duties at a time when the United States are blessed with peace. It is a
state most consistent with their prosperity and happiness. 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.

Equally gratifying is it to witness the increased harmony of opinion
which pervades our Union. Discord does not belong to our system. Union
is recommended as well by the free and benign principles of our
Government, extending its blessings to every individual, as by the
other eminent advantages attending it. The American people have
encountered together great dangers and sustained severe trials with
success. They constitute one great family with a common interest.
Experience has enlightened us on some questions of essential importance
to the country. The progress has been slow, dictated by a just
reflection and a faithful regard to every interest connected with it.
To promote this harmony in accord with the principles of our republican
Government and in a manner to give them the most complete effect, and
to advance in all other respects the best interests of our Union, will
be the object of my constant and zealous exertions.

Never did a government commence under auspices so favorable, nor ever
was success so complete. 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. In contemplating what we
have still to perform, the heart of every citizen must expand with joy
when he reflects how near our Government has approached to perfection;
that in respect to it we have no essential improvement to make; that
the great object is to preserve it in the essential principles and
features which characterize it, and that is to be done by preserving