The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1865-03-25
Ihe MHuT,t

WAsHISGToS, March IA procession is now
forming, though a heavy rain IS falling. aud the
streets are almost impossible from mud. The Ave
nue. i h"ed with a dense mass Of people. The 1nau-
ration ceremonies will take place in the Senate Cham
Der. following is the Presidents Message
Fellow oUNTRYNEN At this second appearing
TO take the oath Of the Presidential office, there is
less occasion for an extended address than was at
first. Then a statement, somewhat III detail, of the
course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper.
Now, at the expiration Of four years, during which
time public declarations have been constantly called
forth on every point aud phase of the great contest
which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the
energies Of the nation, little that is lew can be pre-
scented. The progress Of our arms, on which all else
chiefly depends, i as well known to the public Us 70
myself. and Is, | trust, reasonably satisfactory, en-
couraging all with high hopes for the future.
No prediction III regard to it IS ventured. On the
occasion corresponding tO this, four years ago, all
thoughts were then auxiously directed TO the i'm
pending civil war; all dreaded it; al! sought to avert
it; and while the inaugural address then being de-
liyered from this place was devoted altogether 10
saving the Union without war, the ~insurgeut agents
were IN this city seeking 10 destroy it without war;
seeking 10 dissolve the Union and divide its effects 10y
negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one
Of them would make war rather than let the nation
survive, and the other would accept war rather than
let it perish, and war came. One-eighth of the pop
ula;ion was colOred slaves, not distributed generally
over the Union, but localized in the Southern por-
ton Of 1t. These slaves constituted 4 peculiar and
powerful interest. All knew this interest was some
how the cause of the war. To strengthen the institu-
ton and extend Its interest was the object for which
the insurgents would rend the Union by war, while
the Government claimed no right to DO more than
restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither
party expected for the war the magnitude or dura-
ton which it has already attained. Neither anti
cipated that the cause Of the conflict would cease Tin
any event before the conflict itself should cease.
Each looked for an easier triumph and n result less
fundamental and astounding Both read the same
Bible and prayed TO the same God. Each invoked
His aid against the other. 1t may seem strange that
any men should dare to ask the Just Gods assistance
in wrnging their bread from the sweat Of other
mems faces These are facts; but let US Judge not,
that We may not be judged. The prayers of both
could not be answered; that of neither has been an
swered fully. The Almighty has His own purpose.
q" Woe to the world because of the offence, for it must
needs be that offences come, but woe to that man by
whom the offence cometh." If we shall suppose that
American slavery is one CT the offences, the provi-
deGce Of God must need come; but this having con-
tinued through His appointed tine, He now wills
more than He gives TO both North and South, this
terrible war as a woe due TO those by whom the Of
fence came. Shall we discern that there is any de
parture from these divine attributes which believers
in the living God always ascribe TO Him Fondly
as we hope for the event, 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 bOndsmen's two hundred and fifty years of unre-
Quilted toll shall be sunk, and until every drop of
blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another
drawn with the sword, rs was said three thousand
years ago. so still IL must be said that the Judgments
of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. With
malice towards none, with charity to all, with firm
ness and right as God gives us to see the right. let
us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up
the national wounds, care for him who shall have
borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphans.
and do all which we may to achieve and cherish q
just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all
nations.