Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-03-18
MR.. BUCHANAN.S INA UGURAL.

fully execute the office of President of the
United States, and will to the best of my
ability preserve, protect and defend the Con-
of the United States. In entering
upon this great office | most humbly invoke
the God of our Fathers for wisdom and firm
ness to execute its high and responsible du-
ties in such a manner as to restore 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 inhe-
rent love of the Constitution and the Union
which still animates the hearts of the Amer
lean people, let me earnestly ask their power
full support in sustaining all just measures cal
culated to perpetuate these, the richest polit-
ical blessings which heaven has ever bestow-
ed upon any nation. Having determined not
to become a candidate for reelection,
shall have no motive to influence my con-
duct in administering the Government, except
the 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 our 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 sub
sided and all was calm. The voice of the
majority, speaking in the manner prescribed
by the Constitution, was heard, and instant
submission followed Our own country cold
alone have exhibited so grand and striking a
spectacle of the capacity of man for self-gov-
ernment.
What happy conception then was it for
Congress to apply this simple rule, that the
will of the majority shall govern, to the set
tlement of the question of domestic slavery
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 reg
ulate their institutions in their own way, sub
ject 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 or with
out slavery, as their constitution may pre-
scribe at the time of their admission. "A diff
ferent opinion has arisen in regard to the
time when the people of Territory shall de-
eide this question for themselves. This is,
happily, matter of but little judicial ques-
ton, which legitimately belongs to the Su-
preme Court of the United States, before
whom it il. now pending, and will. it is under
stood, be speedily and finally settled. To
their decision, in common with all good citi-
zens, | shall cheerfully submit. Whatever
this may be, though it has been by individu
al opinion that, under the Nebraska Kansas
Kansas act, the appropriate period will be
when the number of actual residents in tho
Territory shall justify the formation of Il Con
stitution, with view to its admission as &
State into the Union. But, be this as itmay
it is the imperative and indispensable dhty O
the Government of the United States to Sc
cure to every resident inhabitant the free anc
independent expression of his vote. The sa
cred right of each individual must be pre-
served. This being accomplished, nothing
can be fairer than to leave the people of ;
territory free from all foreign interference t.
decide their own destiny for themselves, sub
ject only to the Constitution of the United
States.
The whole territorial question being thu
settled upon the principel of popular sover
eignty--a principal as ancient as free govern
ment itself-everything of a practical nature
has been decided, and no other question re
mains for adjustment, because all agree tha
under the Constitution slavery in the State
is beyond the reach of any human power, ex
cept that of the respective States themselves
wherein it exists. May not we then hope
that the long agitation on this subject is ap
preaching its end, and that the geographical
parties to which it has given birth, so mucl
dreaded by the Father of his county, vii
speedily become extinct? Most happy will
be for the country, when the public mind shal
be diverted from this question, to others c
more pressing and practical Importance
Throughout the whole progress Of this agita
ton which has scarcely known any internis
sion for more than twenty years, whilst it ha
been productive of no positive good to an
human being, it has been the prolific sourc
of great evils to the MASTER to the slave, and {
the whole country; it has alienated and estrane
ed the people of the sister States from eac
other, and has even seriously endangered tn
very existence of the Union-nor has tn
danger yet entirely ceased. Under our sy'
TEN there is remedy for all political evils,
the sound sense and sober judgment of tn
people. Time is great corrective. The pc
litical subjects which but few wears AGO e.