The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-03-05
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,


FrLtow cirEEms appear before you this day to take
Ire solemn oath that will faithfully execute the Office Of
President of the United States and will to the best Of my
ability preserve proe and defend the constitution Of
the United States
In entering upon this great Office must humbly INVOKE
the God Of fathers for wisdom and irmness to exc
cute lite high and responsible duties in such manner as to
restore harmony and ancient friendship among the people
of the several States and to preserve our free institutions
throughout many generations Convinced that eve my
election to the inherent love for the constitution and the
Union which still Animates the hearts of the American
people let me earnestly ask their powerful support in
tanning all just measures calculated to pepetuate these the
richest political blessings which Heaven has bestowed
upon any nation. Having determined not to become a
candidate for reelection shall have no motive to nHu-
my conduct in administering the government except
the desire ably and faithfully to my country and to
live in the grateful memory of my countrymen.
We have recently passed hrougha presidential contest
In which the passions of owcitzens were excited to
the highest degree by questions of deep and vital import
ance but when the people proclaimed their will the tenn
pest AT subsidized, and all was calm.
The voice of the majority speaking in the manner pre-
scrbed by the constitution heard and instant sub
mission followed Our country could alone have ex-
hibitsd grand and striking spectacle Of the capacity
Of man for selfgovernment
What happy conception then was il for Congress to
apply this simple ruethat the win of the msiorty shall
governto the settlement OF the question Of domestic
slavsryn the Territories Congress is neither to egs
late slavery into any Territory State to exclude
thereom but to leave the people thereof perfectly free
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
State IT shall be received into the Union with with
out slavery their constitution may prescribe at the
time Of their admission
difference Of opinion has arisen in regard to the pon,
oftme when the people Of Territory shall decide this ques
ton for themselves.
This IL happily matter of but little practical import
ance Besides lisa judicial question: which egitimaey
belongs to the Supreme Court of the United States be-
fore whom it is now pending, and wi it is understood
be speedily and finally settled To their decision, in COM
mon with all good citizens sha cheeruly submit what
ever this be- though it has ever been my individual
opinion that under tho Nebraska Kansas act the appro-
pirate period will be when the number of actual residents
in the Territory shall justify the formation Of constitu-
ton with view to its admission as State into the
Union. But bs this as it may it is the imperative
and indispensable duty of the government OF the
United States to to every resident nhabtant the
free and independent expression of his opinion by his
vote This sacred right of each individual must be
served That being accomplished nothing can be farer
than to leave the people of Territory free from all for.
egn interference to decide their destiny for them
selves subject only to the constitution of the United
Statea
The whole territorial question being thus settled upou
the principle Of popular principle as ancient
as free government thing of practical nature
has been decided No other question remains for adjust
men because all agree that under the constitution sla
very in the Sate beyond the reach Of any human pow
err except that of the respective States themselves wherein
exists May not then hope that the long agitation
on this subject ia approaching its end and that the geo
graphical parties to which it has given BIRTH SO much
dreaded by the Father Of his Country will speedily becom,
extinct? Most happy win 1t be for the country when III,
public mind shall be diverted from this question to Others
OF pressing and practical Importance Throughout h.
whole progress Of this agitation which has scarcely known
any ntermsson for than twenty years whilst ha,
been productive ofno positive good to any human being
has been the prolific of great evils to the master
the slave and to the whole country 1t has aenaed and
estranged the people of the sister States from each other
and has even seriously endangered the very existence
the Union Nor has the danger yet entirely ceased Unde,
our system there is remedy for all political evils in
the sound sense and sober Judgment of the people Time
Is great corrective Political subjects which but few
years ago excited and exssperaed the public mind have
passed away and nearly forgotten But this
ton OF domestic slavery of far graver Importance than
any mere political question: because should the agitation
continue il may eventually endanger the personal safety
OF large portion of countrymen where the insti
tuon exists In that event. form of government how
ever admirable in ITSELF and however productive of material
benefits compensate for the loss of peace and domestic
security around the family altar Let every unionovng
man. therefore, his best influence suppress this aRi
taon which, since the legislation of Congress
without any legitimate object
1t evil of the times that men have undertaken
to calculate the material value of the Union Rea-
soned estimates have been presented of the pecunary profits
and local advantages which would result different States
and sections from its dissolution and of the comparative
injuries which such event would nict on other States
and sections Even descending this low and narrow
view Of tbs mighty question: all such calculations are at
fault The bare reference TO single consideration win be
conclusive this point We present esjoy free trade
throughout extensive and expanding country such a.
the world has witnessed This trade s conducted on
railroads. and canason noble rivers and arms of the
seawhich bind together the North and the South the
East and the West Of confederacy Annhilste this
ia