The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-03-21
PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S
INAUGURAL

you to address you briefly, and to take,
IN your presence, the oath prescribed by
the Constitution of the United States, 10
be taken by the President before be en-
tiers upon the execution of his office.
Z do not consider it necessary at pres
ent for me to discuss those matters OF ad-
ministration about which there is no
special anxiety or excitement. Appre-
hension seems to exist among the people
of the Southern States that by the acces-
sion of a Republican administration their
property and their peace, and personal
security are to be endangered.
There has never been any reasonable
cause FIR such apprehension. Indeed
the most ample evidence to the contrary
has all the while existed, and was open
to their inspection.
1t is found in nearly all the published
speeches Of him who now addresses you.
/ do but quote from one of chose speeches
when | declare that | have no purpose
directly or indirectly to interfere with the
institution Of slavery III the States where
il exists. | believe | have no lawful
right to do SO, ard | have 40 inclination
TO do SO.
Those who nominated and elected me
did so with the full knowledge that |
had made these and many similar declar-
atoms, and had never recanted them and
more than this, they placed in the plat.
form for my acceptance, and as a law to
themselves and to me, the clear and en-
phatic re %olution which | now read
"Resoircd, That the maintenance in
violate Of the rights Of tie States, and
especially the rioht of each State to or
der and control It's own domestic i~nstitu-
tlous according to its own judgement, is
essential TO that balance of power upon
which the perfection and endurance Of
cur political fabric depend. and we de-
nouncc the lawless invasion by armed
force of the soil Of any State or Territory
no matter under what pretext, as the
gravest Of crimes"
| now reiterate these sentiments, and
in doing so | only press upon the public
attention the most conclusive evidence
Of which the case is susceptible, that the
property, peace, and security Of no Sec
lion are to be IN anywisc endangered by
the now incoming Administration. |
add, too, hat all the protection which
consistently with tie Constitution and
the laws can be given, will be cheerfully
given to all the States. when lawfully dc.
mauded, for whatever cause, as cAoeifully
to ore section rs another.
There is much controversy about the
delivering up of fuyitiyes from service or
labor. The clause | now read is as plain
" written in the Constitution as any 9th
er OF its provisions
mo persoa held to service or labor in
one State, under the laws thereof, cS-
Gaping into another, shall in consequence
Of any law or regulation therein, be dis
charged from such service or labor, but
shall be delivered up on claim OF the par,
~ to which service or labor may be
due"
1t is scarcely questioned that this pro
vision was intended by those who made
it, for the retaining Of what we call
IlEllINt saws, diu liC ItItCbilOu vi lIiC
law ciycr is the law. All members Of
Congress swear their support to The whole
Constitution, this provision as much as
any other.
TO the proposition then that slaves
whose cases come within the terms OF
this clause shall be delivered up THEN
oaths are unanimous. Now, if they would
make the effort IN good temper, could
they Lot with equal uuanimity frame and
pass a law By means Of which to keep
good HAT unanimous oath.
There is some difference of opinion
whether this clause should be enforced
by State or National authorities, but
surely the difference is not a very mate
rial one. If the slave be surrendered il
can be of little consequence to lin or t.
others by which authority it is done, and
should any one in any case be content
that this oath shall be interpreted on a
merely substantial controversy as to how
it shall be kept?
Again, in any law upon the subject,
ought not ali the safeguards of liberty
known in civilized and humane jurispru-
Geuce TO be introduced, so that a freeman
be not in any case surrendered as a
slave I? and might it not be well, at the
ssme time to provide by law for the en-.
fcrcement Of that clause in the Consti
tuition which guarantees that 1.-THE citi.
zens of each State shall be entitled to al
the privileges and immunlties Of citizens
in the several States?
| take the official oath to-day with nc
mental reservations aud no purpose tc
construe tie Constitution or laws BY any
critical rules, and while | do not choose
now to specify particular acts of Congress
as nroner to be enforced; ! do snggeet