Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-03-13
The Presidents Inaugural.

Every one is snxious to see the Inaugural
Address Of Abraham Lincoln, the newly in
stalled president of the United States" 1t
will be tor our first page. It has been
looked Tor wfsf intense interest in all sections
of the country, as the course of policy he In
tended to pursue, in the present distracted and
dismembered state of the Union, it was ex-
pected would be marked out in his Inaugural
address. It win be seen that this document
is confined entirely to the subject growing
out of the slavery question-the secession Of
the seven Southern States, the occupancy of
the forts, a~rsenals, &C., in their limits, and the
collection of the revenue from imports. 1t is
contended by many, that the doctrine of CO.
ercion against The Southern States, is plain
ly advanced, inasmuch as he claims that the
Union is not dissolved, that the seven South
ern States that have ~inaugurated a govern
ment of their own are still members of the
Confederacy of the United States, and that
he shall take care that the laws of the Union
are faithfuTfJ cssslted in al the States
and that he will use the power confided to
him, "to hold, occupy and possess the prop
erty and places belonging to the government,
and to collect the duties on imports" This
is regarded as q plain declaration ofaoar, by
many commentators on the Address, because
say they, it is well known that the Southern
States will resist the retaking of the forts they
are occupying, and the collection of revenu
in theirs port, and therefore wal must ineyi
tably follow.
On the other hand, many regard the Inau
gural as pacifcatory in its tone, and was S
intended by the President. That although
he declares that the Constitution which h
has taken an oath to support, execute and de
fend, requires him to do so in all the State:
yet he has declared that he will not visit civ
war and bloodshed upon the seeded States
and th~atssssawsssdiate connection with til
enunciation of his duty to enforce the laws
all the States, he utters the following qualif
cation:
The course here indicated will be follows
unless curreH events and experience sha
show a modification or change to be prope
and in every case and exigency my best di
erection will be exercised according to circur
stances actually existing, and with a vie
:. and a hope of a peaceful solution of the n
tional troubles and a restoration of fratern
sympathies and affections.
: 1t is commended by some, that this cautio
| and particular reference to a probability
his departing from the strict line of act
marked out in previous parts of the lnaug
!. raj, indicate that should circumstances"
his discretion point out more eonciliato
terms, he will adopt them, and not attempt
coerce the seeded States.
I Others again contend, that the Inaugu
e is a two-faced concern. That Lincoln has
Il marched up fairly and squarely to a full a
. eands~s4s&1pSssAis policy, thereby she
n ing himself inadequate to the great emerg
9 cies of the country, and unworthy the col
: dence of the people north or south.
The document is, however, before our r
. ders, and they can read and form their o
- opinions. In another column we give
:. tracts from various papers, edited by Sec
sionists and Union men-so that our read
Of may see the commentaries on both sides.
a. -
l. - Several interesting Communicate
to crowded out this week, for which we