The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-03-17
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
PRESIDENT PIERCE.

My CoUsTRYMEN: II is a relief to knoa
that 10 heart but my own can feel tn,
personal regrets and bitter sorrow ose
which | have been borne 70 position
suitable for others, rather than desirable
for myself The circumstances under
which have been called, for limited pc
rod, to preside over the destinies of this
Republic tiil me with profound sense oi
responsibility, bu, with nothing like appre.
nenson repair to the post assigned me
act AS TO one sought, but in obedience tt
he unsolicited expression Of your will
Censurable only for a fearless, faithful and
slilgenl exercise Of my best powers,
pugh, to be aud am truly grateful for the
rare manifestation Of the national conf
dcnce. bit this, so far from tightening N.
b.iya,lons, only adds TO their weight
You have summoned me in my weakness
YOU mast sustain me in your strength.
When looking for the Iul.iment Of reason
able requirements, YOU will not be unmind.
III, 81 the great changes which have occur
red, even within the last quarter of a cen
tury, aud the consequent complexity OF
duties in the administration both OF your
home and foreign affairs Whether the el-
amonts Of Inherent force Of the Republic
nave kept pace with it, unparalleled pro
gression in territory, population. an
wealth. has been the suhject Of earnest
,bo1giii aud discussion on both sides al the
,cean Less than siytv-ihree Hears ago
The Father + his country made the recent
accession oi the important State o. N4fth
Carolina to the coniederacy Of the United
States one Of the subjects of his especia
graduation At that moment, however.
when the agitation consequent upon the
revolutionary struggle had hardly subsided,
when we were just emerging from the en-
barassmen,s Of the confederation. there
was an evident Consciousness Of Vigor
equal to the great mission so wisely and
bravely fulfilled by our fathers. 1t was not
presnmptive assurance, but calm faith,
sprngng from clear view Of tho sources
Of power in government constituted like
ours. 1t is no paradox to say that, although
comparatively weak, The new born nation
was insensibly strong in condition, in pop
ula,ion, and apparent resources. 1t was
upheld by broad and intelligent compre.
hension Of rights, and al,pervading par
pose to maintain them stronger than ar.
,naments. Il came from the furnace o
the Revolution tempered to the necessity
Of the times. The thoughts ofthe men o.
that day were as prophetic as their senti
men,s were patriotic. They wasted M
portion OF their energies upon Idle AMI de-
lusive specualions; but, with firm and
fearless step, advanced beyond governmen
tai landmarks which had hitherto circum
scribed the limit OF human freedom, and
planted their standard where it has stood
against dangers which have threatened
from abroad, and an internal agitation
which has at times, tearlI'lv menaced al
home. They proved themselves equal II
the solution ol the great problem tn under
stand which their minds had been il'umlued
bv the dawniug light of the Revolution
they had, not only the power to achieve
hut. whs, all history atfirms to be muct
more unusual. the capacity to maintain
The oppressed throughout the world, from
iha, DAY to the present, have turned their
ewes hitherward-n to find those lights
ey,ingulshed, or TO fear lest they should
wane, but to he cheered by their stead>
md increasing radiance. In this our coun
Try has, in my Judgment, thus far fulfilled
lis highest duty to suffering humanity. j.
has spoken, and it will continue to speak
not only hv its words but by its acts, the
lanruagc Of sympathy and encouragement
To those who listen 10 The tones which pro
nounce the largest national liberty. But.
after aII. tha most enthusiastic and potent
appeal for freedom viii be lis own his
tory-its trials aud is trIumphs. Pre-emI,
nenty The power oi our contederacy repo-
Ses in onr ex1mpie: but ~ example, be il
remembered. can be powerful tor lasting
good-whatever apparent advantages may
be gained which is not based upon the
eternal principles OF right and justice
Our fathers decided for themselves, both
upon the power TO declare and the power
to strike; they were their own judges Of the
circumstances under which it became nee
% sr1 FIR them 10 pledge L. each other
their .shtts. their fortunes snd their sacred
honor" for The acquisition OF the priceless
inheritance transmitted to u.s. The energy
with which that great conflict opened
nnder the guidance of heneficeut Provi
dence. J the endurance with which it wa
prosecuted to its consummatioD, were only
surpassed by the wisdom, patience ant
spirit of concession which characterize
MI the counseIs of the early fathers; ane
The las, impressive evidence OF that wisdom
IS TO be found in the fact that the actua
working of the institutions established h>
our sres has dispelled the feeling OF so'icl
tude which. nt the outset disturbed hoie
hearts and far reaching intelIects. The
apprehension oi dangers from extended ter
riturv. multiplied states, accumulated
wealth, and augmented population, ha'
proved to he unfnunded The stars upon
your banner have brought nearly three-folt
to their original number, while your pos
sessions skirt the shores of the two great
Oceans; and vet, this vast increase o
people and of territory has not only shown
itself compatible with the harmonious
action Of the States and the Federal gov
ornment in their respective constitutions
snbercs, but has afforded an additiona