Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-04-17

the United States.
Mr.. johnson requested that the oere-
mony take place at his rooms at the Kirk
wood House in this city, at 10 O'Clock in
the morning.
Hon. Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice Of
the United States, was notified of the fac,
and desired to be in attendance to admin
lister the oath of Office. At the above named
hour the following gentlemen assembled il
the Vice Presidents rooms to participate
in the ceremony:
Hon. S. P. Chase, Hon. Il. Mccullough,
Attorney General Speed, F. P. Blair, Hon.
Montgomery Blair, Senator Foote of VT,
Yates of Ills, Ramsay of Minns., Stewart
of Nevada, Hale of N. A., and Gen. Farms.
worth of Illinois.
After the presentation of the above let.
tel, the Chief Justice administered the fol.
lowing oath to Mr.. johnson:
Z l do solemnly swear that will faithfully
Execute the Office of President of the United
Estates, and will to the best of my ability,
: preserve, protect and defend the Consti
tuition of the United States.
After receiving the oath and being de-.
sclRred President of the United States, Mr..
johnson remarked:
4 GRNTLEMEN-I must be permitted to
say that nave been almost overwhelmed
by the sad event which has go recently
occurred. feel inadequate to perform the
duties so important and responsible as
those which have been so Unexpectedly
thrown upon me. AS to au indication OF
any policy that may be taken my me in
Sthe administration of the government,
must say that that must be left for devel
lOpment as the administration progresses
THE message or declaration must be made
: by the acts as they trauspire. The only as
Ssurances that eau now be given OF
the future is reference to the past.
s The course which we have taken in the
Spast in connection with this rebellion must
: be regarded as a guarantee of the future
My past public life, which has been long
s4nd laoorious, has been founded, as l il
conscience believe, upon great principle
) of right which lies at the basis of all
things. The best energies of my life have
been spent in eudeavoring to establish and
fperpetuate the principle of free govern.
y ment. believe that the government i:
Spassing through the present perils and
will settle down upon principles consonant
SWlth popular rights, more permanent and
4enduriug than heretofore. must be per
( United to say, if l understand the feeling
4Of my own heart, that have long labored
: to aneliorate and elevate the great mass o
the American people. To an honest advo
s cacy of the great principle of free govern
ment has been my lot. The duties have
aOeen mine and the consequences are Gods
This has been the toudnation of my politi
cal creed. feel that in the end the gov
ferumeut will triumph and that these grear
: principles will be permanently established
ln conclusion, gentlemen, let me BAY
$ that l want your encouragement and couu
3tenance. l shall rely upon you and otherl
{ in carrying the government through III
present perils feel in making this re
quest that it will be responded to by yor
aud all other patriots aud well wishers o
+ the rights and interests of free people.
AT the conclusion of his remarks thu
President received the kind wishes of til,
friends by whom he was surrounded. 4
few moments we're devoved 10 conversation
All we're deeply impressed with the sol
/, emnity of the occasion, and thereceut sal
occurrence which caused the necessity fo
the speedy Inauguration of the Presiden
was gravely discussed.
Mr.. Johnson is in doe health, and has al
earnest sense of the important trust con
6ded in him.
Mr.. Hunter, Chief Clerk in the State De
partment, has been appointed Acting Sec
rotary of State.
A special meeting of the Cabinet wa
held at the Treasury Department at l
o'clock this morning.