Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-03-15
MR.. DOUGLAS ON THE INAUGURAL

In the Senate on Wednesday, Mr.. Douglas,
in reply to Mr.. Clingham, gave at length his
construction Of President Lincoln's Inaugu-
raj. The substance of his speech is contain
ed in the following extract from the condensed
report
He had read the Inaugural carefully with the view
of understanding what the policy Of the adminstratlon
n TO be therein indicated. IL is characterized hy great
ability, and with great drectuess certain points.
critical analysis is necessary to arrive at the uue
strucuon He had partially made analysts, aud had
come 20 the conclusion that IL peace rather than
message He had examined 10 ctndidv aud critical
ly. and thought there foundation for a different
opinion On the contrary there's distinct pledge that
the policy Of the administration shat! be conducted
ousvey with reference TO peaceful solution Of our
uonal difficulties IL is true, the President Indicated
certain line of policy, so to be conducted To load Co
peaceful solution; but it was explicit as he Doug
Las desired He then quoted from the Inaugural in sup
port Of his posiuon saying unless the be Furnish
ed the President cannot execute the laws. lie thought
the President in his remarks this subject, was refer
ring To the future action Of Congress giving him power
10 enforce obedience TO them. The President must have
been that in 1882 law passed to enable Pres.
dnt Jackson enforce the laws in the port II
Charleston The ae expired in two years Was 1t 70 be
supposed that Mr. Lincoln thought he had power
ton lie repeated when the President pledges himself
collect the and enforce the laws, unless Com
gress vithhods the requisite means is he not be
dcrstood that his at dependent The future
OF Congress liz thought that the proper consruc-
ton of the inaugural for the President says he shalt
perform his duy far practicable unless his rghtu
masters the American people shall withhold the reQu
site means. in authoritative manner direct the
contrary The President further says: The power
confded viii be used 10 hold, occupy and possess
the property and places belonging to the government
aud TO collect the duties and imposs and beyond what
may be necessary for these Objects there will be no nva
SION no using OF force against OF among ne peope any
where Tho President docs not say be viii take posses
sion Of the forts, but that he viii bold orcury and pos
se.s them This was cquWoch language nut nc dl" not
condemn the President for H. Beyond what may he nc
ccs.ary for these objects, there will be no invasion no
using Of force among the people anywhere. IL is the
duty Of the President enforce the revenue laws, IL is
his duty enforce the other laws. II cannot De iusih
ed that the revenue laws shall DE enforced aud an other
laws which afford protection compensation for taxes,
shall De enforced He Thought there were two points
in which they could find solution Of these doubts.
The President SAYS Where hostility to- the United
States u any interior locality shall be great and so a.
Universal prevent competent resident citizens from
holding the federal offices, there will De no attempt to
oct The President draws distinction Between the ex-
eror and interior Il he has power in one case he has
power other Ii is his duty in one ease enforce
the laws il is his duty in the other There was no pro-
vision Of law which authorizes distinction IN this re-
spec between places in the interior and the seAbuard
This brought him 10 the construction of another clause
the important Of all, and the key 10 the entire
policy Bat he was reloiced when he read IT, De n'it'
ed attention to 1t showing cnncusyey that the resi-
dent is pledged TO policy which looks 70 peaceful so
luton Of difficulties and against all others lie says
the here Indicated will be followed unless the cur
rent Of events and experience shall show modification
change be proper, and in every eXtgcncy
my best discretion will be exercised, according TO tho
circumstances usually existing ana with view ana
hope of peaceful solution Of the uatOno troubles and
the restoration Of fraerna sympathies and affections
In other words, the President says the collection OF
the revenue will lead peaceful solution, then It will
be collected III the abandonment Of that collection have
that effect then it will abandoned So Of the forts
and asenas the seeding States. He will recapture
recapure them and will reinforce not reinforce
Forts Sumter and Pckens pledged in either case 10
peaceful policy, and acting with this view. II this is not
the true construction, why was there not inserted
pledge coercion retake the forts recaptufe the ar
senas collect the revenue, and enforce the laws, unless
there attached 10 each condition which the
pledge be carried out But the pledge is only tc
do in order peaceful solution, and for no othe
cause.
lie submitted whether not the friends Of peace have
not much TO rejoice at The inaugural was much more
conservative than he had anticipated TWAS more pac
hc and conciatory than he had predicted He repeated
after a careful examination and analysis he was clearly
the opinion that administration stands pledged TO
peaceful solution, and will do no act that Will lead to wal
and make no change Of policy unless necessary to pre-
serve peace He thought the President has stated the
cause Of the troubles clearly and ndicateda remedy"