THE TRUE AMERICAN; CONTAINING THE INAUGURAL ADDRESSES, TOGETHER WITH THE FIRST ANNUAL ADDRESSES AND MESSAGES, OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES, FROM 1789 TO 1839; THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, AND CONSTITUTION Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, By JOSEPH COE, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of New Hampshire. STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY D. WATSON, CONCORD, N. H. PREFACE. THE Editor of this volume deems it proper to say a few words to his readers in explanation of the reasons which led him, after calm and mature deliberation, to give it to the world. Its publication is principally intended for the benefit of the young men of our common country. They will soon wield the destinies and control the interests of this great nation, and it is very important that their minds should take a right direction, and be governed by right views, right principles, and right feelings concerning our great political interests. The Messages of our Presidents, and the other papers embodied in this book, are thought to be eminently calculated to produce this effect. Our political institutions were founded by wise men, and are the best, freest, and safest the world has ever seen. Their durability depends upon the watchful care of the people. If they shall ever have to mourn their overthrow, the primary cause will be found in a want of patriotic vigilance. The people must constantly remember that the great foe of American liberty is a wealthy aristocracy. It has been and ever will be, from time to time, the duty of the state and national governments to check, by legal enactments, the influence and power of overgrown moneyed corporations; and it is the solemn duty of the people to protect and sustain them in such enactments. The great contest that has been waged for many years past, and now divides the people of this 69988 |