True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-03-11
from tne baILlm oIC oun'
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

gress adjourned was opened LOT tne AL
mission of Senators and the privileged
guests, ex-Presidents and Vice-P Presidents
the Judges of the Supreme Court, who
were in black silk gowns, diplomat
ic corps, heads of department and mem
bers of Congress, officers of the army
and navy who by name have received the
thanks of Congress, Governors of State
and various officials connected with the
government, besides the local authorities
of the District of Columbia, &c. The
procession having arrived, the President
and President elect, accompanied by the
committee of arrangements, proceeded to-
the Vice President room, and on the
new Senate being called 10 order, the
President and President elect were intro.
duced by the committee of arrangements
to the seats prepared for them in front OF
the secretary's table in the Senate cham
ber, with the Judges on the right and
the diplomatic corps on the left The
whole body then proceeded to the eastern
portico, where the President took his
seat in front of the platform, with the Off
ciaIs, &c., named in order in the rear.
An immense concourse of citizens were
in attendance, and the throng extended
a considerable distance in every direc'
ton. So soon as order could be restored,
Mr. Buchanan rose, and in clear, strong
voice, delivered the following.
FeVOw Citizens : | appear before you
this day to take the solemn oath " that |
will laithfullyexecute the office of Presi-
dent ol the United States, and will, 10 the
best OF my ability, preserve, protect and
defend the constitution Of the United
States"
In entering upon this great office,
must humbly invoke the God of our faith
ers for wisdom and frmness to execute
its high nd responsible duties in man.
ner as to restore harmony and ancient
friendship among the people of the sew
eral States, and to preserve our free in
stilutions throughout many generations
Convinced that owe my election to the
inherent love for the constitution and the
Union which still animates the hearts o
the American people, let me earnestly
ask their powerful support in sustaining
all Just measures calculated to perpetuatt
these, the richest political blessings
which Heaven has ever bestowed upol
a nation. Having determined TO be
come candidate for reelection, shal
have no motive 10 influence my conduc
in administering the government excep
the desire TO ably and faithfully serv'
my country, and to live in the grateful
memory Of my countrymen.
We have recently passed through
presidential contest in which the passions
OF our fellow citizens were excited TO tn
highest degree by questions Of deep an
vital Importance, but when the peopl
proclaimed their will, the tempest at one
subsidized and all was calm.
The voice of the majority, speakin
in the manner pres cribed by the const
tuition, was heard, and instant submissio
followed. Our own country could alon
have exhibited so grand aud striking
a spectacle of the capacity Of man 10
self government
What happy conception, then, was
for Congress TO apply this simple rule
that the will of the majority shall COVER
TO the settlement of the question
domestic slavery in the territories
Congress is neither "to legiSlate SLAYER
t into any Territory or State nor 10 eXclud
it thcrefrom; but to leave the peopI
thereof perfectly free to form and regr
late their domestic Institutions in the
own way, subject only to the cOnstitl
? ton of the United States" AS a natu
Q al consequence, Congress has also pre-
crbed shat when the Territory Of Kansi
shall be admitted as a state, it shall |
received into the Union with or witho
: slavery, as their constitution may pr
b scribe at the time of their admission"
A different opinion has arisen in regar
to the point of time when the people of
territ ory shall decide the question f
S themselves.
This is, happily, matter Of but lit
y practical importance. Besides, it is
= judicial question which legitimately b
ongs to the Supreme Court of the Unit
States, before whom it is now pendin
u and will, it is understood, be speedily al
finally settled. TO their decision,
common with all good citizens, sh
= cheerfuIly submit whatever this may b
J. though it has ever been my individu
20 opinion that under the Nebraska.Ka
9, act the appropriate period will be VIII
- the number Of actual residents in the t.
III ritory shall justify the formation Of
es constitution with view to its admissi
S, as State into the Union. But be this
,e it may, it is the imperative and indespe
:. sable duty Of the government of the U
10 ted States to secure to every resident
10 habitant the free and independent expr
lis sion of his opinion by his vote. Il
e- sacred right Of each individual must
vo preserved. That being accomplish
~ nothing can be fairer than to leave
IN people Of a territory, free from all fore
aI interference, 10 decide their own dest
n fol themselves, subject orly to the con
re tuition of the United States.
- The whole territorial question be
- then settled upon the principle of po
ne lar sovercignty-a principle as ancien
is the government itself-eyerything OF