The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-03-19
INAUGURAL address.

this day TO take the solemn oath that will
faithfully execute the Office of President ol
the United States and viii to the best Of
my ability. preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution Of the United states. In en-.
tering upon this great Office. must humbly
igIoke the God of our fathers for wisdom
a9 r,nness TO execute its high and respon.
STA duties In such n manner ~ to restore
harmony and the ancient friendship among
the peOple cf the several States, and 10 pr.
serve our several institutions Throughout,
many generations. Convinced that | owe
my election TO the inherent love of the Con.
stitution and the Union which still animat,s
the hearts Of thu American l.,ople. let me
earnestly ask their powerful support in s,,s-
tanning all just measures calculated 10 per
Ietuate these, the richest political dressings
which Heaven has ever bestowed upon any
nation. Having determined not 10 become
a candidate for reelection, | shall have no
motive 10 influence my conduct in admins
tring the Government except the desire
ably and faithfully 10 serve my country and
10 live in the grateful memory Of my coun-
trymen.
We have recently passed through Pres
idential contest in which the passions Of our
fellow citizens were excited 10 the highes,
degree by questions OF deep and vital impor-
tinee' but when the people proclaimed their
VIII 'ne teinM@l AZ once .snpshl'Si. ADJ. Al
was calm. The voice of the majority,spak
my in the manner prescribed by the Consti-
tuition. was heard, and instant submission
followed Our own country could alone have
exhibited so grand and striking u spectacle
81 The capacity oil man Tor sell government
hal happy consideration was IT, thea
Tor congress toapp'. tins simple rule, that
the WIN OF The majority shall govern 10 the
settlement oi the question OF Domestic Sia-
very IN The Territories '"ngr,'NS Is neither
Ia fgsiate Slavery INTO any Territory or
state, nor 10 exclude II thcrelrom but To
leave The people thereof perfectly ire 10
form aud regulate their domestic institutions
IN thtir own way, subject only 10 The 'oh.
st''u'ion oi the United States Us natural
consequence.
Congress has a!sc prescribed that when
the Territory OF Kansas shall be admitted
as State, 1t shall be received into The
MON with or without Slavery, as their
Constitution may prescribe at the time OF
their admission. difference Of opinion has
ARISEN IN regard to the time when the PEG
pie 81 Territory shall decide this question
Tor themselves. This Is happily matter OF
but little practical Importance; and besides
il isa Judicial question which legi,ima,cly
belongs TO the supreme Court OF the INT
ted states, before whom It Is now pending.
and will. It is understood. be spr,iiy and
finally settled. To their decision. IN com
mon with all good citizens, shall checriully
submit, whatever this may be, though Il has
been my individual opinion tina, under the
Nebraska-k ansas act the appropriate peri
oil will be when the numher Of actual rest
dents in the Territories shall justify the for
nation o' Constitution with view 10 lis
admission ~ state in'o the Union. But
Nv this rs II may il Is the Imperative and
indispensable duty Of the Government OF the
United states % secure 10 every resident in
habltant the free and independent expires
sion OF his opinion by his vote. This sacrd
right Of each individual must be- preserved.
This being accomplished, nothing can be
faircr than TO leave the people OF territory
free from all foreign interference IL decide
their own destiny foa Themselves, subject only
10 the Constitution Of the United states.
The whole Territorial question being thus
settled upon the principle OF popular sovtr-
"ign'y--a prlnciple n ancient ~ free gov
crnmen' itself--cyerything Of practical
nature has been decided and n" other qlic.-
ton rc'nalns Tor adjustment, becais, all
agree uuder the Constitution Slavery IN the
states IL beyond all human power, except
that Of the respective states themselves
wherein it EXISTS. May We no, then hop,
that the long agitation on this Snbicc' = ap-
proaching It's end, AMI that the geographical
parties 10 which il has given birth. 50 much
dreadol by the Father Of his Country. will
~lcelly become extinct. Mos, happily will J,
b" far the country when the public mind
shall be diverted IRON this question 10 others
81 more pressing and practical Importance.
Throughout the whole progress 81 TINS agi
taiion, which has scarcely known any inter
mission for NOR than twenty years. whil"
Il has been prosiac,iyeuf god Ia any human
b'ing II has h'Sn the s0argr q graf evii 10
The master, aDd estrsngcd the people of the
sister states. from each oiher an'i has @fri-
Td-,y eiEiafi.9TSf ~ - tS.s;'hc' 81 the
Union. Nor has 'h' danger vi rntirty
erased. GBder our -y,ictn their ~ rem
Wv for all merr political wis IN the -onnd
-etsc and sober Judgment Of the I-ople.
lime Is great rorrrtive-
The political subjects which bat t.w
y'ars ago eSasperaied The public mind have
passed away and arr now near'' "rgotan
hut tins question OF Dotn"Si'c slavery ), Of
iaf greater Importance thau any nicrr Foll'E
cal q'nStioa becan~'. sh"nh me agi'au"n
,Dn,inne. Il may eventually ot''lan2rr II"
personal -sleiy OF . large l"rtipu es Gar
coaatrymen Sbere 'he institution exists. IN