rNAUGUlgAL ADDREss

on PRESIDENT }. X. POLK, DELIVER


Ed MARCH ], lGI5.
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md voluntary suiluges Of my couniymcn


10 the most honorable and most RESPONSE


bic office on earth, lam deeply impress


cd with gratitude for the confidence repa-


sed in me. Honorod with this dStn.
mihod consideration at an earlier period


Of Ito than any Of my predecessors, !


cannot disguise the dlidenco with which


am about to enter on the discharge Of


my official dJies.


II The more aged and experienced men


who have filled tho office Of President Of


the United States, even in the infancy OF


The Republic, dislrusted their ability to dis.


charge the duties of that exalted station,


what ought not to be the apprehensions


Of one so much younger and less endowed,


now that our domain extends from ocean


to ocean, that our people have so greatly


increased in numbers, and at time when


50 great diversity Of opinion prevails in re-


gard 10 the principles and policy which
! hcIl charactenze the administration Of


our government. Well may the Oldest


fear, and the wisest tremble, when incur


ring responsibilities on which may depend
our country's pence and prosperity, and,
| in some degree, the hopes and happiness
of the whole human family.


In assuming responsibilities so vast, |
frequently invoke the aid of that Almighty
Ruler Of the Universe, in whose hands
are the destlnies of nations and of men,
to guard this heaven favored land against
the mschiels, which, without his guidance,
might arise from an unwise public policy.
With firm reliance upon the wisdom Of
Omnipotence TO sustain and direct me in
the path of duty which am appointed 10
pursue, stand in the presence Of this as
sombled multitude of my countrymen, to
take upon myself the solemn obligation,
"to the best Of my ability to preserve, pro-
tect, and defend the Constitution Of the
United States"


A concise enumeration Of the principles
which will guide me in the administrative
policy of the government, is not only in
accordance with the examples set me by
all my predecessors, but is eminently bene-
fitting the occasion.


The Constitution ITSELF plainly written
As il is, the safeguard of our federaliye
compact, the offspring Of concession and
compromise, binding together in the bonds
of peace and union this great and increas-
ing family of free and independent States,
will he the chart by which | shall be d.
rccted


Ii will be my first care 10 toadminialer the
government in the true spirit of that in
slrumenl, and TO assume no powers not ex.
pressly granted, or clearly implied in its
terms. The government of the United
States is one of delegated and limited
powers; and it by a strict adherence to
the clearly granted powers, and by alb
staining from the exercise of doubtful or
unauthorized implied powers, that We have
the only sure guarantee against the recur.
renee OF those unfortunate collisions be.
tween the federal and state authorities,
which have occasionally so much disturb
ed the harmony of our system, and even
threatened the perpetuiiy of our glorious
Union.


"To the States respectively or to the
people" have been reserved the powers
not delegated 10 the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited TO it by the
Statos.p Each State is complete sove-
reignty within the sphere of its reserved
powers. The Government of tho Union,
acting within the sphere Of its delegated
is also complete sovereignty.
While the General Government should alb
stain from the exercise of authority not
clearly delegated to it, the States should be
equally careful that in the maintenance Of
their rights, they do not overslep the limits
Of powers reserved to them. One of the
most distinguished Of my predecessors at
tached deserved Importance to " the sup
port Of the State governments in all their
rights as the most competent administra-
ton for our domestic concerns, and the
surest bulwark against anii.republican
tendencies; and to the preservation Of the
general government in its whole constllu-
iional vigor, as the sheet anchor Of our
peace at home and safety abroad


To the government oil the United States
has been entrusted the exclusive manage
ment of our foreign affairs. Beyond that,
il wields few general enumerated pow.
ers. ltdoes not force reform on the States.
II leaves individuals, over whom il casts
It's protecting influence, entirely free 10
improve their mental and physical pow
ers. Ii is common protector 10 each
and all the States; of every man who lives
upon our soil, whether Of native or foreign
birth; Of religious sect, in the worship of
the Almighty, according 70 the dictates Of
their own conscience; Of every shade of
opinion, and the most free inquiry; oil
every art, trade, and occupation, consistent
with The laws of the States. And we re-
joico in the general happiness, prosperity,
and Advancement of our country, which
h,,a haan thn offsnrinu of frendom and