Under the benignant providence of Almighty God the representatives of the States and of the people are again brought together to deliberate for the public good.

Thank God, under our Constitution there was no connection between Church and State, and that in my action as President of the United States I recognized no distinction of creeds in my appointments office.

All distinctions of birth or of rank have been abolished. All citizens, whether native or adopted, are placed upon terms of precise equality. All are entitled to equal rights and equal protection.

Foreign powers do not seem to appreciate the true character of our government.

It is confidently believed that our system may be safely extended to the utmost bounds of our territorial limits.

Under the blessings of Divine Providence... It becomes us, in humility, to make our devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, for the inestimable civil and religious blessings with which we are favored.

I cannot, whilst President of the United States, descend to enter into a newspaper controversy.