o cherish peace and
friendly intercourse with all
nations having correspondent
"dispositions; to maintain sincere neutral-
ity toward belligerent nations; to prefer in all
cases amicable discussion and reasonable
accommodation of differences to a decision of
them by an appeal to arms; to exclude
foreign intrigues and foreign partialities, so
degrading to all countries and so baneful to
free ones; to foster a spirit of independence too
just to invade the rights of others, too proud
to surrender our own, too liberal to indulge
unworthy prejudices ourselves, and too on -
elevated not to look down upon them in i.
others; to hold the Union of the States as the
basis of their peace and happiness; to
support the Constitution, which is the ¢ me
of the Union, as well in its limitations asin
its authorities; to respect the rights and x
authorities reserved to the States and to the
people, as equally incorporated with and
essential to the success of, the gen al system L
to avoid the slightest : ir terference with he |
right of conscience or rt e functions
so wisely exempted from c civil jurisdiction; to
preserve in their full energy the other salutary ) ;
provisions in behalf of private and persona a
rights, and of the freedom of the press.”
—Jjames Mabpison, First Inaugural Address,
March 4, 1809.