Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-06

The inaugural address OF Mr.. LINCOLN in style
and in clear and explicit expression OF the opinions
held and the policy which will guide the new adj
fall far below those of his predeces
sors upon similar occasions. 1t bears unmis-
taxable evidence of having been prepared by the
President himself Mr.. LINCOLN restricts himself
TO the discussion of the existing political troubles
of the country While he disavows any intention
to assail his dissatisfied countrymen, he asserts
that "the power cOnfided to him will be used to |
hold occupy and possess the property and places 4
belonging to the General Government, and to
collect duties and imports, unless his 'righttul
masters, the American people, shall with
hold the requisite means, or in some authora-
tive manner direct the contrary" Either
the address is artfully prepared to conceal his
views, so that a different construction may be
placed upon them according to the sympathies OF
the reader, or else we must conclude that the
President himself had not definitely determined
upon his own policy. Certainly the message has
not the Jacksonian ring which was promised, and
it is deficient in those positive qualities which dis
tinguished "Old Hickory" The New York
Tribune will read It as intending coercion, while
the Albany JOurnaI-THURLow WEEDS paper
will regard it as flvoring opposite policy. We
shall look with no little curiosity for these antlg
onistic expressions of the opposite schools in the
Republican party. The general reader will, how
ever, rise from the perusal of the document with
the inquiry, What does Mr. LINCOLN mean?
We have not space this morning to review the
various positions and inconsistencies of the in
augural His remarks in reference to the deci-
sions of the Supreme Court, the tribunal provi-
ded by the Constitution for the final arbitrament
of any disputed constitutional questions, will have
an unfavorabe effect upon his dissatisfied coun-
trvmen" The minorites have rights well as
the majority and that tribunal has been looked
upon as safeguard, barrier against the I'M
Just encroachments of the latter upon the former.
Ii the decisions of that tribunal are subject to
review and reversal by majority of the people, il
will afford no protection security to the rights
of minoritics.
| Mr. LINCOLN rather cautiously favors Ma
tional Convention to consider and propose amend
ments to the Constitution, as in this way the peo-
pie themselves can uetefnline the ISSUES III CoL-
troyersy If the President is anxious to obtain
an expression of the popular will, could it not be
accomplished more promptly and definitely by
submitting propositions directly for their approval
or rejection?
Like Mr. BUCHANAN. the new President has
great faith in Divine Providence to guide US safely
out of our present troubles. We hope the conf
dence may not be misplaced. We are enioined,
however, TO work as well pray, and we have
no doubt that few grains of concession. COM
promise and Cancellation would go far to recon
struct the Union and restore the blessings which
it has conferred upon us. We certainly wish the
President every success in the rightful discharge
of his Constitutional duties.
The ceremonies attending the Inauguration
were Of the most impressive and imposing char
acter, and Mr. LINCOLN safely enSconcel in
the White House. greatly to the relief of Gen.
ScoTT, and without the necessity of another
hegira.