On March 6th, while Republican senators maintained an uncertain and discreet silence respecting the inaugural address, Douglas rose to speak in its defense.  Senator Clingman had interpreted the President’s policy in terms of his own emotions:  there was no doubt about it, the inaugural portended war.  “In no wise,” responded Douglas with energy:  “It is a peace-offering rather than a war message.”  In all his long congressional career there is nothing that redounds more to Douglas’s everlasting credit than his willingness to defend the policy of his successful rival, while men of Lincoln’s own party were doubting what manner of man the new President was and what his policy might mean.  Nothing could have been more adroit than Douglas’s plea for the inaugural address.  He did not throw himself into the arms of the administration and betray his intimate acquaintance with the plans of the new President.  He spoke as the leader of the opposition, critically and judiciously.  He had read the inaugural with care; he had subjected it to a critical analysis; and he was of the opinion that it was characterized by ability and directness on certain points, but by lack of explicitness on others.  He cited passages that he deemed equivocal and objectionable.  Nevertheless he rejoiced to read one clause which was evidently the key to the entire document: 

“The course here indicated will be followed unless current events and experience shall show a modification 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 the national troubles, and the restoration of fraternal sympathies and affections."[959]

By the terms of his message, too, the President was pledged to favor such amendments as might originate with the people for the settlement of the slavery question,—­even if the settlement should be repugnant to the principles of his party.  Mr. Lincoln should receive the thanks of all Union-loving men for having “sunk the partisan in the patriot.”  The voice of Douglas never rang truer than when he paid this tribute to his rival’s honesty and candor.

“I do not wish it to be inferred,” he said in conclusion,... “that I have any political sympathy with his administration, or that I expect any contingency can happen in which I may be identified with it.  I expect to oppose his administration with all my energy on those great principles which have separated parties in former times; but on this one question—­that of preserving the Union by a peaceful solution of our present difficulties; that of preventing any future difficulties by such an amendment of the Constitution as will settle the question by an express provision—­if I understand his true intent and meaning, I am with him."[960]