Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-03-10
CEN. PlERCE's INAUGURAL.


which have been borne. 10 position 50
suitable for otheGs rather than desira bic
for myself. The circumstances under
which have been called, for a limited
period. 10 preside over the destinies OF
this republic. fl me with a profound
sense of possibility. bat nothing like
apprehension. repair to the post as
signed me. not as to one sought, but in
obedience TO the unsolicited expression
of your will, and responsible only for
fearless. faithful aud diligent exercise OF
my best powers.
1 ought to be. and am truly grateful for
the rare manifestation Of the nations
confidence. But this, so far from light
ening NY obligations. only adds to their
weight. You have summoned me in my
weakGess-you must sustain me with
your strength. When locking for the
fulfllment Of reasonable requirements,
you will not be unmindful OF the great
changes which have occurred even with
In the last quarter o! Century, and the
consequent completely of duties III the
administration, Both of home and foreign
aG@iis. Whether the elements Of inner
ent force ii the republic have kept pace
with its unparalleled progression in ter
ritorial population. and ealih, hes been
the subject Of earnest thought and dis
cussion OH both sides OF the ocean. Less
than sixty three years ago, the Father OF
his country made the then recent acces
sion of the. important State Of North Car
0lna 10 tie confederation of the United
States. one Of the subjects Of especial
congratuaiion. Al that m0meut. how
ever. when the agita lion consequent up
on the revolutionary struggle had hardly
subsidized, when We we're Just emerging
from the weakness and embarrassment; Of
the confederation, there was an evident
consciousness of yigor equal 20 he great
mission so wisely and ably fulfilled by
Gu. f-.hefs.
l. was not p!csunp 'uous assurance,
bat calm faith. sPIiagins from a clear
view % the sources OF power in a gov
eminent constituted like ours. Il IS no
paradox TO say. that although comrara-
lively weak, the ne " born nation MAS IN
senzihly s.roag.
Ia condition. in population, and appa
remt resources. il was upheld IS 4 broad
Intelligent comprehension Of night, and
an all pervading purpose to maintain
;hem stronger than armamerts. |. came
from the furnace OF the revolution. TEN
re.ed 10 the necessity of the tines
The thoughts Of thc men Of tina. day
were as prophetic as lLelf sCn,imrn S
were patriotic. They wasted 70 portion
Of their energies upon lille aud jelusiye
specuations, but with firm AID fearless
step, advanced beyond governmental
land marks which had hitherto ciscum-
scgibed the limits .: human freedom, end
planted ;htig standard who're !. has stood
against dangers winch have :h.e.tsned
from abroad and IN internal {. ita,ion
which las a. times iea.fuily nleD2ced at
home.
The have prove; themselves equal to
the solution IF the greet problem. TO un-
derstand which their minds had been IL
Iumi:.ated b. The iawning light Of tae
revolution. The object sought was not
a thing dreamed Oft was ID thing real
liz 4. They had net only The power TO
achieve, but what all history affirmed 20
/ he SO much more unusual, TIE capacity
TO maintain. The oppressed throughout
the world from that day TO the present
have turned their eyes h;Iherward. not
20 fini those lights exi;nguished. or to
fear les. they should waive, bat to be
cheered by their steady and increasing
radiance in this. our country has. IN
my judgment, thus far fulfilled It's high
est duty. Ii has spoken and il will cen
tinue 10 speak, net only by its words. bat
by its acts. tae language OF sympathy and
encourage to those who listened 10
tones which pronounced for the larges,
national liberty. But after all, the most
enthusiastic and potent appeal for freq
dom. will be It's own history. its trials.
and It's trirmphs. fle-eminenily the
power OF cur confef!eracy repcsss III our
example, but no example. be it renen
bered, can be powerful for lasting good.
whatever apparent Advantages may be
gained. which is not based or the eier-
nal PRINCIPLES oil right and justice. Our
Fathers decided for the mSeives. 10th up
on The power TO declare. and the power
to strike. They were their own judges
on the circumstances under which il be-
came necessary for them to pledge to
each other their lives. their fortunes, and
thei: sacred honors. for the acquisition
Of the priceless inheritance transmitted
to us.
The energy with which that great con-
fiict opened under the guidance Of a be-
nficent Providence, and the endurance
with which ii was prosecuted TO its con-
summation were only surpassed by the wis
dom and patience. and spirit of conces-
sion which chars c,erized all the earthly
fathers; and the impressive evidence of
! -. IL L. ia...al IN L.