manner that will best promote the interests of all classes of the
community and of all portions of the Union. Constantly bearing in mind
that in entering into society "individuals must give up a share of
liberty to preserve the rest," it will be my desire so to discharge my
duties as to foster with our brethren in all parts of the country a
spirit of liberal concession and compromise, and, by reconciling our
fellow-citizens to those partial sacrifices which they must unavoidably
make for the preservation of a greater good, to recommend our
invaluable Government and Union to the confidence and affections of the
American people.

Finally, it is my most fervent prayer to that Almighty Being before
whom I now stand, and who has kept us in His hands from the infancy of
our Republic to the present day, that He will so overrule all my
intentions and actions and inspire the hearts of my fellow-citizens
that we may be preserved from dangers of all kinds and continue forever
a united and happy people.


***

Martin Van Buren
Inaugural Address
Monday, March 4, 1837

Fellow-Citizens: The practice of all my predecessors imposes on me an
obligation I cheerfully fulfill - to accompany the first and solemn act
of my public trust with an avowal of the principles that will guide me
in performing it and an expression of my feelings on assuming a charge
so responsible and vast. In imitating their example I tread in the