Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-03-12
MIR. BUCHANAN,S INAUGURAL.

Fsllor Cli-enS Il appear before you this dny
to take the solemn oath that will faithfully exc
cute the Office of President of the United States,
and will, to the best of my ability preserve, pro-
tccs and defend the Constitution of the United
States. In entering upon this great office, must
buu.!,!v invoke the God Of our Fathers for wisdom
and hrmness to execute its high and responsible
duties in such q manner as to restore harmony
and the ancient friendship among the people Of
the several Statcs, and to preserve our free nsti-
tutions 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 earnest
y ask their powerful support il sustaining all
just measures calculated to perpetuate these, the
richest political blessings which Heaven has ever
bestowed upon any nation.
Having determined not to become candidate
for re election, shall have no motive to influence
my conduct in administering the government ex-
cept the desire ably and faithfully to serve my
country, and to live in the grateful memory Of my
countrymen. We have recently passed through
n Presidential contest in which the passions of
our fellow citizens excited to the highest de-
gree By questions of deep and vital Importance;
but when the people proclaimed their will, the
tempest Mt once subsidized, and oil was calm.
The voice of the majority, speaking in the man
ner prescribed by the Constitution, was heard
and instant submission followed. Our own coun-
try could alone have exhibited so grand and strik
ing spectacle Ct the capacity of man for self
government. What happy conception then was
it for Congress to apply this simple rule that the
ment of the question of domestic slavery in the
territories, Congress is neither to lcgisae slavery
into any territory State, nor TO exclude it there
from, bat to leave the people thereof perfectly
free to form and regulate their domestic institu-
| tons in their own way, subject only to the Con-
stituton of the United States. AS a natural con-
sequence Congress has also prescribed that when
the Territory of Kansas shall be admitted into the
Union with or without slavery rs their Cunstitu-
ton may prescribe at the time of their admission
| difference of opinion has arisen in regard to
| the time when the people of territory shall de-
eide this question for themselves This is happi-
ly matter of but little practical Importance, and
besides it is judicial question which legitimate
| ly belongs to the Supreme Court of the United
States, before whom it is now pending. and will,
it is understood, be speedily and fualIy settled.
| 10 their decision, in common with all good citi
zens, I shall chccrfully submit whatever this may
be- though it has been my individual opinion that
under the Nebraska Kansas act, the appropriate
period will be when the number ofactual residents
| in the territory shall justify the formation of a
constitution with view to its admission as State
into the Union. But be this as it may, it is the
| imperative and indispensable duty of the govern
ment of tue United States to secure to every resi-
dent inIabitant the free and independent express
sion of his opinion by his Aote.
| This sacred right of each individual must be
preserved This being accomplished, nothing can
be fairer 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 settled upon the
principle of popular soyereignty-n principle as
ancient as free government itself-every thing of
a practical nature has been decided, and no other
question remains foradjustment, because oil ugree
that under the Constitution, slavery in the States
is beyond the reach of any human power, except