r whom so important a portion of this great
and successful experiment has been made, I shall be pardoned for
expressing my earnest wishes that he may long enjoy in his retirement
the affections of a grateful country, the best reward of exalted talents
and the most faithful and meritorious service. Relying on the aid to be
derived from the other departments of the Government, I enter on the
trust to which I have been called by the suffrages of my fellow-citizens
with my fervent prayers to the Almighty that He will be graciously
pleased to continue to us that protection which He has already so
conspicuously displayed in our favor.

* * * * *

JAMES MONROE, SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1821

[Transcriber's note: In 1821, March 4 fell on a Sunday for the first
time that presidential inaugurations had been observed. Although his
previous term had expired on Saturday, the President waited until the
following Monday upon the advice of Chief Justice Marshall, before going
to the newly rebuilt Hall of the House of Representatives to take the
oath of office. Because the weather was cold and wet, the ceremonies
were conducted indoors. The change in the location caused some confusion
and many visitors and dignitaries were unable to find a place to stand
inside the building.]

Fellow-Citizens:

I shall not attempt to describe the grateful emotions which the new and
very distinguished proof of the confidence of my fellow-citizens,
evinced by my reelection to this high trust, has excited in my bosom.
The approbation which it announces of my conduct in the preceding term
affords me a consolation which I shall profoundly feel through life. The
general accord with which it has been expressed adds to the great and
never-ceasing obligations which it imposes. To merit the continuance of
this good opinion, and to carry it with me into my retirement as the
solace of advancing years, will be the object of my most zealous and
unceasing efforts.

Having no pretensions to the high and commanding claims of my
predecessors, whose names are so much more conspicuously identified with
our Revolution, and who contributed so preeminently to promote its
success, I consider myself rather as the instrument than the cause of
the union which has prevailed in the late election. In surmounting, in
favor of my humble pretensions, the difficulties which so often produce
division in like occurrences, it is obvious that other