Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-03-14
The inaugural.

The following is the view Senator Doug
las takes Of the Presidents inaugural. twill
be found to differ very materially from the
opinions expressed by the Douglas organ Of
this city
Mr.. DOUGLAS had read the Inaugural
carefully with the view Of understanding
what the policy OF the Administration is to
be- as therein indicated. 1t is characteri-
zed by great ability, and with great direct
nets on certain points. \ critical analysis is
necessary to arrive at the true construction.
He had partially made an analysis, and had
come to the conclusion that it was Il peace
rather than a war message. lie had exnm-
ned it candidly and critically and thought
there was no foundation for Il different oplu-
ion. On the contrary, there is distinct
pledge that the policy of the Administration
shall be conducted exclusively with reference
to u peaceful solution Of our,national difficult.
ties 1t is true the President indicated a GER
tain line Of policy ST. to be conducted rs t.
lead to peaceful solution, but it was not rs
explicit as he (Douglas) desired. He thea
quoted from the Inaugural in support Of his
positions, saying, unless the means tie lur-
nished the President cannot execute the laws.
He thought the President in his remarks On
tins subject was referring to the iuturr action
OF Congress giving HIM power to enforce osr-
dlence to them The President must have
been aware that in 1882 II law passed to ena-
bic President jackson to enforce the revenue
laws in the ports Of Charleston. Tn. act rx-
pred in two years. Was it to b. supposed
that AR Tiucoln thnuUbt hn had ,,,,r,, maui
or without Than Gen. jackson had with the
AID oil legislation. lie repeated when the
President pledged himself 10 collect the rev
enhc ana enforce the laws unless Congress
wItlh"lds the requisite means, Is he not to hc
understood that his act Is dependent on the
future course OF Congress lie thought that
was the proper construction OF the Inaugural,
Tor the PRESIDENT says: lie shall perform
hls duty 50 lar us prartlcaUIe unless hi" right
lui masters the American pcoplcshali With
f"ld Tie requisite means, or IN some author
ltative manner direct the contrary 1HcI
PRESIDENT larther says, the power cont'cd
10 me VIII lie used 10 hoId, occupy, and pp-
seSs the properly ana places belonging to the
United states, aho 70 collect 'hc duties sad
imposts, but beyond what may be necessary
Tor these objects there VIII be no invaalOn,no
using OF ioIee against or among tho people
anywhere" The President does not say no
VIII take possession oil the lorts,but that ne
VIII hoId. occupy anu possess them. This
was equ'voca! language, but he did not
condemn the president Tor IT, beyond what
may DO necessary Tor these objects thse viii
be no Invasion, no using OF lorce among the
people anywhere. ii 1t is the duty OF the
President to enforce the revenue laws, 1t Isl
his duty to enforce the other laws. 1t can
not be Justltied that the revenue laws shall lie
enforced anu all o'her laws which AFFORD pro-
tec'ion as compensation Tor taxes, shall not
be enforced. lie thought there were tw"
points IN which they could mud solution "t |
these doubts. lee President says; where
hostility to she United States III any interior |
locality shall be SO great AMI 80 universal MS
to prevent competent resident citizens from
holding the Federal offices, there will he no
attempt to lorce obnoxious strangers among !
the people Tor that object. The President
draws distinction between the exterior and
the interior. II h. has power IN one case,
he has power In the other. 1t it is his duty
IN one case to enforce the laws, it is his duty
in the other. There was no provision Of law
when authorized distinction in tins respect
between places IN the interior and on the
seaooard. This brought him to the constrnc-
ton Of another clause, the most important Of
all, and the Key u the entire policy. Hut
he was re)olced when.he read It, lie invited
attention TO IT, as showing coneluslrely that
he the President Is pledged to a policy Which !
looks 10 peaceful solution Of our difficult
ties and against all others. lie says the
course here Indicated Will be followed, nm
less the current OF events and experience shall
show modification or change to be proper;
and III every case or exlgency my best dis
erection Will be exercised according to the
circumstances usually existing. and with a
view and hope oil a peaceful solution Of the
national troubles, and the restoration Of fra
ternal sympathles and affections. In other
words, the PRESIDENT says II the collection OF
the revenue VIII lead to u peaceful solution,
then It VIII DO collected. II the abandon
ment OF that collection have that effect then
1t VIII be abandoned. 30 ofthe forts and ar
senals IN the seeding States. he will recap
ture or not recaptnrs them. and will re-en-
force or not REINFORCE Fort Sumter and Pick
ems; pledged IN either case to peaceful poll
cy, and acting with this view. II this is not
the true construction. why was there not in
serted pledge TO use coercion, retake the
iorts, recaPture the arsenals, collect the rev.
enhe, ana enforce tho laws, unless there was
att&-aed TO each one condition on which
the piedse was 10 Do carried out; but the
pledge Is only TO do 1t IN order to peaceful
utlon, and for no other cause. tie sub