Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-03-10
PREsIDFNT LJNCOLN,s INAUGURAL

EeUolp CoUIltFlHneH:-At tins second appear
/ iug to take the oath of the Presidential office
there is less occasion ior an extended address
than there was at the first Then statement
somewhat detail ol course to be pursued
seemed very fitting and proper. Now, at the
expiration of four years, during which public
declarations have been constantly called forth
ou every point aud phase OF the great contest
which still absoIbs the attention aud eugrosses
| the energies of the UstioD, little that is new
could be presented.
The progress of our arms upon which all else
chiefly depends, is rs well known to the public
as to myself and it is, trust, reasonably salts
factory and encouraging to ali. With high hope
for the future, no prediction in regard TO ii is
ventured.
On the occasion corresponding to this four
years ago, all thoughts We're anxiously directed
TO impending civil war. All dreaded it-sll
sought to avoid it. While the inaugural address
was being delivered from this place. devoted
altogether TO saving the Union without war, in
surgent agents were in the city seeking to des-
troy it without war-seeking TO dissolve the
Union and divide the effects by negotiations
Both parties deprecated war but Que of them
would make war rather than let the nation SUI
vive and the other would accept war rather
than let il perish And the war came.
One-eighth of the whole population were col
Union, but localized IN the southern part of it.
These slaves constituted peculiar and power
full interest. All know that this interest was
somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen,
perpetuate and extend this interest was the OBJ
iect for which the insurgents would rend the
Union by war, while the Government claimed
no right 10 do more than to restrict the terrific
rial enlargement of it. Neither party expected
for the war the magnitude or the duration which
it has already attained. Neither ANTICIPATED
that the cause of the conflict itself 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 10 the same God, and
each invoked His aid against the other. ltmay
seem strange that any man should dare TO ask a
Just God g assistance in wringing their bread
from the sweat of other men s faces; but let us
Judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers
of both should not be answered. That Of nei-
ther has been answered fully. The Almighty
has His own purposes. Woe unto the world,
because of offenses; for it must needs be that
offeBses come; but woe be 10 that man by whom
the offense cometh.
If We shall suppose that American slavery is
one of those offenses which in the providence of
God must needs come, but which having con-
tinued through His appointed time, He now
wills to remove, and that He gives 10 both
North and South this terrible war as the woe
due to those by whom the offense came, shall
we discern there is any departure from those
Divine attributes which the believers in liv-
ing God always ascribe to Him?
Fondly do we hope, ferven1y 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 by the bondman's S $50
years Of unrequited toll shall be sunk, and un-
til every drop of blood drawn with the lash
shall be paid by another drawn with the sword;
as was said three Thousand years ago, sull it
must be said the judgments OF the Lord are
true and righteous altogether.
With malice toward none-with charity for
all-with tirmness 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 bat
tie and for his widow and his orphans. To all
which may we achieve, and cherish a Just and
lasting peace among ourselves and with all na-
tiOnS