Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-04-20
(Signed)

sTo ANDREW JOHNSON, Vice President Of
the United States.
Mr.. johnson requested that the cere-
smony take place at his rooms at the Kirk
iwood House in this city, at 10 o'clock in
jthe morning.
i Hon. Salmon p. Chase, Chief Justice of
Ithe United States, was notified of the fact
land desired to be in attendance to admins
Ater the oath OF office. At the above named
hhour the following gentlemen assembled in
gthe Vice Presidents rooms to participate
an the ceremony:
4 Hon. s. p Chase, Hon. I'll. McCulloch,
,lAttorney General Speed, Il. p. Blair, Hon.
Montgomery Blair, Senators Foote Of VI. +,
YATES of Ills, Ramsey of Mimi, Stewart
aof Nevada Hale Of N. H., aud General
aFarnsworth of Illinois.
After the presentation Of the above let
2ter the Chief Justice administered the fol-
flowing oath to Mr.. Johnson
| do solemnly swear that will faithfully
execute the Office of President of the United
States, and will to the best of my ability,
apreserve, protect and defend the Constitu-
ltien Of the United States.
After receiving the oath and being de
sclared President Of the United States, Mr..
\ Johnson remarked
GENTLEMEN must be permitted to say
THAT have been almost overwhelmed by
athe sad event which has SO recently occur
Jred. | feel inadequate to perform the duties
ESQ important and .responsible.as those which
shave been so Unexpectedly thrown upon me.
\ AS to an indication of any policy that may
1be taken by me in the administration of
the government, must say that that must
}be left for development as the administra-
3tion progresses. The message or declara-
{tion must be made by the acts as they trans
3pire. The only assurances that can now be
igiven Of the future is reference to the past
The course which we have taken in the
lpast in connet with this rebellion must be
Regarded as guarantee of the future. Ny
]past public life, which has been long and
llaborious, has been founded, as l in con-
science believe, upon a great principle Of
right which lies at the basis of all things.
THE best energies of my lite have been spent
the principle Of free government / be-
1lieve that the government is passing through
Ithe present perils and will settle down upon
principles consonant with popular rights,
1more permanent and enduring than hereto
Iiore. | must be permitted to say, if un-
the feelings of my own.heart, that
IL have long labored to ameliorate and ele-
lvate the great mass of the American. pc ople.
Ito an honest advocacy of the great prin-
iciple Of free government has been my lot.
THE duties have been mine and the conse-
|quences are Gods. This has been the|
foundation of my political creed. / feel
|that in the end the government will triumph
land that these great principles will be perl
1manently established. -'9
In conclusion, gentlemen, let me say that
| want your encouragement and counte-
nance. shall reply upon you and others in|
Icarrying the government through its present.
lperils. 1 feel In making this request that
|it will be responded to by you and all other
patriots and well wishers Of the rights and
Interests Of free people.
! AT the conclusion g. ais remarKs tns
President received the kind wishes Of the
.ffiends by whom be was surrounded. Al
few moments were devoted 10 conversation.
! An were deeply impressed with the sol
emuity Of the occasion, and the recent sad
Eecsurrenee which caused the necessity for
lths speedy isaugurstiea Of the Prssident
Was grsvsly discussed, sli.ssq s4il ,eeedss 4
.s!FneO - ~