The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-03-10
The Inaugural.

President Lincoln's second Inaugural
Address is remarkable for its brevity (he.
ing the briefest ever delivered,) but still
more remarkable for the simplicity. force
and clearness OF its style, and the noble
ness OF its spirit. 1t is worthy of the
man and the occasion, and in no par.
ticular coald we desire to add 10 or take
from it. The deep. religious feeling, and
the clear perception Of 1he moral Issues
involved in our great con test it evinces,
form its most striking and peculiar fea-
ture. Sutely, il such an utterance is 10
be the key note Of the Administration OF
the coming four years, we may cherish
more hope than ever of the Republic
We believe we can give nothing IN ,his
place more acceptable than tne Address
itself, which is as follows:
FELLOW CoUNTRYMEN: At this second op.
pearing to take tho oath of the Presidential
Office, there is less occasion for an extended
address than thero was at first. Then q
statement somewhat detailed, Of a course
TO be pursued, seemed very fitting and
proper. Now, at the expiration. of four
years. during which public declarations
have been constantly called for on every
point and phase Of the great contest which
stiil absorb the attention aud engrosses the
energies OF tho nation, little that is new
could be presented
The progress of our arms, upon which all
else chiefly depends, is as we'll known to
the public as to myself. and it is, | trust,
reasonably satisfactory ard encouraging to
oil. With high hopes for the future no
prediction ia regard 20 it is venturod. On
the occasinn corresponding to this four
years ago, all thoughts were arxiously di
rected to an impending civil war. All
dreaded 1t, all sought to avoid il. Wbilo
the inaugural address was being delivered
from this place devoted altogether to sav.
ing the Union without wor, insurgent agents
were in the city, seeking to destroy it with.
out war, seeking to dissolve tho Uoion, and
divide tho effects by negotiation.
Both parties deprecated war, but one of
them would mako war rather than 10. tho
Nation survive, and tho other would accent
war rather than lot it perish, and the war
came. One eighth Of the whole opuIatiop
were coorcd slaves, not distributed gcnor-
ally over tho Union, but localized in tho
Southern part of it, These slaves constitu.
ted peculiar ard powerful interest. AM
know that this interest was somehow the
cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetu-
ate aud extend this interest, was tho object for
which tho insurgents would rend the Union
by war, while the Government claimed
no right to do no moro than to restrict tho
territorial enlargement of it. Neither an.
tipinafaI that &c a., ..I
might cease even before tho conflict itself
should cease. Each looked for an easier
triumph and result less Fundamental and
astounding. Both read the same Bible. and
pray to tho samo God. and each invokes
His aid against tho other. 1t may seem
strange that any men should daro TO ask q
just Gods assistance in wringipg their bread
from the sweat Of other mems faces But
lot us judge not that We DO not judged.
Tho prayers of both should not bo an
swercd. That Of neither has been answered
fully. The Almighty has his own purposes
Woe unto tho world because of otTenscs, for
u must needs be that offenses como,
but woe to that man by whom tho Of
Tense cometh. If we ahall suppose that
American Slavery is one of these offonses.
which, in the Providence of God, must
needs come, but which, having continued
through His appointed time, He now wills to
remove,and that lo gvos to both North and
South this torriblo war as tho WOO due to
those by whom the offGnse came, shall We dis
Germ there is any departure from those Di.
vine attributes which the believers In living
God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we
hope, ferventiy do We pray, that this mighty
scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet
II God wills that IL continue until all the
wealth piled by tho bondman's two hundred
and fifty years of unroquted toll shall be
sunk,% until every drop Of blood drawn with
the lash shall be pain for by another drawn
with this sword. As was said three thou
sand years ago, 80 still must be said, that
tho Judgments of tho Lord are true aud
righteous altogether. With malice towards
Doue. with charity for all, with iirmuess in
the right as God gives us to SEQ the right,
let us strive on to finish the work we are
in, TO bind up the national wounds, and care
for him who shal! have borno the, battle aud
for his widow and his orphans, to do all
which may achieve and cherish just and
lasting peace among ourselves and with all
other nations. ....... .
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