THE PRESIDENT'S 2nd INAUGURAL.
LINCOLN's Words; March 4, 1865, the
solemn ceremonies of inauguration were inseparable from an expression of
triumph—it was the occasion itself and the spectacle which impressed the
people. The most that was required of the second inaugural address was
that it should befit the occasion. It was needless to reiterate
statements already given as to the policy to be pursued in the conduct
of the war, or as to the conditions necessary to peace. The President's
views on these matters were well known to the people, and they were the
views of the people. In fact, President LINCOLN, in this second address,
simply alludes briefly to the change of situation since his first
inauguration, only dwelling for a moment upon the relation of slavery to
the war, and then proceeds to take upon himself anew the vow of fidelity
to the Constitution of the United States. The ceremony was an impressive
one. The most hopeful thought connected with this event was that its
next repetition would find us a united and happy people.
Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
At this second appearing to take the oath
of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended
address than there was at the first. Then a statement, somewhat in
detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. Now, at
the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been
constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest
which still absorbs the attention, and engrosses the energies 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, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging
to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is
ventured.
On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were
anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it--all 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 the
nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it
perish. And the war came.
One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed
generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern part of it.
These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that
this interest 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 government
claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement
of it. Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the
duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the
cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict
itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result
less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to
the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem
strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in
wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's 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 offences! for it must needs
be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"
If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offences
which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having
continued through His appointed 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 offence came, shall we discern therein any departure
from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always
ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope--fervently do we pray--that this
mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it
continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and
fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of
blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the
sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said
"the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether"
With malice toward none; with charity 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 nation's wounds; to care for him who
shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan--to do
all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among
ourselves, and with all nations. |