Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-03-13
MARKS
HON. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS,
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MARCH g. 1861
ON THE RESOLUTION DIXON TO PRINT TER
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT
LINCOLN.

Mr.. DouGLAs said Mr.. PRESIDENT cannot as
sent to the construction which the Senator from
North Carolina Mr. Clingman] has placed upon the
Presidents Inaugural l have read it carefully,
with view of ascertaining distinctly what the
policy of the Administration is to be-. The inau-
gural is characterized by ability, and by drectness
on certain points but with such reservations and
qualifications as require critical analysis to arrive
at its true construction on other points. l have
made such an analysis, and come to the conclusion
that it is peace offering rather than war message
Having examined it critically, think 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 recapture the forts in the seeded States
and to hold them at all hazards to collect the revenue
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 be 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 as 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
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 to give faithful execution
to the Constitution and the laws for the return of
fugitive slayes-is explicit upon the point that he
will not oppose such amendments to the Constitn-
ton as may be deemed necessary to settle the
cio md TO fho ,pfr
Them it proceeds to indicate line cf policy for his
Administration. He declares that in view of the
Constitution and laws, the Union remains unbroken.
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 may
be separation de tacto, temporary or permanent.
as the sequel may prove; but in contemplation Of
the Constitution and the laws the Union does remain
unbroken. | think no deny the correctness
of the proposition, constitutional principle.
Let US 60 further and see what there is in the ad
dress that is supposed to pledge the President to
eoercive policy. He says: II 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
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 on 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 moi
enforce the laws" unless my rghtful masters, thu
American people, shall withhold the requisite means
or in some other authoritative manner direct tn
contrary"
This condition, on which he will not enforce tn,
lags in the seeding States, is not as explicit as
could desire. When he alludes to his ''rightfu
masters, the American people," l suppose h,
means the action Of Congress in withholding tn
requisite means. Query: Does he wish to be un
derstood as saying that the existing laws confer upol
him Nthe requisite means?" or does he mean tt
Ssy that nasmuch as the existing laws do not COME
the requisite means, he cannot execute the laws il
the seeding States unless those means shall be con
ferred by Congress? The language employees
wonld seem to imply that the President was refe,
ring TO the future action Of Congress necessary
give hin the requisite means to enforce obedience
the laws in the seeding States. Doubtless tn
President Kas not uniformed Of the fact that hi
friends in the House Of Representatives had prepare
force bill, comforting these requisite means
coerce obedience in the seeding States, and ths
that till was defeated in the House. He must b
aware, historically, that in 1892, General Jackso
deemed additional legislation necessary to enfort
the revenue laws at Charleston and that fore
bill was then passed, which expired by its own lin
itation in short time, think two years, and is nj
now IN force. Does Mr.. Lincoln consider that /
has any more power to cocrce the collection of II
revenue in Charleston harbor without further legi
a1ation than General Jackson had in 1892 VINE
be pledges himself to collect the revenue and
enforce the laws in those States, unless Concre
wishholds the requisite means to enable him to {
So is he not to be understood that whether he do
enforce them or not depends upon the future actit
Qf Congress? think that is the proper constru
ton Of his language.
4stseeuent paragraph he says: 1.-THE DOW
conhdei to me will be used to hold, occupy. a,
possess the property and places belonging to
Government and to collect the duties and mposts
What po~erf Does be mean that which has be
eonhded, or that which may be confded2 Does
mean that he will exercise the mower unless q,
gress directs the contrary, or that he will exercis,
when Congress conders it? regret that this ella,
is understood by some persons u meaning that /,
President will use the whole military force Of
country to recapture the forts, and other pI,e
which have been seized without the ascent of r.
yess. II such was his meaning, he was unfortun
ic the selection Of words to express the idea.