The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-03-14

The Last Nay OF Congress and the
Inauguration.

Estates that the Inaugural Procession started
for the Capitol about noon. Being very long
it presented a beautiful appearance. The
military of the District, and the community
at large, were fully represented.
Buchanan and Breckenridge rode in open
carriages, surrounded by the Keystone Club,
preceded by the military and representa-
ton by lady of the Goddess of Liberty, on
a high platform, drawn by six horses, and
followed by miniature ship-of-war, made by
the mechanics Of the Washington Navy
Yard then followed Clubs, Engine Compa-
MES, and the balance of the procession, main
ly according to the programme already pub
lished
Buchanan reached the Capitol about one
o'clock, where q tremendous crowd was
waiting to cheer him. He proceeded imme-
diately to the Senate Chamber, when the
oath was administered by Chief Justice Ia
ney, and afterwards emerged from the build
ing to the Eastern portico of the Capitol,
where temporary stage was erected, and in
the presence of assembled thousands, COM
menced delivering the Inaugural.
He began by an appeal to the Almighty for
strength and wisdom to enable him to carry
out his administration of the affairs of the
country to the advantage of the people. AS
he had determined not to try to be elected
second time, his administration should be
conducted purely and for the best interests
of <1,, yho10 HI Of &c
election as having been accomplished by
those anxiously DESTROYS for the preservation
of the Union. He congratulated the country
of slavery had almost entirely ceased and he
years, the country had arrived at peace on
that subject.
In reference to Kansas, he declared that
it should be admit. d with either Freedom
or Slavery, as the Constitution adopted by
the people thereof directs. He went into
| long argument to show that the Nebraska
Kansas bill was right in principle. The
equality of State, said he, must be preserv-
ed. He added, however, that Slavery was
less important practically than some other
su jects before the American people. The
geographical, parties to which the agitation Of
4 the Slavery question has given birth, must
die, for their existence endangers the lives
Of the citizens of the Slave States.
The spectacle which was now presented
of our whole people submitting quietly t.
the will of the majority, as expressed at the
polls in the late election, was characteristic
of this, of no other nation, so that these geo.
graphical parties must die out. He said
that corruption in Republican government
was fatal to its existence, although in a cor
rupt country the forms of free institutions
might remain, the life was gone. His ad-
ministration should aim at purity in all its
departments Extravaganza in the disposal
Of the public lands he declared must be put
stop to so that our children may secure
homes for themselves, and the brood OF spec
ulators and others who live upon them may
be crushed.
The laws in regard to naturalization
should remain as they are at present, put
ting the foreign and native born citizens on
fair Democratic level
In regard to the Pacific Railroad project,
such road, he said, may be made by Goa
Tess in the shape of military road, to en-
able the government to extend protection to
our possessions on the Pacific coast.
Congress has full power to do this, and he
agreed that it must and shall be done in or
der that we might be prepared on that coast
for the emergencies of war.
Our foreign policy must be to cultivate
peace and good will with all nations, but at
the same time all entangling alliances must
be avoided. This has been an axiom of our
government ever since the days of Wash
ington, and none dare now dispute its pro-
priety. 1t has been the boast Of the United
States that none of her territory has been
acquired by war, as has been the case with
almost every other nation and this must
continue to be our policy.
\ We must refuse to take any territory
whatever, unless it be acquired by honora-
BILE means. Our diplomatic policy must be
franz and honorable, and by pursuing such
policy, we will continue to hold our posi-
ton among the great and leading powers Of
the world.
Mr.. Buchanan read his address closely
from the manuscript, which he held in his
hand. His voice was clear, but owing to a
tremendous crowd, much of which could not
see him, there was some interruption, and
all of the Address was not so distinctly
heard. There was much applause at the
portions which referred to the equality Of
states, the evils of geographical artes and
the Naturalization Laws.
Beyond the fanting of few ladies in the
crowd no incidents of an unpleasant nature
occurred.
The House and Senate continued in SEES
sion all night on the Ord till four O'clock
The House took recess at five o'clock, as
also the Senate, to meet again at nine o.
clock.
The day opened by firing of canon and
ringing of bells. The weather is beautiful. |
There is great turnout of people, most of
whom are vending their way to the Capitol.
The sidewalks are completely blockaded.-
STRENGTHENING Session, 3dl-The
Senate disposed of a number of private
bills from the House, concurred in numerous
amendments and rejected others.
The Ocean mail steamships appropriation
bill was passed.
A th,Id committee of conference on the
deficiency bill was appointed, the second not
being able to agree.
HousE.-The proceedings in the House as
well as in the Senate, were frequently in
teri ,pted by messages and reports from COM
mittee Of conference.
The House passed the Senate bill, con-
firming to the several states the swamp and