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^??flUI I Abraham in "Washington. The "Washington papers are full of the sayings and doings of the uncouth Aboli? tionist, who began his reigi over the North last Monday. We givD some ex? tracts : the reception. The path to Mr.- Lincoln wis rugged; for, after his room was reac'ied, lo! he was backed up in a corner, and so button? holed by successive squads of eager indi? viduals?each of whom, by his earnest gesticulations, had something of vital im , portance to communicate? that quiet"folks who went there simply to pay their re? spects to him as citizens, contented them ? selves with a bow and a look at the com? ing man. The eye, in glancing around his apartment, could not fail :o note the large piano literally loaded down with the cards showered upon the Preesident elect by those who would button-hole him. In the course of tho evening, Hon. John Bell, of Tennessee, by request of Mr. Lincoln, had an interview with him, which .was of some length. ^ Among those who called upon Mr. Lin? coln to-day, were Governor Beward, Sen? ator Summer, the Xew York. Pennsylva? nia and Indiana Congressional delega? tions, Judge Harris, Vice-President Ham lin, and others. Governor Hicks, of Ma? ryland, also called upon Mr. Lincoln, and held a protracted consultation with him. Greeley is out in the cold, with only his white coat on. Black Republican author? ity asserts that when he called on Lin? coln, the answer was, ;; engaged." young bob. After dinner there was son: e turning of eyes in the direction of the smoking-room at Willards', it being noticed that Mr. Robert Lincoln was enjoying a cigar there, in company with some friends. A oouple of well known harpists were per? forming there at the same lime, and a group of disunionists had the bad taste to induce the harpists to play " Dixie," the adopted national air of Sccessia, for the benefit of young Lincoln. The musicians, however, on ascertaining tho purpose for which they were being usec, made the thing even by performing " Hail Colum? bia," with all the extras. the inevitable jui?d. One of tho indefatigable woi kers against Cameron is said to be Mr. Judd, whose name has got into the papers rather ex? tensively of late in connection with that of tho President elect. Jndd is here. Judd is there, Judd is everywhere. At Willards' one hears nothing but Judd. I had a great anxiety to sod this won? derful man. He is a chunky gentleman, of about five feet five inches. Has a broad, ruddy face, which shows well from the contrast of his grey hair and flowing beard approaching to whiteness. He has a "dark blue eye, hooked nose?rather short, and a mouth neither expressive nor forcible. He is evidently a charac? ter of much more tact than talent, and is fully impressed with the onus of the mys? terious position he occupies i:i relation to the President elect. The shrewd ones slyly say he managed to make Mr. Lin? coln believe that ho nominated him, and so puts in for a largo share of the spoils. reminiscences of the FLIflflT. The Journals all busy themselves in chattering of the "things" that were to happen to Mr-Lincoln?if in that Scotch cap and military cloak, he l ad not pre? cipitated himself by night into Washing? ton. The roguish Democratic editors are full of jokes, gibes and jeers. The escap? ade is a mine of fun to thorn. One of them thinks that Mr. Lincoln was " scotch? ed and not kiiled." The Abolitionists make the best of it, bffe that is not much. They arc all sure Lincoln cid right, ex? actly right?for they are so forced to think, and they fall back upon General Scott as indorser and adviser. The names of " Bankers " and " the Statesmen " who were to kill Mr. Lincoln are not }'et giv? en! The plot,''"Oi'.the plotters of assassin? ation are all undeveloped! The Times, that has a correspondent all about, '"to ? do the terrible," snuffs information that "an organized band of five hundred men have sworn that Mr. Lincoln shall never sleep in the white House. A detective who joined them, says the plan is as fol? lows : The entire band are to occupy a position as near to the President, on In? auguration Day, as they can obtain.? One of their number, stand ng in the cen? tre of them, is to shoot Mr. Lincoln wit h an air-gun, when the crowd of men around tho assasin will so hide him as to render detection impossible." The Tribune waxes valorous, and de? clares that "if tho alleged conspiracy was real, Mr. Lincoln may live a hundred years without finding another so good a chance to die." ' a relic. The Commissioner of Patents has. wo hear, with most cornmenr able alacrity, enlarged the glass case containining the . sacred regimental suit of Gen. Washing? ton, in order to place within the same ib closure those now historical relics?the "very long military cloak and Scotch cap"?worn by Uncle Abe Lincoln in his flight from Harrisburg to Washing? ton city. Additional thousands will now rush to this section of the Patent Office? this Republican shrine?and worship these sacred garments which so miracu? lously preserved the life of Abraham. --o Mrs. Jefferson Davis is (stopping at her i father's, Major Ho well, in New Orleans.! She is on her way to join her husband at I Montgomery. She was serenaded on Sat? urday night, by the Louisiana Guards' Battalion. She appeared and returned! thanks for tho honor than paid her hus? band, and presented the soldiers a boquot. "Bound to Come.'--The Augusta (Georgia) Dispatch says: The negroes employed in grading the Macon and Warrenton Rail road, near War? ren ton, have hoisted secession flags on their dirt carts, bearing eight well execu? ted stars. On being asked why the}* ad? ded the eighth star, the reply was, 'Old Wirginny's bound to come." -? Personal.?Henry Cleveland, Esq., has resigned his position as editor of the Au? gusta Constitutionalist. Mr. Cleveland has recently received the appointment of First Lieutenant in the regular army of Gcor sia- _?_ We learn that Col. John Cuningham has been appointed by Governor Pickens Quartermaster-General of the regular mil? itary forces of South Cn-olina. ( From Washington. ^ Washington', March 2.?Large num? bers of the late Government employees, Southern Senators and Representatives, are preparing to go South. Hon. Dudley A. Mann leaves for Mont? gomery and New Orleans this morning. The Secretary of War issued a general order this morning, dropping General Twiggs from the roll of the army for treachery. Over a thousand "Northerners and "Vv< terners are pouring in every day. and the city is already full. It is stated"in the Cincinnati Commer? cial that the assasination letter, dated Georgia, was the result of a hoax played on a suspected Abolitionist here. Washington, March 3.?A number of conservatives of the Virginia Convention arc here to gain information touching the posture of affairs, to report to the Con? vention. They return to Richmond to? morrow, and it is reported that they are somewhat depressed at tlie present as? pect, but hope that Lincoln and his Cabi? net will act conservatively. The city is lull of rumors concerning the formation of the Cabinet, but nothing positive is known yet. The Cabinet ma? kers are very active. In the Senate (Saturday night) the peace; propositions were debated until midnight, when a recess was taken till 7 o'clock to-night. Congress is in session to-night. It -is understood that lion. J. J. Crittcnuen, of Kentucky, will make his valedictory spceeh. No measure of a strictly coercive char? acter will be enacted by Congress. The Pacific Railroad is dead. Senators Hcmphill and Wigfall. of Tex? as, will leave on Tuesday for the Mont go m cry Convention. Mi-. Minister Dallas has communicated to the authorities at Washington the facts concerning the course of the Chief Jus? tice of England *in relation to the slave Anderson, whose case has attracted so much attention, showing that the oilier ences between the two governments in tho interpretation of the extradition clause of the treaty of Washington will render a new Convention necessary. Washington, March 5.?Map Ander? son, up to the 4th March, has continued to speak of his condition as safe, and ex? pressed the opinion that reinforcements had belter not be sent him. Drafts drawn by Secretary Pix on the Assistant Treasurer at New Orleans, to pay for work at the Custom House ; also, drafts by Postmaster Kii]?, on the same officer, for postal service, amounting to between two and three hundred thousand dollars, have been returned unpaid. The resignation of Mr. Preston, Minis? ter to Spain, was this morning filed in the State Department. Large numbers of citizens from Ken? tucky and Indiana are here, urging the promotion ofMnj. Anderson as Brigadier General, vice Twiggs. Capt. Lay, of Virginia, Aid to Scott, has resigned. -. A Republican View ofJeffeuson Da? vis.?The Boston Advertiser, an able' Ab? olition journal, says that if it had no other evidence, the inaugural address of the \ new President of the '?Confederate Stales" is a proof of the unusual wisdom with which the seccsssonisf acted when they elected Jefferson Davis to that office. It credits him with as marked a combina? tion of the qualities most needful for his work as any revolutionary deader ever ex? hibited, and adds: x"As the leader of the cotton States in their movement against the General Gov? ernment, whether the controversy is to be carried on by civil measures only, or by sterner methods, to which he professes himself prepared, though unwilling to re? sort, this Government could have no more dangerous enemy than Mr. Davis, and this fact, we believe, needs not t(M>c more widely recognized than it is among our people. Because .Mr. Davis lay* led the extreme South, many have come to regard him as possessing the personal qualities and weakness of the fire-eaters.' But Mr. Davis is on the contrary, cool headed, far-sighted, and not hasty. What he says or does is not the result of crazy impulse, but of cool determination, and is supported not by the temporary strength of frenzy, but by real intellectual and moral power. In short, he is an antago? nist who challenges respect as well as the utmost vigor and caution in opposition, and one whom any statesman might re? joice to encounter in a high national con? test, were hoof any country save our own. and were the matter in debate any thing except the Union." The Peace CoxGRESS.-?-Tho Peace Conference brought its protracted delib? erations to a close yesterday afternoon. It appears that on assembling in the morning a discussion ensued on the first, proposition of the Guthrie plan, as modi? fied or explained by the substitute of Mr. Franklin, of Pcnnslyvania. This, it will be recollected, was unex? pectedly rejected on Tuesday evening, but reconsidered yesterday, and alter dis? cussion the substitute was finally adop? ted. A majority of the Virginia and North Carolina commissioners arc report? ed to have voted against it. while New York. Missouri "and Kansas were equally divided. Pennsylvania. Rhode Island. New Jersey and Illinois voted for it, with "Maryland, Delaware and oilier States. The remainder of the plan of Mr. Guthrie was then adopted, without serious oppo? sition, and the Conference, after authori? zing ex-President Tyler to officially com? municate the result to Congress, adjourn? ed.? Baltimore Sun, Feb. 28. Augusta. March 2.?Despatches re? ceived in this city from Texas, state that Captain Hill, has refused the demand of the Commissioners to surrender Fort Brown or any of the public property. He has sent to Ringgold Barracks for rein? forcements to protect the public property on Brazos Island. A collission is immi? nent. The City Council of Cincinnati has unanimously passed a resolution inviting Senators John J. Crittcnden and Andrew Johnson to accept the hospitalities of the city on their return home, and to address the citizen?. From the Columbia Carolinian of Tuesday. Inaugural Address of President Lincoln. Washington, March i, 1861. Fellow-Citizens of the United States : In compliance with a custom, as old as the Govern? ment itself, I appear before you to address you briefly, aud to take in your presence ihc oath pre? scribed by the Constitution of the Unwed Slates, and to be taken by the President before he enters on the execution of his office. 1 do not consider it necessary, at present, for nie to discuss those mat? ters of administration about which there is no spe? cial anxiety or excitement. Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States that, by the accession of a Republican Adminis? tration, their property and peace and personal se? curity are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for stich apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed, and been open to their inspection. It is found in nearly all the public speeches of him who now addresses you. 1 do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it now exists, and believe 1 have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so. Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many other similar declarations, and had never re? canted them; and. more than this, they placed in the platform for my acceptance, as a law to them? selves aud tome, the clear and emphatic resolu? tion which 1 now read : " Resolced, That the maintenance, inviolate, of the rights of the States, and especially the right of eaeli State, to order and control its own domes? tic institutions according to its own judgment, ex? clusively, is essential to that balance of power on which the perfection ami endurance of our politi? cal fabric depend : and we denounce the lawless in? vasion by armed force of the foil of any State or Territory, no matter under what pretext, as anwn;; the gravest of crimes." 1 now reiterate these sentiments, and. in doing so, I only press upon the public attention the most conclusive evidence of which the case is suscepti? ble, that the property, peace anil security of no section arc to be in any wise endangered by the incoming Administration. 1 add to (hat, all the protection which, consistently wi'.h the Consliiu tion and the laws, can be given to all the Slates, when lawfully demanded, for whatever cause, as cheerfully lo one section ab to anothcr. Thcrc is much controversy about the delivering up of fugitives from service or labor. The clause 1 now read is as plainly written in the Cousthu ' tion as any other of its provisions : ?'No person held to service or labor in one State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation I herein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due.1' It is scarcely questioued that this provision w is intended, by those who made it. for the reclaiming of what we call fugitive slaves, and the intention of the law given, is the law. All members of Con? gress swear their support to the whole Constitu? tion, to litis provision, as much as to any other. To the proposition, then, that slaves whose coses come within the terms of this clause, shall be de? livered up, their oaths are unanimous. Now, if they would make Use effort in good temper, could they not with nearly equal unanimity frame and pass a law by means of which lo keep good Mat unanimous oath".' There is some difference of opinion whether this clause should lie enforced by national or Slate authority; but surely ihn I differ? ence is not a very material one: if Ihc slave is to be surrendered, it can be of hut little consequence to him or to others by which authority it is don*: and should any one in any case be content that \ his oaih shall go unkept on a merely unsubstan? tial controversy as to how shall be kepi '.' Again, in any law upon this subject, ought not all the safeguards of liberty known in civilized and hu? mane jurisprudence to bo introduced, so that a a free man be not in any case surrendered as a slave, and might it not be well, at the same lime, to provide by law tor the enforcement of that clause in the Constitution which guarantees that "the citizvus of each Stale shall be entitled to all privi? leges and immunities of citizens in the several States." I take ihc official oath to-day with no menful re? servations, a.id with no purpose to construe the Constitution or laws by any hypocritical rules: and while I do not choose now to specify particu? lar acts of Congress as proper to Ik- enforced, 1 do suggest that i; will be inucii safer all, both in offi? cial and private stations, to conform lo and abide by all (hose acts which stand uurcpcalcd, limn to violate any of ihem, trusting to find impunity in having them held to be unconstitutional. it is seventy-;wo years since the lir-t inaugura? tion of a President under cur National Constitu? tion. During that period, fifteen diuerent and greatly distinguished citizens have in succession administered the Executive branch of tin; Govern? ment. They have conducted it through m-tny perils, and generally with great success. Vet. with ail (his scope for ju ecedeiil. I iiuir enter upon the same (ask for the brief Constitutional term of four years, under great and peculiar difficultlies. A disruption of the Federal Union, heretofore menaced, is now formidably attempted. I hohl (hat in contemplation of universal hilf and of ihc Constitution, the Union of these Stale- is perpetual. Perpetuity is implied, it not expressed, in the fun? damental law of national Governments. It is safe to assert (hat no Government proper ever had a provision in its organic law for its own termina? tion. Continue to execute all lite express provis? ions of our national Constitution and ihc Union will endure forever; it being impossible to destroy it except by some action not provided in ihc in? strument itself. Again, if the United Slates be not a Government proper, bid an association of States in the nature of contract merely, can it. as a contract, be practically unmade by less than all the parties who made h i One party to a contract may violate it, break if. so to speak, but does it not require nil to lawfully rescind it '. Descending from these general principles, we find this propo? sition, thai in legal complication, the Union is perpetual, confirmed by the hislory of the Union itself. The Union is much older than the Con? stitution : it was formed in fact by the articles of association in 1774. It was matured and con tined by the Declaration of Independence in 177(i. It was further matured, and the faithof ull ihcse thirteen States expressly pledged and engaged that it should be perpetual. The Articles of Con? federation in 177S, and finally in 17t?7. one of the declared objects for ordaining ami establishing the Constitution was to form a more perfect Union, liut. if destruction of the Union by one or by a part only of the Stales be lawfully possible, the Union is less perfect than before?the Constitution having lost the vital clement of perpetuity. It fol? lows from the views that no Slate, upon its own mere motion, can lawfully go out of ihc Union; that resolves and ordinances |o thai effect arc le? gally void, and that nets of violence within any Slate or Slates against the authority of the United Stales, are insurrectionary or revolutionary, accor? ding lo circumstances, t, therefore, consider that, in view of ihc Constitution and the laws, the Un? ion is unbroken, and to the extent ol my ability, 1 shall take care, as the Constitution itself express? ly enjoins upon me. llinl the laws of ihc Union be faithfully executed in all the Stales. Doing this, 1 deem to be only u simple duly on my part, and I shall perform it, so far as practicable, unless my I rightful masters, the American people, shall with | hold the requisite means, or, in some authorized j manner, direct the contrary. 1 trust this will not i be regarded as a menace, but as t lie declared pur i pose of the Union, that it will constitutionally dc I fend and maintain itself. In doinrc this, there need be no bloodshed or violence, and there shall be none, unless it be forced upon the national au? thority. The power confided to me will be used to held, occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the Government, and to collect the duties and imposts, but beyond what may be nec? essary for these objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people any? where. Where hostility to the United Slates in any interior locality shall be so great and so unu? sual ai to prevent competent resident citizens from holding the Federal offices, there will be no at? tempt to force obnoxious strangers among ihc peo? ple for that object. While the strict legal right may exist in the Government to enforce the exer? cise of these offices, the attempt to do so ".-ould be so irrational, and so nearly impracticable withal, that 1 deem it better to forego for the time the uses of such offices. The mails, unless repelled, w^ill continue to be furnished in all parts of the Union. So far as possible, the people everywhere shall have that sense of perfect security which is most favorable to cool thought and reflection. The course here indicated will be followed, c*le?s IBgW?mWQCTa^??i nun i _ current events and experience shall show a modifi? cation or change to be proper; and in every case and exigency, my best discretion will be exercised according to circumstances actually existing, and with a view and a hope of a peaceful solution of tho national troubles, and tlic restoration of fra? ternal sympathies and affections. That there are persons in one section or another who seek to de? stroy the Union at all events^ and are glad of any pretext to do it, I will neither nfSrofc or deny, but if there be such. I need address no word to them. To those, however, who really love the Union, may 1 not speak before entering upon so grave a mat? ter as the destruction of our national fabric, with all its benefits, its memories, its hopes? Would it not be wise to ascertain precisely why we do it ? Will you hazard so desperate a step while there is any possibility that portion of the ills you fly from have no roil existence ? Will you, while the certain ills you fly to arc greater than all the real ones you fly from, will you risk the commission of so fearful a mistake ? All profess to be content in the Union, if all constitutional rights can be main? tained. Is it true, then, that any right, plainly written in the Constitution, has been denied? I think not. Happily, the human mind is so con? stituted, that no power can reach to the audacity of doing this. Think, if you can, of a single in? stance, in which a plainly written provision of the Constitution ht.s ever been denied? If by the mere force of numbers a majority should deprive a minority ot any clearly written constitutional right, it might, in a moral point of view, justify a revolu? tion. It certainly would, if such a right were a vital one. Bui such is not our case. All the vi? tal rights of minorities and of individuals arc so plainly assured to them by affirmations and nega? tions, guarantees and prohibitions, in the Consti? tution, that controversies never arise concerning them. But no organic law can ever be framed with n provision specifically applicable to every question which may occur in practical administra? tion. No foresight can anticipate, nor any docu j ment of reasonable length contain express provis? ions for all possible questions. Shall fugitives from labor be surrendered by national or by .Stale authority? The Constitution does not. express? ly say. May Congress prohibit slavery in the Territories ? The Constitution docs not expressly say. Must Congress protect slavery in the Terri? tories? The Constitution does not expressly say. From questions of this class spring all our consti littional controversies, and we divide upon them into'mnjoriiics and minorities. If the minority will not acquiesce, the majority must, or the Gov? ernment must cease. There is no other alterna? tive for continuing the Government than acquies? cence on one side or the other, if a minority in such case will secede rather than acquiesce, they make a precedent, which in turn will divide ami ruin thciu ; lor a minority of their own will se? cede from them whenever a majority refuses to be controlled by such minority. For instance, why may not any portion of a new Confederacy, a year or two hence, arbitrarily secede again, precisely as portions of the present L'uion now claim to se? cede from it? All who cherish disunion senti? ments, are now being educated to the exact temper of doing I his. Is there such perfect identity of interests among the StatlV to compose a new l'uion to produce hnr : mony only, and prevent renewed secession ? Plain j ly the central idea of secession is the essence of J anarchy. A majority hel l in restraint by COllili j tutional checks and limitations, and always charg ! ing easily with deliberate changes of popular opin? ions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people. Whoever rejects it, does, of neces? sity, fly 10 anarchy or despotism. Unanimity is impossible. The rule of a minority, as n pcrma iicul arrangement, is wholly inadmissible: so that, j rejecting the majority principle, anarchy or desjj j poiism ia some form, is all that is lift. 1 do not Ibrgcl the portion assumed by some, thai consti? tutional jtiestions are to be decided by the Su? preme Court. Nordol deny that such decisions must be binding in any case upon the parties to a suit. As to the object of that suit, while they arc also entitled to very high respect and considera? tion iu all pa.ulie1 cases by all other departments of the Government : and while it i:t obviously p ?? sib!:- that such decision may be erroneous in any given case, still the evil effect following its being limited to thai particular rase, with the chance ? thai it may b:> over-ruled and never become a pre? cedent for other oases, can tetter be borne than could the evils of a different practice. At ike same lime. I lie eapdid citizen must confess that, if i the policy or the Government upon the vital ques? tions affecting the whole people to be irrevocably fixed by decisions cf the Supreme Courts, the in sltitil they are tmtde in ordinary litigation between j parties in personal actions, the people will have I ceased to be ihciv own rulers, having to that ex i lent practically resigned Pheir Government into the : hands of ti: :t eminent tribunal. Nor is there, in ; this view, a; y assault upon the court and judges. It is a duty from which they may u >i shrink to I deeide cases of property brought before them, and i it !? no fault of theirs if others seel; to turn their decisions to political purpose?. One section of our country beik'ves slavery is right and ought to be extended, w tile the other iv'.h vca it is wrong mid j ought nol to be extended. This is ihc only sub j staininl dispute. As to the fugitive slave clause of the Constitution and the lav; for the suppression of i the foreign -lave trade, (as near au any law can ever be in a community where the moral sense of the people imperfectly supports the law itself.) the great body of the people abide by the dry legal ob? ligation in both cases, and a few break over. I think these cannot be perfectly cured.und it would be worse iii b"tit eases, alter the separation of the sections, than before. The foreign slave trade is now im tier feet ly suppressed, and would be ulti? mately revived without restriction in one section, while fugitive slaves, now only partially surren? dered, would not be surrendered at ail by the other. Physically speaking; we canuot separate? we Cinnot remove our respective sections from I each oilier, nor build an impassable wall between j them. A husband and wile may be divorced, and go out cf the presence and beyond the reach of i etch other, but lite different p:*rts of our country j caunoi do this. They cannot but remain (ace to I face, and intercourse, either amicable or hostile, [ must contii tic between them. Is it possible, then, to make thai intercourse more advantageous or more satisfactory after separation than before? Can aliens "take treaties easier than friends can make laws ' Can treaties be more faithfully en? forced between aliens, than laws can among friends ? Suppose you go to war. you cannot fight id ways, and when, after much loss on both sides, and no gahVon either, you cease fighting, (he identical old question, as to terms of inter? course arc again upon you. This country with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the exist? ing Government, they can exercise the Constitu? tional right to amend it. or ihc revolutionary right lo dismember or overthrow it. I cannot be igno rant of the fact that many worthy and patriotic citizens are desirous of having the national Con? stitution amended. While I make no recommenda? tion of amendment, I fully recognize the rightful authority of the people over the whole subject, to be exercised in cither of the modes presented in Ihc instrument itself, and I should, under existing circumstances, favor rather than oppose a fair op? portunity being afforded ihc people to act upon it. 1 will venture to add that to me ihc Convention mode scent;; preferable, iu that if allows amend? ments to originate with the people themselves, in stcad of only permitting them to take or repel pro? positions originated to others not especially chosen for the purpose, and which might not be precisely such as they would wish to either accept or refuse. I understand a proposed amendment to the Con? st itution. which amendment, however, I have not .seen, has passed Congress, to the effect that the Federal Government shall never interfere with tho domestic institutions of the States, including that of persons held to service. To avoid misconstruction of what I have said, I depart from my purpose not. to speak of particular amendments, so far as lo say that, holding such a provision to now be tlic implied construction of the law. I have no objection to its being made ex? press and irrevocable. The Chief Magistrate de? rives all his authority from lite people, and they have conferred none upon him to tix terms for the separation oiythc States. The people themselves can do this also if Ihey choose, but the Executive, as such, has nothing to do with it ; his duty is to administer the present Government as it came to Jiis hands, and to transmit it unimpaired by him ?o his successor. Why should there not be a pa? tient, confidence in the ultimate justice of the peo? ple*? Isthere any better or equal hope in the world ? In our present differences, in cither party I without faith of being in the right ? May the Al ' mirhty ruler of nations, with his eternal truth, be on your side of the North, or on yours of the South. : That truth and that justice will surely prevail by ' the judgment of this groat tribunal, the American people. By the form of Government under which we live, this same people have wisely given their public servants but little power for mischief, and have will) equal wisdom provided for the return of that little to their own hands at very short inter? vals. While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the Government in the short space of four years. My countrymen, one and all, think calmly and well upon this whole subject. Nothing valuable cau 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 object can be frustrated by it. Such of you ns are dis? satisfied still, have the old Constitution unimpair? ed, ami on the sensitive point the laws of your own framing under it, when the new administra? tion will have no remedy, if it should change ci? ther. If it. were admitted that you who are dis? satisfied hold the right side in the dispute, there is no single good reason for precipitate action. In? telligence, patriotism, Christianity, and warm reli? ance on Him who has never yet forsaken this fa? vored land, arc still competent to adjust all our present difficulties. In your hands, my dissatis? fied friends and countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The govern? ment will not assail you. You can have no con? flict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the Government, while I shall have the most solemn one to. preserve, protect and defend it. I am loth to cease to believe that we arc not enemies but friends. We must not be enemies. Though pas? sion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every ba;t'o-ficld and patriot's grave to every loving heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature. (Tljc ^nbtrcra Intelligenter. THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 7, 1861. EDITED BY JAKES A. HOYT and W. W. HUMPHREYS. fi?p<Thc Inaugural excludes much editorial and other matter from this issue. BisT' The Spring Term of Court for this District begins on next Monday. ?&7" The Palmetto Ilificmen parade fordrill and instruction next Saturday. - The Piorcatowa Guards?Flag Presentation. It was our privilege to witness the interesting ceremonies connected with the presentation of an elegant Flag to the " Picrcctown Guards," on Sat? urday last, of which we made mention in our last issue. The day. was pleasant?the balmy nir and bright sunshine might, under ordinary circum? stances, have tempted us to forsake the dull mono? tony of the sanctum ; yet, when, in addition, we sought to behold the votive offering of Carolina's patriotic daughters to those brave, stalwart sons enrolled in her defence, the pleasure could not be foregone. And it was with happy emotions that we journeyed thither, nothing transpiring by the wayside worthy oi public mention, though inci? dents of private interest were not lacking. Arriving tit Piercclown, eleven miles north of this pi ice. before the hour for parade, we had an opportunity of mingling with friends and acquain? tances and exchanging the usual congratulations of the day. There was a large crowd present at an early hour, including a fair propor:ion of the gentler sex. At 11 o'clock the "Guards " were formed into line, under the command of Copt. James Long, the Colonel also of the 42d Regiment, j from the 1st Battalion of which thi5 corps of vol? unteers was raised. Marching a short distance, the "Guards" halted in front of the spacious I platform whereon tlie ladies had assembled. After music by the Piercetowu Band, our young friend, Dr. GeoBGG W. Kable, in a neat aud appropriate j manner, introduced the fair donors, when the pre? sentation ceremonies proper began. r BKSEXTAT1U.N a u u B ess bs. Advancing towards the front of the platform, with the beautiful ensign in hand, MissMvC. said: PiKBCKTOWN Gl'auu.s: To the weak-minded i Unionist*and the cowardly submissionist to Block ; Republican rule, terrible are the events now trans? piring in our nation's history. But to you, my countrymen?men of the South?arc they not great and glorious? This [raising the tattered colons for? mer/;/ v.fctl by the Regiment) is emblematical of the present condition of the Union of our fathers. Over its fate 'tis useless lo iudulgc in extravagant lam cutations : its destiny was not in the hands of the South. Northern imposition had become so great [ thai Southern forbearance censed to be a virtue.? ; South Carolina, our own noble Palmetto, was the tirst to unfurl the banner of Southern freedom. She has won for herself laurels that will be written lipo.- the pages of history and call forth the admi? ration of freemen in all generations lo come. Her action has met with approval?her example fol low( I. until seven gallant Stales have thrown oil the yoke of oppression. They till not? stand in marital array in defiance of coercive threats. The imaginations of our aggressors have swollen their power and might mountain-high?if they attempt lo force submission, it will not be found child's play. IJravcr hearts and as good metal as they can produce are ready to meet them. It will not come within the province of our sex to shoulder arms, but rest assured that helping hands will l>e given in any way that circumstances may place within our reach; besides, you shall have our sympathies and our prayers. We have nothing to fear when so many noble patriots are ready to strike in defence of our homes. As an humble testimonial of our interest in this glorious cause, accept from Miss E-and myself this banner. Should the invaders of our soil ren? der it necessary for you to meet them, we know it will float proudly in the breeze while a single sol? dier in your ranks is able to rally under its folds and bear it aloft amid the storm of battle. Miss E., receiving the flag, then addressed the "Guards" as follows: Officers axp Solpiers: It was indeed with feelings of gratification that we beheld you. during the recent convulsion of our State, true and firm in the cause of liberty, and ready to sacrifice on the altar of your country, life aud fortune. And to assure you the very high satisfaction which it af? fords us in this early theatre of your glory, when we look lo the motto of this banner, " We strike for our Homes"?that the brave hearts nml strong arms of the "Guards" will bear it untarnished amid the din of battle, and proudly return from the scene of conflict, exclaiming, Victory! victory is ours! Aud now, whilst in the midst of a threatening revolution. South Carolina, alike endeared to"you and to us. has taken her station among the inde? pendent naiions of the earth ; and in this noble act of hers, we rest assured that she will ever be cher? ished and protected by her brave volunteers, and their associates in tho field. Soldiers of the Picrcetown Guards, to ?Our care and protection we entrust this banner, as a token of our hearts' deepest sympathies, feeling that a more pleasing duty could not devolve upon us than that of presenting it to you, which we will now exercise. The clear, distinct voices, breathing words of patriotic fire and womanly impulse, fell not un? heeded on the hundreds who listened most intently during the delivery of these addresses. They felt impressed with the truth, that the ever-glorious spirit which animated and impelled the women of Revolutionary date was not yet extinct : and that, should grim-visaged war show his wrinkled front and the slirriug scenes of '70 be re-enacted in our land, the women of to-day were ready to meet the consequences and nobly assist in sustaining our snored cause. The Flag was received by Orderly Sergeant, J. C. Wuitfield, who responded on behalf of the "Guards," as follows: respoxse of orderly wiiitfieli). Ladies : In behalf of the Piercetown Guards X am requested to receive at your patriotic hands Lhig beautiful stand of colors. A few weeks ago, and we, as a nation, stood solitary and alone?but ono small, bright star was to be viewed. Now the po? litical horizon presents a inuc'i brighter appear? ance ; star after star has been added, until six moro have appeared in the .Southern galaxy. This dag truly reprcsenis the charac.cr of the Piercetown Guards. I sec written upon it, " Wh STRIKE for our Homes." We do strike for our homes?we are ready, willing, and waiting, at any moment our country may call, to strike for them ; and so long as this beautiful flag Scats to tho breeze, I assure you that we will rajly to it, and remembering from whose hands we received it, die under its folds. I promise you, if ever we are en? gaged in ba;tle, that this flag shall be borne by us in the hottest and thickest of the conflict; and should your sparkling eyes thereafter behold it, I assure you it will be greatly changed?pierced through and through with bullets. Should the one who bears it be shot down, another and another will raise it up and exclaim, " Comrades, you know who gave this to us?bear it aloft until we return with it to the beloved donors, or let the last one bite the dust in the attempt." The Palmetto Tree is the emblem of our glorious little State, the leader in the cause of Southern freedom. She is called hot-headed?w; can nevor be too much so in doing our duty and protecting our rights. Her sons arc-brave and chivalrous, and will never suffer themselves mauled by rail splitters. I view on this flag mountain scenery. It is true ours is a mountain District, yet no other can boast of more intelligent men or better marksmen, and more patriotic ladies, than our own. As an in? stance of that patriotism, behold this flag. With such ladies to encourage us. and such a population as we have, there is nothing to fear, And to you, young ladies, in whose veins flow so much patriotic blood, let me say, in behalf of the Piercetown Guards, that your names will long bo cherished in our memories. We will ever owe you a debt of gratitude for this elegant gift. May each engaged in its manufacture and presentation, be blessed with good homes, pious husbands, and all the happiness life can afford. And, in conclusion, allow me to say to you, my comrades in arms, that whether we arc permitted to cultivate our lands in peace, or are called to tread the fields of carnage?in peace or war, victory or defeat, gratitude to the fair donors of this flag shall ever swell our bosoms; and so long as it waves, our sentiment shall be? "Carolina! Carolina! Heaven's blessings attend her? While we live we will cherish, protect and defend, her." Upon the conclusion of this response, Col. J. D! AsnMORE was requested by the. Captain to offerfiis* thanks to the ladies for their elegant gift to his' command, which he did in appropriate language. The ceremonies being over, the large audience* began to disperse, while the "Guards" marched! to an old field and underwent a drill of some length ?the new flag waving proudly orcr tkemt The Flag is usual company size, cf blue stilt. On one side, the Palmetto and crescent?reverse-, the " grand old mountains," over which are tho words, in plain letters, We strike for ocr Homes ?underneath, Piercetown Guards. Altogether, the design and execution is surpassingly unique, pretty and tasteful. Space will not permit enlarged comments on the interesting features of this occasion. Suffice it, to say that the most complete success attended the whole affair, while no unpleasant occurrence took place to mar the harmony and good order which j prevailed. I We left the ground at an early hour, and arrived i safely home?in a day or two. - j President Lincoln. The Inaugural Address of the President of the United Stages will meet with careful and general perusal. His policy is indistinctly foreshadowed? sophistry and double-meaning mark the missive? neither peace or war is set forth clearly. We had I hoped that Lincoln would be plain and explicit?to the contrary, he is as enigmatical, evasive and ! non-committal us the unhappy old-functionary into whose slippers he walked. What will now be doue ? Delay now will make the people restless?our Government should see to it that there is no cause of complaint and no tardi? ness in their action. The bclcagured forts will never he surrendered without a fight. Now, that the Black Republicans arc in power over the United States Government, should we humbly seek favor at their hands and become suppliants for their tender mer? cy r* Heaven forbid ! And if so, our vaunted ac? tion is humiliating to all honest patriots who wer? striking for perfect liberty. Arc we prepared or not ? If nay, then, shade of our fathers, will our freedom as a people ever be accomplished? Limited space prevents further comment on tho aspect of affairs. Lincoln's Cabinet. The following nominations were confirmed in U. S. Senate on Tuesday : W. H. Seward, of New York, Secretary of State; Chase, of Ohio, Secretary of the Treasury; Came? ron, of Penn., Secretary of War: Wells, Secretary of Navy : Smith, of Indiana, Secretary of Interior; Blair, of Maryland, Post master-General, and Bate:, of Missouri, Attorney General. TAXES, TAXES, TAXES. 4th March, 1861. IF not Providentially hindered, I will be at Ander? son C. H. during March Court, to receive Returns and take the Taxes for 1S60, and on Monday the 18th at McClinton's Shop ; Tuesday tlic 19th at Holland's Store?evening of the same day at Wm. Hewins', Sr.; Wednesday the 20th ai Sherard's Store; Thursday "the 21st at Capt. J. P. Tucker's ; Friday the 22d at Storeville; Saturday the 23d at Howard's?evening of th? same day at Jones'; On Monday the 25th at Boulman's?evening of the same day at Andcrsonville ; Tuesday the '20th at Brown's Muster Ground; Wednesday the 27th at Townvillc; Thursday'the 28th at Pendlcton ; Friday the 29th at Eaton's Store?evening of the same day at Craig's ; Saturday the 30th at Ccntrerille?evening of the same day at Shearer's ; Monday the 1st of April (sale-day) at Anderson C. II.?evening of the same day at Luke Haynie's; Tuesday the 2d at Craytonville ; Wednesday the Cd at Honca Path?evening same day at Gantt's Store ; t Thursday the 4th at Calhoun?evening of same day at Stantonvillc: Friday the 5th at Williamston ; Saturday the 6th at Belton; .Monday the 8th at Anderson C. H.; Tuesday the 9th at Rush's Shop?evening of the same day at Orrville ; Wednesday the 10th at White Plains; Thursday the Uth at Brushy Creek (Long's Store); Friday the 12th at Greenwood ; Saturday the 18th at J. J. Wilson's Store; Saleday in May at Anderson C. H.?at which, time my books will clor?e. State Tax about one-third higher than last year. Road or Bridge Tax, 16j| per cent, on the General Tax. Poor, 10 per cent. Upon monies lotued or at interest, one-tenth of 1 per cent. W. S. SHAW, T. C. March 7, 1861 20 tf