The Portland daily press., 1865-03-06
Ia.noural Address Of President Lincoln.

FELLOW CoUNTRYMEN:- AT this second
appearing to take tle oath of the Presidential
office, there is less occasion for an extended
address than there was at the first Then,
statement somewhat in detail of a course to
be pursued, seemed very fitting and proper.
Now, at the expiration of four years, during
which public declarations have been constant
ly called forth on every point and phase OF the
great contest which still absorbs the attention
and engrosses The energies of the nation, little
that is new could be presented. The pro-
gress Of our arms upon which all else chiefly
depends, is as well known to the public as to
myself, and it il, | trust. reasonably sasisfac-
tory, and encouraging toall. With high hopes
for the future, no prediction in regard to it is
yentured. On the occasion corresponding to
this, four years ago, all thoughts were anxious
ly directed to an impending civil war. All
dreaded it, all sought to avoid it.
While the Inaugural, Address was being de-
livered from this place, devoted altogether to
saving the Union without war, insurgeut
agents were in the city seeking to destroy it
without war, seeking to dissolve the Union,
and divide the effects by negotiation. Both
parties deprecated the war, but one of them
would make war rather than let the nation
survive, and the other would accept war rath-
er than let 1t perish, and the war came.
One eighth OF the whole population were
colored slaves, not distributed generally over
the Union, but located In the southern part of
it. These slaves constituted peculiar and
powerful interest. All know that this inte-
rest was somehow the cause of the war. To
strengthen, perpetuate and extend this inte-
rest was the object for which the insurgents
would rend the Union by war, while govern
ment claimed no right to do more than to re-
strict the territorial enlargement of it.
nkwy tod do
the duration which 1t has already attained
Neither anticipated that he cause OF the con-
aict might cease, or even before the conflict
itself should cease, Each looked for an easier
triumph, and result less fundamental and
astounding. Both read the same bible and
pray to the same God, aud each invokes his
aid against the other. 1t may seem strange
| that any men should dare to ask a Just Gods
assistance iu wringing their bread from the
sweat OF other mems faces. But let us Judge
not, that we be not judged. The prayer of
both should not be answered. That of neith-
er has been answered fully.
The Almighty has his own purposes. "Woe
unto the world because ofoffences, for it must
needs be that offences come. But woe to that
man by whom the offence cometh." If we
shall suppose that American slavery is one of
these offences, which in the providence of God
must needs come, but which, having continued
through his appointed time, he will now re-
move, and that he gives to both North and
South this terrible war, as the woe due those
by whom the offence came, shall we discern
there is any departure from those divine at
tributes, which the believers in a living God,
always ascribe to him,
Fondly do we hope, feryently do we pray
that this mighty scourge of war may speedily
| pass away. Yet If God wills that it continue
| until all the wealth piled by the bondmen's $50
years of unrequited toll shall be sunk, and
until every drop of blood drawn with the
lash shall be paid by another drawn with the
sword, as was said 5000 years ago, SO still it
must be said that the judgments of the Lord
are true and righteous altogether,
With malice towards none, with charity fol-
all, with frmness In the right, as God gives
us to see the right, let us strive on to finish
the work we are in, to bind up the nations
wounds, to care for him who shall have borne
the battle, and for his widow and his orphans
to do all which may achieve and cherish a just
and lasting peace among ourselves and with
/ all nations.