MARCH 2 Think not that I am come to destroy the law: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Matt. 5:17. Southern Apprehension. (From the first Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861.) Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States that by the accession of a Republican administration their property and their peace and personal security are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed, and been open to inspection. It is found in nearly all the published speeches of him who now addresses you. I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that "I have no disposition, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution in the States where it exists." I believe I have no lawful right to do so; and I have no inclination to do so. Those who nominated and elected me did so with the full knowledge that I had made this, and many similar declarations, and had never recanted them. The flying rumours gathered as they roll'd, -Pope. MARCH 3 Ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God. Hebrews 5:12. The Union Dlder Than the Constitution. (From the first Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861. Continued from preceding page.) The Union is much older than the Constitution. It was formed, in fact, by the Articles of Association in 1774. It was matured and continued in the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It was further matured, and the faith of all the then thirteen States expressly plighted and engaged that it should be perpetual, by the articles of Confederation in 1778, and finally, in 1787, one of the declared objects for ordaining and establishing the constitution was to form a more perfect Union. But if the destruction of the Union by one or by a part only of the States be lawfully possible, the Union is less than before, the Constitution having lost the vital element of perpetuity. It follows from these views that no State, upon its own mere notion, can lawfully get out of the Union; that resolves and ordinances to that effect are legally void; and that acts of violence within any State or States against the authority of the United States, are insurrectionary or revolutionary, according to circumstances. Who would sever freedom's shrine? Dear to me the South's fair land, Dear the central mountain band, -Anonymous. Jeremiah 5:23. MARCH 4 (Inauguration Day) This people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart. Secession the Essence of Anarchy. (From the first Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861. Continued from preceding page.) If the minority will not acquiesce, the majority must, or the Government must cease. There is no alternative for continuing the Government but acquiescence on the one side or the other. If a minority in such a case will secede rather than acquiesce, they will make a precedent which, in turn, will ruin and divide them, for a minority of their own will secede from them whenover a majority refuses to be controlled by such a minority. For instance, why not any portion of a new Confederacy, a year or two hence, arbitrarily secede again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim to secede from it? All who cherish disunion sentiments are now being educated to the exact temper of doing this. Is there such perfect identity of interests among the States to compose a new Union as to produce harmony only, and prevent renewed secession? Plainly, the central idea of secession is the essence of anarchy. Rebellion! foul dishonoring word, Whose wrongful blight so often has stained The holiest cause that tongue or sword Of mortal ever lost or gained. -Moore. MARCH 5 He took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people; and they said, All that the Lord hath said we will do, and be obedient. Exodus 24; 7. Authority from the People. (From the first Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861. Continued from preceding page.) The Chief Magistrate derives all his authority from the people, and they have conferred none upon him to fix the terms for the separation of the States. The people themselves, also, can do this if they choose, but the Executive, as such, has nothing to do with it. His duty is to administer the present government as it came into his hands, and to transmit it unimpaired by him to his successor. Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the world? . . . If the Almighty Ruler of nations, with his eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the North, or yours of the South, that truth and that justice will surely prevail by the judgment of this great tribunal, the American people. A government, on freedom's basis built, Name Tell, and Hampden, and our Washington. -Mrs. Hale. MARCH 6 See, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein. But they said, We will not walk therein. Jeremiah 6:16. The Old Constitution Unimpaired. (From the first Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861. Continued from preceding page.) My countrymen, one and all, think calmly and well upon this whole subject. Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time. If there be an object to hurry any of you, in hot haste, to a step which you would never take deliberately, that object will be frustrated by taking time; but no good cause can be frustrated by it. Such of you as are now dissatisfied still have the old Constitution unimpaired, and on the sensitive point, the laws of your own framing under it; while the new administration will have no immediate power to change either. If it were admitted you who are dissatisfied hold the right side in the dispute, there is still not a single reason for precipitate action. Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust, in the best way, all our present difficulties. Thou too sail on, O Ship of State! -Longfellow. |