Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States. 1989. Andrew Jackson: Second Inaugural Address.

Andrew Jackson

Second Inaugural Address

Monday, March 4, 1833

Cold weather and the President's poor health caused the secondinauguration to be much quieter than the first. The President's speech wasdelivered to a large assembly inside the Hall of the House of Representatives.Chief Justice John Marshall administered the oath of office for the ninth,and last, time.

Fellow-Citizens:
  THE will of the American people, expressedthrough their unsolicited suffrages, calls me before you to pass throughthe solemnities preparatory to taking upon myself the duties of Presidentof the United States for another term. For their approbation of my publicconduct through a period which has not been without its difficulties, andfor this renewed expression of their confidence in my good intentions, Iam at a loss for terms adequate to the expression of my gratitude. It shallbe displayed to the extent of my humble abilities in continued efforts soto administer the Government as to preserve their liberty and promote theirhappiness.
1
  So many events have occurred within the last four years whichhave necessarily called forth—sometimes under circumstances the mostdelicate and painful—my views of the principles and policy which oughtto be pursued by the General Government that I need on this occasion butallude to a few leading considerations connected with some of them. 2
  The foreign policy adopted by our Government soon after theformation of our present Constitution, and very generally pursued by successiveAdministrations, has been crowned with almost complete success, and haselevated our character among the nations of the earth. To do justice toall and to submit to wrong from none has been during my Administration itsgoverning maxim, and so happy have been its results that we are not onlyat peace with all the world, but have few causes of controversy, and thoseof minor importance, remaining unadjusted. 3
  In the domestic policy of this Government there are two objectswhich especially deserve the attention of the people and their representatives,and which have been and will continue to be the subjects of my increasingsolicitude. They are the preservation of the rights of the several Statesand the integrity of the Union. 4
  These great objects are necessarily connected, and can onlybe attained by an enlightened exercise of the powers of each within itsappropriate sphere in conformity with the public will constitutionally expressed.To this end it becomes the duty of all to yield a ready and patriotic submissionto the laws constitutionally enacted, and thereby promote and strengthena proper confidence in those institutions of the several States and of theUnited States which the people themselves have ordained for their own government. 5
  My experience in public concerns and the observation of a lifesomewhat advanced confirm the opinions long since imbibed by me, that thedestruction of our State governments or the annihilation of their controlover the local concerns of the people would lead directly to revolutionand anarchy, and finally to despotism and military domination. In proportion,therefore, as the General Government encroaches upon the rights of the States,in the same proportion does it impair its own power and detract from itsability to fulfill the purposes of its creation. Solemnly impressed withthese considerations, my countrymen will ever find me ready to exercisemy constitutional powers in arresting measures which may directly or indirectlyencroach upon the rights of the States or tend to consolidate all politicalpower in the General Government. But of equal, and, indeed, of incalculable,importance is the union of these States, and the sacred duty of all to contributeto its preservation by a liberal support of the General Government in theexercise of its just powers. You have been wisely admonished to "accustomyourselves to think and speak of the Union as of the palladium of your politicalsafety and prosperity, watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety,discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in anyevent be abandoned, and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of anyattempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeblethe sacred ties which now link together the various parts." Withoutunion our independence and liberty would never have been achieved; withoutunion they never can be maintained. Divided into twenty-four, or even asmaller number, of separate communities, we shall see our internal tradeburdened with numberless restraints and exactions; communication betweendistant points and sections obstructed or cut off; our sons made soldiersto deluge with blood the fields they now till in peace; the mass of ourpeople borne down and impoverished by taxes to support armies and navies,and military leaders at the head of their victorious legions becoming ourlawgivers and judges. The loss of liberty, of all good government, of peace,plenty, and happiness, must inevitably follow a dissolution of the Union.In supporting it, therefore, we support all that is dear to the freemanand the philanthropist. 6
  The time at which I stand before you is full of interest. Theeyes of all nations are fixed on our Republic. The event of the existingcrisis will be decisive in the opinion of mankind of the practicabilityof our federal system of government. Great is the stake placed in our hands;great is the responsibility which must rest upon the people of the UnitedStates. Let us realize the importance of the attitude in which we standbefore the world. Let us exercise forbearance and firmness. Let us extricateour country from the dangers which surround it and learn wisdom from thelessons they inculcate. 7
  Deeply impressed with the truth of these observations, and underthe obligation of that solemn oath which I am about to take, I shall continueto exert all my faculties to maintain the just powers of the Constitutionand to transmit unimpaired to posterity the blessings of our Federal Union.At the same time, it will be my aim to inculcate by my official acts thenecessity of exercising by the General Government those powers only thatare clearly delegated; to encourage simplicity and economy in the expendituresof the Government; to raise no more money from the people than may be requisitefor these objects, and in a manner that will best promote the interestsof all classes of the community and of all portions of the Union. Constantlybearing in mind that in entering into society "individuals must giveup a share of liberty to preserve the rest," it will be my desire soto discharge my duties as to foster with our brethren in all parts of thecountry a spirit of liberal concession and compromise, and, by reconcilingour fellow-citizens to those partial sacrifices which they must unavoidablymake for the preservation of a greater good, to recommend our invaluableGovernment and Union to the confidence and affections of the American people. 8
  Finally, it is my most fervent prayer to that Almighty Beingbefore whom I now stand, and who has kept us in His hands from the infancyof our Republic to the present day, that He will so overrule all my intentionsand actions and inspire the hearts of my fellow-citizens that we may bepreserved from dangers of all kinds and continue forever a united and happypeople. 9

Inaugural Addressesof the Presidents of the United States. 1989.

Fellow-Citizens: THE will of the American people, expressedthrough their unsolicited suffrages, calls me before you to pass throughthe solemnities preparatory to taking upon myself the duties of Presidentof the United States for another term. For their approbation of my publicconduct through a period which has not been without its difficulties, andfor this renewed expression of their confidence in my good intentions, Iam at a loss for terms adequate to the expression of my gratitude. It shallbe displayed to the extent of my humble abilities in continued efforts soto administer the Government as to preserve their liberty and promote theirhappiness.	1
So many events have occurred within the last four years whichhave necessarily called forth—sometimes under circumstances the mostdelicate and painful—my views of the principles and policy which oughtto be pursued by the General Government that I need on this occasion butallude to a few leading considerations connected with some of them.	2
The foreign policy adopted by our Government soon after theformation of our present Constitution, and very generally pursued by successiveAdministrations, has been crowned with almost complete success, and haselevated our character among the nations of the earth. To do justice toall and to submit to wrong from none has been during my Administration itsgoverning maxim, and so happy have been its results that we are not onlyat peace with all the world, but have few causes of controversy, and thoseof minor importance, remaining unadjusted.	3
In the domestic policy of this Government there are two objectswhich especially deserve the attention of the people and their representatives,and which have been and will continue to be the subjects of my increasingsolicitude. They are the preservation of the rights of the several Statesand the integrity of the Union.	4
These great objects are necessarily connected, and can onlybe attained by an enlightened exercise of the powers of each within itsappropriate sphere in conformity with the public will constitutionally expressed.To this end it becomes the duty of all to yield a ready and patriotic submissionto the laws constitutionally enacted, and thereby promote and strengthena proper confidence in those institutions of the several States and of theUnited States which the people themselves have ordained for their own government.	5
My experience in public concerns and the observation of a lifesomewhat advanced confirm the opinions long since imbibed by me, that thedestruction of our State governments or the annihilation of their controlover the local concerns of the people would lead directly to revolutionand anarchy, and finally to despotism and military domination. In proportion,therefore, as the General Government encroaches upon the rights of the States,in the same proportion does it impair its own power and detract from itsability to fulfill the purposes of its creation. Solemnly impressed withthese considerations, my countrymen will ever find me ready to exercisemy constitutional powers in arresting measures which may directly or indirectlyencroach upon the rights of the States or tend to consolidate all politicalpower in the General Government. But of equal, and, indeed, of incalculable,importance is the union of these States, and the sacred duty of all to contributeto its preservation by a liberal support of the General Government in theexercise of its just powers. You have been wisely admonished to "accustomyourselves to think and speak of the Union as of the palladium of your politicalsafety and prosperity, watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety,discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in anyevent be abandoned, and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of anyattempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeblethe sacred ties which now link together the various parts." Withoutunion our independence and liberty would never have been achieved; withoutunion they never can be maintained. Divided into twenty-four, or even asmaller number, of separate communities, we shall see our internal tradeburdened with numberless restraints and exactions; communication betweendistant points and sections obstructed or cut off; our sons made soldiersto deluge with blood the fields they now till in peace; the mass of ourpeople borne down and impoverished by taxes to support armies and navies,and military leaders at the head of their victorious legions becoming ourlawgivers and judges. The loss of liberty, of all good government, of peace,plenty, and happiness, must inevitably follow a dissolution of the Union.In supporting it, therefore, we support all that is dear to the freemanand the philanthropist.	6
The time at which I stand before you is full of interest. Theeyes of all nations are fixed on our Republic. The event of the existingcrisis will be decisive in the opinion of mankind of the practicabilityof our federal system of government. Great is the stake placed in our hands;great is the responsibility which must rest upon the people of the UnitedStates. Let us realize the importance of the attitude in which we standbefore the world. Let us exercise forbearance and firmness. Let us extricateour country from the dangers which surround it and learn wisdom from thelessons they inculcate.	7
Deeply impressed with the truth of these observations, and underthe obligation of that solemn oath which I am about to take, I shall continueto exert all my faculties to maintain the just powers of the Constitutionand to transmit unimpaired to posterity the blessings of our Federal Union.At the same time, it will be my aim to inculcate by my official acts thenecessity of exercising by the General Government those powers only thatare clearly delegated; to encourage simplicity and economy in the expendituresof the Government; to raise no more money from the people than may be requisitefor these objects, and in a manner that will best promote the interestsof all classes of the community and of all portions of the Union. Constantlybearing in mind that in entering into society "individuals must giveup a share of liberty to preserve the rest," it will be my desire soto discharge my duties as to foster with our brethren in all parts of thecountry a spirit of liberal concession and compromise, and, by reconcilingour fellow-citizens to those partial sacrifices which they must unavoidablymake for the preservation of a greater good, to recommend our invaluableGovernment and Union to the confidence and affections of the American people.	8
Finally, it is my most fervent prayer to that Almighty Beingbefore whom I now stand, and who has kept us in His hands from the infancyof our Republic to the present day, that He will so overrule all my intentionsand actions and inspire the hearts of my fellow-citizens that we may bepreserved from dangers of all kinds and continue forever a united and happypeople.	9