First Inaugural Address of James Monroe

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TUESDAY，MARCH4，1817

IshouldbedestituteoffeelingifIwasnotdeeplyaffectedbythestrongproofwhichmyfellow-citizenshavegivenmeoftheirconfidenceincallingmetothehighofficewhosefunctionsIamabouttoassume.Astheexpressionoftheirgoodopinionofmyconductinthepublicservice，Iderivefromitagratificationwhichthosewhoareconsciousofhavingdoneallthattheycouldtomerititcanalonefeel.MYsensibilityisincreasedbyajustestimateoftheimportanceofthetrustandofthenatureandextentofitsduties，withtheproperdischargeofwhichthehighestinterestsofagreatandfreepeopleareintimatelyconnected.Consciousofmyowndeficiency，Icannotenteronthesedutieswithoutgreatanxietyfortheresult.FromajustresponsibilityIwillnevershrink，calculatingwithconfidencethatinmybesteffortstopromotethepublicwelfaremymotiveswillalwaysbedulyappreciatedandmyconductbeviewedwiththatcandorandindulgencewhichIhaveexperiencedinotherstations.

IncommencingthedutiesofthechiefexecutiveofficeithasbeenthepracticeofthedistinguishedmenwhohavegonebeforemetoexplaintheprincipleswhichwouldgovernthemintheirrespectiveAdministrations.InfollowingtheirveneratedexamplemyattentionisnaturallydrawntothegreatcauseswhichhavecontributedinaprincipaldegreetoproducethepresenthappyconditionoftheUnitedStates.Theywillbestexplainthenatureofourdutiesandshedmuchlightonthepolicywhichoughttobepursuedinfuture.

FromthecommencementofourRevolutiontothepresentdayalmostfortyyearshaveelapsed，andfromtheestablishmentofthisConstitutiontwenty-eight.ThroughthiswholetermtheGovernmenthasbeenwhatmayemphaticallybecalledself-government.Andwhathasbeentheeffect？Towhateverobjectweturnourattention，whetheritrelatestoourforeignordomesticconcerns，wefindabundantcausetofelicitateourselvesintheexcellenceofourinstitutions.DuringaperiodfraughtwithdifficultiesandmarkedbyveryextraordinaryeventstheUnitedStateshaveflourishedbeyondexample.Theircitizensindividuallyhavebeenhappyandthenationprosperous.

UnderthisConstitutionourcommercehasbeenwiselyregulatedwithforeignnationsandbetweentheStates；newStateshavebeenadmittedintoourUnion；ourterritoryhasbeenenlargedbyfairandhonorabletreaty，andwithgreatadvantagetotheoriginalStates；theStates，respectivelyprotectedbytheNationalGovernmentunderamild，parentalsystemagainstforeigndangers，andenjoyingwithintheirseparatespheres，byawisepartitionofpower，ajustproportionofthesovereignty，haveimprovedtheirpolice，extendedtheirsettlements，andattainedastrengthandmaturitywhicharethebestproofsofwholesomelawswelladministered.Andifwelooktotheconditionofindividualswhataproudspectacledoesitexhibit！OnwhomhasoppressionfalleninanyquarterofourUnion？Whohasbeendeprivedofanyrightofpersonorproperty？WhorestrainedfromofferinghisvowsinthemodewhichhepreferstotheDivineAuthorofhisbeing？Itiswellknownthatalltheseblessingshavebeenenjoyedintheirfullestextent；andIaddwithpeculiarsatisfactionthattherehasbeennoexampleofacapitalpunishmentbeinginflictedonanyoneforthecrimeofhightreason.

SomewhomightadmitthecompetencyofourGovernmenttothesebeneficentdutiesmightdoubtitintrialswhichputtothetestitsstrengthandefficiencyasamemberofthegreatcommunityofnations.Heretooexperiencehasaffordedusthemostsatisfactoryproofinitsfavor.JustasthisConstitutionwasputintoactionseveraloftheprincipalStatesofEuropehadbecomemuchagitatedandsomeofthemseriouslyconvulsed.Destructivewarsensued，whichhaveoflateonlybeenterminated.InthecourseoftheseconflictstheUnitedStatesreceivedgreatinjuryfromseveraloftheparties.Itwastheirinteresttostandalooffromthecontest，todemandjusticefromthepartycommittingtheinjury，andtocultivatebyafairandhonorableconductthefriendshipofall.Warbecameatlengthinevitable，andtheresulthasshownthatourGovernmentisequaltothat，thegreatestoftrials，underthemostunfavorablecircumstances.OfthevirtueofthepeopleandoftheheroicexploitsoftheArmy，theNavy，andthemilitiaIneednotspeak.

Such，then，isthehappyGovernmentunderwhichwelive——aGovernmentadequatetoeverypurposeforwhichthesocialcompactisformed；aGovernmentelectiveinallitsbranches，underwhicheverycitizenmaybyhismeritobtainthehighesttrustrecognizedbytheConstitution；whichcontainswithinitnocauseofdiscord，nonetoputatvarianceoneportionofthecommunitywithanother；aGovernmentwhichprotectseverycitizeninthefullenjoymentofhisrights，andisabletoprotectthenationagainstinjusticefromforeignpowers.

OtherconsiderationsofthehighestimportanceadmonishustocherishourUnionandtoclingtotheGovernmentwhichsupportsit.Fortunateasweareinourpoliticalinstitutions，wehavenotbeenlesssoinothercircumstancesonwhichourprosperityandhappinessessentiallydepend.Situatedwithinthetemperatezone，andextendingthroughmanydegreesoflatitudealongtheAtlantic，theUnitedStatesenjoyallthevarietiesofclimate，andeveryproductionincidenttothatportionoftheglobe.PenetratinginternallytotheGreatLakesandbeyondthesourcesofthegreatriverswhichcommunicatethroughourwholeinterior，nocountrywaseverhappierwithrespecttoitsdomain.Blessed，too，withafertilesoil，ourproducehasalwaysbeenveryabundant，leaving，eveninyearstheleastfavorable，asurplusforthewantsofourfellow-meninothercountries.SuchisourpeculiarfelicitythatthereisnotapartofourUnionthatisnotparticularlyinterestedinpreservingit.Thegreatagriculturalinterestofthenationprospersunderitsprotection.Localinterestsarenotlessfosteredbyit.Ourfellow-citizensoftheNorthengagedinnavigationfindgreatencouragementinbeingmadethefavoredcarriersofthevastproductionsoftheotherportionsoftheUnitedStates，whiletheinhabitantsoftheseareamplyrecompensed，intheirturn，bythenurseryforseamenandnavalforcethusformedandrearedupforthesupportofourcommonrights.Ourmanufacturesfindagenerousencouragementbythepolicywhichpatronizesdomesticindustry，andthesurplusofourproduceasteadyandprofitablemarketbylocalwantsinless-favoredpartsathome.

Such，then，beingthehighlyfavoredconditionofourcountry，itistheinterestofeverycitizentomaintainit.Whatarethedangerswhichmenaceus？Ifanyexisttheyoughttobeascertainedandguardedagainst.

Inexplainingmysentimentsonthissubjectitmaybeasked，Whatraisedustothepresenthappystate？HowdidweaccomplishtheRevolution？HowremedythedefectsofthefirstinstrumentofourUnion，byinfusingintotheNationalGovernmentsufficientpowerfornationalpurposes，withoutimpairingthejustrightsoftheStatesoraffectingthoseofindividuals？Howsustainandpasswithglorythroughthelatewar？TheGovernmenthasbeeninthehandsofthepeople.Tothepeople，therefore，andtothefaithfulandabledepositariesoftheirtrustisthecreditdue.HadtheeopleoftheUnitedStatesbeeneducatedindifferentprincipleshadtheybeenlessintelligent，lessindependent，orlessvirtuouscanitbebelievedthatweshouldhavemaintainedthesamesteadyandconsistentcareerorbeenblessedwiththesamesuccess？While，then，theconstituentbodyretainsitspresentsoundandhealthfulstateeverythingwillbesafe.Theywillchoosecompetentandfaithfulrepresentativesforeverydepartment.Itisonlywhenthepeoplebecomeignorantandcorrupt，whentheydegenerateintoapopulace，thattheyareincapableofexercisingthesovereignty.Usurpationisthenaneasyattainment，andanusurpersoonfound.Thepeoplethemselvesbecomethewillinginstrumentsoftheirowndebasementandruin.Letus，then，looktothegreatcause，andendeavortopreserveitinfullforce.Letusbyallwiseandconstitutionalmeasurespromoteintelligenceamongthepeopleasthebestmeansofpreservingourliberties.

Dangersfromabroadarenotlessdeservingofattention.Experiencingthefortuneofothernations，theUnitedStatesmaybeagaininvolvedinwar，anditmayinthateventbetheobjectoftheadversepartytooversetourGovernment，tobreakourUnion，anddemolishusasanation.OurdistancefromEuropeandthejust，moderate，andpacificpolicyofourGovernmentmayformsomesecurityagainstthesedangers，buttheyoughttobeanticipatedandguardedagainst.Manyofourcitizensareengagedincommerceandnavigation，andallofthemareinacertaindegreedependentontheirprosperousstate.Manyareengagedinthefisheries.Theseinterestsareexposedtoinvasioninthewarsbetweenotherpowers，andweshoulddisregardthefaithfuladmonitionofexperienceifwedidnotexpectit.Wemustsupportourrightsorloseourcharacter，andwithit，perhaps，ourliberties.Apeoplewhofailtodoitcanscarcelybesaidtoholdaplaceamongindependentnations.Nationalhonorisnationalpropertyofthehighestvalue.Thesentimentinthemindofeverycitizenisnationalstrength.Itoughtthereforetobecherished.

Tosecureusagainstthesedangersourcoastandinlandfrontiersshouldbefortified，ourArmyandNavy，regulateduponjustprinciplesastotheforceofeach，bekeptinperfectorder，andourmilitiabeplacedonthebestpracticablefooting.Toputourextensivecoastinsuchastateofdefenseastosecureourcitiesandinteriorfrominvasionwillbeattendedwithexpense，buttheworkwhenfinishedwillbepermanent，anditisfairtopresumethatasinglecampaignofinvasionbyanavalforcesuperiortoourown，aidedbyafewthousandlandtroops，wouldexposeustogreaterexpense，withouttakingintotheestimatethelossofpropertyanddistressofourcitizens，thanwouldbesufficientforthisgreatwork.Ourlandandnavalforcesshouldbemoderate，butadequatetothenecessarypurposes——theformertogarrisonandpreserveourfortificationsandtomeetthefirstinvasionsofaforeignfoe，and，whileconstitutingtheelementsofagreaterforce，topreservethescienceaswellasallthenecessaryimplementsofwarinastatetobebroughtintoactivityintheeventofwar；thelatter，retainedwithinthelimitsproperinastateofpeace，mightaidinmaintainingtheneutralityoftheUnitedStateswithdignityinthewarsofotherpowersandinsavingthepropertyoftheircitizensfromspoliation.Intimeofwar，withtheenlargementofwhichthegreatnavalresourcesofthecountryrenderitsusceptible，andwhichshouldbedulyfosteredintime.ofpeace，itwouldcontributeessentially，bothasanauxiliaryofdefenseandasapowerfulengineofannoyance，todiminishthecalamitiesofwarandtobringthewartoaspeedyandhonorable

ButitoughtalwaystobeheldprominentlyinviewthatthesafetyoftheseStatesandofeverythingdeartoafreepeoplemustdependinaneminentdegreeonthemilitia.InvasionsmaybemadetooformidabletoberesistedbyanylandandnavalforcewhichitwouldcomporteitherwiththeprinciplesofourGovernmentorthecircumstancesoftheUnitedStatestomaintain.Insuchcasesrecoursemustbehadtothegreatbodyofthepeople，andinamannertoproducethebesteffect.Itisofthehighestimportance，therefore，thattheybesoorganizedandtrainedastobepreparedforanyemergency.ThearrangementshouldbesuchastoputatthecommandoftheGovernmenttheardentpatriotismandyouthfulvigorofthecountry.Ifformedonequalandjustprinciples，itcannotbeoppressive.Itisthecrisiswhichmakesthepressure，andnotthelawswhichprovidearemedyforit.Thisarrangementshouldbeformed，too，intimeofpeace，tobethebetterpreparedforwar.WithsuchanorganizationofsuchapeopletheUnitedStateshavenothingtodreadfromforeigninvasion.Atitsapproachanoverwhelmingforceofgallantmenmightalwaysbeputinmotion.

Otherinterestsofhighimportancewillclaimattention，amongwhichtheimprovementofourcountrybyroadsandcanals，proceedingalwayswithaconstitutionalsanction，holdsadistinguishedplace.BythusfacilitatingtheintercoursebetweentheStatesweshalladdmuchtotheconvenienceandcomfortofourfellow-citizens，muchtotheornamentofthecountry，and，whatisofgreaterimportance，weshallshortendistances，and，bymakingeachpartmoreaccessibletoanddependentontheother，weshallbindtheUnionmorecloselytogether.Naturehasdonesomuchforusbyintersectingthecountrywithsomanygreatrivers，bays，andlakes，approachingfromdistantpointssoneartoeachother，thattheinducementtocompletetheworkseemstobepeculiarlystrong.AmoreinterestingspectaclewasperhapsneverseenthanisexhibitedwithinthelimitsoftheUnitedStates——aterritorysovastandadvantageouslysituated，containingobjectssogrand，souseful，sohappilyconnectedinalltheirparts！

OurmanufacturerswilllikewiserequirethesystematicandfosteringcareoftheGovernment.Possessingaswedoalltherawmaterials，thefruitofourownsoilandindustry，weoughtnottodependinthedegreewehavedoneonsuppliesfromothercountries.Whilewearethusdependentthesuddeneventofwar，unsoughtandunexpected，cannotfailtoplungeusintothemostseriousdifficultiesItisimportant，too，thatthecapitalwhichnourishesourmanufacturersshouldbedomestic，asitsinfluenceinthatcaseinsteadofexhausting，asitmaydoinforeignhands，wouldbefeltadvantageouslyonagricultureandeveryotherbranchofindustryEquallyimportantisittoprovideathomeamarketforourrawmaterials，asbyextendingthecompetitionitwillenhancethepriceandprotectthecultivatoragainstthecasualtiesincidenttoforeignmarkets.

WiththeIndiantribesitisourdutytocultivatefriendlyrelationsandtoactwithkindnessandliberalityinallourtransactions.Equallyproperisittopersevereinoureffortstoextendtothemtheadvantagesofcivilization.

ThegreatamountofourrevenueandtheflourishingstateoftheTreasuryareafullproofofthecompetencyofthenationalresourcesforanyemergency，astheyareofthewillingnessofourfellow-citizenstobeartheburdenswhichthepublicnecessitiesrequire.Thevastamountofvacantlands，thevalueofwhichdailyaugments，formsanadditionalresourceofgreatextentandduration.Theseresources，besidesaccomplishingeveryothernecessarypurpose，putitcompletelyinthepoweroftheUnitedStatestodischargethenationaldebtatanearlyperiod.Peaceisthebesttimeforimprovementandpreparationofeverykind；itisinpeacethatourcommerceflourishesmost，thattaxesaremosteasilypaid，andthattherevenueismostproductive.

TheExecutiveischargedofficiallyintheDepartmentsunderitwiththedisbursementofthepublicmoney，andisresponsibleforthefaithfulapplicationofittothepurposesforwhichitisraised.TheLegislatureisthewatchfulguardianoverthepublicpurse.Itisitsdutytoseethatthedisbursementhasbeenhonestlymade.TomeettherequisiteresponsibilityeveryfacilityshouldbeaffordedtotheExecutivetoenableittobringthepublicagentsintrustedwiththepublicmoneystrictlyandpromptlytoaccount.Nothingshouldbepresumedagainstthem；butif，withtherequisitefacilities，thepublicmoneyissufferedtolielonganduselesslyintheirhands，theywillnotbetheonlydefaulters，norwillthedemoralizingeffectbeconfinedtothem.ItwillevincearelaxationandwantoftoneintheAdministrationwhichwillbefeltbythewholecommunity.IshalldoallIcantosecureeconomyandfidelityinthisimportantbranchoftheAdministration，andIdoubtnotthattheLegislaturewillperformitsdutywithequalzeal.Athoroughexaminationshouldberegularlymade，andIwillpromoteit.

ItisparticularlygratifyingtometoenteronthedischargeofthesedutiesatatimewhentheUnitedStatesareblessedwithpeace.Itisastatemostconsistentwiththeirprosperityandhappiness.Itwillbemysinceredesiretopreserveit，sofarasdependsontheExecutive，onjustprincipleswithallnations，claimingnothingunreasonableofanyandrenderingtoeachwhatisdue.

EquallygratifyingisittowitnesstheincreasedharmonyofopinionwhichpervadesourUnion.Discorddoesnotbelongtooursystem.UnionisrecommendedaswellbythefreeandbenignprinciplesofourGovernment，extendingitsblessingstoeveryindividual，asbytheothereminentadvantagesattendingit.TheAmericanpeoplehaveencounteredtogethergreatdangersandsustainedseveretrialswithsuccess.Theyconstituteonegreatfamilywithacommoninterest.Experiencehasenlightenedusonsomequestionsofessentialimportancetothecountry.Theprogresshasbeenslow，dictatedbyajustreflectionandafaithfulregardtoeveryinterestconnectedwithit.TopromotethisharmonyinaccordwiththeprinciplesofourrepublicanGovernmentandinamannertogivethemthemostcompleteeffect，andtoadvanceinallotherrespectsthebestinterestsofourUnion，willbetheobjectofmyconstantandzealousexertions.

Neverdidagovernmentcommenceunderauspicessofavorable，noreverwassuccesssocomplete.Ifwelooktothehistoryofothernations，ancientormodern，wefindnoexampleofagrowthsorapid，sogigantic，ofapeoplesoprosperousandhappy.Incontemplatingwhatwehavestilltoperform，theheartofeverycitizenmustexpandwithjoywhenhereflectshownearourGovernmenthasapproachedtoperfection；thatinrespecttoitwehavenoessentialimprovementtomake；thatthegreatobjectistopreserveitintheessentialprinciplesandfeatureswhichcharacterizeit，andthatistobedonebypreservingthevirtueandenlighteningthemindsofthepeople；andasasecurityagainstforeigndangerstoadoptsucharrangementsasareindispensabletothesupportofourindependence，ourrightsandliberties.Ifwepersevereinthecareerinwhichwehaveadvancedsofarandinthepathalreadytraced，wecannotfail，underthefavorofagraciousProvidence，toattainthehighdestinywhichseemstoawaitus.

IntheAdministrationsoftheillustriousmenwhohaveprecededmeinthishighstation，withsomeofwhomIhavebeenconnectedbytheclosesttiesfromearlylife，examplesarepresentedwhichwillalwaysbefoundhighlyinstructiveandusefultotheirsuccessors.FromtheseIshallendeavortoderivealltheadvantageswhichtheymayafford.Ofmyimmediatepredecessor，underwhomsoimportantaportionofthisgreatandsuccessfulexperimenthasbeenmade，Ishallbepardonedforearnestwishesthathemaylongenjoyinhisretirementtheaffectionsofagratefulcountry，thebestrewardofexaltedtalentsandthemostfaithfulandmeritoriousservice.RelyingontheaidtobederivedfromtheotherdepartmentsoftheGovernment，IenteronthetrusttowhichIhavebeencalledbythesuffragesofmyfellow-citizenswithmyferventprayerstotheAlmightythatHewillbegraciouslypleasedtocontinuetousthatprotectionwhichHehasalreadysoconspicuouslydisplayedinourfavor.