The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-12
MALICE TOWARD NONE
Lincoln's Famous Second Inaugural in
Full. March 4. 1865.

The Second inaugural Address, March
4th. 1865
FeIlow-Countrymen this second
appearing to take the oath of the preSi-
Dental office, there is less occasion for
an extended address than there was at
first. Then a statement, somewhat in
detail of a course to be pursued. SEEM
ed fitting and proper. Now, at the ex-
public declarations have been constant
Iy called forth on every point and phase
of the great contest which still absorbs
the attention and -engrosses the en-
ergies of the nation, little that is new
could be presented. The progress of
our arms, upon which all else chiefly
depends, is as well known to the public
as to myself; and it is, trust, reason
ably satisfactory and encouraging TO
all With high hopes for the future, no
On the occasion corresponding to this
four years ago, all thoughts were anx-
iously directed to an impending civil
war. All dreaded it,-aII sought to
avert it, While the inaugural address
was being delivered from this place,
devoted altogether to saving the Union
without war, insurgent agents were in
the city seeking to destroy it without
war.-seeking to dissolve the Union,
and divide effects, by negotiation. Both
parties deprecated war; but one of
them would make war rather than let
it perish. And the war came.
were colored slaves; not distributed
generally over the union. but localized
in the southern part of it. These
slaves constituted peculiar and pow
erfuI interest All knew that this in
terest was somehow the cause of the
war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and
extend this interest was the object for
which the insurgents would rend the
union, even by war; while the govern
ment claimed no right to do more
territorial n
largement of it.
Neither party expected for the war
the magnitude or the duration which
it has already attained Neither anti
might cease with, or even before, the
conflict itself should cease. Each
looked for an easier triumph and
result less fundamental and astound-
ing. Both read the same Bible, and
rpayed to the same God; and each in
vokes his aid against the other. It
may seem strange that any men
should dare to ask a just Gods as
sistance in wringing their bread from
the sweat of other mems faces; but
let US judge not, that we be not
judged The prayers of both could
not be answered-that of neither has
been answered fully.
The Almighty has his own purposes
Woe unto the world because of Of
fensesl for it must needs be that Of
lenses come; but woe to that man by
whom the ofenSe cometh. II We shall
suppose that American slavery is one
of those offenses which in the province
of God must needs come, but which
having continued through his appoint
ed time, he now wills to remove, and
that he gives to both north and south
this terrible war, as the woe due to
those by whom the offense came,-shall
we discern therein any departure from
those divine attributes which the be-
levers in a living God always ascribe
to him? Fondly do we hope-fervently
do we pray-that this mighty scourage
of war may speedily pass away. Yet
If God wills that it continue until all
the wealth piled by the bondman's $50
years of unrequitted toll shall be sunk,
and until every drop of blood drawn by
the lash shall be paid by another
drawn with the sword.-as was said g.
600 years ago, so still it must be said,
The judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether"
With malice toward none; with chair
ity for all; with firmness in the right,
as God gives US to see the right,-let
US strive on to finish the work We are
in: to bind up the nations wounds; to-
care for him who shall have borne the
battle, and for his widow and his or
phan; to do all which may achieve and
cherish a just and lasting peace among
ourselves and with all nations