Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-03-11
INAUGURAL ADDRESS oPFRANFLIN PIERCE,

INAUGURAL ADDRESS oBEIsANKLIN PIERCE,
President OF tI,s Un1ted states, March 4, 1853.
ny CousTRYmEN It is relief to feel that no L
heart but my own can know the personale regret
and bitter sorrow. over which have been borne 70
position, suitable for others. rather than deslr
able for myself
The circumstances under which have been call
ed for limited period, preside over the destlnies
of the Republic, fill me with profound sense OF re-
sponsibility but with nothing like shrinking appfe
hension. repair to the post assigned me. not as 10
sought. but in obedience to the unsolicited ex-
preston of your WILL answcrable only for fearless
faithful and dgent exercise of my best powers.
ought to be, and am, truly grateful for the rare
manifestation of the nationsconidence but this, so
far from Tightening my obligations only adds to their
weight You have summoned me in my weakness you
must sustain me by your strength. When looking
for the fulhlment of reasonable requirements you
will not be unmlndful of the great changes whlch
have occurred, within the last quarter OF cen
fury, and the consequent augmentation and comp 'e2-
iy of duties imposed in the administration both OF
your home and foreign affairs
Whether the elements of inherent force IN the he
public have kept pace with its unparalleled progress
sion in territory, population, and wealth, mas oeeh
the subject of earnest thought and discussion on
both sides of the Less than sixty-three years
ago. the Father of his country made . the then
recent accession of the important State OF Nortn
| Carolina to the Constitution of the United Htates,
one of the subjects of his special congratulation AT
that moment however, when the agitation conse-
quent upon the revolutionary struggle had hafdiy
/ subsidized when we were Just emerging from the
| weakness and embarrassments of the Confederation,
there evident consciousness OF y1gor, e9uai
to the great mission so, wisely and bravery 1ulhiieu
by our fathers. 1t was not presumptuous assur-
ance. but a calm faith. springing from clear view
of the sources of power, in government consttu-
ted like ours 1t is no paradox to say that, although
comparatively weak, the new born nation was lntrn-
sically strong. Inconsiderabe in population and ap
parent resources it was upheld by broad and IN
Of ord0
ding purpose to maintain them, stronger than arma-
ments Ii came from the furnace of the revolution,
tempered to the necessities of the times The thoughts
of the men of that day were as practical as their
sentiments were patriotic They wasted no portloh
of their energies upon idle and delusive specuaons,
but with firm and fearless step advanced beyond
the governmental landmarks, which had hitherto
circumscribed the limits of human freedom, and
! planted their standard where it has Stood against
dangers which have threatened from abroad, and
internal agitation which has at times fearfuy me-
naced at home. They approved themselves equal
to the solution of the great problem to understand
which their minds had been illuminated by the
dawning lights of the revolution The object sought
was not a thing dreamed of it thing realized.
They had exhibited not only the power to achieve,
but what all history affrms to be much more I'M
usual the capacity to maintain The oppressed
throughout the world from that day to the present
have turned their eyes hitherward, not to find those
lights extinguShed, to fear lest they should Wane
but to be constantly cheered by their steady and in
creasing radiance.
5 In this, our country has in my judgment thus far
fulfilled its highest duty 10 suffering humanity. II
has spoken and will continue to speak, not only by
its words but by its ac,s The language of sympathy
and hope 10 those who earnestly lister
to tones which pronounce for the largest ratona
liberty. But after all, the most animating encour
, agement and potent appeal for freedom will be III
own history its trials and its trumphs. Ire eminent
ly the power of our advocacy reposes in our exam
! pie but example, be it remembered can be pow
erul for lasting good whatever apparent advantage
may be gained, which is not based upon eternal pm
ciples of rite and justice. Our fathers decided TO
themselves both upon the hour to declare and the hon
TO strike They were their own Judges OF the cir
cumstances, under which it became them 10 pledg
10 each other 'their lives, their fortunes and thel
sacred HONOR for the acquisition OF the priceless
inheritance transmitted TO The energy with whiC
. that great conflict was opened, and under the guild
$ ance of manifest and beneficent Providence, th
accomplishing endurance with which il was prosecu
t ted 10 its contamination, only surpassed by til
e wisdom and patriotic spirit OF concession, whlc
characterized all the counsels of the early fathers
: One of the most impressive evidences of that wis
dom is be found in the fact, that the actual workin
t of our system has dispeed degree of solicitude
which, at the outset, disturbed bold hearts and far
reaching inteecs. The apprehension of danger
from extended territory, multiplied States, accumua
o ed wealth, and augmented popualion has proved /
l. be unfounded The stars upon your banner hav
; become nearly threefold their original number, you
densely populated possessions skirt the shores of III
great oceans, and yet this vast increase of peopl
x and territory has not only shown itself compabl
y with the harmonious action Of the States and tn
Federal government in their respective constitutions
e Spheres but has afforded additional guarantee o
the strength and integrity of both.
!; With experience thus suggestive and cheering
II the policy of my administration will not be control
J. ed by any mid forebodings of evil from expansion
e Indeed, it is not to be disguised that attitude
l. nation, and position the globe, render tn
acquisition of certain possessions. not within our u
K risdicton, eminently important for protection
Is not, in the future, essential for the preservation
the rg hts of commerce and the peace of the wOrlC
Should they be obtained, it will be throug grasp
+ ing spirit, but with view to obvious national inter
&c est and security and in entirely consister
e with the srictest observance of national faith w
= have nothing in history position to invite az
= erosion we have everything to beckon to til
IL cultivation of relations of peace and amitv with al
nations. Purposes therefore, at just and pa
cifc, will be Significantly marked in the conduct
81 our foreign affairs. intend that my adminis;rao
shall leave no blot upon fair record, and trust
:" may safely give the assurance that act With
Is the legitimate scope of my constitutional control wi
be tolerated, on the part of any portion of cit
~ zens, which cannot challenge ready justiicato
H. before the tribunal of the civilized world. An &C
u, mnlstration would be unworthy of confidence
~ home or respect abroad should it to be inf,
- enced by the conviction that apparent advantag
" can be purchased at price dear that OF n;
H. tional wrong dishonor. 1t is not your privileg
as nation, to speak of a distant past. The strkn
~ incidents of yonr history, replete with instruction
~ and furnishing abundant gr unds for hopeful conf
. dence, are comprised in period comparatively bre
a, But if your past is limited your future is boundles
lP0tI fhn