Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-03-18
THE INAUGURATION
WAsHINaroN. March Z


! ,day. There was large eoncoHrse of peOpl
to witness the ceremony, though rain wa
I falling aud TIE ssreets almost impa>s' bic iron
mud The procession escDrfing the Presiden
elect reached the Capitol at about ll:45
NJ Chief Justice Chase administered th'
oath of office on the eastern portico OF thu
Capitol, where the President delivered hi
address. There was very large attendance
and the scene was one of marked interest
The following is the Presidents Inaugural AID
dress:
FtlloWs Countrynea
At this second appearing TO take the oatt
OF the Presidential office, there is less occa
sion for an extended address than there was
at the first Then statement, somewhat in
detail of course to be pursued, seemed very
fitting and proper. Now at the expiration
of four years, during which public declara-
tions have been constantly called forth on
every point and phase of the great contest
which still absorbs the attention and en-
crosses the energies of the 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, reasOna-
bly, satisfactory and encouraging TO all. With
high hope for the future, no prediction in re-
gard to it is ventured.
On the occasion corresponding to this, four
years ago, all thoughts were anxiously direct
ed to an impending civil war. All dreaded
it; all sought 70 avoid it.
While the inaugural address was being de-
livered from this place, devoted altogether to
saving the Union without war, insurgent
agents were in the city seeking to destroy ii
without war, seeking to dissolve the Union
l. IL ~
parties deprecated war, but one of them
would make war rather than let the nation
survive, and the other weuld accept rather
than let it perish; SO the war came.
An eighth of the whole population were
colore slaves, not distributed generally over
the Union, but localized in the Southern part
of it, These slaves constituted a peculiar
and powerful interest.
All knew that this interest was some how
the cause of the war. To strengthen, per
petuate and extend this interest was the OBJ
ject for which the insurgents would rend the
Union by war (; while the Government claimed
no right to do more than to restrict the Terri
torial enlargement OF 1t.
Neither party expected for the war
the magnitude or the duration which il
has already attained; neither anticipated
that the cause of the conflict might cease 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, and each invokes His aid against
the other. 1t may seem strange that men
should dare to ask just Gods assistance IN
wringing their bread from the sweat OF
other mems faces, but let US not judge that
we be not judged. The prayers of both
could not be answered. That of neither has
been answered fully. The Almighty has His
own purposes.
"Woe unto the world because of offenses,
for it must needs be that offenses come, but
woe to that man by whom the offehse com
eth" If we shall suppose that American
slavery is one of these olfenses which i'll the
Providence of God must needs come, but
which having continued through His appoint
ed time He now wills to remove, and that He
gives to both North and South this terrible
war as the woe due to those by whom the
offense came, shall we discern that there is
any departure from those Divine attributes
which the believers in a living God always
ascribe to Him?
Fondly do we hope, fervently 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 up by the bondman's
$50 years of unrequited toll shall be sunk,
and until every drop of blood drawn by the
lash shall be paid by another drawn by the
sword as was said three thousand years ago,
so still it must be ssid that the judgments
of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
With malice toward none, with charity for
all, with firmness 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, and care for him who shall have
borne the battle, and for his widow and his
orphans; to do all which may achieve and
cherish Just and lasting peace among our
selves and with all nations.
After the Inauguration of the President
that of the Vice President took place in the
Senate chamber, where he delivered an elO
ouent address. The floor of the Senate
chamber was crowded to its utmost by Sena
ators, Members elect and Ex-members of Con
gress, Justices of the Supreme Court, army
and naval officers, foreign ministers in full
dress, governors of states aud territories, al
the members of the cabinet and other distin
guished persOnages. The President entered
the Senate Chamber after the Vice President
had delivered his address, aud while the re
firing Vice President was administering tC
him the oath to support and defend the Con
stitution, and also the oath of allegiance
The galleries were densely filed. Thousand
of strangers came hither to-day to witness
the ceremonies. Tonight the Executive
Mansion was thrown open for public recep
ton. The pressure was immense.
FROM REBELLION.