Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-03-12
Inaugural Address.

the United States, and will, to the bes. of
my ability, preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States"
In entering upon this great Office, must
humbiy invoke the God of our fathers for
wisdom and firmness to execute its high and
responsible duties in manner as to restore
harmony and ancient friendship among the
people of the several States, and to preserve
free Institutions throughout many genera
tons. Convinced that owe my election to
the inherent love for the Constitution and
the Union which still snimales the hearts
of. the American people. let me earnestly ask
their powerful support in sustaing all just
measures calculated to perpetuate these the
richest political blessings which Heaven
has ever bestowed upon nation. Having
determined not to become a candidate for
reelection, shall have no motive TO in
fdence my'conduct in administering thegov-
ernment except the wish desirerably g. faith
fully to serve my country, and to live in the
grateful memory Of my countrymen.
We have recently passed through pre-
sidential contest in which the passions of
highest degree by questions of deep and
vital Importance; but when the people pro-
claimed their will, the tempest at once SUBJ
sided aud all was calm.
The voice of the majority, speaking in
the manner prescribed by the sConstitu,lon.
was heard, and instant submission followed
Our own country could alone have exhibit.
ed go grand and striking spectacle OF the
capac ty of man for self-goverrment.
What happy conception. then. was it
for Congress to apply this simple rule-that
the will of the majority shall govern-to
tine settlement of the question of domestic
slavery in the Territories! Congress is
neither "to legislate avery into any Ter
rltory or State nor to exclude it tn re from;
but to leave the people thereof perfectly
free to fUrm and regulate their domestic in
stitutions 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 State it "shalI
be received into the Union with or without
slavery, as their. Constitution may prescribe
at The time OF their admission"
A different opinion has arisen in regard
to the point of time when the people of a
Territory shall decide the question for them
selves.
This is, happily, matter Of but little
practical Importance. Besides, it is judicial
question which legltimatey belongs to the
Supreme Cour! OF the United States, before
whom it is nnw pending, and will, it is an
derstood, be speedily and finally settled
To their decision, in common ith all good
citizens, shall cheerully submit whatever
this may be, though it has ever been my in
dvdual opinion tnat under the Nebraska
Kansas act the appropriate period will be
when the number of actual residents In the
Territory shall justify the formation of a
Constitution with a view to its admission ss
State into the Union. Blu: be This as it
may, it is the imperati, and indispensable
duty OF the government of the United States
to secure to every resident inhabitant the
free and independent ex preston OF his opin-
ion by his vote. This sacred right of each
individual must be preserved. That being
accomplished, nothing can be tairer than TO
leave the people OF Territory, free from
all foreign interference, to decide their own
dest ny Tor themselves, subject only to the
Constitution of the United States.
| The whole Territorial question being
then settled upon the principle of popular
sovereignty-a principle as ancient as the
government tselt-everything of praetic-
al nature has been decided. No other ques-
tlCn remains for adjustment; because all
agree that, under the Constitution, slavery
in 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 subject is approaching It's end, and
that the geographical parties to which it
has given birth, SO dreaded ty the Father of
his Country will kspeedily become extinct!
Most happy will it be for the country when
question to other of more pressing and
practical importance. Throughout the
whole progress of this agitation, which has
scarcely known any iutermssion for more
than twenty years. whilst it has been pro-
duc,ive of no positive good to any human
being, it has been the prolific source of
I great evils to the master, to the slave and
to The whole country. 1t has alienated and
estrahged the people of the sister States
from each other, and has even seriously en-
dangered 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
sober Judgment nf the people. Time is a
great corrective Political subjects which
but few years ago excited and exasperated
the public mind have passed away and are
now nearly :orgotton. But this question of
domestic slavery is OF far graver Importance
than any mere political question, because,
should the agitation continue, It may even
tually endanger the personal safety of a
large portion Of our couatrymen where the
institution exists. In that event no form
of government, however admirable in itself,
and however productive of material benefits,
can compensate for the loss OF peace and
domestic security around the family alter
Let every Union-loving man, therefore exert
his best influence to suppress this ag itation
which, since the recent Legislation of Con.
gress, is without any legitimate object.
i 1t is an evil onen OF the times, that men
have undertaken to cultivate the mere ma
terial value o: the Union. Reasoned esti-
mates have been presented OF the pecunisry
profits and local advantages which would
result to different States and sections from
its dissolution, and of the comparative in
juries which such an event would infict on
other States and sections. Even descend
ing to this low and narrow view of the
mighty question, all such calculations are
at fault. The bare reference to a single
consideration will be conclusive on this
point. We at present enjoy free trade
throughout our extensive and expanding
country, such as the world never witnessed.
The trade is conducted on railroads and
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