John Tyler to James A. Garfield Inaugural Address Quotes

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Inspiring quotes selected and taken from the Inaugural addresses of United States Presidents, from the tenth U.S. president, John Tyler, to the twentieth U.S. president, James Abram Garfield.

John Tyler, Tenth U.S. President (1841-1845)

“For the first time in our history the person elected to the Vice-Presidency… has had devolved upon him the Presidential office… My earnest prayer shall be constantly addressed to the all-wise and all-powerful Being who made me, and by whose dispensation I am called to the high office of President… confiding in the protecting care of an ever watchful and over ruling Providence.”

(The address was delivered by Vice-President John Tyler upon assuming the presidency after the death of President Harrison.)

James Knox Polk, 11th U.S. President (1845-1849)

“I fervently invoke the aid of that Almighty Ruler of the Universe in whose hands are the destinies of nations and of men to guard this Heaven-favored land… The Republic of Texas has made known her desire to come into our Union, to form a part of our Confederacy and enjoy with us the blessings of liberty secured and guaranteed by our Constitution…”

Zachary Taylor, 12th U.S. President (1849-1850)

“Our geographical position, the genius of our institutions and our people, the advancing spirit of civilization, and above all, the dictates of religion direct us to the cultivation of peaceful and friendly relations with all other powers…In conclusion I congratulate you, my fellow-citizens, upon the high state of prosperity to which the goodness of Divine Providence has conducted our common country.”

Millard Fillmore, 13th U.S. President (1850-1853)

“A great man has fallen among us, and a whole country is called to an occasion of unexpected, deep, and general mourning… I appeal to you to aid me, under the trying circumstances which surround me, in the discharge of the duties from which, however much I may be oppressed by them, I dare not shrink; and I rely upon Him who holds in His hands the destinies of nations to endow me with the requisite strength for the task…”

(This was delivered to the U.S. Congress by Millard Fillmore upon assuming the presidency after the death of President Zachary Taylor.)

Franklin Pierce, 14th U.S. President (1853-1857)

“Our fathers decided for themselves, both upon the hour to declare and the hour to strike. They were their own judges of the circumstances under which it became them to pledge to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor for the acquisition of the priceless inheritance transmitted to us. The energy with which that great conflict was opened was under the guidance of a manifest and beneficent Providence.”

(President Franklin Pierce delivered his inauguaral address only two months after his 11 year only son, Bennie, was killed when the campaign train they were riding rolled off the tracks.)

James Buchanan, 15th U.S. President (1857-1861)

“In entering upon this great office I must humbly invoke the God of our fathers for wisdom and firmness to execute its high and responsible duties… We should never forget… those exiles from foreign shores who may seek in this country to improve their condition and to enjoy the blessings of civil and religious liberty…”

Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President (1861-1865)

“The candid citizen must confess that if the policy of the Government upon vital questions affecting the whole people is to be irrevocably fixed by decisions of the Supreme Court, the instant they are made… the people will have ceased to be their own rulers, having to that extent practically resigned their Government into the hands of the eminent tribunal… intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust in the best way all our present difficulty.”

Andrew Jackson, 17th U.S. President (1865-1869)

“Duties have been mine; consequences are God’s.”

(This was addressed by President Andrew Jackson upon assuming the presidency following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.)

Ulysses Simpson Grant, 18th U.S. President (1869-1877)

“I ask patient forbearance one toward another throughout the land, and a determined effort on the part of every citizen to do his share toward cementing a happy union; and I ask the prayers of the nation to Almighty God in behalf of this consummation.”

Rutherford Birchard Hayes, 19th U.S. President (1877-1881)

“Looking for the guidance of the Divine Hand by which the destinies of nations and individuals are shaped, I call upon you, Senators, Representatives, judges, fellow-citizens, here and everywhere, to unite with me in an earnest effort to secure to our country the blessings.”

(President Hayes delivered his inaugural address a day later as he refused to be sworn in on Sunday in honor of the Sabbath.)

James Abram Garfield, 20th U.S. President (1881-1881)

“Fifty years hence our children will not be divided in our opinions concerning our controversies. They will surely bless their fathers and their fathers’ God that the Union was preserved, that slavery was overthrown, and that both races were made equal before the law.”

There’s much inspiration and wisdom from these American presidents’ memorable inaugural speeches. Some were delivered as acceptance speeches upon demise of the incumbent U.S. president. Despite their human powers, it’s evident how they pay tribute and seek the guidance of one they all consider mightiest, the Almighty God.

Resources about Inaugural Address Quotes

U.S. Presidential Inaugural Address Quotes, from George Washington to William H. Harrison

US Presidential Inaugural Addresses

List of Democratic Presidents

List of Republican Presidents

List of Whig, Federalist, Independent Party, and Democratic-Republican Presidents

Resource by Tel

Tel Asiado is a writer, author, and business consultant, previously, IT manager & consultant. Her articles reflect her interests, from small business, biographies & histories, to classical music especially Mozart, art & literature, biographies, and Christian writings. Tel has produced non-fictions, e-books and anthologies. Her education is MBA in Computer Management, BSc Chemistry, Diploma in Small Business & Internet Mktg, and Cert IV Training and Assessment (TAA). Her small office/home site is homebizideasnow.com, and numerous information of Mozart and classical music, mozartandclassicalmusic.com.

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