The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-04-20

BALTiMeRE, April 18--Tbe Inauguration
exercises Of the great Fair ut che Masyland
Institute tonight, were very imposing.
The Presidents appearances in the Hall
was greeted with tremendous applause.
p After the inaugeral address Of Governor
Bradford, the President vas loudly called
for and in response, proceeded to make a
brief address: 51 N 6IlaSJ Up '0E
He referred to the great change taken
place in Baltimore in the last 8 years. The
world he said had long been in want Of the
correct definition of the word freedom,
whilst all professed advocates Of Liberty
was 10 mind, many very opposite views, to
what liberty was with one man, liberty
implied work for himself, and do as he
pleased with the proceeds of his labor with
others. Liberty meant do as you pleased
with other men and their labor, one Of these
two conflicting ideas would have give way
to the other He thought from some oc.
currences lately taken place in Maryland.
Her people arc sbought determined which
of these views Of freedom should control
her destiny He then alluded to the oc
currenee, reported to have taken place at
Fort Pillow, massacre OF several hundred
colsred soldiers by Confederates. Many
supposed that the government did not in
tend do its duty in regard to protection OF
colored soldiers, he desired to say to all
such that they were mistaken. When the
question Of employing colored men as sol
diers was left to government, 1t rested very
much with himself whether he should make
soldiers Of them or not. He pondered the
matter carefully, and when he become con.
vinced il was duty to so employ them be
did not hesitate to do so. He stood before
the American people responsible for the
act, responsible before the Christian world
responsible he should stand in the eye Of the
historian, responsible for he stood before
God, aud he did not shrink from the decis
ion be had made, for he believed he was
right, but when the government determin
ed to make soldiers of colored people, he
thought it only just that they should have
the same protection as white soldiers, zap
plauss,) he did not hesitate to declare that
the government would so protect them to
the utmost of its power, whenever clear
authenticated case made out, retribution
would follow, hitherto il has been difficult
to ascertain the certainty which should
govern decision In matter SO serious
But in the affair at Fort Pillow he thought
were likely to find clear case, the govern
ment had no direct evidence confirming
the reports in existence, relative to the
massacre, but he feared facts related were
true when the government does known
facts from official sources and they sub
stantate reports, retribution will be surely
given, [great applause, but how retribu
ton shall be administe, ed was the question
still to be settled2 Would it be right to
take the life of prisoners in Washington,
Fort Delaware or elsewhere in retaliation
in acts in which they had not shared, and
which will be found the ordering of only a
few individuals or possibly of only one
man. The President, reiterated the gov
eminent would not fail to visit retribution
when the facts were clearly obtained
Throughout his remarks The President
was warmly applauded, especially his de-
termination to visit retribution on the bar
barous deeds Of the rebels.