The national intelligencer and Washington advertiser. [volume], March 04, 1809, Image 1

About The national intelligencer and Washington advertiser. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1800-1810

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National Infeltigmcer— Extra.
MARCH 4, 1809.
This Day, at 12 o'clock, JAMES MADISON took
the oath of office as President of the United Stares,
and delivered, in the Chamber of the House of &e
--prefentatives, in the presence of the Senate, moft of
the late Representatives, and a large concourse of Ci
tizens, the following
SPEECH:
UNWILLING to depart from examples, ofthe most
fevered authority, I avail m s If of the occasion now
presented, to express the profound impression made on
nit, \&y the all of my count! y to the station, to the dv
ties of which I am about to pledge myself, by the most
solemn of sanctions. So distinguished a mark of conn
d< cc, proceeding from the deliberate and tranquil sui
fi i c of a free and virtuous nation, would, under.any eir
en . tances, have commanded my gratitude and aevotion ;
as \ : . as filled mt with an awlul sense of tm- trust to be
as ■■.■■•( d. Under the various circumstances which give
pe< uliar solemnity to the existing period, 1 feel that both
the honor and the responsibility allotted to me are inex
pressibly enhanced.
The present situation of the world is indeed without a
parallel : Sc'hat hi our own country full of difficulties. The
pressure of these too is the more severely felt, because
they have fallen upon us at a moment, when the national
prosperity being at a height not before attained, the con*
trast resulting' from rhe change has been rendered the
more striking. Under the benign influence of our Re
publican institutions, and the maintenance of peace with all
nations, whils- so many ot them were engaged m bloody
an I wasteful wars, the fruits of a just policy were enjoy.
Ed in an unrivalled growth of our faculties and resources.
Proofs >f this were seen in the improvements of agricul
ture j in the successful enterprises of commerce ; in the
progress of n anufac.ures and useful arts ;in the increase
ofthe public revenue, and the use made of it in reducing
the public debt, and in the valuable works and establish
ments every where multiplying over the face of our land.
It is a precious reflection that the transition from this
prosperous condition of our country, to the scene which
has for some time been distressing us, is not chargeable
on mv unwarrantable views, nor, as I trust, on any in
voluntary er-ors, in the public councils. Indulging no
passions" which tresspass on the rights, or the repose of
other nations, it has been the true glory of the United
States to cultivate peace, by observing justice; and to en
title themselves to the respect of the nations at war, by
fulfilling the ir neutral obligations, with the most scrupu
lous impartiality. If there be candor in the world, the
truth of these assertions will not be questioned ; poste
ry, at least, will do justice to them.
*♦ This unexceptionable course could not avail against the
injustice and violence of the belligerent powers. In their
against each other, or impelled by more direct mo
tives, principles of retaliation have been introduced,
equally contrary to Universal reason, and acknowledged
law. How long their arbitrary edicts will be continued,
in spite A the demonstrations that not ever, a pretext for
them has .en given by the United States, and of the
fair ml liberal attempt to induce a revocation of them,
cannot be anticipated. Assuring myself, that under eve
ry vicissitude, the determined spirit and united councils
of the nation will be safe-guards to its honor and its es
sential interest?, I repair to the post assigned me, with
no other discouragement than what springs from my own
inadequacy to us high duties. 11 Ido not sink under
th< weight o! this deep conviction, it is because I find
aotn< support in a consciousness of the purposes, and a
co fi '<-i.cc in the. principles which I bring with me, into
arduous service.
To cherish peace and friendly intercourse with all na*
tions having correspondent dispositions; to maintain
sincere neutrality towards belligerent .ations; to prefer, in
all cases, amicable discussion and reasonable *cc nmo
tiation of differences, to a decision oi then b a i -ai
to arms; to exclude foreign i trigues an.l foreign p-.rtia
liti s, so degrading to all countries, anc so baneful to free
ones ; to foster a spirit of independence, too to invade
the rights of others, too proud to surrender our own ;
too liberal to indulge unworthy prejudices ourselves, and
too elevated not to look down upon them in others; to
hold the union of the states as the basis of their peace
and happiness; to support (he constitution, which is the
cement of the union, as well in its limitations as in its
authorities ; to respec: the rights and authorities reserved
to the states and to the people, as equally incorporated
with, and essential to the success of, the general sy**u m;
to avt id the slightest interference w th the rights of con
science or the functions of religion, so wisely exempted
from civil jurisdiction ; to preserve in then fuil uergy
the other salutary provisions in behalf» f private Btpersonal
rights, and of the freedom ofthe press ; to observe econo
my in public expenditures; to liberate the pubh re
sources by a.i honorable discharge of the public debts;
to keep within the requisite limits a standing military
force, always remembering that an armed and trained
militia is the firmest bulwark of Republics ; that without
standing armies their ibertv can never be in danger;
nor, with large ones safe ; to promote by authorised means
improvements friendly to agriculture, to manufactures,
and to external as well as inn rrial commerce ; to favoi in
like manner, the advancem* nt of science, and the difw
sion of information, as the best aliment t true liberty; to
carry on the benevolent plans, which have been so met ito
riously applied to the conversion of our aboriginal neigh
bors from the degradation and wretchedness of sava.;e
life, to a participation ofthe improveme ts of which the
human mind and manners are susceptible in a civilised
state: As far as sentiments and intentions, sush as these,
can aid the fulfilment of my duty, they will be a resource
which cannot fail me.
It is my good fortune, moreover, to have the path, in
which I am to tread, lighted by examples of illustrious
services, succesefulb rendered in the most trying diffi
culties by those who have marched before me. Of those of
my immediate predecessor, it might least become me
hereto speak. I may however be pardoned for no! sup
pressing the sympathy with which my heart is full, in the
rich reward he enjoys in the benedictions of a beloved
country, gratefully bestowed for cxaltci talents zrah usly
devoted through a long career, to the advancement of its
highest interest and happiness.
But the source towdiich I look for the aids which a
lone can supply my deficiencies, is in the well tried intel
ligence and virtue of my fellow citizens, and in the coun
cils of those rep resenting them, in the other departrtv
associated in the care of the national interests. in thew
my "confidence will under every difficulty be best placed,
next o'hat Which we have all been encouraged to feel
in ihe guaidianship and guidance of that almighty Being,
whose power regulates the destiny < f nations, who;-, bles
ings have been so conspicuously dispensed to this rising
Republic, and to whom wi are bound to address oui ele
vont gratitude for the past, as w 11 as our fervent vsuppll
cations and best hopes for the future.