Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-04-20
correspondence Between vice
President Johnson and the
Cabinet--The InnugurItlOn.


Between vice
President Johnson and the
Cabinet--The Inauguration.
WASHINGTON, April l6. Yesterday morn.
ing Attorney General Speed waited upon
Hon. Andrew johnson, Vice President Of
the United States, and officially informed
him OF the sudden and unexpected death of
President Lincoln, and stated that an early |
hour might be appointed for the inaugura-
ton Of his successor. The following is q
copy OF the communication referred to:
WASHINGTON, April Is.
SIR Abraham Lincoln, President of the
United States, was shot by an assassin last
evening at Ford Theatre in this city, and
died at the hour of 1922 o'clock this morn
ing. About the same time at which the
President was shot an assassin entered the
sick chamber of the Hon. w. Ii. Seward,
Secretary OF State, and stabbed him in sew
eral places in the throat, neck and face, Sc.
verely ifnot mortally wounding him. Other
members of the Secretary's family were dan
gerously wounded by the assassin while max.
ing his escape.
By the death of President Lincoln the Of
flee Of President has devolved, under the
Constitution, upon you. The emergency of
the Government demands that you should
immediately be qualified according to the
requirements Of the Constitution, and enter
upon the duties of President of the United
States. If you will please make known your
pleasure, such arrangements as you deem
proper will be made.
Your obedient servants,
lSignedl H. McCUILoUdH, Sec y Trcas'y,
II. NJ. STANTON, Sec'y War;
q. WF[LEs, SeG'y Navy
VIM DFNNIsoN, p. NJ Gen'l,
j. p. USHER, Sec y Interior,
JAS. p. SPEED, Atty Genl.
Mr.. johnson requested that the ceremony
take place at his room at the Kirkwood
House in this city, at 10 o clock in the morn
ing Hon. 5. p. Chase, Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court was notified Of the fact
and desired to be in attendance to administer
the oath of office. At the above named
hour the following gentlemen assembled in
the Vice Presidents room, to participate in
the ceremony. Hon. S. p. Chase, Hon H
Mccullough, Attorney General Speed, f.
! Z. Blair, Hon. Montgomery Blair Senators
Foote of Vermont, Yates Of Illinois, Ram
sey of Minnesota, Stewart of Nevada Hale
ofNew Hampshire, and General FurnSworth,
/ Of Illinois.
After the presentation of the above letter
the Chief Justice administered the following
oath to Mr. johnson:
do soemnly swear that | will faithfully
execute the office of President of the United
States and will to the best of my ability pre-
serve, protect and defend the Constitution
of the United States.
! After receiving the oath and being de-
clared President of the United States, Mr..
johnson remarked
GENTLEMEN Il must be permitted to say
that | have been almost overwhelmed by
the announcement Of the sad event which
has SO recently occurred. feel imcompe-
tent to perform duties so important and re.
sponsble as those which have been so un-
expectedly thrown upon me- AS to an in
dication Of any policy which may be pur-
sued by me in the administration of the
, Government, have to say that that must
be left for development as the administra-
ton progresses; the message or declaration
must be made by the acts as they transpre.
The only assurance that can now make OF
the future, referring to the past the course
which have taken in the past in connec-
ton with the rebellion must be regarded as
a guarantee of the future My past public
life, which has been long and laborious, ha,
been founded, as believe in Cod upon a
great principle Of right which lies at the
basis of all things The best energies of my
hte have been spent in endeavoring TO cstab
lsh and perpetrate the principles of Free
Government. believe that the Govern
ment, in passing through its present perils
will settle down upon principles consisten
e with popular rights more permanent and en-
during than heretofore. | must be permit
ted to say understand the feelings of my
own heart. | have long labored to anchor
ate and elevate the condition of the grea
mass OF the American people. Toll and al
honest advocacy Of the great principles o
of free government have been my lot. Tn,
duties have been mine the consequence
are Gods. This has been the foundation o
e the Government will triumph and that thc>
great principles will be permanently estab
= lished.
+ In conclusion, gentlemen, let me say tha
l want your encouragement and counte
D nance. | shall ask and rely upon you an
others in carrying the Government througI
5 its present perilS feel, in making thi
: request, that 1T will be heartily responded +
u by you and all other patriots and lovers c
L the rights and interests Of free people
G AT the conclusion ofthc remarks the Pres
ident received the kind wishes of the friend
= by whom he was surrounded a few mir
I utes were devoted to conversation. All wer
\ deeply impressed with the solemnity of tn
occasion, and the recent sad occurrence tina
y caused the necessity for the speedy inaugr
: ration the President was gravely discussed
!, Mr.. johnson is in fine health and has n
= earnest sense Of the important trust confde
u to him, VIM Hunter Chief Clerk in tn
State Department, has been appointed Ac
d ing Secretary of State.
a special meeting of the Cabinet was hel
1t at the Treasury Department at 10 o cloc