Inaugural Address of James Kno Polk

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Withoutsolicitationonmypart，Ihavebeenchosenbythefreeandvoluntarysuffragesofmycountrymentothemosthonorableandmostresponsibleofficeonearth.Iamdeeplyimpressedwithgratitudefortheconfidencereposedinme.Honoredwiththisdistinguishedconsiderationatanearlierperiodoflifethananyofmypredecessors，IcannotdisguisethediffidencewithwhichIamabouttoenteronthedischargeofmyofficialduties.

IfthemoreagedandexperiencedmenwhohavefilledtheofficeofPresidentoftheUnitedStatesevenintheinfancyoftheRepublicdistrustedtheirabilitytodischargethedutiesofthatexaltedstation，whatoughtnottobetheapprehensionsofonesomuchyoungerandlessendowednowthatourdomainextendsfromoceantoocean，thatourpeoplehavesogreatlyincreasedinnumbers，andatatimewhensogreatdiversityofopinionprevailsinregardtotheprinciplesandpolicywhichshouldcharacterizetheadministrationofourGovernment？Wellmaytheboldestfearandthewisesttremblewhenincurringresponsibilitiesonwhichmaydependourcountry''''speaceandprosperity，andinsomedegreethehopesandhappinessofthewholehumanfamily.

InassumingresponsibilitiessovastIferventlyinvoketheaidofthatAlmightyRuleroftheUniverseinwhosehandsarethedestiniesofnationsandofmentoguardthisHeaven-favoredlandagainstthemischiefswhichwithoutHisguidancemightarisefromanunwisepublicpolicy.WithafirmrelianceuponthewisdomofOmnipotencetosustainanddirectmeinthepathofdutywhichIamappointedtopursue，Istandinthepresenceofthisassembledmultitudeofmycountrymentotakeuponmyselfthesolemnobligation“tothebestofmyabilitytopreserve，protect，anddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates.”

AconciseenumerationoftheprincipleswhichwillguidemeintheadministrativepolicyoftheGovernmentisnotonlyinaccordancewiththeexamplessetmebyallmypredecessors，butiseminentlybefittingtheoccasion.

TheConstitutionitself，plainlywrittenasitis，thesafeguardofourfederativecompact，theoffspringofconcessionandcompromise，bindingtogetherinthebondsofpeaceandunionthisgreatandincreasingfamilyoffreeandindependentStates，willbethechartbywhichIshallbedirected.

ItwillbemyfirstcaretoadministertheGovernmentinthetruespiritofthatinstrument，andtoassumenopowersnotexpresslygrantedorclearlyimpliedinitsterms.TheGovernmentoftheUnitedStatesisoneofdelegatedandlimitedpowers，anditisbyastrictadherencetotheclearlygrantedpowersandbyabstainingfromtheexerciseofdoubtfulorunauthorizedimpliedpowersthatwehavetheonlysureguarantyagainsttherecurrenceofthoseunfortunatecollisionsbetweentheFederalandStateauthoritieswhichhaveoccasionallysomuchdisturbedtheharmonyofoursystemandeventhreatenedtheperpetuityofourgloriousUnion.

“TotheStates，respectively，ortothepeople”havebeenreserved“thepowersnotdelegatedtotheUnitedStatesbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedbyittotheStates.”EachStateisacompletesovereigntywithinthesphereofitsreservedpowers.TheGovernmentoftheUnion，actingwithinthesphereofitsdelegatedauthority，isalsoacompletesovereignty.WhiletheGeneralGovernmentshouldabstainfromtheexerciseofauthoritynotclearlydelegatedtoit，theStatesshouldbeequallycarefulthatinthemaintenanceoftheirrightstheydonotoverstepthelimitsofpowersreservedtothem.Oneofthemostdistinguishedofmypredecessorsattacheddeservedimportanceto“thesupportoftheStategovernmentsinalltheirrights，asthemostcompetentadministrationforourdomesticconcernsandthesurestbulwarkagainstantirepublicantendencies，”andtothe“preservationoftheGeneralGovernmentinitswholeconstitutionalvigor，asthesheetanchorofourpeaceathomeandsafetyabroad.”

TotheGovernmentoftheUnitedStateshasbeenintrustedtheexclusivemanagementofourforeignaffairs.Beyondthatitwieldsafewgeneralenumeratedpowers.ItdoesnotforcereformontheStates.Itleavesindividuals，overwhomitcastsitsprotectinginfluence，entirelyfreetoimprovetheirownconditionbythelegitimateexerciseofalltheirmentalandphysicalpowers.ItisacommonprotectorofeachandalltheStates；ofeverymanwholivesuponoursoil，whetherofnativeorforeignbirth；ofeveryreligioussect，intheirworshipoftheAlmightyaccordingtothedictatesoftheirownconscience；ofeveryshadeofopinion，andthemostfreeinquiry；ofeveryart，trade，andoccupationconsistentwiththelawsoftheStates.Andwerejoiceinthegeneralhappiness，prosperity，andadvancementofourcountry，whichhavebeentheoffspringoffreedom，andnotofpower.

Thismostadmirableandwisestsystemofwell-regulatedself-governmentamongmeneverdevisedbyhumanmindshasbeentestedbyitssuccessfuloperationformorethanhalfacentury，andifpreservedfromtheusurpationsoftheFederalGovernmentontheonehandandtheexercisebytheStatesofpowersnotreservedtothemontheother，will，Iferventlyhopeandbelieve，endureforagestocomeanddispensetheblessingsofcivilandreligiouslibertytodistantgenerations.ToeffectobjectssodeartoeverypatriotIshalldevotemyselfwithanxioussolicitude.ItwillbemydesiretoguardagainstthatmostfruitfulsourceofdangertotheharmoniousactionofoursystemwhichconsistsinsubstitutingthemerediscretionandcapriceoftheExecutiveorofmajoritiesinthelegislativedepartmentoftheGovernmentforpowerswhichhavebeenwithheldfromtheFederalGovernmentbytheConstitution.BythetheoryofourGovernmentmajoritiesrule，butthisrightisnotanarbitraryorunlimitedone.ItisarighttobeexercisedinsubordinationtotheConstitutionandinconformitytoit.OnegreatobjectoftheConstitutionwastorestrainmajoritiesfromoppressingminoritiesorencroachingupontheirjustrights.MinoritieshavearighttoappealtotheConstitutionasashieldagainstsuchoppression.

ThattheblessingsoflibertywhichourConstitutionsecuresmaybeenjoyedalikebyminoritiesandmajorities，theExecutivehasbeenwiselyinvestedwithaqualifiedvetoupontheactsoftheLegislature.Itisanegativepower，andisconservativeinitscharacter.Itarrestsforthetimehasty，inconsiderate，orunConstitutionallegislation，invitesreconsideration，andtransfersquestionsatissuebetweenthelegislativeandexecutivedepartmentstothetribunalofthepeople.Likeallotherpowers，itissubjecttobeabused.Whenjudiciouslyandproperlyexercised，theConstitutionitselfmaybesavedfrominfractionandtherightsofallpreservedandprotected.

TheinestimablevalueofourFederalUnionisfeltandacknowledgedbyall.BythissystemofunitedandconfederatedStatesourpeoplearepermittedcollectivelyandindividuallytoseektheirownhappinessintheirownway，andtheconsequenceshavebeenmostauspicious.SincetheUnionwasformedthenumberoftheStateshasincreasedfromthirteentotwenty-eight；twoofthesehavetakentheirpositionasmembersoftheConfederacywithinthelastweek.Ourpopulationhasincreasedfromthreetotwentymillions.NewcommunitiesandStatesareseekingprotectionunderitsaegis，andmultitudesfromtheOldWorldareflockingtoourshorestoparticipateinitsblessings.Beneathitsbenignswaypeaceandprosperityprevail.Freedfromtheburdensandmiseriesofwar，ourtradeandintercoursehaveextendedthroughouttheworld.Mind，nolongertaskedindevisingmeanstoaccomplishorresistschemesofambition，usurpation，orconquest，isdevotingitselftoman''''strueinterestsindevelopinghisfacultiesandpowersandthecapacityofnaturetoministertohisenjoyments.Geniusisfreetoannounceitsinventionsanddiscoveries，andthehandisfreetoaccomplishwhatevertheheadconceivesnotincompatiblewiththerightsofafellow-being.Alldistinctionsofbirthorofrankhavebeenabolished.Allcitizens，whethernativeoradopted，areplacedupontermsofpreciseequality.Allareentitledtoequalrightsandequalprotection.Nounionexistsbetweenchurchandstate，andperfectfreedomofopinionisguaranteedtoallsectsandcreeds.

ThesearesomeoftheblessingssecuredtoourhappylandbyourFederalUnion.Toperpetuatethemitisoursacreddutytopreserveit.WhoshallassignlimitstotheachievementsoffreemindsandfreehandsundertheprotectionofthisgloriousUnion？Notreasontomankindsincetheorganizationofsocietywouldbeequalinatrocitytothatofhimwhowouldlifthishandtodestroyit.Hewouldoverthrowthenobleststructureofhumanwisdom，whichprotectshimselfandhisfellow-man.Hewouldstoptheprogressoffreegovernmentandinvolvehiscountryeitherinanarchyordespotism.Hewouldextinguishthefireofliberty，whichwarmsandanimatestheheartsofhappymillionsandinvitesallthenationsoftheearthtoimitateourexample.IfhesaythaterrorandwrongarecommittedintheadministrationoftheGovernment，lethimrememberthatnothinghumancanbeperfect，andthatundernoothersystemofgovernmentrevealedbyHeavenordevisedbymanhasreasonbeenallowedsofreeandbroadascopetocombaterror.Hastheswordofdespotsprovedtobeasaferorsurerinstrumentofreformingovernmentthanenlightenedreason？DoesheexpecttofindamongtheruinsofthisUnionahappierabodeforourswarmingmillionsthantheynowhaveunderit？Everyloverofhiscountrymustshudderatthethoughtofthepossibilityofitsdissolution，andwillbereadytoadoptthepatrioticsentiment，“OurFederalUnion——itmustbepreserved.”TopreserveitthecompromiseswhichaloneenabledourfatherstoformacommonConstitutionforthegovernmentandprotectionofsomanyStatesanddistinctcommunities，ofsuchdiversifiedhabits，interests，anddomesticinstitutions，mustbesacredlyandreligiouslyobserved.Anyattempttodisturbordestroythesecompromises，beingtermsofthecompactofunion，canleadtononeotherthanthemostruinousanddisastrousconsequences.

Itisasourceofdeepregretthatinsomesectionsofourcountrymisguidedpersonshaveoccasionallyindulgedinschemesandagitationswhoseobjectisthedestructionofdomesticinstitutionsexistinginothersections——institutionswhichexistedattheadoptionoftheConstitutionandwererecognizedandprotectedbyit.AllmustseethatifitwerepossibleforthemtobesuccessfulinattainingtheirobjectthedissolutionoftheUnionandtheconsequentdestructionofourhappyformofgovernmentmustspeedilyfollow.

Iamhappytobelievethatateveryperiodofourexistenceasanationtherehasexisted，andcontinuestoexist，amongthegreatmassofourpeopleadevotiontotheUnionoftheStateswhichwillshieldandprotectitagainstthemoraltreasonofanywhowouldseriouslycontemplateitsdestruction.TosecureacontinuanceofthatdevotionthecompromisesoftheConstitutionmustnotonlybepreserved，butsectionaljealousiesandheartburningsmustbediscountenanced，andallshouldrememberthattheyaremembersofthesamepoliticalfamily，havingacommondestiny.ToincreasetheattachmentofourpeopletotheUnion，ourlawsshouldbejust.Anypolicywhichshalltendtofavormonopoliesorthepeculiarinterestsofsectionsorclassesmustoperatetotheprejudiceoftheinterestoftheirfellow-citizens，andshouldbeavoided.IfthecompromisesoftheConstitutionbepreserved，ifsectionaljealousiesandheartburningsbediscountenanced，ifourlawsbejustandtheGovernmentbepracticallyadministeredstrictlywithinthelimitsofpowerprescribedtoit，wemaydiscardallapprehensionsforthesafetyoftheUnion.

Withtheseviewsofthenature，character，andobjectsoftheGovernmentandthevalueoftheUnion，Ishallsteadilyopposethecreationofthoseinstitutionsandsystemswhichintheirnaturetendtopervertitfromitslegitimatepurposesandmakeittheinstrumentofsections，classes，andindividuals.WeneednonationalbanksorotherextraneousinstitutionsplantedaroundtheGovernmenttocontrolorstrengthenitinoppositiontothewillofitsauthors.Experiencehastaughtushowunnecessarytheyareasauxiliariesofthepublicauthorities——howimpotentforgoodandhowpowerfulformischief.

Ourswasintendedtobeaplainandfrugalgovernment，andIshallregardittobemydutytorecommendtoCongressand，asfarastheExecutiveisconcerned，toenforcebyallthemeanswithinmypowerthestrictesteconomyintheexpenditureofthepublicmoneywhichmaybecompatiblewiththepublicinterests.

AnationaldebthasbecomealmostaninstitutionofEuropeanmonarchies.Itisviewedinsomeofthemasanessentialproptoexistinggovernments.Melancholyistheconditionofthatpeoplewhosegovernmentcanbesustainedonlybyasystemwhichperiodicallytransferslargeamountsfromthelaborofthemanytothecoffersofthefew.SuchasystemisincompatiblewiththeendsforwhichourrepublicanGovernmentwasinstituted.UnderawisepolicythedebtscontractedinourRevolutionandduringtheWarof1812havebeenhappilyextinguished.Byajudiciousapplicationoftherevenuesnotrequiredforothernecessarypurposes，itisnotdoubtedthatthedebtwhichhasgrownoutofthecircumstancesofthelastfewyearsmaybespeedilypaidoff.Icongratulatemyfellow-citizensontheentirerestorationofthecreditoftheGeneralGovernmentoftheUnionandthatofmanyoftheStates.HappywoulditbefortheindebtedStatesiftheywerefreedfromtheirliabilities，manyofwhichwereincautiouslycontracted.AlthoughtheGovernmentoftheUnionisneitherinalegalnoramoralsenseboundforthedebtsoftheStates，anditwouldbeaviolationofourcompactofuniontoassumethem，yetwecannotbutfeeladeepinterestinseeingalltheStatesmeettheirpublicliabilitiesandpayofftheirjustdebtsattheearliestpracticableperiod.Thattheywilldosoassoonasitcanbedonewithoutimposingtooheavyburdensontheircitizensthereisnoreasontodoubt.ThesoundmoralandhonorablefeelingofthepeopleoftheindebtedStatescannotbequestioned，andwearehappytoperceiveasettleddispositionontheirpart，astheirabilityreturnsafteraseasonofunexampledpecuniaryembarrassment，topayoffalljustdemandsandtoacquiesceinanyreasonablemeasurestoaccomplishthatobject.

OneofthedifficultieswhichwehavehadtoencounterinthepracticaladministrationoftheGovernmentconsistsintheadjustmentofourrevenuelawsandthelevyofthetaxesnecessaryforthesupportofGovernment.Inthegeneralpropositionthatnomoremoneyshallbecollectedthanthenecessitiesofaneconomicaladministrationshallrequireallpartiesseemtoacquiesce.NordoesthereseemtobeanymaterialdifferenceofopinionastotheabsenceofrightintheGovernmenttotaxonesectionofcountry，oroneclassofcitizens，oroneoccupation，forthemereprofitofanother.“JusticeandsoundpolicyforbidtheFederalGovernmenttofosteronebranchofindustrytothedetrimentofanother，ortocherishtheinterestsofoneportiontotheinjuryofanotherportionofourcommoncountry.”Ihaveheretoforedeclaredtomyfellow-citizensthat“inmyjudgmentitisthedutyoftheGovernmenttoextend，asfarasitmaybepracticabletodoso，byitsrevenuelawsandallothermeanswithinitspower，fairandjustprotectiontoallofthegreatinterestsofthewholeUnion，embracingagriculture，manufactures，themechanicarts，commerce，andnavigation.”Ihavealsodeclaredmyopiniontobe“infavorofatariffforrevenue，”andthat“inadjustingthedetailsofsuchatariffIhavesanctionedsuchmoderatediscriminatingdutiesaswouldproducetheamountofrevenueneededandatthesametimeaffordreasonableincidentalprotectiontoourhomeindustry，”andthatIwas“opposedtoatariffforprotectionmerely，andnotforrevenue.”

Thepower“tolayandcollecttaxes，duties，imposts，andexcises”wasanindispensableonetobeconferredontheFederalGovernment，whichwithoutitwouldpossessnomeansofprovidingforitsownsupport.InexecutingthispowerbylevyingatariffofdutiesforthesupportofGovernment，theraisingofrevenueshouldbetheobjectandprotectiontheincident.Toreversethisprincipleandmakeprotectiontheobjectandrevenuetheincidentwouldbetoinflictmanifestinjusticeuponallotherthantheprotectedinterests.Inlevyingdutiesforrevenueitisdoubtlesspropertomakesuchdiscriminationswithintherevenueprincipleaswillaffordincidentalprotectiontoourhomeinterests.Withintherevenuelimitthereisadiscretiontodiscriminate；beyondthatlimittherightfulexerciseofthepowerisnotconceded.Theincidentalprotectionaffordedtoourhomeinterestsbydiscriminationswithintherevenuerangeitisbelievedwillbeample.Inmakingdiscriminationsallourhomeinterestsshouldasfaraspracticablebeequallyprotected.Thelargestportionofourpeopleareagriculturists.Othersareemployedinmanufactures，commerce，navigation，andthemechanicarts.Theyareallengagedintheirrespectivepursuitsandtheirjointlaborsconstitutethenationalorhomeindustry.Totaxonebranchofthishomeindustryforthebenefitofanotherwouldbeunjust.Nooneoftheseinterestscanrightfullyclaimanadvantageovertheothers，ortobeenrichedbyimpoverishingtheothers.AllareequallyentitledtothefosteringcareandprotectionoftheGovernment.Inexercisingasounddiscretioninlevyingdiscriminatingdutieswithinthelimitprescribed，careshouldbetakenthatitbedoneinamannernottobenefitthewealthyfewattheexpenseofthetoilingmillionsbytaxinglowesttheluxuriesoflife，orarticlesofsuperiorqualityandhighprice，whichcanonlybeconsumedbythewealthy，andhighestthenecessariesoflife，orarticlesofcoarsequalityandlowprice，whichthepoorandgreatmassofourpeoplemustconsume.Theburdensofgovernmentshouldasfaraspracticablebedistributedjustlyandequallyamongallclassesofourpopulation.Thesegeneralviews，longentertainedonthissubject，Ihavedeemeditpropertoreiterate.Itisasubjectuponwhichconflictinginterestsofsectionsandoccupationsaresupposedtoexist，andaspiritofmutualconcessionandcompromiseinadjustingitsdetailsshouldbecherishedbyeverypartofourwidespreadcountryastheonlymeansofpreservingharmonyandacheerfulacquiescenceofallintheoperationofourrevenuelaws.OurpatrioticcitizensineverypartoftheUnionwillreadilysubmittothepaymentofsuchtaxesasshallbeneededforthesupportoftheirGovernment，whetherinpeaceorinwar，iftheyaresoleviedastodistributetheburdensasequallyaspossibleamongthem.

TheRepublicofTexashasmadeknownherdesiretocomeintoourUnion，toformapartofourConfederacyandenjoywithustheblessingsoflibertysecuredandguaranteedbyourConstitution.Texaswasonceapartofourcountry——wasunwiselycededawaytoaforeignpower——isnowindependent，andpossessesanundoubtedrighttodisposeofapartorthewholeofherterritoryandtomergehersovereigntyasaseparateandindependentstateinours.IcongratulatemycountrythatbyanactofthelateCongressoftheUnitedStatestheassentofthisGovernmenthasbeengiventothereunion，anditonlyremainsforthetwocountriestoagreeuponthetermstoconsummateanobjectsoimportanttoboth.

IregardthequestionofannexationasbelongingexclusivelytotheUnitedStatesandTexas.Theyareindependentpowerscompetenttocontract，andforeignnationshavenorighttointerferewiththemortotakeexceptionstotheirreunion.ForeignpowersdonotseemtoappreciatethetruecharacterofourGovernment.OurUnionisaconfederationofindependentStates，whosepolicyispeacewitheachotherandalltheworld.Toenlargeitslimitsistoextendthedominionsofpeaceoveradditionalterritoriesandincreasingmillions.TheworldhasnothingtofearfrommilitaryambitioninourGovernment.WhiletheChiefMagistrateandthepopularbranchofCongressareelectedforshorttermsbythesuffragesofthosemillionswhomustintheirownpersonsbearalltheburdensandmiseriesofwar，ourGovernmentcannotbeotherwisethanpacific.ForeignpowersshouldthereforelookontheannexationofTexastotheUnitedStatesnotastheconquestofanationseekingtoextendherdominionsbyarmsandviolence，butasthepeacefulacquisitionofaterritoryonceherown，byaddinganothermembertoourconfederation，withtheconsentofthatmember，therebydiminishingthechancesofwarandopeningtothemnewandever-increasingmarketsfortheirproducts.

ToTexasthereunionisimportant，becausethestrongprotectingarmofourGovernmentwouldbeextendedoverher，andthevastresourcesofherfertilesoilandgenialclimatewouldbespeedilydeveloped，whilethesafetyofNewOrleansandofourwholesouthwesternfrontieragainsthostileaggression，aswellastheinterestsofthewholeUnion，wouldbepromotedbyit.

IntheearlierstagesofournationalexistencetheopinionprevailedwithsomethatoursystemofconfederatedStatescouldnotoperatesuccessfullyoveranextendedterritory，andseriousobjectionshaveatdifferenttimesbeenmadetotheenlargementofourboundaries.TheseobjectionswereearnestlyurgedwhenweacquiredLouisiana.Experiencehasshownthattheywerenotwellfounded.ThetitleofnumerousIndiantribestovasttractsofcountryhasbeenextinguished；newStateshavebeenadmittedintotheUnion；newTerritorieshavebeencreatedandourjurisdictionandlawsextendedoverthem.Asourpopulationhasexpanded，theUnionhasbeencementedandstrengthened.ASourboundarieshavebeenenlargedandouragriculturalpopulationhasbeenspreadoveralargesurface，ourfederativesystemhasacquiredadditionalstrengthandsecurity.ItmaywellbedoubtedwhetheritwouldnotbeingreaterdangerofoverthrowifourpresentpopulationwereconfinedtothecomparativelynarrowlimitsoftheoriginalthirteenStatesthanitisnowthattheyaresparselysettledoveramoreexpandedterritory.Itisconfidentlybelievedthatoursystemmaybesafelyextendedtotheutmostboundsofourterritoriallimits，andthatasitshallbeextendedthebondsofourUnion，sofarfrombeingweakened，willbecomestronger.

NonecanfailtoseethedangertooursafetyandfuturepeaceifTexasremainsanindependentstateorbecomesanallyordependencyofsomeforeignnationmorepowerfulthanherself.IsthereoneamongourcitizenswhowouldnotpreferperpetualpeacewithTexastooccasionalwars，whichsooftenoccurbetweenborderingindependentnations？Isthereonewhowouldnotpreferfreeintercoursewithhertohighdutiesonallourproductsandmanufactureswhichenterherportsorcrossherfrontiers？IsthereonewhowouldnotpreferanunrestrictedcommunicationwithhercitizenstothefrontierobstructionswhichmustoccurifsheremainsoutoftheUnion？WhateverisgoodorevilinthelocalinstitutionsofTexaswillremainherownwhetherannexedtotheUnitedStatesornot.NoneofthepresentStateswillberesponsibleforthemanymorethantheyareforthelocalinstitutionsofeachother.Theyhaveconfederatedtogetherforcertainspecifiedobjects.UponthesameprinciplethattheywouldrefusetoformaperpetualunionwithTexasbecauseofherlocalinstitutionsourforefatherswouldhavebeenpreventedfromformingourpresentUnion.Perceivingnovalidobjectiontothemeasureandmanyreasonsforitsadoptionvitallyaffectingthepeace，thesafety，andtheprosperityofbothcountries，IshallonthebroadprinciplewhichformedthebasisandproducedtheadoptionofourConstitution，andnotinanynarrowspiritofsectionalpolicy，endeavorbyallConstitutional，honorable，andappropriatemeanstoconsummatetheexpressedwillofthepeopleandGovernmentoftheUnitedStatesbythereannexationofTexastoourUnionattheearliestpracticableperiod.

NorwillitbecomeinalessdegreemydutytoassertandmaintainbyallConstitutionalmeanstherightoftheUnitedStatestothatportionofourterritorywhichliesbeyondtheRockyMountains.OurtitletothecountryoftheOregonis“clearandunquestionable，”andalreadyareourpeoplepreparingtoperfectthattitlebyoccupyingitwiththeirwivesandchildren.ButeightyyearsagoourpopulationwasconfinedonthewestbytheridgeoftheAlleghanies.Withinthatperiod——withinthelifetime，Imightsay，ofsomeofmyhearers——ourpeople，increasingtomanymillions，havefilledtheeasternvalleyoftheMississippi，adventurouslyascendedtheMissouritoitsheadsprings，andarealreadyengagedinestablishingtheblessingsofself-governmentinvalleysofwhichtheriversflowtothePacific.Theworldbeholdsthepeacefultriumphsoftheindustryofouremigrants.Tousbelongsthedutyofprotectingthemadequatelywherevertheymaybeuponoursoil.Thejurisdictionofourlawsandthebenefitsofourrepublicaninstitutionsshouldbeextendedovertheminthedistantregionswhichtheyhaveselectedfortheirhomes.TheincreasingfacilitiesofintercoursewilleasilybringtheStates，ofwhichtheformationinthatpartofourterritorycannotbelongdelayed，withinthesphereofourfederativeUnion.Inthemeantimeeveryobligationimposedbytreatyorconventionalstipulationsshouldbesacredlyrespected.

Inthemanagementofourforeignrelationsitwillbemyaimtoobserveacarefulrespectfortherightsofothernations，whileourownwillbethesubjectofconstantwatchfulness.Equalandexactjusticeshouldcharacterizeallourintercoursewithforeigncountries.Allallianceshavingatendencytojeopardthewelfareandhonorofourcountryorsacrificeanyoneofthenationalinterestswillbestudiouslyavoided，andyetnoopportunitywillbelosttocultivateafavorableunderstandingwithforeigngovernmentsbywhichournavigationandcommercemaybeextendedandtheampleproductsofourfertilesoil，aswellasthemanufacturesofourskillfulartisans，findareadymarketandremuneratingpricesinforeigncountries.

Intaking“carethatthelawsbefaithfullyexecuted，”astrictperformanceofdutywillbeexactedfromallpublicofficers.Fromthoseofficers，especially，whoarechargedwiththecollectionanddisbursementofthepublicrevenuewillpromptandrigidaccountabilityberequired.AnyculpablefailureordelayontheirparttoaccountforthemoneysintrustedtothematthetimesandinthemannerrequiredbylawwillineveryinstanceterminatetheofficialconnectionofsuchdefaultingofficerwiththeGovernment.

AlthoughinourcountrytheChiefMagistratemustalmostofnecessitybechosenbyapartyandstandpledgedtoitsprinciplesandmeasures，yetinhisofficialactionheshouldnotbethePresidentofapartonly，butofthewholepeopleoftheUnitedStates.Whileheexecutesthelawswithanimpartialhand，shrinksfromnoproperresponsibility，andfaithfullycarriesoutintheexecutivedepartmentoftheGovernmenttheprinciplesandpolicyofthosewhohavechosenhim，heshouldnotbeunmindfulthatourfellow-citizenswhohavedifferedwithhiminopinionareentitledtothefullandfreeexerciseoftheiropinionsandjudgments，andthattherightsofallareentitledtorespectandregard.

ConfidentlyrelyingupontheaidandassistanceofthecoordinatedepartmentsoftheGovernmentinconductingourpublicaffairs，Ienteruponthedischargeofthehighdutieswhichhavebeenassignedmebythepeople，againhumblysupplicatingthatDivineBeingwhohaswatchedoverandprotectedourbelovedcountryfromitsinfancytothepresenthourtocontinueHisgraciousbenedictionsuponus，thatwemaycontinuetobeaprosperousandhappypeople.