Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-03-09
inaugural Address of President Pierce
MARCH 4, 1858.

a
able for myself.
The circumstances under which have beer cal.
ed, for limited period to preside over the aest
MES of the Republic I'll me with proIouno sense
Of responsibility. but with nothing like shrinking
apnrehension | repair to the post assigned me-
not rs TO one sought but in obedience to the uso-
Ecited expression of your will. answerable only tor
fearless. faithful ard digent exercise of my best
Mowers ought to be, and am, truly grateful tor
the rare manifestation of the nations confidence;
but this. SO far from tightening my obligations on
" adds to their weight You have summoned me
in nv weakness; you must sustain me by your
strength When looking for the fuhlment OF rea,
sonaLle requirements, you will not be unmlndful
of the great changes which have occurred even
within the last quarter of century and the con-
seouent augmentation and complexity OF duties
imposed, in the administration both OF your hoille
and foreign affairs.
Whether the elements of inherent force in the
Republic have kept pace with its unparalleled pro-
preston in territory, population and wealth, mas
been the subject of earnest thought and discussion,
on both sides of the ocean. Less than slxty-tour
wears ago. the Father of his Country made 'Hhe
then recent accession of the important State OF
North Carolina to the Constitution OF the United
States" one of the bects of his special congrat-
ulation. At that moment, however, when the ag-
itation consequent upon the revolutionary struggle
had hardly subsidized, when we were just emerging
from the weakness and cmbarrasSments OF the
Confederation, there was an evident CONSCIOUSNESS
of vigor, equal to the great mission so wisely and
bravely fulfilled by fathers. 1t was not pre-
sumptuous assurance, but calm faith, sprnglng
from clear view of the sources of power, in
government constituted like ours. 1t is no para
dox to say that, although comparative y weak, the
new born nation was intrinsically strong. lncon-
siderable in population and apparent resources, 1t
was upheld BY broad and intelligent comprehen-
sion of rights and an allpervading purpose to main
tain them, stronger than ornaments. 1t came from
the furnace of the Revolution, tempered to the ne
cessities of the times. The thoughts of the men
Of that day were practical as their sentiments
were patriotic They wasted no portion Of their
energies upon idle and deIusive speculations, hut
with firm and fearless step advanced beyond the
cover mental landmarks, which had hitherto cir
cumscrbed the limits of human freedom, and plant
ed their standard where it has stood, against dan
gers, which have threatened from abroad, and IN
terna agitation which has at times tearfully IN enac
ed at home. They approved themselves equal to
the solution of the great problem, to understand
which their minds had been Illuminated by the
dawninr lights of the Revolution. The object
sought was not thing dreamed of; it was thing
realized. They had exhibited not only the power
to achieve but what all history afhrlns 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 hitherward, not
to find those lights extinguished, to fear lest
they should wane, but to be constantly cheered by
their steady and increasing radiance.
In this our country has, in my judgment, thus
far fulfilled its highest duty to suffering humanity.
It has spoken and will continue to speak, not only
by its words but by its acts, the language of SYM
pathy, encouragement, and hope, to those who
earnestly listen to tones which pronounce for the
largest rational liberty. But, after all, the most
anmating encouragement and potent appeal for
freedom will be its own history, its trials, and its
trumphs Pre-eminently, the power of our advo-
cucy reposes in our example; but example, be
it remembered, can be powerful for lasting good
whatever apparent advantages may be gained
which is not based upon eternal principles 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 crcum-
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 opened and under The
guidance of a manifest and benefcent Providence,
the accomplishing endurance with which it was
prosecuted to its consummation, were only sur
passed by the wisdom and patriotic spirit Of con-
cession which characterized all the counsels of the
early fathers.
One of the most impressive evidences of that
wisdom is to be found in the fact, that the actual
working of our system has dspelled degree of
solicitude, which, at the outset, disturbed bold
hearts and far-reaching intellects: The apprehen-
sion of dangers from extended territory, multiplied
States, accumulated wealth, and augmented popu-
lation, has proved to be unfounded. The stars up
on your banner have become nearly three their
original number, yonr densely populated posses
slons skirt the shores of the two great oceans and
yet this vast increase of people and territory has
not only shown itself compatible with the harmon
ious action of the States and the Federal Govern
ment IN their respective constitutional Spheres but
has afforded additional guarantee of the strength
and integrity OF both.
With an experience thus suggestive and cheer
ing, the policy of my Administration will not be
controlled by any tirnd forebodngs of evil from
expansion. Indeed, it is not to be disguised that
our attitude as nation, and our position on the
globe, render the acquisition of certain possessions
not within our Jurisdiction emnently important for
our protection, if not, in the future essential for
the preservation of the rights of commerce and the
peace of the world. Should they be obtained, it
will be through no grasping spirit, but with view
10 obvious national interest and security, and in
manner entirely consistent with the strctest observ
ance OF national faith. We have nothing in our
history or position to invite aggression, we have
every thing to beckon us to the cultivation of re}a
tons OF peace and amity with all nations. Purpo-
ses, therefore, at once just and pacific, will be sig
nltcantly marked in the conduct of our foreign af-
fairs. intend that my Administration shall leave
no blot upon our fair record and trust may safely