Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1861-03-06
THE INAUGURATION.
w. w. PHELPS, Editor


THE INAUGuRATlON.
On Monday at noon, Abraham Lincoln
was inaugurated as President Of the United
States. The gloomy surroundings Of this
occasion arc i'll striking contrast to any in
auguration Gay that has preceded it. We
see Lincoln assuming the Presidency of a
government. States defiant
and rebellious refuse to acknowledge his
rule. Rumors Of assassination and blood
she'd give darkcning tingc to the scene,
and the hIilitary in the back ground are
prepared to enforce quiet and obedience by
the use Of muskcts and bayoncts.
-Four thousand soldiers cast the shadow
ola military dcspotis'n upon our sepubli-
can form Of government. The triumph of q
section Of the Republic, has driven, we be-
lieyo without just'causc, another section into
open hostility; we are fastening on to re-
produce upon American soil the anarchy and
misrule Of opposing sections. so terribly
illustrated in missoverned Mexico.
These startling facts and results are wholly
unwarranted by causes that are now or have
existed, 1t has all along been contest
about mere abstraction, fruitful OF nothing
but evil to the we'll being ofthe Republic
On tho ono hand it is the morbid manifesto
ton Of q sympathy which in the vain at
tempt to confer rights upon the negro, which
he is incapable of enjoying, involves the
liberties Of tho white and black in one COM
mon destruction. ~ ..-.
Montbars tho celebrated Duccaneer pirate
of the Caribbean sea, who with blood dyed
hands committed inhumanities the most
attrocious, under the prctcxt Of revenging
the crueltics inflicted upon the natives Of
America by the Spaniards, was melted to
his deeds Of rapine by more practical and
noble sympathy for suffering, than animates
the breast Of any tanatical Abolitionist in
America. Montbars became a pirate; and
Abolitionists who possess the bravery will
become bloody partizans Of civil strife, and
both will curse civilization and humanity,
while the name Of religion and human
ity is their excuse. a.
On the other hand the slave holders
vainly seek to extend their institutions,
thus abhorrent to the moral sense Of the age,
where it can never go, or be forced to 60,
because the laws Of climate, and Of emigra-
ton and the self interest Of the settlers of
territory to be occupied forbid it. Men are
rendering themselves mad and infatuated in
fighting an issue never practically to arise.
1t is mere abstraction then, that is likely
to sever the Union and destroy this rcpubli-
can form Of goyernment-by its example the
great hope Of mankind.
This abstraction has elected Abraham
Lincoln President, and his inauguration
surrounded by the military, his flight from
Harrisburgh, the premonitions of civil war,
all indicate the wretched character Of the
impending revolution. He comes to the
administration Of the Government, and
fortunately gives the nation relief in dis
placing from Office the weakest and most
yascillating executive that fate or fortune has
ever inflicted upon the Rep ublic. Buchanan
intirm insp purpose, with the vindictniveness
ota small mind, incapable to rise equal to,
his grave responsibilities, is doubtless as
rejoiced ofhis discharge as is the nation, and
upon the new executive is thrown the
crushing weight Of a matured revolution,
with laws dcfcd, and treasury exhausted,
for which his party and his predecessor are
largely responsible. lie needs lofty
patriotism and breadth Of craftsmanship to
meet 1.-THE exigencies Of his position. He is
laboring under grave disadvantages, for he
is an untricd man. To sustain him, if
right, is the plain duty Of every good citizen.
To give him fair trial and with an impartial
judgment decide upon his acts, is an obliga-
ton We owe him as the constitutional Pres
ident. This we shall do, and impatiertly
await to learn the policy he shall foreshadow
in his inaugural, which we hope to give en-
tire.
From the Pioneer & Democrat.