The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-03-09
Gbe Cecil lubia.
ELKTON. RICH 8, 1861.
The inaugural.


the nature aud importance of the questions
discussed, and the peculiar circumstances
attending its presentation, claims calm
careful and unparalleled pcrusal on the PAL
of every citizen Of the country who appre.
hends the momen'ous import of the issues
involved in the present crisis.
After an honest endeayor to give it such u
perusal. we feel bound to say that we regard
the Inaugural as conciiatory and pacific in
tone, and reflective Of the views of that por.
ton Of the Republican party generally ad-
mlted, now, to be conciAtory) led by
Mcssrs Seward, Cameron, Baker, Corwin
Kellogg and Adams in the late Congress.
Our readers will not fail to discover in the
address, as We think every dispassona,c mind
must do, the evidences of this conclliatory
and pacific spirit, and the entire absence o!
menace Or hostility of purpose to any por-
ton Of the country.
The Presidents emphatic and unequivocal
rei,eration Of his previously declared santi.
ments that ~ have no purpose. directly or
indirectly to interfere with the institution of
slavery in the Statesswhere it exists. be-
lieve have no law full right TO do so, and |
have no inc lnntion to do so,' together with
his frank avowal Of willingness to have the
Corwin amendment, just passed by Congress
adopted, thus putting it beyond the power OF
Congress ever to interfere with slavery in the
States. should, We think satisfy the South
that, on this subject of slavery in the States
Mr.. Lincoln is not the fanatical abolitionist
that he has been represented to be. and that
he is entirely in favor Of at least this one
additional guarantee " to the South.
The address is equally urequivocal and
| satisfactory in reference to the Fugitive Slave
| question. The President not only admits The
| plainncss Of the Constitutional provision in
reference TO this matter, but, looking to the
intention Of the trainers, argues the inmate
riality of returning the slave 20 his master
10y National or State law, plainly implying
his hostility to any free State legislation by
which the obligation to return the slave is
dcvolved entirely upon the National au,ho.
| rites.
| On this subject then. VIC think Mr.. Lin.
coin talks plainly, and indicates an honest dc.
| sire 10 do right by the South, urging prompt
compliance with Constitutional requirements
il this regard upon the people of the free
States.
So much here, in regard to the conciliatory
| tone o. the Address. A careful reading of it
will discover many other evidences of this
spirit.
As to the pacific characteristics Of the Ad.
dress. nine out Of ten Of those who dspassion.
atc'y read it, will arrive at the following
conclusions. viz: that while the President,
like Mr., Buchanan, recognizes his obligation
to "preseTve, protect, and Defend the Gov.
crnmcnt and. to enforce its laws, &c. he is
not disposed to exercise his prerogative. or
discharge that duty in such manner as to
widen the breach between the seeded and
adhcrent States, but just the reverse: that
whatever he proposes to do in reference to
enforcing the laws in the seeded States, is 10
be done, to use his own language, "trih d
rieu.ond a hope Of a peaceful solution Of The Ma.
tional troubles and the restoration of frQternul
symphik'es." and that the President is sincere
in his desire and intention toavoid hoslilities
and determined to act alone on the defensive
How such plain indications o. peaceable
policy can possibly be construed into coercion
and menace against the South is one Of the
marvclS of the times, The Breckenridge press
Of Maryland. however, can see nothing else
but war" grim-visaged war; as the Sun
says. in the Address.
On the other land Mr. Douglas thinks, as
We see by debate which occurred in the
Senate on Wednesday last, that the Address
is ga peace rather then war message" and
tina: :" it is characterized by great ability and
dis:inctness on certain points" The Nation
al IntclFgencer says, "it leaves to conservative
citizens good reason to expect conciliatory
course at the hands of the new President "
and the BALTIC. american thinks the President
has " met the issues presented with iirmness
and frankness that are in themselves com.
mendable," and that the tone" Of the
Address " is pacific"
We doubt not that our readers will. upon a
careful perusal Of the Address, coincide in
these views, and be ready to conclude with
| us that, in most cases, the war construction
is given to it by those with whom 1.-THE wish
| is father 10 the thought"