Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-06
GGltOrapblt.
Mr. LincoIn'S inaugural Address.
FsHo,r Citizens Of tie United stutss; wi

States, to be taken by the President before he /
enters on the execution of his official duties. l /
do not consider it necessary at present for me to /
discuss those matters of administration about |
which there is no special anxiety or excitement /
The apprehension seems to exist among the peo |
pie Of the Southern States that by the accession
of a Republican administration, their peace and
personal security are to be endangered; but there
has never been any reasonable cause for such ap-
prehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to
the contrary has all the while existed, and been
open TO their inspection.
1t is found in nearly all the published speeches
of him who now addresses YOU. | quote now
from one OF those speeches where declare that
/ have no purpose, directly or indirectly to in
tegfere with the institution of slavery in the States
where it exists. / believe have DO lawful right
to do So and l have no inclination TO do so.
Those who nominated me, and elected me. did
so with the full knowledge that had made this
and many similar declarations, and had never re-
canted them. And more than this they placed
in the platform for my acceptance, as law to
themselves. and to me- the clear and emphatic
resolution which | now read:
"Res0lccd, That the maintenance inviOlate of
the rights OF the States, and especially the right
of lch State to order and cOntrOlits own domestic
institutions according to its own judgment. exclu-
s:velv, is essential to the balance OF power on
which the perfection and endurance of our politi-
invasion, by an armed force OF the soil OF any
State or Territory, no matter under what pretext,
as among the gravest of crimes"
now reiterate these sentiments, and in doing
so l only press upon the public attention the most
conclusive evidence OF which the case is suscepti-
bic. The property, peace and security OF no sec
ton are to be in any wise endangered 10y the now
incoming Administration. | add to this that all
the protection which consistently with the Con
stituton and the laws can be given, will be cheer
fully given to all the States, when lawfully de-
manded, for whatever cause, as cheerfully to one
section to another.
There is much controversy about the deliver
ing OF fugitives from service or labor; the clause
now reld is as plainly written in the Consttu-
tion as any other of its provisions:
mo person held to service or labor in one
State under the laws thereof, escaping into
other shall, in consequence of any law or regula-
ton therein, be discharged from such service or
labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the
party to whom such service on labor may be due"
1t is scarcely questioned that this provision was
intended by those who made it for the retaining
of what we call fugitive slaves, and the inten
ton of the law giver is the law. All members of
Congress swear their support to the whole Con-
sttutiOn, to this provision much to any other
To the proposition, then, that slaves whose cases
come within this clause shall be delivered up
their oaths are unanimous Now if they would
make the effort in good temper, could they not
| with nearly equal uuanimity frame and pass
law by means OF which to keep good that unani-
nous oath There is some difference of opinion
whether this clause should be enforced by Nation
al or State authority but surely that difference is
! not very material one. If the slave is TO be
surrendered it can be OF but little consequence to
/ him or to Others by what authority it is done.
Again, in any law upon this subject ought not all
the safeguards of liberty known in civilized and
I. IL.
freeman may never, in any case, be surrendered
as a slave, and might it not be well, at the same
time, to provide by law for the enforcement of the
| clause in the Constitution which guarantees that
the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all
the privileges and immunities of citizens in the
several States ? j take the official oath to-day,
| with no mental reservation and no purpose to
construe the Constitution and laws by any hyper
| critical rules, and while do not choose now TO
specify particular acts of Congress as proper to
be enforced, do suggest that it will be much
safer for ALL both in Official and private stations
| to conform to and abide by all these acts which
stand unrepealed, than To violate any of them,
trusting to find impunity in having them held to
be unconstitutional.
1t is seventy two years since the first inaugura-
ton of President under our National COnstitu-
ton. During that time fifteen different and
greatly distinguished citizens have in succession
administered the executive branch of the Govern
ment. They have conducted it through many
perils, aud generally with great success. Yet,
with all this scope of precedent | now enter upon
the same task for the brief constitutional term OF
.Our years, under great and peculiar difficulty.
| Disruption of the Federal Government, hereto
fore only menaced, is now formidably attempted.
! hold that in contemplation of universal law,
and the Constitution, the Union of the States is
perpetual Perpetuity is implied, il not expressed,
in the fundamental law OF all governments. Its
not safe TO assert that the government proper
ever had provisions in its organic law for its own
termination. Continue to execute all the express
provisions of our National Constitution, and the
Union will endure forever it being impossible to
destroy it, except by some action not provided for
in the Constitution Again: if the United States
be not government proper, but an association
OF States in the nature OF a contract merely, can
ii, as contract, he peaceably unmade, unless by
all the parties who made itg One party to a con.
tract may violate it-brelk it, so to spelk-bu
does it not require all to lawfully rescind itY
Descending from these general principles, We
find the proposition that, in legal contemplation
the Union is perpetual, is confirmed by the history
OF the Union itself The Union is much oldel
than the Constitution. 1t formed in fact by
the Articles of Association in IVA 1t was ma
ture1 and continued by the Declaration of Indie
pendence in l776 1t further maturei OF
the faith of all the then thirteen States expressly
pghted and engaged that it should be perpetuate;
by the articles of confederation in ZIG, anG
finally in 1851. One OF the declared obects fo
ordainng and establishing the Constitution, wa
to form more perfect Union. Ii separation b,
one, or by part only, OF the States be lawfully
possible, the Union is less before than the Con
, sttution, having lost the vital element of per
petuity. 1t follows from these views that M
State, upon lis own mere motion, can lawful,
get out OF the Union-that resolves and ordinan
fl,.,f,. Of. L. .,,1
OF violence within any State or States. againS
the authority of the United S ates. are insurTec
tionary Or revolutionary, according to circum
stances.
therefore consider that in view of the Con
sttution and laws, the Union is unb?oken, and Il
the extent OF my ability shall take care. as tn
Constitution itself expressly enOins me, tina
the laws OF the Union must be faithfully exc
cuted liz all the States In doing this deem i
to be only "A simple duty my part, and | shall
perform il so far us practicable unless my right
fui masters, the American people, shall withhold
the requisite means, or in some authoritative man
Ter direct the contrary. trust this will not be re
garded rs n menace. but only a declared pur
pose of the Union. that it will constitutional,
defend and maintain itself In doing this Their
need be no bloOdshel or violence. and there shall
be none, unless forced upon the national authority
The power confded to me will be used to hold
occupy and possess the property and places be
longing to the Government, and to collect dCt.e
and imports; but beyond what NAV be necessar,
for these objects, there will be using OF force
against or among people anywhere. Where hos
fifty to the Unel States in any interior localit
, shall be universal prevent competent resi-
dents from holding Federal Offices there will b.
no attempt to force obnoxious strangers anon,
the people that object. While the strict Leg,
right may exist in the Government to enforce th
exercise of these offices, the attempt to do s.
would be So irritating and so nearly impractcabi
witha, that deem it better to forego for a tim
the use of such Offices. The mails unless re
PEELED. will continue he furnished in all parts
: the Union. So far rs possible, the people every
where shall have that sense of perfect securit
, which is most favorable to calm thought and re
Election.
/, The course here indicated will be followed, un
less current events and experience shall show
, modification change to he proper. In ever
case and exigency my best discretion will be use
according TO circumstances actually existing, ant
) with view and hope OF peaceful solution o
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