Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-03-07

dent Buchanan We have 10 time for COM
ment, aud most permit the good sense of
the reader toeorrcct Typographical errors.
INaUGyniL ADDRESS.
Fsi1om Gittaens II appear before you
this day to take the solemn oath that will
faithfully execute the Office of President of
the United States, and W Ii to the best of my
ability. preserve, protect. and defend the
constitution of the United States.
In entering upon this great Office, I most
humbly invoke TIE God Of our fathers for
wistom and frmncss to execute its high and
responsible duties in a manner as to restore
harmony and ancient friendship among the
people the several States. and to preserve
our free institutions throughout many gene
ratians. Convinced that owe my election to
the inherent love for the constitution and
the Union which still animated the hearts of
the American people, let he earnestly ask
their powerful support i'll sustaining all Just
measures calculated to perpetnate these, the
richest political blessings which Heaven has
ever bestowed upon nation. Having deter
mined not to become a candidate for re-elee-
ton. shall have no motive to influence my
conduct in administering the government ex-
cept the desire ably and faithfully to serve
my country, aud to live in the grateful mem
DRY ofmy eountrymen.
+ We have recently passed through presi-
t!eaial eontt St in VII Oh the passions of our
f'ilow-ciiizens were excited to the highest
degree by questions Of deep and vital inpor-
lance /: but when the people proclaimed their
viii, the tempest at once subsidized and all
wac calm
The voice Of the majority speaking in the
manner prescribed hy the constitution, was
heard, and instant submission followed -
Our own country could clone have exhibited
50 grand and striking a spectacle ofthe eapa-
city Of man for self-goyernment.
What ahappy conception, then, was it
for Congress to apply this simple rule--that
the will Of the majority shall goyern---to
the settlement of the question of domestic
slavery in the territories Congress is nei-
Their Ito legislate slavery into any Territory
or State nor to exclude it therefrom bat 10
leave the people thereof perfectly free to
form and regulate their domestic institutions
in their own way. subject only to the con-
f StttutUli 81 Inc lHtItQ lStttco kks HIT
ur;t consequence Congress has also prescri-
bed that when the Territory of Kansas shall
be admitted as State, it ''shall be receiv-
ed into the Union with or without slavery
as their constitution may prescribe at the
time Of their admission >
\ different opinion has arisen in regard
10 the point of time when the people of a
territory shall decide the question for them
selves
This 10, happily, matter of but little
practical Importance. Besides. it is Judi
eial question which leeitinatcly belongs to
the Supreme Court Of the United States,
before whom it is now pending and will. it
is understood. be speedily and finally set
lied. To their decision, in common with
all good citizens, / shall eheerfally submit.
whatever this may be though it has ever
been MY individual opinion that under the
! Nebraska Kansas act the appropriate period
viii be wien the numbered actual residents
in the territory rhali Justify the formation
81 IN as State into thu Union Bat be this
Is il may. il is the imperative and iuaspen-
sable duty Of the government Of the United
States to secure to every resident inhaiitant
the free anl independent, expses. iol. of his
opinion by hi vote. This sacred right of
each individual must tc pres rived That
being accomplished, nothing can he fairer
than to | ave The people Of a 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 then
settled upon tire principal Of popular soye-
reienty--a principle a. ancient as the gov
eminent itSelf-cverythine Of practical ma
tire has been decided. No other question
remains for adjustment; because all agree
+ that under the constitution, slavery i'll the
States is beyond the reach of any human
power. except that Of the respective States
themselves Wherein it exists. May we not
then. hope that the long agitation Of this
subieet is approaching its end. and that the
eaoerohpical parties to which it has given
birth. 50 drea ed BY the Father Of his Coun-
try will speedily become extinct. Most hap
ny vii It lie fer the country when The pub
H. mind shall he diverted from this ques-
ton to other of more pressing and practical
Importance. Throuehaut the whole progress
of this aeitatinn. which has scarcely known
any intarmissien for more than twenty years
whilst Il has been productive of no positive
good 10 any human being, It has been the
prolific source of great evil 10 the master.
"a the slave and to the Whole country It
has aicuated aud es;raeel the people of the
sister States from each other, and has even
seriously endangered the very existence of
the Union.
Nor has the danger yet entirely ceased.
+ Under our system there is a remedy for all
mere political evils in the sound sense and
solcr judgment If the people. Time is a
great corrective. Political subjects which
lut few years ago excited and exas pcrated
the public mind have passed away aud are
now nearly forgotten. But this question of
domestic slavery is of far graver Importance
than any mere political question, becaus,
should the agitation coptinne. it may even
tnally endanger the personal safety of "a large
portion If our countiymen where the insti-
tuition exists. In that event no form Of gov
eminent, however admirable in itself, and
( however productive Of material benefits, can
compensate f'r the loss of peace and domes-
tic security around the family altar Let
every Union-loying man, therefore, exert
/ l. l. q IL.