The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-03-09
THE pREsIDENT,s INAUGURAL.

THE PRESIDENTS INAUGURAL
FELLOW CouNTRYMEN: At this ace
ond appearing to take the oath of the
Presidential Office, thcro is less occa-
sion for an extended address than there
was ut the first. Then, u statement,
somewhat in detail, Of Il course to be
pursued, seemed fitting and proper.
Now, ut the expiration Of four years,
during which public dcclai ations have
been constantly called forth on every
point and phase Of the great contest
which still absorbs the attention and
cngros'cs tho energies of the Nation,
little that is new could be presented
Tho progress Of our arms, upon
which all else chiefly depends, is as
well known to the public MS to myself,
and it is, trust, reasonably satisfacto-
ry ard encouraging to ALL With high
hopes for the future, no prediction in
regard to it is ventured. On tho occa.
sion corresponding to this four years
ago all thoughts worcanXiously direct.
cd to an impending civil war; all
dreaded it; all sought to avoid it,.
While the inaugural address was be.
ing delivered from this place, devoted
altogether TO saving the Union without
war, insurgents were in tho city seek
ing to destroy it-without war seek
ing to dissolve the Union and divide
the effects by negotiation. Both par.
ties deprecated war, but one Of them
would make war rather than let the
nation survive. and the other would
accept war rather than let il perish,
and the war came
One-cighihiof the whole population
were colorcd slaves, not distributed
generally over the Union, but local
ized in tho southern part Of it. These
slaves constituted a peculiar and pow
erful interest. All knew that this in
terest was somehow tho cause Of tho
war, TO strengthen, porpetuate and
extend this Interest was the object for
which tho insurgents would rcnd the
Union by war, whilc the Government
claimed no ri ght to do moro than re-
strict the territorial enlargement Of it.
Neither party expected for tho war
the magnitude or the duration which
it has already attained.
Neither anticipated that the cause oI
tho conflict might cease, even before
the conflict itself might cease. Each
looked for an easier triumph, and re
suit less fundamental and astounding
Both read tho same Bible and pray
to tho Same God. and each invOkcs llis
aid against the other.
1t may seem strange that any NOR
should dare to ask just Gods asss
tanco in wringing their bread from the
sweat of other mems faces, but let US
Judge not lost we be judged, Tn,
prayers of both should not be answer
cd That of neither has been answer
ed fully.
Tho Almighty has Ilisown purposes
Woe unto the world because of its Of
fences, for il must needs bo that OF
fences come; but woo unto the man by
whom the otlcnse comcth. five shal
suppose that American slavery is one
OF these oifonscs which, in the Provi
dcnce of God, must needs como but
which, having continued through lii
appointed time, lo now wills to re
move, and that He gives to both Nortl
and South this terrible war rs tho wo,
duo to those by whom the otlonst
comes, shall wo discern that there i,
any departure from those divine attri
butes which the believers. in living
God always ascribe to him? Fondly
do we hope, fervcntly do we pray tha
this mighty scourgo of war may speed
lily pass away; yet, if God wills that il
continue until all the wealth piled by
the bondmans two hundred and fifty
years of unrcQuited toll shall bo sunk
and until every drop Of blood draw
with the lash shall be paid by anothc
drawn with tho sword, rs was sale
throe Thousand years ago, so sui !
must be said that the judgements of tn,
Lord are true and righteous, although
with malice toward mono, with Chart,
for all, with frmness in tho right, Il
God gives us to SEQ tho right, let Il
strive to flash the work. We are I
bind up tho nations wounds and ear
: for him who shall have borne tho BAT
! tlo, and for his widow aud for his OF
phans, to do all which may achiev
, and cherish just and lasting pcac
/ among ourselves, and with all nation,
A national salute was fired.
The procession then again move
, up Pennsylvania Avenue, the Pres
, dent being conveyed in an open ba
. ouche and seated with him were his so
and Senator Foster OF the Committee
= Arrangements. The President W,
: escorted to the White House, aft