The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-03-19
CAROLINA SPARTAN
MR.. BUCHANAN'S INAUGURAL.

MR.. BUCHANAN'S INAUGURAL.
Fsliow. Citizens: Iappear before you this
day to take the solemn oath that l will
faithfully execute the Office of President OF
the United States, and will, to the best Of
my ability, preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States. In en-
teriug upon this great Office, must humbly
invoke the God Of our Fathers for wisdom
and irmuess to execute its high and res.
ponsible duties in such a manner rs TO res.
tore harmony and the ancient friendship
among the people of the several States, and
to preserve our free institutions throughout
many generations. Convinced that ] owe
my election TO the inherent love for the
Constitution and the Union which still ami.
mates the hearts Of the American people
let me earnestly ask their powerful support
IN sustaining all just measures calculated to
perpetuate these, the richest political bless.
ings which Heaven has ever bestowed upon
any nation.
Having determined not to become can
didate for reelection, shall have no mo-
tive to influence my conduct in administer
ing the government, except the desire ably
and faithfully to serve my country, and to
live in the grateful memory of my country
men. We have recently passed through a
Presidential contest in which the passions
OF our fellow.citizens were excited to the
highest degree by questions of deep and vi
tai Importance; but when the people pro.
claimed their will, the tempest at once sub
sided, and all was calm.
Ihe voice OF the majority, speaking in
the manner prescribed by the Constitution.
was heard, and instant submission followed
Our own country could alone have exhibit.
Gu so gram, am. s.,,aiuo $50 spect,cs o, a ;,.
capacity OF man for selfgovernment.
What happy conception then was it for
Congress to apply this simple rule, that the
will Of the majority shall govern. to the
settlement of the question of domestic sla.
very IN the territories. Congress is neither
to legislate slavery into any territory or
State, nor to exclude it therefrom, but TO
leave the people thereof perfectly free to
form and regulate their domestic institutions
IN their own way. subject only to the Con.
stitulion Of the United States. As natural
consequence Congress has also prescribed
that when the Territory of Kansas shall be
admitted as Sta.e, it shall be admitted in.
to the Union with or without slavery as
their Constitution may prescribe at the time
OF their admission.
A difference of opinion has arisen in re-
gard to the time when the people of terri
tory shall decide this question for them
selves. This is happily II matter Of but lit
tie practical importance, and, besides. il is
ajudicial question which legitimateIy be-
longs to the Supreme Court Of the United
States, before whom it is now pending, and
will, 1t is understood, be speedily and final.
ly settled. To their decision, in common
with all good citizens, | shall cheerfuly sub
init, whatever this may be; though it has
been my individual opinion that under the
Nebraska Kansas act. the appropriate period
VIII be when the number of actual residents
In the territory shall justify the formation
OF constitution with y view TO its admis
sion as State into the Union. But be
this rs 1t may, it is the imperative and in g.
dlspensabe duty of tile government OF the
United States to secure to every resident
inhabitant the free and independent ex.
preston OF his opinion by his vote.
This sacred right Of each individual must
be preserved. This being accomplished,
nothing can be farer than TO leave the peo.
pie ofa territory free from all foreign interfer.
ence to decide their own destiny for them
selves. subject only TO the Constitution of
the United States. The whole territorial
question being thus settled upon the princi
Pile OF popular sovereignty-a princip as
ancient as free government ilself-every
thing OF practical nature has been deci
ded, and no other question remains for ad
Justment, 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
1t exists. May We not then hope that tho
long agitation on this subject is approach.
ing its end, and that the geographical par.
ties to which it has given birth, SO much
dreaded by the Father Of his Country, 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 pressing
and more practical importance. Through.
out the whole progress of this agitation,
wh'ch has scarcely known any intermission
ior more than twenty years, whilst it has
been productive Of no 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; it has alenated and
estrsnged the people Of the sister States from
each other, and has even seriously endan-
gered the very existence Of the Union-uor
has the danger yet entirely ceased.
Under our system there is a remedy for
NIL mere political evils in the sound sense
and sober judgment Of the people. Time
ma great corrective. The political subjects
which but few years ago excited and ex.
aspsrsted the public mind, have passed