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Show 438 INAUGURAL AND F AHlnV.l!;LL ADDHESSES. trust were explained on the proper occasion. In the dis~ hnrg~ of this t~ust, I will only ~;;ay, that I have with good mtentwns contnbuted towards the oro·a.nization and administration of the government the best exertions of which n. very fallible jndgrnent was capable. Not uncon s<'iou~ in the outset of the inferiority of my qnalifications, experience in my own eyes-perhaps slill more in the eyes of ot.het·~-' has strengthened the motives to diffidence of my · elf., anl1 eve ry day the increasing weight of years admonishc. tue, more and more, that the shade of retirement is as nece. ·ar to me as it will be welcome. Sati, ficd that if any circum~ stances ha vc gi vcn peen liar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe, tltat while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism docs not forbid it. In looking forward to the moment which is intended toterminate the career of my public life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of grati~ udc which I owe to my beloved country for the many honors 1t has conferred upon me; still more for the steadfast confi~ ence wilh which it has supported me; and for the opport unitieS I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolaulc attachment, by services fait!Jful and persevering, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. If bcncfils have resulted to our country from these services, let it always be remembered to your praise, aud as an instructive example in our annals that, under circumstances in which the passions, agitated it~ every .direction, were liable to mislead; amidst appearances sometuncs dubious, vici situdes of fortune often di courarrillg; in sitnn.tions in which, not nnfrequently, want of succcs. has countenanced the spirit of criticism-the constancy of your snpport was the essential prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the plans, by which they were effected. Profoundly pcnct raled witl1 t hiH idea, I shall carry it with me to my grave, a~ u strong iuciLement to unceasing vows, ' I INAUGUHAL AND FAH.1£WELL Al>l >H1£8SES. 439 that )leaven may continue to you the cl1oiccst tokens of its beneficence; that your union and b.rotherly ail'cct ion may be perpetual; that the free Constitution, whi ch is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained; that its administration, in every department, may be stnmpcd wi th wi dom and virtue; that, in fine, the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may he made compl te, uy so careful a preservation and so prud ent a usc of this blessing as will acq nirc to them the glory of recommending it to the applause, the affection, and the adoptio11 of every nation which is yet a stranger to it. llerc, perhaps, I ought to stop; bnt a solicitu rlc for your welfare, which cannot end but with my life, and the apprehension of danger natural to that solicitude, urge me, on an occasion like the present, to offer to your solemn contem plation, and to recommend to your frequent review, some sentiments, which arc the result of much rencction, of no inconsiderable observation, and which. appear to me all-important to the permanency of your felicity as a people. These will be afforded to you with. the more freedom, as you can only sec in them the di interested warnings of a parting friend, who can possibly have no personal motive to bias his counsel; nor can I forget, as an encouragement to it, your indulgent reception of my sentiments on a former and not dissimilar occasion. Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment. The unity of government, which con ti tutes you one people, is also now <lear to yon. It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence-the support of your tranquillity at home, yonr peace abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee, that from different causes and from differeut quarters, much pains wi11 |