Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-03-11

INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF the President Of the Omitted States.
March 4, 1857.
FELLOW. CITIZENS: appsaE before you this day
to take the solemn oath Shat will faithfully exc.
cute the Office of President of the United States ana
will, to the best of my ability, preserve proteSt anu
defend the Constitution Of the United States.
In entering upon this great office, must mummy .
invoke the God Of our fathers for wisdom and nrm.
ness to execute its high and Responsible auoes
such manner as to restore harmony anu 1 S."
friendship among the people OF the sesea'
and to preserve our free institutions tnrous"ous
many generations. Convinced tnae owe 10y e's.
ton to the inherent love for the Constitution ana
the Union which still animates the hearts OF tie
American people let me earnestly ask their power.
I support in 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 ndidate for
reelection, shall have no motive to influence my
conduct in administering the government except
desire ably and faithfully to serve my country, and
to live in the grateful memory OF my countrymen.
We have recently passed through presidential
contest in which the passions of fellow.citizens
were excited to the highest degree by questions OF
deep and vital Importance but when the people pro-
claimed their will the tempest at once subsidized ana
al was calm.
The voice of the majority, speaking in the
manner prescribed by the constitution, was heard,
and instant submission followed Our own country
could alone have exhibited so grand ana stri'
king spectacle of the capacity of man for self
government
What a happy conception, then, was it for Con-
gress to apply this simple rule-that the will OF the
majority shall govern-to the settlement OF the
question of domestic slavery in the Territories y
Congress is neither "to legislate slavery into any
Territory or State or to exclude it thcrefom; bnt to
leave the people thereof perfectly free to form and
regulate their domestic institutions in their own
way, subject only to the constitution of the United
States" As natural consequence, Congress has,
also, prescribed that when the Territory OF Kansas
shall be admitted as a State, it "shal be received
into the Union, with without slavery, as their
constitution may prescribe at the time of their ad-
MISSION"
difference of opinion has arisen in regard to the
point Of time when the people of Territory shall
d eide this question for themselves.
This is, happily, matter Of but little practical
importance. BESIDES, it is judicial question, which
leg;timately 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
tied To their decision in common with all good
citizens, l shall chcerfully submit, whatever this
may be, though it has ever been my individual opin-
ion that, under the NebraskaKansas act, the appro
priate period will be when the number of actual
residents in the Territory shall justify the formation
of 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 gov
eminent OF the United States to secure to every res
ident inhabtant the free and independent expression
of his opinion by his vote This sacred right of
each individual must be preserved. That being &C.
eomplished nothing be fairer than to leave the
people of Territory, free from all foreign interior
ence, 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 sovereignty
aprincipe ancient as free government itseif-ev.
erything of practical nature has been decided
No other question remains for adjustment; because
all agree that, under the constitution, slavery in the
States is beyond the reach of any human power ex
cept that of the respective States themselves where
in it exists. May we not, them hope that the long
agitation this subject is approaching its end and
that the geographical parties to which it has wen
birth, so much dreaded by the Father Of his Coun-
try, will speedily become extinct? Most happy
will it be for the country when the public mind shall
be diverted from this question to others of more
pressing and practical importance. Throughout the
whole progress of this agitation which has scarcely
known any ntermission for more than twenty years,
whilst it has been productive of positive good 10
any human being it has been the prolific source of
great evils to the master, to the slave, and to the
whole country. 1t has alienated and estranged the
people othe sister States from each other and has
seriously endangered the very existence of the Union.
4>OE HAS uSilScT yet entTely CedSeu Onuer our
system, there is remedy for all mere political evils
in the sound sense and sober judgment of the peo
pie. Time is great corrective Political subjects
which but few wears ago excited and exasperated
the public mind have passed away and are near
ly forgotten. But this question of domestic slavery
Is OF far graver importance than any mere political
question, because, should the agitation continue it
may eventually endanger the personal safety of
large portion of our countrymen where the insttu-
ton exists. In that event, form of govern
ment, however admirable in itself and however pro-
ductve of material benefits can compensate for the
loss of peace and domestic security around the fam
lily altar. Let every Union-loving man, therefore,
exert his best influence to suppress this agitation
which, since the recent legislation of Congress, is
without any legitimate object.
1t is an evil omen of the times that men have un-
dertaken to calculate the material value of the
Union. Reasoned estimates have been presented Of
the pecuniary profits and local advantages which
would result to different States and sections from its
dissolution, and of the comparative injuries which
such an event would nflict on other States and Sec
tons. Even descending to this low and narrow view
OF the mighty question, all such calculations are at
fault. The bare reference to a single consider alton
will be conclusive on this point. We at present en-
JOY Tree trade throughout our extensive and ex-
banding country, such as the world has never wit.
messed. This trade is conducted on railroads and
canals-on noble rivers and arms of the sea-which
bind together the North and the South the East and
the West Of our confederacy. Annihate this trade,
arrest its free progress by the geographical lines Of
jealous and hostile States and you destroy the pros
perity and onward march of the whole and every
part and involve all in one common ruin But such
CONSIDERATIONS, important they are in themselves.
sink into insignifcance when We reflect on the ter
rhc evils which would result from disunion to eve.
~ portion of the confederacy-to the North not
more than to the South, 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 inspired our fathers with wisdom
TO frame the most perfect form of government and
Union ever devised by man, will not suffer # to ner