The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1850-07-24
WAsIlIsarox. July IL.
WAsnINGroH. July 1T.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN THE CAP.
ITAT.

The sad evsu. which has suddenly ecpriyed tho
country Of its vsneraied Chief Magistrate. aud
plunged whole nation in mourning. has been fol-
lowed by scenes in the metropolis not less solemn
and impressive thsn the event is impcrtant in its
political effect, and s possible bearings on tina ac
ton Of the government itself
Only anco before in our history has tho Office OF
President of the United States bsen made vacant by
dsatl-ths case Of the lamenied IIARRIsoN aud on
that occasion, Congress not being in session, the
office was assumed by tho Vice President without
the ceremony of a public Inauguration. On tho
present occasion, Congress being IN session. and IL
being known that the Vice President would take
the oath Of office in the presence Of thetwo Houses,
crowds OF ciizsns and of tho multitude of strangers
at present in the city, were early attracted to the
capitol to witness not only the ceremony of inDu-
gursting tho new President, but to listen with sym
pathetic hearts to those eloquent tributes Of respect
and affection which il was we'll known would DO
paid to the virtues Of him whom an inscrutsble
Providence had thought fiji TO TAX. from the world.
Al twelve o'clock. according 10 previous arrange
ment, the Senate entered the Hall Of the House of
Representatives,. the Speaker and Members stand
ing. Soon after. the Hon. MILLI,RD FnLMoRE
Vice President Of the United States, attended by
member Of each House. entered tho Hall and took
q seat at the table of the Clerk of tho House. After
4 brief pause no rose, and, in clear and distinct
voice. pronounced the oath Of fidelity to tina Con.
stiiution and the act of installation was complete
The profound silence of so great an assemblare of
deeply concerned spectators the ceremony, so brof
and so simple. yet 80 important IN its Consequences
national political, and personal, presented an Incl.
dent and scene altogether American. II was the
incident OF the day which probably made less i'm
preston than some others on American spectators
but was precisely that which is most calculated TO
attract the notice of foreigners. The death of the
Pres dent being announced q citizen, plainly at
tired, enters among tho assembled Representatives
Of the Nation. walks up 10 the Clerhs ds,k. TAX $
. oath on the Bible to support the Constitution OF
the U. s; and. by this hrei ceremony. no ccones
in an instant Of iime invested with the nd
Of tho whole military force Of mighty empire
with tho execution Of It's avs and the adminisira
ton Of its power. No ono objects or dreams Of OBJ
lection tho aet is arqneseed ~ as thing Of course
and with tbs submission that would bs rendered 10
law of nature. The sceptre of the People passes
into his hands as quietly and On ckly as a power
OF attorney could he Acknowledged before jnstics
Of the peace. Aud yet though tho individual
attracted, the thing Itself hardly thought of 10
connex ion with tho consequences Ia so ne coan.
tries such atransfer Of power would have COS,
ans Of blood, and shsken tho Government 10 us
very foundations And why is j, not SO here 1-
Because ours is Goyernmen, Of equal rigits. and
q Government OF laws; aud becaus. our People are
a law.abiding and a law.kcepn. People because
they know and feel that their own laws are tho re
strain,s which they themselves have placed on their
own passions and that it is only BY obeyiHg these
laws that their equal rights can he maintained -
May such ever DO their spiri, u 90. No may WEI.
say Of the Republic. not "esio perpetual" bot s4i
Perretua -