The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-03-09

w III
cheers upon cheers hats were thrown up
handkerohiefs waved, and fora lew MN
utes the widest excitement prevailed
The scene which presented itself below
was animating in the highest degree. 1t
was perfect sea of upturned faces-men
women and children, white and black SOL
diers and civilians, all crowding as near
as possible to the platform, anxious to
see and hear the peoples President
The contrast of dress between the sol
diers and citizens in such vast assem-
blage was peculiarly picturesqc.
Just as President Lincoln took the seat
assigned him, in front, the sun in the
heavens emerged from the clouds behind
which he had been hidden for nearly two
days, and shone forth in all its splendor
and glory. 1t was grand sight. The
beautiful white Capitol seemed to assume
brighter hue, while the bronze Goddess
of Liberty on the ample dome looked down
for the first time on the Inauguration of
President of the United States.
When the tumult among the people
had subsided, President Lincoln advanced
to the front, and Chief Justice Chase. RI
sing at the same time, and advancing ad-
ministering the oath of Office, which the
President pronounced in clear, solemn
voice, as follows =
"I do solemnly swear that I will faith
fully execute the Office of the President
of the United States, will, to the best of
my ability, protect and defend the Con
stitution of the United States"
i The President then delivered his in
augural address, as follows =
, THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Fellow-Countrymen-At this second
appearing to take the oath of the Pres
7 idential office, there is less occasion fol
an extended address than there was at
the first. Then a statement, somewhat
in detail, Of course to be pursued, seem
ed fitting and proper. Now, at the ex
piration of four years, during which pub
lie declarations have been constantly call
ed forth on every point and phase Of the
great contest which still absorbs the at
tention and engrosses the energies Of th'
nation, little that is new could be presen
ted
The progress Of our arms, upon which
all else chiefly depends, is as we'll knowl
e to the public as to myself: and it is;
trust, reasonably satisfactory and en-
e courging to all. With high hope for tn
) future, no prediction in regard to it i
f ventured.
> On the occasion corresponding to i
= four years ago, all thoughts were anxl
: ously directed to an impending civil war
All dreaded it-all sought to avert it
] While the inaugural address was bein:
a delivered from this place, devoted alto
gether to saving the Union without war
insurgent agents were in the city seekin?
to destroy it without war-seeking t
dissolve the Union and divide the effects
t by negotiation.
T.. Both parties deprecated war; but one o
them would make war rather than lie
the nation survive and the other woul'
) accept war rather than let it perish. An'
: the war came.
One eighth Of the whole population
: were colored slaves, not distributed gen
orally over the Union, but localized il
the southern and powerful interest.
o All knew that interest was, somehow
the cause ofthe war. To strengthen, per
. petuate and extend this interest was tn
;. object for which the insurgents woul'
}. rend the Union, even by war while tn
Government claimed no right to do mor'
O than to restrict the territorial enlarge
+. ment of it. Neither party expected 70
o the war the magnitude or the duration
q which it has already attained
Neither anticipated that cause of tn
conflict might cease with, or even before
o the conflict itself should cease. Hac'
. looked for an easier triumph, aud resul
r less fundamental and astounding. Boil
!. read the same bible, and pray to the sam
J. God and each invokes His aid agains
i the other. 1t may seem strange that an
n man should dare to ask just Gods as
O sistance in wring:ng their bread from th
sweat of other mems faces but let u
s judge not, that we be not judged.
y The riayers of both could not be ans
e wered that of neither has been answere
r FULLY. The Almighty has His own pul
d pose. "Woe unto the world because c
d offenses for it must needs be that olFer
@ ses come but woe to that man by whol
the offenses cometh."
.. If we shall suppose that American sl'
n very is one Of those offenses which, i
v the providence of God, must needs com
l. but which, having continued throug
His appointed time, He now wills to re
f. move, and that He gives to both Mort
e and South this terrible war, as the VIC
due to those by whom the offense cam
!. shall we discern therein any departul
n from those divine attributes which tn
= believers in living God always ascrib
to Him?
Fondly do We hope-fervently do W
pray-that this mighty scourge OF wa
Is may soon pass away. Yet, if God vii
e that it continue until all the wealth pile
by the bondman's two hundred and fift
J. years of unrequited toll shall be sunk, an
until every drop Of blood drawn with tn
lash shall be paid with another drawn b
al Ttbo o, mo-, tb-o, fbor,eo =,