Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-03-13
REMARKS
HON. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS,
IN
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MARCH s, 1861,
RESOLUTION a.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT
LINCOLN.

Mr.. DOUGLAS said: Mr. PRESIDENT cannot as
sent to the construction which the Senator from
North Carolina Mr.. Clngman has placed upon the
Presidents Inaugural | have read it carefully,
with view of ascertaining distinctly what the
policy of the Administration is to be. The inau-
gura is characterized by ability and by directness
on certain points; but with such reservations and
qualifications require critical analysis to arrive
at its true construction on other points | have
made such an analysis, and come to the conclusion
that it is peace offering rather than war message
Having examined it critically, think l can demon
strate that there is foundation for the apprehen
sion which has been spread through the country
that this message is equivalent to declaration of
war; that it commits the President of the United
States to reeapture the forts in the seeded States
and to hold them at all hazards to collect the
under all circumstances, and to execute the laws IN
all the States matter what be the circumstances
that surround him l do not understand that to
be the character of the message. On the contrary,
understand it to contain distinct pledge that the
policy OF the Administration shall 0e conducted
with exclusive reference to peaceful solution of
national difficulties True, the PreSinent indicates
certain line of policy which he intends to pursue,
so far it may be consistent with the peace of the
country but he assures that this policy will be
modified and changed whenever necessary to a
peaceful solution of these difficulties.
The address is not explicit as could desire on
certain points; certain other points it is explicit
The message is explicit and certain upon the point
that the President will not directly or indirectly,
interfere with the institution of slavery within the
States-is specific upon the point that he will do
everything in his power give faithful execution
to the Constitution and the laws for the return of
fugitive siaEes-is explicit upon the point that he
will not oppose such amendments to the COnstitu-
ton as may be deemed necessary to settle the
slavery question and restore peace to the country
Then, 1t proceeds to indicate line Cf policy for his
Administration. He declares that in view of the
Constitution and laws, the Union remains unhroken
do not suppose any man can deny the proposition,
that in contemplation of law the Union remains
intact no matter what the fact may be- There NAV
be separation de tact0 temporary or permanent,
as the sequel may prove; but, in contemplation of
the Constitution and the laws the Union does remain
unorokeR- think no one deny the correctness
of the proposition, a constitutional principle
Let US go further and see what there is in the ad-
dress that supposed to pledge the President to
coerclve policy. lie says: 81 shall take care as
the Constitution itself expressly enjoins upon me-
that the Laws OF the Union be faithfully executed
IN all the States" This declaration is relied upon
as conclusive evidence that coercion is to be used in
the seeding States; out take the next sentence:
. Doing this deem to be only simple duty OH my
part shall perform it, so far as is practicable
unless unless what? Let US see what the con-
dtion is on the happening of which he will not
enforce the laws unless my rightful masters the
American people. shall withhold the requisite means
or in some other authoritative manner direct the
contrary"
This condition. on which he will not enforce the
laws in the seeding States, is not as explicit as
could desire. When he alludes to his "riehtful
masters, the American people" l suppose he
means the action of Congress in withholding the
requisite means Query: Does he wish to be un-
derstood as saying that the existing laws confer upon
him the requisite means?" or, does he mean to
say that nasmuch as the existing laws do not confer
the requisite means, he cannot execute the laws in
tne secedng States unless those shall be con-
ferred' by Congress? The language EMPLOYED
would seem to imply that the President was refer
ring TO the future action of Congress as necessary to
give MIN the requisite means to enforce obedience to
the laws IN the seeding States Doubtless the
President was not uniformed of the fact that his
friends IN the House of Representatives had prepared
a force bill, comforting these ,eouisite means m
coerce obedience in the seeding States and that
that bill was defeated in the House. He must he
aware historically, that in 1882, General Jackson
deemed additional legislation necessary to enforce
the revenue laws at Charleston. and thar a force
bill was then passed which expired by its own linn
itation in short time think two years, and is moi
now in force. Does Mr.. Lincoln consider that he
mas any more power to coerce the collection Of the
revenue IN Charleston harbor without further leps
lation than General jackson had in 1892 W6pr
he pledges himself to collect the revenue and n
enforce the laws in those States, unless Congress,
Wlthhods the requisite means to enable him IN 4,
So is ne not to be understood that whether he doe
enforce them or not depends upon the future action
OF congress i think that is the proper construc
ton Of his language 'N''''' ~
In subsequent paragraph he says: "The powe
connaed to me will be used to hold occupy. an,
possess the property and places belonging to tn
%WESSenment and to collect the duties and imposts
mnss Po"erf Does ne mean that which has bee
conhded, or that which may be conHdedP Does
mean that he will exercise the power unless Cor
gress directs the contrary, that he will exercise
when Congress confers it? regret that this clans
Is understood by some persons as meaning that d
President will use the whole military force of II
country to recapture the forts, and other nl.ce
which have been seized without the assent Of @,
gress If such was his meaning, he was unfortuna
IL the selection of words to express the idea. f