Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1861-03-21
Senator Douglas on the Inaugural.

oSAaieA 0VuS - VI INV Anooo eAss E
In the United States Senate on Wednes-
day, Mr.. Douglas in reply 10 NJ Cling
man, expressed bis views on the Inaugural
as follows: 81 se> IS.
Mr.. Douglas could not be content ethat
the Senator's remarks should 60 out unan-
swered. He has read the Inaugural care
fully, with . view Of understanding what
the policy of the Administration is to be, as
therein indicated. 1t is characterized by
great ability and with great direc,ness on
certain points. A critical analysis is nee
essary to arrive at the true construction
He bad partially made an analysis, and had
GENE TO the conclusion that it was peace
rather than a war message. He had exam
ined it candidlY and critically, and thought
that there was no foundation for different
opinion. On the contrary there, is dis
tinct pledge that the policy Of the admins
tration shall be conducted exclusively with
reference to peaceful solution of our ma
tional difficulties. 1t is true, the President
indicated certain line Of policy, to be con-
Quoted as to lead to peaceful solution, but
it was not as expiici. as he douglas de-
sired. He then quoted from the inaugural
in support Of his position, saying. unless the
means be furnished, the President cannot
execute the laws. He though. the Presi.
dent in his remarks on this subject was re.
ferring TO the future aetien Of Congress
giving him power TO enforce obedience to
them. The President must have been
aware that in 1882 law passed 10 enable
President Jackson to enforce the revenue
laws in the port of Charleston. The act
expired in two years. Was it 10 be sup
posed thot Mr.. Lincoln thought he had
more power without than Gen. Jackson had
with the aid Of legislation.
He repeated, when the President pledges
himself 10 collect the revenue and enforce
the laws, unless Congress Withhold the req
uisite means, is he not TO be understood that
his act is dependent on the future course of
Congress? He thought that was the prop.
er construction Of the Inaugural, for the
President says: He shall perform his duty
as far as practicable, unless his rightful
masters the American people, shall with
hold the requisite means, or in some author
itative mander direct the contrary" The
President further says: "The power conf
ded to me will be useo 10 hold, occupy and
possess the property, and places belonging
10 the Government. and to collect the du-
ties and imposis; but beyond what may be
necessary for those objects, there will be
DO invasion, no using Of force against or a.
nong the people anywhere" The Presi-
dent does not say he will take possession
Of the Forts, but that he will hold, occupy
and possess them. This was equivocal
language, but he did not condemn the Pres
ident for it. Beyond wha, may be neces-
sary for these objects, there will be no in
vasion, no using Of force among the people
anywhere. lit is the duty Of the Presi.
dent to enforce the revenue laws, it is his
duty to enforce the other laws. 1t cannot
be justified that The revenue laws can be
and all other laws which afford
protection as compensation for taxes shall
not he enforced. He thought that there
were two points in which they could find
solution Of these doubts.
The President says-"Where hostility
to the United States in any interior locality
shall be so great and so universal as TO
prevent competent resident citizens from
holding the federal Offices, there will be no
attempt 10 force obnoxious strangers among
the people for that object" The President
draws distinction between the exterior
and the interior. II he has power in one
case he has power in the other. FIT is his
duty in one case 10 enforce the laws, il is
his duty in the other. There was no pro.
vision of law which authofizes distinction
in this respect between places in the inte-
rier and en- the sesboard. This brought
him 10 the construction of another clause
the most important Of all, and the key to
the entire policy. But he was rejoiced
when he read it. He invited attention to it
ss.showing conclusively that the President
is pledged TO g policy which looks to q
peaceful solution of our difficulties and
against all others. He says the course here
indicated will be followed, unless the cur
rent Of events and experience shall show a
modification or change 10 be proper; and in
every case Of EFFICIENCY my best discretion
will be exercised according 10. the circum.
stances actually existing, and with view
and hope Of peaceful solution Of the ma
tional troubles, and the restoration Of fra
ternal sympa,hies and Affections
In other words, the President says if the
collection Of the revenue will lead to a
peaceful solution, then it will be collected.
If the abandonment, Of that collection has
that effect, thenit will be abandoned. So
of the forts and arsenals IN the seeding
States. He will rscapture them or not 70.
capture them and will reinforce or not
reinforce Forts Sumpter and Pickens
in either % TO peaceful
policy, and acting with this view
II this is not the true construction, why
was there not inserted pledge TO use CO.
ercion. retaks the forts, recapture the arse
nails, collect the revenue and enforce the
laws, unless there was attached 10 each
and condition on which the pledge was to
be carried nut. But tho pledge is only to
do it in order to peaceful solution, and
for no other cause. He submitted whether
or not the friends of peace have not much
TO rejoice, at. The inaugural was much