North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-04-26
Inauguration of Presid johnson,

Inauguration of President johnson.
Upon the death of President the Vice
President succeeds to the c flee Of President
er o6icio under the provisions of the Consti-
tuition Of the United States. Mr.. johnson
req ucstcd that the ceremonies Of the inau-
geration take place at his. rooms at the Kirk
wood House. Accordingly on the morning
after the death of President Lincoln the fol,
lowing gentlemen assembled in the Vice
Presidents room to participate in the cere-
monies: Hon, S. P. Chase, Hon. Fl. Nc Gull
loch, Attorney General Speed, F. P. Blair,
Hon. Montgomery Blair, Senators Foote of
| Vermont, YGtes of Illinois, Ramsay of Min
nesota, Stewart of Nevada, Hale of New
Hampshire and General Farnsworth of Illi-
nois.
The Chief Justice, Mr.. Chase, administer
ed the following oath to Mr., johnson :-"I
do solemnly swear that will faithfully exc.
| cute the office of President of the United
| States, and will to the best of my ability
preserve, protect and defend the Constitution
of the United States" After receiving the
oath, and being declared President of the
United States, Mr.. johnson remarked:
GENTLEMEN Il must be permitted to
say that nave been almost overwhelmed by
the announcement of the sad event which
has 80 recently occurred. feel incompetent
to perform duties SO important and respons
ible as those which have been so unexpect-
edly thrown upon me. AS to an indication
of any policy which may be pursued by me
in administration Of the government, / have
to Say that must be left for dcvelopement as
the administration progresses. Message oil
declaration must be made acts as :hey trans
pire. The only assurance that l can now
give Of the of the future, is reference to the
past. The course which have taken in the
past in connection with this rebellion, mus
he regarded as guarantee Of the future -
Ny past public life, which has been long ant
laborious, has been founded, as | in goot
right, which lies at the basis of all things
The best energies ofmy life have been sren
| in end eavoring to establish ard perpetuat
the principle of free government. believ
that the government, in passing through it
present pcriIs, will settle down upon tn
principles consistent with the popular rights
more permanent and enduring than hereto
fore. | must be permitted TO say, if under
| n, 81.
have long labored to ameliorate and eevat
the condition of the great mass of the Amer
lean people. Toll and an honest advocac
Of the great principles Of free governmen
nave been my lot. Duties have been mine
consequences are Gods. This has been tn
foundation Of my political creed. feel tha
IN the end the Government will triumph an,
that these great principles will be perma
nentiy established
In conclusion, gentlemen, let me say tha
| want your encouragement ard countenance
shall ask and rely upon your advice i
carrying the Government through its pres
ent perils, l feel, in making this request
that it will be responned to by you and a
other patriots and lovers of the rights an
interests of a free people
At the conclusion Of the remarks, tn
President received the kind wishes of friend
by whom he was surrounded. A few mir
utes were devoted to conversation, A
were deeply impressed with the sylemnity
the occas sion, and the present sad occurrenc
that caused the necessity for the speedy il
auguration of the President was gravely dis
cusscd.