Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-03-09
The Prssfdencs Inaugural Adj
hFpsa.

WASHINGTON, March 4.-Fello,o. Coun.
tryDien. this second appearing TO take
the oaths of the Presidential Office, there is
less occasion for an extended address than
there was al the first. Then q statement
somewhat in detail ofa course to be pursu
ed, seemed very fitting and proper. Now,
at the expiration Of four years, during |
which public declarations have been con
staetly 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 can be presented. |
The progress Of our arfhs, upon which all
else chiefly depends, is as well known to
the public as to myself, and it is, / trust,
| reasonably satisfactory aud encouraging to
all. With high hope for the future, no
prediction in regard to it is ventured. On
the occasion corresponding to this iouryears
ago, all thoughts we're anxiously directed to
an impending civil war; all decried, all
sought to avoid it, While the inaugural
address was being delivered from thisnlsce,
devoted altogether to having the Unien
without war, insurgent agents were in the
city seeking to destroy it without war; seek
ing 10 dissolve the Union and divide the
effects by negotiation. Both parties depre-
Gated war; but one of these would make war
rather than let the natien survive, ana the
other would accept war rather thau let it
perish-aDd thus the war came. One
eighth ofthe whole population were color
ed. Slavery was not distributed generally
over the Union but localized in the South
ern part Of it, That slavery constituted a
, peculiar and powerful interest; all know
: that this interest was some how the cause
Of the war; to strengthen, perpetuate AMI
extend this interest was the object for which
| tha l.a T,in l,y
war, while the government claimed no right
t to do more than to restrict the territorial
. enlargement of it, Neither party expect
. ed from the war the magnitude or the du-
t ration which it has already attained
r Neither anticipated that the cause of the
: conflict might cease, still less before the
: conflict Itself should cease. Each looked
$ for an ca icr triumph, and result less fun
: dameDtal and astounding Both read the
n same Bible, and prayed to the same God
y and each invoked His aid against the other
t 1t may seem strange that any men shoulC
IT dare to ask just God 8 assistance in wiring
u ing their bread from the sweat of othei
g mems brows. But Judge not best we bt
Q not juged.' The prayers of both could no
d be answered, that Of neither has been an
swered fully. The Almighty has His owl
1t purpose. Woe unto the world because o
J. offenses, for it must needs be that offense
al come, but woe to that man by whom tb,
!. offense comcth. If We shall suppose tha
e American slavery is one of the so called oI
" fcnses which in the providence of God mus
st needs come, but which having continue,
a. through his app tinted time, He now wills t
- remove, shall we not discern that He give
g. to both North and South this terrible wa
ID as due to those BY whom the offense came
a Is there any departure from the divine al
ly tributes which the believers in living Go
Is always ascrbe to him? Fondly do we hope
al ferventIy do We pray, that this might
IN scourge Of war may speedily pass away
Sc Yet it God wills that it continue until u
in the wealth piled by the bondmen's tw
Sc hundred and fifty years of unrequitted to
er shall be sunk and until every drop of bloc
drawn with the lash shall be paid by al
n other drawn with the sword, still it must |
it said, as was said three thousand yeal
ne ago, that the judgments of the Lord ar
IN tue and righteous altogether. With ma
ur ice towards none, with charity for all, wit
st firmness in the right as God gives us to 81
O. the right, let usi strive on to finish the woi
K we are engaged in, to bind up the nations
rs wound', and care for him who shall ha,
lis borne the battle and for his widow and o
Sc phan, and to do all that may be necessary
en achieve and cherish just and lasting pea,
or among ourselves and with all nations.