The Oxford intelligencer., 1861-03-06
Geographic 9ntdIi9tntr.
synopsis of Mr. Lincoin's Inaugural, Address.

WAsnrSGroN, March 4.-Mr Lincoln, in his
Inaugural Address, said There has never been
a reasonable cause for the apprehension that the
security of Southern property or the peace oil
the nation would be endangered by the aces
sion of republican Administration. lie quotes
his speeches, declaring it was not the purpose OF
the republican party to interfere directly or in
directly, with slavery in the States where it ex-
lists. He does not mean to construe the Const-
tuition by hypercritical rules He holds that by
universal law and the Constitution the union Of
these States is perpetual. If the United States
be not a Government proper, but an association
of States, in the nature of contracts can the con-
tract be paciilcally annulled without the consent
of the contracting par ties?
consider the Union unbroken, and shall take
care, to the best of my ability, as the Constitu-
ton expressly enjoins that the Federal laws shall
be faithfully executed in all the States In do
ing this there need be no blood shed or violence,
and there shall be none unless it be forced upon
the National authority. The power confided to
me will be used to hold, occupy and possess the
property and places belonging to the Govern
ment, to collect the duties on imports; but be-
You'd what may be necessary for these objects,
there will be no using force against or among the
people anywhere. The mails, unless repealed,
will continue to be furnished The course here
indicated viii be followed unless current events
shall show modification or change to be proper.
The Constitution does not expressly say whe-
tler fugitive slaves shall be surrendered by Ma
tional or State authority. 1t does not express
ly say Congress may prohibit slavery in the Ter
ritories, nor expressly say Congress must pro-
tect slavery in the Territories. On these qnes-
tons the majority or minority must govern, or
the Government must cease. The central idea
of secession is anarchy. The rule of majority
is wholly inadmissable. don't forget the posi-
ton assumed by some, that the Supreme Court
is to decide Constitutional questions nor that such
decisions must be binding upon the litgants,
while such decisions are entitled TO very high re-
spect and consideration in all parallel cases, by
all the other departments Of the GoverDment.-
One section believes slavery right and ought to
be extended another section believes slavery
wrong and ought not to be extended. On sep
aration, one section would ultimately revive the
slave trade, and the other refuse to surrender it
by revolution. He has no objection to the
amendment proposed by Congress, prohibiting
the Government from ever interfering with sla-
very in the States, including that OF persons held
to service express or irrcyocable. No authority
il conferred on the Executive 10 fix the terms for
the separation ofStates. His duty is to preserve
the Government and transmit it to his success
sor unimpared No Administration can very
seriously injure the Government in four years.
He conjurcs his countrymcn TO think calmly
on the whole subject lie says the Constitution
is unimpaired, and the laws Of your own franz
ing under it, and there is no single good reason
for precpta,c action. Intelligence, patriotism,
Christianity, and firm reliance on Providence,
are competent to adjust our present difficulties.
In Your hand my dissatisfied fclloW-countrymer,
not mine, is the mom,ntous issue of civil war
The Government will not as,ail you. You can
have no conflict without being the aggIessors.-I
You have taken no oath to destroy the Govern
mcnt shall take most solemn oath TO pre-
serve protect and defend the Government We
are not enemies but friends.