Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-04-11
Mr.. BUcHANAN's INAUGURAL

Mr.. BUCHANANs INAUGURAL.
Fellotr ChiaeiS II appear before YOU today
TO take the soleman oath that | will faithfully
execute the office of President of the United
States and will, to the best of my ability pre-
serve. protect and defend the Constitution of the
United States.
In entering upon this great office, most hum
bly, invoke the God of our fathers for wisdom and
frmuess to execute its high and responsible du-
ties in such manner as to restore harmony and
the ancient friendship among the people of the
several States, and to preserve our free insttu-
tions throughout many generations.
Convinced that | owe my election to the in
herent love for the Constitution and the Union
which still animatcs the hearts of the American
people-let me earnestly ask their powerful sup
port in sustaining all just measures calculated to
perpetuate the richest political blessing which
Heaven ever bestowed upon any nation. Having
determined not to become candidate for rc-elec-
tion. | shall have no motive TO influence my con-
duct in administering the government except the
desire ably and faithfully 10 serve my country
and to live in the grateful memory of my coun-
trymen.
We have recently passed through presiden-
tial contest in which the passions Of our fellow
citizens were excited to the highest degree by
questions Of deep and vital Importance But
when the people proclaimed their will the tenn
pust 1T tiCe SubSiucu ana All WAS calm. ] he
voice of the ma aority speaking in the manner pre-
scribed by the Constitution was heard, and in
slant submission followed. Our own country
could alone have exhibited so grand and strk-
ing spectacle of the capacity OF man for self
government What a happy conception, then
was ii for Congress to apply this simple rule
that the will of the majority shall govern ihc
settlement of the question OF domestic slavery in
the Territories.
Congress is neither to legslate slavery into
any Territories or State, or to exclude il there
from, but TO leave the people thereof perfectly
free to form and regulate their domestic insttu.
tiOns in their own way. subject only to the Con-
stitution OF the United States. As 4 natural
consequence, Congress has also prescribed that
when the Territory of Kansas shall be admitted
asa State, it shall be received into the Union
with or without slavery, as the Constitution may
prescribe at the time of their admission. A diff
ferent opinion has arisen in regard to the time
when the people of Territory shall decide the
question themselves. This is happily matter of
but little importance, and, besides ii is q judi
cial question which lcgitmatcly belongs TO the
Supreme Court of the United States before
whom it is now pending, and will, it is under
stood, be speedily finally settled. To their de-
cision. i'll common with all good citizens | shall
cheerfuly summit. whatever this may be. though
it has been my individual opinion that, under
the kansas-Nebraska Act, the appropriate pc
rlod Will be when the number Of actual residents
in the Territories shall Justify the formation OF a
Constitution, with view TO its admission az
State into the Union. But be this as it may, it
is the imperative duty of the Government Of the
United States to sccnre to every resident inhabi-
tant the free aud independent expression of his
opinion by his vote. This sacred right ol each
individual must be preserved, and this being ac-
complished, neither can be faircr than to leave
The people Of Territory free from all foreign
Interference to decide their own destiny for
themselves. subject only to the Constitution OF
The United States. The whole Territorial qucs
ton being thus settled upon the principles of
popular sovereigny-a principal as ancient as
free government itscli.-cverything of a practical
nature has been decided, and no other question
remains for adjustment, because all agree that
under the Constitution, slavery in the States is
beyond the reach o. any human power except
that of the respective States themselves, where it
exists.
May we not then hope that long agitation on
tins subject is approaching its end and that the
geographical parties to which it has given birth
SO much dreaded by the Father of his country,
will speedily become extinct. Most happy will
it be for the country when the public mind shall
be diverted from this question 70 others of more
pressing and practical Importance. Throughout
the whole progress of this agitation. which has
scarcely known any intcrnssion for more than
twenty years while it has been productive of no
positive good to any human being it has been
the prolific source of great evils to the master, 10
the slaves, and the whole country, and the whole
cOuntry has alienattd and estranged the people
of the sister States from each other. This even
seriously endangered the very existence Of the
| Mon. nor has the danger vet entirely ceased
Under our system, there is remedy for all mere
political evils in the sound sense and sober iudg-
ment Of the people. Time is great corrective.
The political subjects which but Il few years
ago cXaspcratcd the public mind have passed
"a t&ttt ,;c
question OF domestic slavery is Of far greater i'm
portance than any mere political question, be-
cause should the agitation continue. il may even
tualy endanger the personal safety of a lirge
portion OF our countrymen where the institution
exists. In that event no form Of government
however productive Of material benefits can COM
pensate for the loss OF peace and domestic srcur-
ity around the family altar. Let every Union
loving man, therefore exert his influence to sur
press this agitation which, since the recent leg
isation OF Congress is without any legitimate
object. 1t is an evil Of the times that men have
undertaken to calculate the mere national value
Of the Union
Recent estimates have been presented of the
pecuniary profit and local advantages which
would result the different States and sections
from its dissolution, and of the comparative injI-
rics which such an event would infict on other
States aud sections. Even descending to cacu-
lations are at fault. The bare reference to a
point We at the present enjoy free trade
throughout our extensive and expansive country.
such as the world never witnessed this trade is
conducted on railroads and canals. on noble riy-
vcrs and arms Of the sea. which bind together
the North and The South the East aud the West
of our confederacy : annihilatc this tradc-arrcst
its progress by the geographical lines OF JEALOUS
and hostile States, and you destroy the prosperi-
ty and onward march Of the whole aud every
part and involve all in one common ruin but
such considerations, important as they are in
themselves, sink into insgnieance. when we re-
fleet on the terrific evils which would result from
disunion. to every portion Of the confedcracy--to
the North not more than to the Sonth-tO the
East not more than TO the West. These | shall
not attempt to portray, because feel an humble
confidence that the kind Providence which in
spircd our fathers with wisdom to frame the
most perfect form Of government and union ever
devised by man. will not suffer it to perish until
II shall have been peacefully instrumental by its
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