Question

Excerpts from First Inaugural Address of Andrew Jackson: "... In administering the laws of Congress I shall keep steadily in view the limitations as well as the extent of the Executive power trusting thereby to discharge the functions of my office without transcending its authority. ... In such measures as I may be called on to pursue in regard to the rights of the separate States I hope to be animated by a proper respect for those sovereign members of our Union, ... This I shall aim at the more anxiously both because it will facilitate the extinguishment of the national debt, the unnecessary duration of which is incompatible with real independence, ... that the spirit of equity, caution and compromise in which the Constitution was formed requires that the great interests of agriculture, commerce, and manufactures should be equally favored ... As long as our Government is administered for the good of the people, and is regulated by their will; as long as it secures to us the rights of person and of property, liberty of conscience and of the press, it will be worth defending ..." Review section 1. What does the phrase "without transcending its authority" suggest about Jackson? Jackson is concerned about abusing the power he has been given. Jackson wants to unite the states but does not have enough control of Congress. Jackson feels the Congress has too much influence on the office of the President. Jackson is worried that the office of President does not carry enough power to influence the states.

Answer 1

In his inaugural address, Andrew Jackson is directly referencing the power that comes with being president. Throughout this address he discusses how he will keep in mind the " extent" and "limitations" that come with being president. Along with this, he also discusses how he will complete the functions of the presidency "without transcending its authority." All of these phrases indicated Jackson's concerns about abusing his power as president. Jackson is in favor of a small federal government and wants to lead a country where the states and individuals have a significant amount of power.