Smyrna times., 1861-03-07
President Lincoln's inaugural Address.

President Lincoln's Inaugural Address.
President Lincoln was inaugurated on Mon.
day last, at Washington. in presence of one of
the largest audiences that ever assembled on
such al occasion. The whole country has
been looking TO this momentous occasion with
intense interest, hoping that when he did speek
aathorilaliyely, he would pour oil spon the
troubled waters. He has spokent whether his
voice will ailay the anxiety and fear of the
conservatives remains to be seen. The address
ia loo long for our columns, we accordingly
subioin the following summary from the Phila.
Inquirer:
with respect to its matter, il may be CLASH
fed in two principal divisions: first. its expo
sition of the views of Mr.. Lincoln upon the
question of secession, and second, its declara-
1lous Of his purposes and policy. In all that
part which is directed against secession, either
asa constitutional right, or as a sufficient rem
edy fer any evils complained ef-aDd in the
passages which are devoted to the oneness of
the Government and the perpetual nature of
the Union, it is in our Judgment not only mas
tery, but uuanswerable.
Ia those parts of the Address where the
President dscloses his future policy there ls
some room { criticism, and upon them there
will be much conflict OF opinion. We shall
state our own opinions as briefly as possible
Mr.. Lincoln declares that he considers the
Union uubroken, and that he will take care
that the laws be faithfully executed in all the
States. This is a sentiment that will fad an
echo 10 every patriotic breast. But in the
mex, paragraph, the President, recognizing
the orermasiering difficulties OF the case, quail
Ines his declaration By the statement that lie
will perform this simple duty as far prGcii.
cable. lie will "hod," occupy and possess
the property aud places belonging to the Gov
ernment," and he will collect the revenues,
but will use more force than is necessary
for the accomplishment of the objects. Forth
mere, "when hostility in any locality shall be
so great and so universal as to prevent compe-
tent resident citizens from holding Federal Of
hees," he will not attempt to force obnoxious
strangers upon them, as such couse would
De both irritating and impracticable. Hence,
without the Force BILL" which has failed
there will be no exercise Ofauthoriiy by armed
force within the limits of the Seeding States,
except for the collector. of revenue aud TO Ell.
able the Government to "hold, possess. and
occupy the national property. This is very
nesrly the ground taken by Mr.. Lincoln's pre-
deeessor, and seems to be an acknowledgment
81 the overwhelming difficulties of the case
Wheiher those views lock to collision or other
~lse its difficult to say we think they do not
Ia The treatment of the causes of difference
heIween the Free and Slave States, Mr.. Lin
coin 10 clear, full and satisfactory on all points
but one. Upon the alleged purpose of himself
or the Republican party 10 interfere against
slavery in the States, he refers to his record,
which emphaiically refutes the allegation, and
ie approves the amendment of Mr. Corwin,
Just passed by both Houses OF Congress- by
which the power 10 interfere in the States is
forever surrendered. With respect to the rem
dltIOn OF fugitive slaves, Mr.. Lincoln is not
only explicit and satisfactory, so far as the
righle OF the South are concerned, but he pre-
senis the duty of Northern Legislators on thit
subject with force that has rarely been equal
ed. IL The people Of the Slave States are no
discussed of their apprehensions on this scor,
by the Address of the President, it is not il
the Power of language to satisfy them.
We have already referred to tho tone of pa
triotic kindness and good feeling which per
vades Me-. Lincoln's Address. This and III,
two points just presented, cover the who'll
ground OF the secession controversy, 10 a very
gratifying manner, except 10 one particular
that connected with the territorial question
Thisis the marked omission in the Inaugura
Address. There is no reference 10 il except il
one pregnant sentence, where he reminds tn
dissatisfied people of the South that if tht
seeded States had remained in the Uuion the
would still have had the old Constitution no
Impaired, and on the sensitive point" tn
laws Of the own making under it. while III
Administration won have no immediate power
even 1t It would, to change either. This tore
'oiy exhibits the unmitlgaIed folly of the Sc
c'ssionisls, for. with the next Congress comet
taisd as It already is, and the laws standing a
they now do. the Lincoln Administration woul
nave been powerless against the people Of Il
Slave States in the Territories.
AS 10 the meanes Of adjusting our unforil
nate dithculties, Mr.. Lincoln 10 in fa vor of
Nauonsl Convention. This is perhap s the fa
e" aud most thorough method, if it were M
'ot tne fatal delay which it involves Th
esn oi Dlsunlon is upon us now in most fol
NSaoe proportions. 1t is a fearful reality
sha time, even 10 days, Is precious, while
sTsn'shtion requires months, and perhaps year
iCongress had extended the olive bra nch ,
"shouid have done, delay would have had II
saiuery effect to allay excitement and passion
ous hsgreat and vital duty was left compa,
ue'5 uaaone. AS IT is, we fear the precio
ume 'osi 10 gettiag the machinery of a Natio
al convention into operation will only nro
disssserous In alternating the Border Sla,
States. ~"
In connection with the projec, ofa Nation
Convention. MIR. Lincoln mskes the rema
mat the people alone have the authority ..
ns lines for the separation OF the the States
las sPpears to contemplate some action of ,
Na'leaal Convention by which civil war IN
oe.vsrsed. through a recognition by the Peep
:snag In their highest sovereign capacity off
epsaaeaee of the separated States. We C
ao other interpretation to the passage.
me whole, we Are Of opinion that
r,s'idens's Inaugural address looks to ne,
fs'nsr than war, and II /, fail 10 give tborou
.hacilon. il is became Of the Inherent di
sas' WHICH surround rhe subjects present
n BALTIMORE CosFsREKcE The B.
meFs Confsreace of tho Methods, Episco