Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-03-11
The Inauguration,

tary procession WAS formed ON Pennsylvania av-
enue, andt spectators thronging the streetS, are
estimated as numbering at least 100000. The
military, composed of Il company OF United
States Artillery, a company OF Marines, and
some twenty-five volunteer companies from va
rious parts of the country, numbered about two
thousand. and were commanded by Gen. Quit
man. On arriving at the Capitol, Mr.. Bu chan
an was conducted to the Eastern portico, where,
before taking the oath of Office, he delivered the
following
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FELLOW ClrIzENs:-I appear before you this
day TO take the solemn oath THAT will faith
fully execute the office of President of the u
nted 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 must hum
bly, invoke the God of our fathers for wisdom
and tirmness to execute its high and responsible
duties in such a manner as to restore harmony
and ancient friendship among the people OF the
several States and to preserve cur free instltu-
tons throughout many generations. Convinc-
ed owe my election to the inherent love Tor the
constitution and the Union which still animates
the hearts of the American people, let me ear
nestly ask their powerful support in sustaining all
Just measures calculated to perpetuate these, the
richest political blessings which Heaven has ev-
er bestowed upon any nation. Having deter
mined not to become candidate for reelection,
II shall have no motive to influence my conduct
in administering the government except the de-
sire ably and faithfully to serve my country, and
to live in the grateful memory OF my country
men.
We have recently PASSED through Presi-
Dental contest in which the passions OF our tel
low citizens we're excited to the highest degree
by questions of deep and vital importance; but
when the people proclaimed their will, the tenn
pest at once subsidized and all was calm.
The voice of the majority, speaking in the
manner described by the constitution, wash heard
and instant submission followed. Our own
country could alone have exhibited so grand
and striking spectacle of the capacity OF man
for elf-government.
What a happy conception, them was it for Con-
gress to apply this simple rue-that the will OF
the majority shall goyern-to the settlement OF
the question of domestic slavery in the terrific
ries Congress is neither "to legislate slavery
into any Territory or State nor to exclude itthere-
free to form and regulate their domestic institu-
tionsin their own way, subject only TO the con-
stitution ofthe United States" AS natural con-
sequence, Congress, has also, prescribed that
when the Territory of Kansas shall be admitted
MS State, it .'shall be received into the Union,
with or without slavery, as their constitution
may prescribe at the time of their admission"
\ difference of opinion has arisen in regard to
the point of time when the people of Territory
shall decide the question for themselves.
This is, happily, matter of but little practi-
cal Importance. Besides, it is Il judicial ques-
ton which legitimately belongs to the Supreme
Court of the United States, before whom it is
pending, and will, it is understood, be speedily
and finally settled. To their decision, in COM
mon with all good citizens, shall cheerfully
submit whatever this may be, though it has
ever been my individual opinion that, under
the Nebraska-K Kansas act, the appropriate period
will be when the number of actual residents in
the Territory shall justify the formation of q
constitution with view to its admission as q
State into the Union. But be this as it may, it
is the imperative and indispensable duty of the
government of the United States to secure to
every resident inhabitant the free and indepen-
dent expression OF his opinion by his vote. This
sacred right of each individual must be preserv-
farer 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 question being thus set
tied upon the principle Unpopular sovereignty
a principle rs ancient free government itself
everything Of Il practical nature has been de-
cided. No other question remains for adj
iustment; because all agree that, underline con-
stitution, slavery in the States is beyond the
reach of any human power, except or the res
pective States themselves wherein it exists
May we not, then, hope that the long agitation
of this subject is approaching its end, and that
the geographical parties to which it has given
birth so Dreaded by the Father of his Country,
will speedily become extinct? Most happy will
it DO for the country when the public mind
shall be diverted from this question to others of
more pressing and practical Importance
Throughout the whole process of this agitation,
which has scarcely known any intermisson for
more than twenty years, whilst it has been pro-
ductve of no positive good to any human be.
ing it has been the prolific source Of great evils
to the master, to the slave, and to the country.
1t has alienated and estranged the people of the
sister States from each other, and has even seri-
ously endangered the very existence of the I'm
on Nor has the danger yet 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.
Political subjects which but a few years ago en-
asperated the public mind have passed away
and are now nearly forgotten. But this custom
of domestic slavery is of far graver Importance
than any mere political question, because, should
the agitation continue, it may eventually endan-
ger the personal safety of large portion of our
countrymen where the institution exists In
that event, no form Of government, however
admirable in itself, apd however productive of
material benefits, can compensate for the loss of
peace and domestic security around the family
altar. Let every Union-loving man, therefore,
exert his best influence to suppress this agita-
ton, which, since the recent legislation of Con-
gress, is without any Legitimate object.
1t is an evil omen Of the times that men have
undertaken to calculate the mere material value
of the Union Reasoned estimates have been
presented of the pecuniary profits and local adj
vantages which would result to different States
and sections fromits dissolution, and of the COM
parative injuries which such an event would in
tict on other States and sections. Even de-
scending to this low and narrow view of the
mighty question, all such calculations are at
fault. The bare reference to a single considera-
ton will be conclusive on this point. We at
present enjoy a free trade throughout our extern
sive and expanding country, such as the world
has never witnessed. This trade is conducted
on railroads and canals-on noble rivers and
arms of the sea-whch bind together the North
and the South, the East and the West of our
confederacy. Annihilate this trade, arrest its
free progress by the geographical lines of jeal-
Gus and hostile States, and you destroy the pros
perity and onward march of the whole and ev-
cry part, and involve all in one common ruin.
But such considerations important as they are
in themselves, sink into insigniicance when we
reflect on the terrific evils which would result
f,o,,, 1,up;op En- orarv r,ort;ou ~ 90,