
A set of mid‑century speeches delivered to a grieving nation, these addresses capture a president thrust into the highest office at a moment of sudden transition. In a tone that balances solemn respect with measured resolve, the speaker outlines the principles he believes should steer the country through both domestic and international challenges. Listeners are invited into a chamber where the weight of recent loss meets the steadying hand of constitutional guidance.
The words explore a firm commitment to neutrality abroad, emphasizing that nations, like individuals, are bound by moral duties rather than raw power. At home, the speeches reaffirm the Constitution as the ultimate compass, urging lawmakers to honor its limits while pursuing the public good. Delivered in the cadence of 19th‑century oratory, the collection offers a clear window onto the political thought and diplomatic caution of an era often eclipsed by later events.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (188K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by James Linden. HTML version by Al Haines.
Release date
2004-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1800–1874
Born into poverty on the New York frontier, he rose through law and politics to become America’s 13th president after Zachary Taylor’s death in 1850. His short time in the White House is remembered mainly for the Compromise of 1850 and the bitter controversy over enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act.
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