James monroe inaugural address. First Inaugural Address by James Monroe 2022-10-07
James monroe inaugural address Rating:
8,2/10
1977
reviews
James Monroe's inaugural address, given on March 4, 1817, marked the beginning of his presidency and set the tone for his administration. In his address, Monroe outlined his vision for the country and addressed a number of important issues facing the nation at the time.
One of the main themes of Monroe's inaugural address was the importance of national unity. He argued that the United States had achieved a level of unity and prosperity that was unprecedented in the world, and he called on the American people to work together to maintain and strengthen this unity. To this end, Monroe pledged to work for the common good and to ensure that the interests of all Americans were represented.
Another important theme of Monroe's inaugural address was the importance of foreign relations. At the time, the United States was emerging as a global power, and Monroe recognized the need to maintain strong relations with other nations. He promised to pursue a policy of peace and friendship with all nations, and he emphasized the importance of trade and commerce in strengthening international ties.
Monroe also addressed the issue of westward expansion in his inaugural address. He recognized that the United States was a rapidly growing nation, and he encouraged Americans to explore and settle the western territories. He promised to work to ensure that these territories were integrated into the Union in a way that was fair and just to all Americans.
Overall, James Monroe's inaugural address was a call to national unity and cooperation, and it set the stage for a presidency marked by efforts to strengthen the nation both domestically and internationally. Its themes of unity, foreign relations, and westward expansion remain relevant to this day, and it remains an important document in American history.
James Monroe: Second Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989
Of this spirit and of its injurious bearing on the United States strong proofs were afforded by the establishment at Amelia Island, and the purposes to which it was made instrumental by this band in 1817, and by the occurrences which took place in other parts of Florida in 1818, the details of which in both instances are too well known to require to be now recited. That these powerful causes exist, and that they are permanent, is my fixed opinion; that they may produce a like accord in all questions touching, however remotely, the liberty, prosperity, and happiness of our country will always be the object of my most fervent prayers to the Supreme Author of All Good. Possessing as we do all the raw materials, the fruit of our own soil and industry, we ought not to depend in the degree we have done on supplies from other countries. In the course of these conflicts the United States received great injury from several of the parties. Having no pretensions to the high and commanding claims of my predecessors, whose names are so much more conspicuously identified with our Revolution, and who contributed so preeminently to promote its success, I consider myself rather as the instrument than the cause of the union which has prevailed in the late election In surmounting, in favor of my humble pretensions, the difficulties which so often produce division in like occurrences, it is obvious that other powerful causes, indicating the great strength and stability of our Union, have essentially contributed to draw you together. These interests are exposed to invasion in the wars between other powers, and we should disregard the faithful admonition of experience if we did not expect it.
Equally proper is it to persevere in our efforts to extend to them the advantages of civilization. To whatever object we turn our attention, whether it relates to our foreign or domestic concerns, we find abundant cause to felicitate ourselves in the excellence of our institutions. Experience has enlightened us on some questions of essential importance to the country. We have treated them as independent nations, without their having any substantial pretensions to that rank. To the people, therefore, and to the faithful and able depositaries of their trust is the credit due. Situated within the temperate zone, and extending through many degrees of latitude along the Atlantic, the United States enjoy all the varieties of climate, and every production incident to that portion of the globe.
President James Monroe's Second Inauguration Address Facts and Outcome
As no candidate won a majority of the electoral vote, the House was required to hold a contingent election under the terms of the While Jackson's policy views were unclear, Clay had been outraged by Jackson's actions in Florida, and feared what Jackson would do in office. Our great resources therefore remain untouched for any purpose which may affect the vital interests of the nation. It is believed, and experience has shown, that such a preparation is the best expedient that can be resorted to prevent war. Under his administration eastern Florida was annexed 1819 , the Missouri Compromise was concluded 1820 , the independent states of Latin America were recognized 1822 , and the Monroe Doctrine was proclaimed 1823. The distinction has flattered their pride, retarded their improvement, and in many instances paved the way to their destruction. Many are engaged in the fisheries. They are more especially to be found in the virtue, patriotism, and intelligence of our fellow-citizens, and in the devotion with which they would yield up by any just measure of taxation all their property in support of the rights and honor of their country.
We are all federalists. Many of our citizens are engaged in commerce and navigation, and all of them are in a certain degree dependent on their prosperous state. At the period adverted to the powers of Europe, after having been engaged in long and destructive wars with each other, had concluded a peace, which happily still exists. In response to this, the Revolutionary War Pension Act was drafted which was successful in Congress and signed by President Monroe. Just before the commencement of the last term the United States had concluded a war with a very powerful nation on conditions equal and honorable to both parties. Respecting the attitude which it may be proper for the United States to maintain hereafter between the parties, I have no hesitation in stating it as my opinion that the neutrality heretofore observed should still be adhered to. Dangers from abroad are not less deserving of attention.
James Monroe: First Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989
They have claims on the magnanimity and, I may add, on the justice of this nation which we must all feel. Never did a government commence under auspices so favorable, nor ever was success so complete. Of the virtue of the people and of the heroic exploits of the Army, the Navy, and the militia I need not speak. And what has been the effect? It will evince a relaxation and want of tone in the Administration which will be felt by the whole community. Who restrained from offering his vows in the mode which he prefers to the Divine Author of his being? To whatever object we turn our attention, whether it relates to our foreign or domestic concerns, we find abundant cause to felicitate ourselves in the excellence of our institutions. That these powerful causes exist, and that they are permanent, is my fixed opinion; that they may produce a like accord in all questions touching, however remotely, the liberty, prosperity and happiness of our country will always be the object of my most fervent prayers to the Supreme Author of All Good. In this great nation there is but one order, that of the people, whose power, by a peculiarly happy improvement of the representative principle, is transferred from them, without impairing in the slightest degree their sovereignty, to bodies of their own creation, and to persons elected by themselves, in the full extent necessary for all the purposes of free, enlightened and efficient government.
No aid has been afforded to either, nor has any privilege been enjoyed by the one which has not been equally open to the other party, and every exertion has been made in its power to enforce the execution of the laws prohibiting illegal equipments with equal rigor against both. It was their interest to stand aloof from the contest, to demand justice from the party committing the injury, and to cultivate by a fair and honorable conduct the friendship of all. Nothing should be presumed against them; but if, with the requisite facilities, the public money is suffered to lie long and uselessly in their hands, they will not be the only defaulters, nor will the demoralizing effect be confined to them. They constitute one great family with a common interest. Monroe and his Secretary of State John Quincy Adams worked well with Britain.
Inaugural Addresses of President James Monroe 1817 and 1821
Who has been deprived of any right of person or property? Who has been deprived of any right of person or property? Under the present depression of prices, affecting all the productions of the country and every branch of industry, proceeding from causes explained on a former occasion, the revenue has considerably diminished, the effect of which has been to compel Congress either to abandon these great measures of defense or to resort to loans or internal taxes to supply the deficiency. The whole system is elective, the complete sovereignty being in the people, and every officer in every department deriving his authority from and being responsible to them for his conduct. Of this spirit and of its injurious bearing on the United States strong proofs were afforded by the establishment at Amelia Island, and the purposes to which it was made instrumental by this band in 1817, and by the occurrences which took place in other parts of Florida in 1818, the details of which in both instances are too well known to require to be now recited. The compromise also elevated the stature of both Henry Clay and the United States Senate. By the experiment now making it will be seen by the next session of Congress whether the revenue shall have been so augmented as to be adequate to all these necessary purposes.
It will evince a relaxation and want of tone in the Administration which will be felt by the whole community. As the expression of their good opinion of my conduct in the public service, I derive from it a gratification which those who are conscious of having done all that they could to merit it can alone feel. If we look to the history of other nations, ancient or modern, we find no example of a growth so rapid, so gigantic, of a people so prosperous and happy. The American people have encountered together great dangers and sustained severe trials with success. Equally important is it to provide at home a market for our raw materials, as by extending the competition it will enhance the price and protect the cultivator against the casualties incident to foreign markets. It will be my sincere desire to preserve it, so far as depends on the Executive, on just principles with all nations, claiming nothing unreasonable of any and rendering to each what is its due. We must support our rights or lose our character, and with it, perhaps, our liberties.
.jpg)
