Year: 1865

! fELLoW-CoUNTRYhEN AT this second en-.


pearing to take the oath of the Presidep.


tial office, there is less occasion for an az.


tended address than there was at first
| Then, statement somewhat in detail OF


the course proper to be pursued seemed fit-


ting and proper. Now, at the expiration of


four years, during which the public decla-


rations have been constantly called forth on


every point and phase Of the great contest
| which still absorbs the attention and en-
crosses the energies of the nation to settle.
little that is new could be presented. \
The progress of our armies, On which all
else chiefly depends, is as well Known to the
pnbllc as myself, and is, l trust, reasonably
satisfactory and encouraging. Allis bright
with hope for the future, but no prediction
IN regard to it is ventured on this occasion.
Corresponding to this, four years ago all
thoughts were anxiously directed to the
impending civil war, all dreaded it, all
sought to avoid it. While the inaugural
address was being delivered from this
place, and 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 di-
vide the effects by negotiation. Both par
ties deprecated war, but one of them would
make war rather than let the nation sur.
vive, and the other would accept war rather
than let it perish.


War came. One-eighth of the whole pop-
ulation were colored slaves, not distributed
generally over the Union, but localized in
the southern part of it. These slaves con-


stituted a peecliar and powerful interest.
All knew that this interest was somehow
the cause of the war. To STRENGTHEN the
Institution 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 duration which it has already attained,
Neither anticipated that the cause of the
conflict might cease, and even before the
conflict itself should cease. Each looked
for an easier triumph, and result less
fundamental and astounding. Both read
the same Bible and pray to the same God.
Each invokes his aid against the other. 1t
may seem strange that any man should dare
to take a just Gods assistance in wringine
their bread from the sweat of other mems
faces, but let US judge not that we be not
judged. The prayers OF, both Should not
be answered ; that of neither has been an
swered fully. The Almighty has his own
purposes.


Woe to the world because of offences, for
it must needs DE that offences come, but
woe TO that man by whom the offence COM
eth. If We shall suppose American slavery
ho +ha., n
must needs come, but which, having contin-
ued through his appointed time, he now
wills to remove. He gives to both North
and South this terrible war, as woe due
those by whom the offence came. Shall we
discern that there is any departure from
these divine attributes which believers in
the living God always ascribe to him
Fondly as We hope for the event, do we pray
that this mighty scourge of war may speed
lily pass away, yet, if God will. that it con-
tinue until all the wealth piled by the
bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of
unrequited toll shall be sunk; and until
every drop of blood drawn with the lash
shall be paid by another drawn with the
sword ? As it was said three throusand
years ago, so still it must be said, that the
judgments of the Lord are true and right.
eous altogether.


With malice towards none, with charity
to all, with frmness to the right, as God
gives us to see the right, let US strive in the
finish of the work we are in, to bind up the
national wounds, care for him who shall
have borne the brunt of the battle, and for
the widow and the orphan, and do all which
may achieve and cherish a just and lasting
peace among ourselves and with all nations.