Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-03-14
WASHINGTON, March 4th, 1857

u pIlShler uuy seluon uaWneu upon tne
Federal city than this 4th of March, 1857,
which was to witness the retirement of
Franklin Pierce and the accession Of James
Buchanan to the Presidency Of the United
States. The sun rose clear in an uncloud.
ed sky. The air was cool, without teing
uncomfortably cold, and those who remem-
bered the chill atmosphere, the murky sky,
and the snow squall that distinguished the
Inauguration day of franklin Pierce,
could not fail to draw favorable omen
from the pleasant contrast of this day.
TIE SCENE IS FRONT OF THE CAPITOL,
There was probably never assembled in
Washington SO vast n multitude as that
assembled in front of the eastern portico Of
the Capitol. The procession that escorted
the President and President elect had been
admitted; but all carriages and horses
were excluded from the enclosure. There
was q countless crowd of men, women and
children. occupying every foot of space
that afforded all opportunity of seeing the
ceremony on the portico. As for hearing
the address, that was favor only enjoyed
by the privileged few thousands that could
gather closely around the portico.
There was good deal of confusion and
scuftiing in the crowd, and many grew i'm
patient, after waiting long hours, for the
grand event of the day. A very spacious
platform was erected on the portico, on
which places were assigned for all those
who had been admitted to the Senate
Chamber At last the procession emerged
from the Capitol door and appeared on the
platform. AS the tall figure Of the President
elect, clad in that famous black suit, with
the thirty.one stars embroidered on its
lining, became visible, there rose deafen-
ing shout from the vast human mass. 1t
spread over the whole multitude, and it
was some time before it could be quieted.
The President elect, with hat in h nd,
bowed repeatedly in acknowledg gmcnt of
the popular acclamations.
In the very front of the platform was q
seat to which the president elect was con-
Quoted. In his rear were the President and
Committee of Arrangements back Of
them were the Chief Justice and Judges
Of the Supreme Court, the Vice President
and the members of tho Senate. Then
came the Diplomatic Corp, en- grand tenue
and then the other persons who had been
in the Senate Chamber.
When quiet was restored after the accla.
nations that greeted the President elect, he
proceeded, at about Ii o'clock, to deliver
his Inaugural Address as follows:
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FELLOW CITIZENS Il appear before you
this day to take the solemn oath "that will
faithfully execute the Office of President oi
the United States, and will to the best ofmy
ability, preserve, protect and defend the
: Constitution of the United States" In
entering upon this great Office, most hum
bly, invoke the God of our Fathers for wis.
dom and frmness to execute its high and
responsible duties in such n manner as to
restore harmony and ancient friendship
among the people of the several States, and
to preserve our free institutions Throughout
many generations. Convinced that l owe
my election to the inherent love for the
Constitution and the Union, which still an
, imatcs the hearts Of the American people
let us earnestly ask their powerful support
in sustaining all just measures calculated
to perpetuate these, the richest political
blessings which Heaven has ever bestowed
upon any nation. Having determined no
to become candidate for recollection,
shall have no motive to influence my con-
duct in administering the Government ex-
cept the desire, ably and faithfully to serv,
my country, and to live in the grateful
memory of my countrymen. We have re-
, Gently assed through Presidential con-
, in which the passions of our fellow citizen!
) were excited to the highest degree by ques-
tions of deep and vital Importance. Blu
when the people proclaimed their will, tn,
tempest at once subsided, and all was calm
+ The voice of the majority, speaking in tn,
manner prescribed by the Constitution
was heard, and instant submission followed
. Our own country could alone have exhibited
so grand and striking a spectacle of the
capacity of man for self-government.-
, What happy conception, then, was it fo
| Congress to apply this simple rule, thai
the will of the majority shall govern" t
, the settlement of the question Of domestic
i slavery in the territories. Congress il
r neither "to legislate slavery into any ter
, ritory, nor to exclude it therefrom," but tt
: leave the people thereof perfectly free tt
!, form and regulate their domestic institu-
tons in their own way, subject only to tn
Constitution of the United States. As {
natural consequence, Congress has als'
t prescribed that when the territory of Kan
S sas shall be admitted as State it shall b.
4 received into the Union with or withou
t slavery, as their own constitution may
}, prescribe at the time of their admission. A
t different opinion has arisen in regard II
5 the point of time when the people of I
4 territory shall decide the question for them
5 selves. This is happily a matter of bu
(; little practical Importance; besides, it is
judicial question, which legitimately belong