The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-03-15
fFrom the Ohio Statesman.l
The Installation OF Vice-Pres
ident Johnsen--TTis In-
auguraI Address.


On the 4th inst, at 1:45, Vice-Presi-
dent HAMLIN escorted the Vice President
elect into the Senate chamber, and a few
moments afterward Messrs. SEWARD,
STANTON and SPEBD entered, and seated
themselves to the left OF the chair. The
judges of the Supreme Court entered i'm
mediutely afterward and seated themselves
80 the right of the chair
At IL o'clock, Mr.. HAMLIN briefly ad-
dressed the Senate, thanking the MEM
bers for the kindness and consideration
that had been shown to him on all occa-
lsions.
SPEECH OF VICE PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
Mr.. JOHNSON, before taking tho oath
of office, made short address, which, as
in the case of Mr.. HAMLIN, was nearly
inaudible; owing to the want of order
which prevailed among the women in the
galleries. It is characterized by the
loyal press as ga shameful and an incs-
herent speech, to listen to which even the
most ardent supporters Of the Administra-
tisn felt it disgrace" To be plain, the
new Vice-President, who was elected by
the party of "great moral ideas, in the
interest of God and Humanity is said
to have been quite drunk on the occasion
Here is the speech: :.
By the cheice of the people, he said
he had been made presiding officer of this
body, and, in presenting himself here in
obedience to the behests of the Censtitu-
ton of the United States, it weuld, per-
haps, net be out of place to remark just
here what striking thing the Censtitu-
tlon was. It was the Constitution of the
people of the country, and under it, here
to-day, before the American Senate, he
felt that he was man and an American
citizen. He had proud illustration OF
the fast that, under the Constitution. a
man could rise from the ranks to occupy
the second place in the gift of the Amsri-
can people and of the American Govern
ment. Those Of as whe have labored our
whole lives for the establishment Of .
free Government knew how to cherish its
great blessings. He would say to Sena-
tors and others before him-te the Su-
preme Court, which sat before him, that
they all got their power from the people
of this country. Turning toward Mr.
Chase, Mr.. johnson said, And yeur ex-
altatieR and position depend upon the
people. Then turning toward the Cabinet
he said, And 1 will say to you, Mr. Sec.
rotary Seward, and to you, Mr. Secretary
Stanton, ard to you, Mr.. Secretary-(to
a gentleman near by sotte voice, Who is
Secretary of the Navy? The person ad-
dressed replied in whisper, Dir. Wellss)
and to you, Mr. Secretary Welles, ]
would say, you all derive your power
from the people. Mr.. johnson then re.
marked t at the great element of vitality
in this Government was its nearness and
proximity to the people.
He wanted to say to all whe heard him
in the face of the American people, thai
all power was derived from the people,
He weuld say, in the hearing Of the for.
eign ministers, for he was going to tell
the truth here to-day, that he was pie
bian-he thanked God for it. IL was tn.
popular heart of the nation that was beat
ing to sustain the cabinet officials and tn.
President of the United States. 1t wa
strange occasion that called forth Pile
bian like him to tell such things as these
Mr.. Johnson advertcd to affairs in Ten
nessee, and the abolition of slavery there
He thanked God Tennessee was State il
the Union and had Eever been out. Th
State Government had been discontinue,
fer time-there had been an intsrreg
mum, q hiatus-but she had never beel
out of the Union. He stood there to -da,
as her representative. On this day sh
would elect Governor and a Legislator
and she weuld very soon send Senator
and members OF Congress.
Mr.. Johnson then took the cath Q
Office, and Nr. Hamlin declared the Sen
ate adjourned sine die.