Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1853-03-10
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


t able for myself.
The circumstances under which | have
been called, for limited period, to pre-
: side over the destinies of the Republic
fill me with profound sense of response
5 bility, but with nothing like shrinking
Apprehension. | repair to the post as
signed me, not as to one sought, but in
obedience to the unsolicited expression OF
your will, answerable only for fearless,
faithful, and diliScnt exercise Of my best
powers. l ought to be, and am, truly
greatefnl for the rare manifestation of
the nations confidence; 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
fulfllmcnt of reasonable requirements,
you will not be unmindful of the great
changes which have occurred, even within
the last quarter of a century, and the
consequent augmentation and complcxity
of duties imposed, in the administration
both of your home and foreign affairs.
Whether the clements of inherent force
in the Republic have kept pace with its
unparalleled progression in territory,
population and wealth, has been the SUBJ
ject of earnest thought and discussion, on
both sides of the ocean. Less than six
! ty-thrce years ago, the Father of his
/ Country made 'the' then recent accession
of the important State of North Carolina
/ to the Constitution of the United States,'
one of tie subjects of his special congrat-
( ulation. At that moment, however, when
/ the agitation consequent upon the revolu-
tionary struggle had hardly subsidized,
when We were just emerging from the
weakness and cmbarrassments of the
/ Confederation, there was an evident con-
Sciousncss of vigor, equal to the great
mission so wisely and bravcly fulfilled by
our fathers. 1t was not presumptuous
assurance, but calm faith, springing
from clear view Of the sources of power,
in government constituted like ours
It is no paradox to say that although
comparatively weak, the new born nation
was intrinsically strong. Inconsiderable
in population and apparent resources, it
was upheld By broad and intelligent
comprehension Of rights, and an all-per-
vading purposet to maintain them, stronger
than armamentS. 1t came from the fur
mace Of the revolution, tempered to the
necessities of the times. The thoughts
of the men of that day were as practical
as their sintimentS were patriotic. They
wasted no portion of their energies upon
idle and delusiye specuiatious, but with
firm and fearlerss step advanced beyond
the governmental land marks, which had
hitherto circumscrbed the limits of human
freedom, and planted their standard where
i: has stood, against dangers, which have
threatened from abroad, aud internal al
tation, which has at times fearfully me-
naced at home. They approved them
selves equal to the solution of the great
problem, to understand which their minds
had been illuminated BY the dawning
lights ofthe revolution. The object sought
was not thing dreamed Of: it was q
thing realized. They exhibited not only
the power to achieve, but what all history
afirms 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 hith-
erward, not to find those ights extingu-
ished, or to fear lest they should wane,
but to be constantly cheered by their
steady and increasing radiance.
In this, our country has in my judg-
ment thus far fulfilled its highest duty to
suffering hum anity. 1t has spoken, and
will continue to speak, not only by its
words but by its acts, the language of
sympathy, encouragement and hope, to
those, who earnestly listen to tones, which
pronounce for the largest rational liberty.
But, after all, the most animatng en-
couragcment and potent appeal for fire.
dom will be its own history, its trials and
its triumphS. Pre-eminently, the power
of our advocacy repose in our example;
but no example, be it remembered, can
be powerful for lasting good, whatever
advantages may be gained,
which is not based upon eternal princi-
plies of right and justice. Our fathers
decided for themselves, both upon the
hour to declare and the hour to strike
They were their own judges of the circum-
stances, under which it became them to
pledge to each other their lives, their
fortunes, and their sacred honor, for the
acquisition of the priceless inheritance
transmitted to US. The energy, with
which that great conflict was opened, and,
under the guidance of manifest and
benefcent Providence, the accomplishing
endurance with which it was prosecuted
to its consummation, were only surpassed
by the wisdom and patriotic spirit Of con-
cesSion which characterized all the coun-
sells of the early fathers.
One of the most impressive evidence of
that wisdom is TO be found in the fact,
that the actnal wnrkinr of our system has