The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-03-14
Inaugural Address Of President
Buchanan.
FrHow CIii-ens.

appear before yod this day to take the
solemn oath that will faithfully execute the
Office OF President Of the United States and
will TO the bss, Of my ability preserve, project
and defend the Constitution of the United
States.
In entering upon this great Office most
humbly invoke the God of our Fathers for
. wisdom and frmness TO execute ifs high and
responsible duties in such manner as 10 re-
store harmony and the ancient friendship
among the several States. and to preserve our
free Institutions throughout many genera
tons. Convinced that owe nv election TO
the inherent love for the Constitution and
lnion. which still animates the hearts of the
American people. let me earnestly ask their
powerful support in sustaining all just meas
ures calculated 10 perpetuate these. and he
richest political blessings which Heaven has
ever bestowed upon anv nation. Having d.
termned not TO become candidate for re-
election. snail have TO motive to influence
my conduct in administering the Government
except the desire ably and faithfully 20 serve
my country. and TO live In tie crcai:ul mem
Orv Of my conntrvmrn.
We have recently passed throu,h Presi-
dental contest. In which the passions of our
fellow citizens We're exriied to the highest
degree bv questions of deep and vital impor-
fance; but when 'hr people proclaimed their
will. the tempest at onre sub>iJed and all
was calm. The voice OF Tie majority. speak
Ing IN the manner prescribed by the Consti-
tuition was heard, an instant submission ;oi-
lowed Our own country could alone have
exhibited SO grand spectacle of the capa :i,v
OF man for self government What happy
conception then was ii for Congress to apply
thus simple rule. that the will of the majority
governs. TO the settlement of the question of
domestic slavery in the Territories. Con-
gress is neither 10 le:,i>late slavery into Ter
ritories or SAFES. nor to exclude it thereirom,
bat to leave the people perfectly free 10 form
and regulate their domestic institutions i'm
their own w,v. SUI ct only +, the Constitu-
ton OF the United States. As natural con-
sequence, Congress ha, also prescribed that
when the Territory Of Kansas shall be admit
ted as State. it shall hc received inroi The
mon with or without slavery. As their Con-
S'I'uti'n may p-">cribe a. tn, time of their
admission. \ difference of opinion has ariS
en- IN regard 10 the time when the prople of
n territory shall decide this question for
themselves This is. happily. mater of
but little prariiral Importance: and. besides.
IT Is J1dir's' question. which ier:tma.-.v
belongs 10 'he S'pr 'me Court of the United
States, before whom II is now pending, ami
WILL II Is understood, be speedily and finally
settled. To their decision. In common with
all good citizens, shall cheerfulv submit.
whatever this my be. Though it ha. been
I'D al 81,
hra>ka-kansas act, the appropriate period
will De when ths NUMBER 9t artaqal laqa 5.,aia.,u:r
of a constitution, with view to its admission
as State into the Union. But, be .hi. as il
mav, it is the imperative and indisnens,ble
duty OF the Government OF the United States
to secure 70 every resident inhamtant the free
and independent expression of his opinior
by his vote. This sacred right of each indi.
vidual must be preserved. This being ac-
complished, nothirg can be fairer than 10
leave the people of a territory. free from all
foreign Interference, to decide their Consti
tuition. The whole territorial question being
the principle of sIuatter sovereignty. a prin.
ciple as ancient as free government itself.
every thing ofa practical nature has been
decided. and no other question remains for
H.,
Constitution, slavery in the States is bevond
the reach OF any human power, except that
OF the respective States themselves whence
it exists. May We not then hope that the
long agitation of this subject is anproachinr
IFS end, and that the geographical PARTIES tn
which 1t has gwen birth, SO much dreaded by
the Father OF his Country, will speedily be-
come extinct. Mos; happy will it be for the
country when the pubic mind shall be direct
ed from this question to others OF more press
ing and practical Importance. Thrcushou,
the whole progress of this agitation. which has
scarcely known any intermission for mor,,
than twenty wears, whilst it has beer product.
I've OF no positive good to any human beiuo.
1t has been The prolific source of great evils
TO the master, to the slave. and to the Who'll.
1t has aIienated and estranecd III.
people ot the sister States from each Other
and has even endangered the very existence
OF the Union. Nor has The danger vet en-
entirely ceased. Under our system there is
a remedy for all mere political evils in tn.
sound sense and sober judgment of the peo-
pie lime Is great corrective The polt-
cal subjects which but few years ago excl
ted and exasperaied the public mind, have
passed away, and are nearly forgotten: but
this question OF domestic slavery is of tar
greater Importance than any mere political
question, because, should the agitation con-
tlnue, 1t may eventually endanger the person.
al safety Ut Large portion of our country
men. where the institution exists. In that
event, no form of government, however adyi-
sab!e In itself, can compensate tor the loss
OF peace and domestic security around the
family altar. Let every Union loving man.
therefore, exert his best influence to su,.press
This agitation, which. since the recent lrSis,a-
ton OF Congress-, is without any legitimate
object
1t 's ar evil Of the times that men have nm
dertaken to cal, ulate the material value of
Inc Cnlon. Estimates have been presented
OF the pecunlary profits and local ADVANTAGE.
which would result to ditleren, States and
sections from its dissolution-of the compar,-
tive injuries which such an event would in.
fllct on other States and sections. Even ce.
scending TO this low and narrow view of the
welshty question. all such calculations are At
a fault 1he bare reference to SINGLE con.
>ideratlon will he conclusive ON tins po;n,
We at present e, joy free trade throughout
cur extensive anu expansive country, such As
The world never witnessed. The trade u
conducted on railroads and canals. on noble
rivers aud arms Of the sea, which bind to.
.eiher the North and the South-the Eat
md the West OF our confederation. Apnih;.
ale this trad--arrest its free pro.ress by IT,,
,l,,... t.,.,