The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-03-11
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


as President of the United States for
the ensuing four years:
FELLOW CITIZENS: appear before you
tins day to take the solemn oath 'that
will faithfully execute the office of Presi-
dent OF the United States, and will, to the
best of my ability, preserve, protect, and
defend the Constitution Of the United
States"
In entering upon this great Office I must
humbly invoke the God of our fathers for
wisdom and frmness to execute its high
and responsible dnties in such q manner
as to restore harmony and ancient friend
shin among the people Of the several
States, and to preserve our free institu-
tions throughout many generations -
Convinced that | owe my election to the
Inherent love for the Constitution and The
Union which still animates the hearts of
the American people, let me earnestly ask
their powerful support in sustaining all
just measures calculated to perpetuate
these the richest political blessings which
Heaven has ever bestowed upon any ma
tion Having determined not to become
a candidate for reelection, | shall have no
motive to influence my conduct in ad-
ministering the Government except the
desire ably and faithfully to serve my
country and to live in the grateful mem
ory Of my countrymen.
We have recently passed through a
IL in II,
of our fellow-citizens were excited TO the
highest degree by questions of deep and
vital Importance. but when the people pro-
claimed their will the tempest at once sub
sided and all was calm. The voice of the
majority, speaking in the manner prescrib-
ed by the Constitution, was heard, and
instant submission followed. Our own
country could alone have exhibited so
grand and striking spectacle of the capa-
city of man for self government.
What happy conception, then, was it
for Congress to apply this simple rule
that the will of the majority shall govern
ITO the settlement of the question of do
nestle slavery in the Territories! Con-
gress is neither .'to legislate slavery into
any Territory or State or to exclude it
Etherefrom; but to leave the people thereo'
! perfectly free to form and regulate their
domestic institutions in their own way
subject only to the Constitution of the
/ United States" AS natural conse-
lquence, Congress has also prescribed that
when the territory shall be admitted as q
State it "shall be received into the Union
with or without slavery, as their constitu
ton may prescribe at the time oftheir ad
mission"
A difference of opinion has arisen IL
regard to the point of time when the peo
pie of the Territory shall decide this ques
tion for themselves.
; This is, happily, matter of but little
practical Importance Besides, it is IA in
dicial question which legitimately belong
to the Supren!e Court ofthe United States
before whom it is now pending, aud will
it is understood, be speedily and fnail,
settled To their decision, in common
with all good citizens, | shall cheer
fully submit, whatever this may be- thong
it has ever been my individual opinio
; that under the Nebraska Kansas act til
i appropriate period will be when the mum
Il Der Of actual residents in the Territor
: shall Justify ihe formation of constitutio
with a view TO its admission as State in
: to the Union. But, be this as it may,
> is the imperative and indispensable dut
:. of the Government OF the United State
to secure 10 every resident inhabitant tn
= free and independent expression Of hi
opinion by his vote. THIS sacred right {
each individual must be preserved. This
. being accom- plished, nothing can be fairt
than TO leave the people OF a Territor
h free from all foreign interference to decid
y their own destiny for themselves, subieC
. only to the Constitution of the Unite
- States.
If The whole Territorial question bein
# thus settled upon the principle of popula
e sovereignty-a principle as ancient as FIRE
# government itself-every thing of a prat
e tical nature has been decided. No otht
e question remains for adjustment; hecauS
:. all agree that under the Constitution 81;
is very in the States is beyond the reach
Il any human power except that of the r.
e spective States themselves wherein it e1
lists. May we not, then, hope that IL
long agitation on this subject is approach
ing its end and that the geographical pa
ties to which it has given birth, so niue
II dreaded by the Father of his country, wi
IS speedily become extinct? Most hapI
p will it be for the country when the publ
mind shall be deyerted from this questic
= to others of more pressing and practic
% Importance. Throughout the whole pr,
a gress of this agitation, which has scare
v known any intermission for more the
twenty years, whilst it has been produ,
live ofno positive good to any human b
s ing, it has been the prolific source Of gre'
$, evils to the master, TO the slave andto Il
le whole country. 1t has alienated an
is estranged the people OF. the sister Stat'
,e from each other, and has even serious
er endangered the very existence of Il
a Union. Nor has the danger yet entire
9, ceased. I'm Ter our system there is rel