Year: 1861




Congress as proper to be enforced, do sug.
gest. that it will be much safer for all, both
in Office and private relations, to conform
to, and abide by all those acts which stand
unrepealed, than to violate any OF them,
trusting to find impunity in having them
held to be unconstitutional.


1t is seventy-two years since the first in
auguratiOn OF President under our present
Constitution. During that period, fifteen
different and greatly distinguished citizens
have, in succession, administered the Exec
utive branch of the government. They have
conducted it through many perils, and gen.
orally with great success, yet with all this
scope for precedent, now enter upon the
same task, for the brief constitutional term
of four years, under great and peculiar diff
clties


ARGUES THE RIGHT OF SECESSION.


Disruption OF the Federal Union, hereto
fore only menaced, is now formidably at
tempted. l hold that in contemplation of
universal law, and of the Constitution, the
union of these Sites is perpetual. Perpe-
tuity is implied, if not expressed,
in the fundamental law of all ma
tional governments Il is safe to assert
that no government proper, ever had provi-
sion in its organic law, for its own termin-
alton. Continue to execute all the express
provisions of our national Constitution, and
the Union will endure forever it being
impossible to destroy it except by some ac>
tion not provided for in the instrument it.
self. Again, if the United States be not
government proper, but an association of
States, 10 the nature of contract merely,
can it, as contract, be peaceablY unmade
by less than all the parties who made it?
One party to contract may violate it
break it, so to speak-but does it not re-
quire all, to lawfully rescind it.


THE LAWS SHALL BE FAITHFULLY EXECUTED


Descending from these general principles.
we find the proposition that, in legal con-
temptation, the Union is perpetual,
confirmed, by the history of the Union
ITSELF The Union is much older than
the Constitution. 1t was formed, in
fact, by the articles of association in
l774. 1t was matured and continued by
the Declaration of Independence in l776.
1t was further matured, and the faith of all
the old thirteen states expressly plighted
and engaged, that it should be perpetuated,
by the articles of confederation in ITS;
and finally in 1881, one of the declared OBJ
jects for ordaining and establishing the
Constitution was to form more perfect
Union. Now if secession by one, or by
part only of the states, be lawfully possible,
the Union is of less value than before the
constitution was formed, for it has lost the
vital element OF perpetuating itself. 1t fol-
lows from these views that no State upon its
own mere motion can lawfully go out of the
Union; that resolves and ordinances to that
effect are legally void; and that acts of vic
lence within any State or States against
the authority of the United States, are in-
surrectionary and revolutionary, according
to the circumstances. | therefore, consider
that in the view of the Constitution and laws,
the Union is unbroken, and to the extent of
my ability, shall take care, as the COnsti-
tuition expressly enjoins on me, that the laws
of the Union be faithfully executed in all
the States. Doing this, deem it to be only
simple duty on my part, and shall per-
form it so far as practicable, unless my
rightful masters, the American people, shall
withhold the requisite means, or in some
authorative manner, direct the contrary.
HE WILL PROTECT THE PROPERTY AND COL


LECT THE DUTIES.


l trust this will not be regarded as a
menace, but only as declared purpose
that will constitutionally defend and main
tain the Union. In doing this, there
need be no bloodshed or violence, and there
shall be none, unless it be forced upon the
national authority. The power confded to
me will be used to hold. occupy, and possess
the property and places belonging to the
Government; to collect duties on imports;
but beyond what may be necessary for these
objects, there will be no invasion, no using
OF force against or among people anywhere.


DOWN SOUTH.


Where hostility to the United States, in
any interior locality, shall be SO greatand so
universal as to prevent competent resident
citizens from holding federal Offices, there
will be no attempt to force obnoxious
strangers among the people, for that object.
While the strict legal right may exist in
the Government, to enforce the exercise of
these Offices, the attempt to do so would be
so irritating, and socially impractical withal,.
that deem it better to forego ior time,
the uses of such offices.


WILL NOT STOP THE MAILS. =


The mails, unless repelled, will continue
to be furnished in all points of the Union.
So far as possible the people everywhere
shall have that sense Of perfect security
which is most favorable to calm thoughts
and reflection.


The course here indicated will be followed
unless current events and experience shall
show modification or change to be proper,
and in every case and exigency, my best dis
cretion will be exercised, according to cir
cumstances actually existing, and with a