
security, and in manner consistent viii tbe
striclcst observance of national filth
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