Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-10

believe I have no lawful right to do SO
and I have no inclination to do SO. : -
"I take the official oath today with
no mental reservations and with no
purpose to construe the Constitution
or laws by any hypercritical rules.
I do suggest that it will be
safer for all 8 . : to conform to and
abide by those acts which stand un-
repealed = = ..
ST hold that, in contemplation of
universal law AMI of the Constitution,
the Union of these States Is perpetual.
Perpetuity is implied If not expressed
in the fundamental law of all national
governments. 1t is safe to assert that
no government ever had a provision in
its organic law for its own termina-
ton. . The Union viii endure
forever : = = it being impossible to
destroy 1t except by some action not
provided for in the instrument itself.
1T follows that no State upon its
own mere motion can lawfully get out
of the Union. = >
81 therefore consider that the Union
is u~nbroken. = " ! shall take care,
as the Constitution itself expressly en-
joins me to, that the laws Of the Union
be faithfully executed in all the States.
S4Ao RCI1OkIA ~ uA~
less my rightful masters, the American
people. shall withhold the requisite
means. =
In doing this there needs be no
bloodShed or violence. . Power
confided to me will be used to hold,
occupy and possess the property be-
longing to the Government.
Physically speaking, we cannot sepa-
rate. A husband and wife may
be divorced = > but the different
parts of our country cannot do this.
: Can aliens make treaties easier
than friends can make laws? Can
treaties be more faithfully enforced be-
tween aliens than laws can among
friends?
This country with its institutions
belongs to the people who inhabit 1t.
When they shall grow weary Of the ex-
iSting Government, they can exercise
their constitutional right, Of amending
it, or their revolutionary right to dis
member or overthrow it.
IF 1t were admitted that you who
are dissatisfied hold the right side Of
the dispute, there still Is no single good
reason for precipitate action.
In your hands, my dissatisfied fell
countrymen, and not in mine, Is
the momentous question of civil war.
The Government will not assail you.
You can have no conflict without being
yourselves n aggresSorS. You have
no oath. registered in heaven to destroy
the Government, while I shall have the
solemn n to preserve, protect and de-
fend it,"
FROM opening remarks to the last
syllable Lincoln controlled the
multitude. His humble respect and
solemn humility awakened keen re-
These were national traits In
the sixties: Humbleness, simplicity and
.worshipful affection. People had as
sembled with i~nsurgent spirit and rest
less mood. The bearded Lincoln threw
a staggering spell over their minds. He
was a man to inspire a saint. He spoke
words and brazen sentences, but
all passed OF his lips with impassioned
g~entleness. No menace or threat in his
voice. although he had the power to
speak so. He talked to the American
people: they were his masters, he said.
Even though exalted to high ONCE, they
still were his lord and he their servant.
But what was all this beside the d.
vine sentiments Of those deathless
by which he sealed his address?
The mystic chords Of memory, stretch
ing to every living heart
will swell the chorus Of the
A blast Of applause shook the In
augural platform. Even the ranks Of
Shareholders Joined in approval.
q they could not follow his reason.
hey could at least feel his passion: ~
hey could not sense his sincerity. they
breathe his inspiration.
Chief Justice fancy came forward.
folding a gold-clasped Bible. The FUR
was a cadaverous looking man. and
ne must have raised his head 10 the
rant rail splitter, who stood 8 feet 4
But his mere presence clothed
ne occasion with high impressiveness.
Jpon the open Bible Lincoln placed
us left hand and appraised his right.
md the Chief Justice who had received
,aths from Van Buren,. Harrison. TYLER.
'oIk, Pierce and Buchanan-six Presi.
ents-crowned his career with the
eventh, Abe Lincoln's.
Together, they held the sacred book
fancy pronounced these grayen
1ords II do solemnly swear that / viii
aithfully execute the ONCE Of President
I the United States, and viii. "a the
est Oh my ability, preserve. protect
nd defend the Constitution az the
lnlted States. So help me Godi" And
he Lincoln followed his words with =
eeper, graver tone, and consecrated his
Ne 10 the performance of that duty.
ne oficial oath. administered, signed
attested, concluded the Ceremony.
ne sixteenth President Of the United
eates was In ONCE.