The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-17
Inauguration and Speech Of President John
WASHINGTON, April

WASHINGTON, april ID.
Yesterday morning Attorney General Speed
waited upon Hon. Andrew Johnson, Vice Presi
5dent of the United States, and officially informed
HIM Of the sudden and unexpected decease oil
1.-THE President, and suggested that an earlyI
hour might be appointed for the inauguration
< Of successor. The following is copy of the|
Washington City, ApriI IL, lS65.-SrR:-|
Abraham Lincoln, President Of the United States,
Twas shot by an assassin last evening at Ford's
Theatre in this city, and died at the hour of 20
minutes past7 o'clock.
About the same time at which the President was
I shot, an assassin entered the sick chamber of
4 Hon. " m. H. Seward, Secretary of State, and
stabbed him in several places in the throat, neck
and face, severely if not MORALLY wounding him.
f Other members of the Secretary's family were
dangerously wounded by the assassin, while
making his escape.
4 By the death of President Lincoln, the Office
sof President hasdevolved under the Constitution
fupon you. The emergency of the government
demands that you should be Immediately qualified
according to the requirements of the Constitu
stion, and enter upon the duties Of the President
3of the United States Ifyou will please to make
known your pleasure, such arrangements as you
deem proper will be made
Your obedient Servants,
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary of the Navy.
WAL DENNIsoN, Post Master General
HUGH MDCULLocK, Sec'y of the Treasury.
Up. USHER, Secretary of the Interior.
4 JAMES SPEED, Attorney General.
4 To Andrew johnson, Vice President of the
I United Staaes.
4 Mr.. Johnson remarked: Gentleman, / must
Abe permitted to say that have been almost over
s whelmed by the announcement of the sad event
which has 30 recently occurred. / feel incom-
apetent to perform duties so important and re-
Ssponsible as those which have been SO unexpec-
a teddy thrown on me. As to an indication of any
Apolicy which may be pursued by me in the ad
5miDstration of the government, have to say
that it must be left for development. As the ad-
: ADMINISTRATION progresses, the message or declara
ton mustbe made by the acts as they transpre
q The only assurance that / can now give of the
afuture is reference to the past. The course
which have taken in the past in connection
with this rebellion, must be regarded as guar
aantee of the future. My past public lif,
yAshas been long and laborious, as In good con
ascience believe, upon great principle of right
b (which lies at the basis of all things.
b The best energies Of my life have been spent
Il in endeavoring to establish and perputate thu
Mpninciples offree government, and believe that
the government in passing through its present
Sperila will settle down upon the principles con-
sistant with popular rights, more permanent
land enduring than heretofore. I must be per
Emitted to say, if understand the feelings of nv
aown heart, | have long labored to amelioratt
land elevate the condition of the great mass Of
1.-THE American people.
q Toll and an honest advocacy of the great
S principles OF free government have been my lot
8rhe duties have been mine, the consequences are
Hoods This has been the foundation of my
4political creed. feel that in the end the gov
Sernment will triumph, and these great princi-
piles will be permanently established.
a In conclusion, Gentlemen, let me say that
& want your encouragement and countenance.
sahall ask and rely upon you and others in carry
ling the government through its present perils.-
n feel in making this request, that it will be
patriots and lovers of the rights and interests Of
free people.