The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-03-15
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


THE INAUGURAL ADDR Ess.
FELLOW C0UNTRYA.LN-At this sec
coud appearing to take the 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 course to be pursued seem.
ed very fitting aud proper. Now al the
expiration of four years, during which
public declarations have been constantly
called forth every point and phase Of the
great contest which stil absorbs the at
tention and eugroSses the energies Of the
nation, little that is Lew could be pre-.
sented
The progress Of our arms-upon which
all else chiefly depends-is as well known
to the public as to myself; and it is I
trust, reasonably satisfactory and encour-
aging to ALL With high hope for the
future, no prediction in regard to it is
ventuTed
On the occasion corresponding to this
four years ago all thoughts were aniousiy
directed 10 an Impending civil war. All
dreaded it; all sought to avoid it. while
the inaugural address was being delivered
from this place, devvted altogether to
saving the Union without war, insurgent
agents were in the city seeking to destroy
it without 8ar--seeking to dissolve the
Union and divide the effects by negotla-
tion
Both parties deprecated war; but one
of them would make war rather than let
the uati2n survive, and the other would
accept war rather than lot it perish, and
the var came.
Oueeighth Of the whole population
we're coloTed slaves, not distributed gener.
ally over the Union, but localized IN the
/ Southern part Of it. These slaves consti-
ruted a peculiar and powerful Interest,"
! All knew that this interest was somehow
the cause cf the war. To strengthen,
perpetuate and extend this interest was
the object Tor which the insurgents would
|reDd the Union by war, while the govern
meut claimed 30 right 10 do more than to
restrict the territorial enlargement Of it,
Neither party expected for the war the
magnitude ortho duration which il has al
ready attained. Neither anticipated that
the cause Of the conflict might cease even
before the conflict Itself should cease
Each looked .Ior an easier triumph and a
result less fundamental and astounding
Both read the same Bible and pray to
the sane God, and each invo6es His aid
against the other 1t may seem strange
that anv men should dare 20 ask a Just
/ Cod assistance in wriugiDg their bread
from the sweat Of other mems faces; but
let US Judge not, that we be not Judged
The PRAYERS Of both should not be ans
wered Thut of neither has been answered
fully. The Almighty has His own pur-
poses. Woe unto the world because Of
offenses, for it must needs be that of'ens.
/ es come but woe to that man by whom
the oGense comcth If we shall suppose
that American slavery is oHe Of these Of
feuses-which, in the providence of God,
must needs come, bat which, having con
tinued through His appointed time, He
now wills to remove, and that He gives
both North an South this terrible war as
the woe due to those By whom the ofeases
came-shail We discern there is any de
Darture from those Divine attributes which
the believers in a living God always as
crbe to Him 2 Fondly Go we hope, fer
ventIy dove pray that this mighty scourge
Of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if
God wills that it continue until all the
wrath piled by the bondsman's two hun
dred and fifty years Of unrequitted toll
shall be sunk aud until every drop Of
blood drawn with the lash shall be paid
I by another drawn with the sword, as was
said three thousand years ago, so still it
must be said that the judgments Of the
Lord are true and righteous altogether
With malice toward none, with charity
for 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 bud up
the nations wound, to care for him who
shall have borne The battle and for his
widow and bis orphans to do all which
may achieve and cherish a just and a
lasting peace among ourselves and With all
uatioDs.