Written by 
 
 ELBERT R. MOSES, Litt. D. 
 
$2.95 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN 
 
 'From Cabin to Capitol" 
 
 by ELBERT R. MOSES 
 
 LINCOLN'S LIFE VIVIDLY TOLD 
 
 Here is an exquisite Lincoln book written 
 in superb English with short chapters, a defi- 
 nite purpose, and easy to read. Lincoln ac- 
 cepted a speaking engagement in Henry Ward 
 Beecher's Brooklyn church — fate changed the 
 place of meeting to Cooper Union; he changed 
 the speech, and won a great political victory. 
 He overrode tradition and mapped a pre- 
 inaugural speaking tour from Springfield to 
 Washington, to help him win the Peace. He 
 consented to make a "few remarks" at the 
 Consecration Service at the Battlefield of 
 Gettysburg, and the world applauded his ef- 
 forts. He penned a letter to Mrs. Bixby, of 
 Boston, reported to have lost five sons in 
 battle — that letter is exhibited today on the 
 wall of the library, Oxford University, Eng- 
 land, as one of the purest expressions of the 
 English tongue. These and many other historical 
 events in the life of the immortal Lincoln are 
 interestingly recorded in this new "Book of 
 Distinction" — ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 
 "From Cabin to Capitol." 
 
 COLLEGE PUBLISHING CO 
 
 "Books of Distinction" 
 Daytona Beach, Florida 
 
LINCOLN ROOM 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
 LIBRARY 
 
 MEMORIAL 
 
 the Class of 1901 
 
 founded by 
 
 HARLAN HOYT HORNER 
 
 and 
 
 HENRIETTA CALHOUN HORNER 
 
ABRAHAM LINCOLN 
 "From Cabin to Capitol" 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/abrahamlincolnfrOOmose 
 
i 
 
 
 ELBERT R. MOSES 
 
Abraham Lincoln 
 
 "From Cabin to Capitol 
 
 by 
 ELBERT R. MOSES, Litt.D. 
 
 Prefatory Note by 
 WALDO H. DUNN 
 
 » 
 
 COLLEGE PUBLISHING CO. 
 "Booh of Distinction' 
 Daytona Bfach, Fla. 
 
Copyright, 195 5 by 
 ELBERT R. MOSES 
 
 All Rights Reserved 
 
 PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
 
$/V\ 84-Bx R°*~ 
 
 Dedicated to Ana 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Part I 
 
 LINCOLN DISCOVERS HIMSELF 
 
 Page 
 
 The Quest 1 
 
 His Resolve 3 
 
 University of Hard Knocks 5 
 
 The New Lincoln 1 
 
 Big Company 1 3 
 
 Big Chance 14 
 
 Right Makes Might 16 
 
 Favorite Son 19 
 
 The Great American Institution 25 
 
 The People Speak 26 
 
 Rewards His Enemies 27 
 
 Writes Own Speeches 29 
 
 The Affable Hosts 30 
 
 Farewell to the Home Folks 32 
 
 Part II 
 
 AMERICA DISCOVERS LINCOLN 
 
 Springfield to Washington 39 
 
 Indianapolis, Indiana 41 
 
 Cincinnati, Ohio 44 
 
 Columbus, Ohio 47 
 
 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 50 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 
 Cleveland, Ohio 55 
 
 Buffalo, New York 61 
 
 Albany, New York 66 
 
 New York City 71 
 
 Trenton, New Jersey 78 
 
 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 80 
 
 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 86 
 
 Washington, D. C 91 
 
 Part III 
 
 LINCOLN SAVES AMERICA 
 
 The White Paper 99 
 
 Reality of War 100 
 
 The National Cemetery 103 
 
 The Consecration 105 
 
 Written in Our Hearts 1 1 3 
 
 "The Perfect Tribute" 114 
 
 God Wills It 116 
 
 Sealed With His Blood 1 1 8 
 
 The Hidden Treasures 119 
 
 A New South 122 
 
 APPENDICES 
 
 Notables Aboard the Special 129 
 
 Citations 133 
 
 Bibliography 137 
 
'Up from the Log cabin to the Capitol 
 One fire was on his spirit, one resolve — 
 To send the keen axe to the root of wrong, 
 Clearing a free way for the feet of God, 
 The eyes of conscience testing every stroke, 
 To make his deed the measure of a man." 
 
 Edwin Markham 
 
This is the life story of Abraham Lincoln — a story that 
 has been considered American for so long as to be 
 almost traditional; and so much a part of the American 
 Way as to be almost America itself. 
 
PREFATORY NOTE 
 
 Lincoln, like Shakespeare, has been written about so much 
 that the essential facts of the man's life are buried under a 
 mass of words. Most people are too busy to read through a 
 series of volumes in which the man is merely a point about 
 which are grouped the social, political, and military events of 
 the time in which he lived. General readers want to get at the 
 heart of the matter in the shortest possible time. For this reason, 
 I take pleasure in calling attention to the narrative which follows. 
 It gives a maximum of information in a minimum of space. 
 Here a reader will find the unadulterated Lincoln as he rises 
 slowly, steadily, and irresistibly from obscurity to fame. The 
 story as here given has a stark simplicity and plainness very 
 like that of the man whose story it is. 
 
 The author, Elbert R. Moses, has one of the most essential 
 qualifications for the task he has performed. Like Lincoln, he 
 came up the hard way. His parents were pioneers who migrated 
 from Connecticut to Minnesota, and by dint of hard labor 
 and high courage helped to develop a great and prosperous 
 state. Young Elbert struggled as Lincoln had struggled before 
 him: for education, for opportunity, for recognition. With the 
 example and the inspiration of Lincoln's life before him, he 
 succeeded. 
 
 For more than forty years he has read and meditated and 
 selected. In the following pages he presents what for him is 
 the irreducible minimum that a reader should know about one 
 of our greatest Americans. It is an inspiring and moving story. 
 
 I wish that it might be read by every American, especially 
 by every young American. I believe that it will help to dispel 
 much of the fear and gloom, the pessimism and cynicism so 
 prevalent today. This story will breathe new life into every 
 reader who has in him a grain of true worth. 
 
 Waldo H. Dunn 
 
 Scripps College 
 May 1954 
 
AUTHOR'S FOREWORD 
 
 In the formative period of my life I heard a lecture which 
 so impressed itself upon me, that my entire future was changed. 
 It brought to me new hopes, new aspirations, a new ambition 
 and a new objective. The objective developed into my vocation, 
 the field in which I was to earn my living, the field of speech. 
 
 At about the same time another incident happened. In the 
 public school that I attended, a simple exercise was required of 
 all pupils — the committing to memory and the reciting of a 
 masterpiece of literature on a Friday afternoon's program. This 
 exercise suggested to me my avocation, the field in which I 
 was to play, to relax and have fun. It was to serve as a safety 
 valve for my mental and emotional being. 
 
 Both fields were challenging and afforded an abundance of 
 opportunity for research, study, travel, service and the stretch 
 of the imagination. 
 
 A vocation is a necessary part of one's life in a world of 
 self-preservation. This is not altogether true of an avocation 
 which may be pursued largely to relieve the strain and tension 
 from the daily grind of routine. This difference, however, does 
 not render its contribution to the reservoir of knowledge less 
 significant. 
 
 It is from the field of my avocation that I wish to have my 
 thoughts stem, the field that has suggested my theme, and 
 provided me with the hero of my story — Abraham Lincoln. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln is revered wherever the English tongue 
 is spoken. He suggests traits of character often lacking in public 
 men occupying places of trust; and it is not an uncommon sight 
 in this land of the Red, White and Blue, to observe people 
 irrespective of party, creed or color pausing with uncovered 
 heads at the mere mention of his name — a name that through 
 the folding years, has become almost synonymous with the 
 American Way of Life. 
 
 I firmly believe that statesmen, like Abraham Lincoln pos- 
 sessing similar qualities of character, are America's strongest 
 protection against the growing menace of communism. They 
 are the hope of civilization. 
 
Part I 
 
 LINCOLN DISCOVERS HIMSELF 
 
THE QUEST 
 
 H. G. Wells, the English historian, has named Abraham 
 Lincoln as one of the six outstanding immortals of world 
 civilization; and so universal has been his appeal to mankind, 
 that more has been written about him than any other man in 
 history, except Jesus Christ. On the library shelves of the 
 Lincoln National Life Foundation, Fort Wayne, Indiana, occu- 
 pying 465 lineal feet of space are 8,509 volumes, as of June 17, 
 1954, all about Abraham Lincoln. It is the largest collection of 
 information ever assembled about any one man in the history 
 of man. 
 
 It has been estimated that if Lincoln were to return to us 
 again in the flesh, and read ten hours a day, he could not cover 
 during fifty-five years — his lifetime — all that has been written 
 about him in books, magazines and newspapers. 
 
 What is it that has given to him the qualities that have 
 moved so many gifted men to write in such profusion concern- 
 ing him? What is there about this homely man's character that 
 has so endeared him to mankind and stamped his name with 
 immortality? What is it that others might have done, but had 
 neither the foresight nor the fortitude to do? 
 
 These have been questions which have challenged the 
 thoughts of men for three-quarters of a century. They have 
 gripped my attention — since that afternoon in my youth, more 
 than a half century ago, when I took my turn in reciting the 
 Gettysburg Address in that little Minnesota public school room. 
 They have prompted me to read voluminous pages about his 
 life. They have stimulated within me a desire to visit countless 
 museums, memorials, monuments, battlegrounds and shrines, in 
 quest for information about this unusual man. 1 They have 
 
led me to counsel with those who knew him when he walked 
 among us. They have taken me down into dust-laden basements 
 of libraries. 2 Out across the open spaces, to the spot of the little 
 sixteen-by-eighteen foot Kentucky cabin, where he was born 
 from the wedlock of Thomas and Nancy Lincoln, 3 and they 
 carried me on a few miles distant to Knob Creek, where his boy- 
 hood companion miraculously rescued him from drowning. 4 
 
 As I stood beside the bank of this-nearly dried-up, little 
 stream, I found myself unconsciously repeating the words of 
 the poet Lowell, 
 
 "Truth forever on the scaffold, 
 Wrong forever on the throne, 
 Yet the scaffold holds the future, 
 And behind the dim unknown 
 Standeth God within the shadow, 
 Keeping watch above his own." 
 
 Then pressing on twenty miles farther to Elizabethtown, 
 where in the musty archives of the vine covered court house, I 
 found the record of the marriage of Thomas Lincoln to his 
 second wife, Sarah Bush Johnson. 
 
 Thomas Lincoln may have been considered shiftless by some, 
 but he certainly knew how to pick his women ; for no boy ever 
 had two finer mothers than Nancy Hanks and Sarah Bush. 
 
 "All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother," 
 said Lincoln. "To which did you refer?" inquired a friend. 
 "Don't ask me that question," was Lincoln's quick reply. "For 
 I mean both, as it was mother all my life except the desolate 
 period between the time mother died, and father brought mo- 
 ther into the home again. Both were as one mother — hence I 
 simply say — mother." 5 
 
HIS RESOLVE 
 
 Abe's father, Thomas Lincoln, had moved three times during 
 his young life. First, from the original farm in Nolen Creek, 
 Kentucky, he moved to a farm on Knob Creek, about ten miles 
 away. The reason for this venture was probably poor land 
 and the inability to obtain a clear title to the property. 
 
 However, the Knob Creek farm had some distinct advan- 
 tages. The soil was richer and there was a school nearby where 
 Abe and his sister Sarah could attend. 
 
 But still the land trouble plagued the father. This, together 
 with a growing hatred for slavery, soon prompted the elder 
 Lincoln to be on the march again. And this time the family 
 headed for the Northwest where they crossed the Ohio River, 
 and settled at Pigeon Creek, Indiana. In a way it was a stra- 
 tegic move, for it placed the Lincolns on Northern soil and 
 made it possible, in his maturer years, for young Abe to play 
 an extremely important role in shaping the destiny of his 
 country. 
 
 The fourth and last move, while Abe was still at home and a 
 member of the houeshold, was early in 1830, to Macon County, 
 near Decatur, Illinois. History has not revealed any valid reason 
 for this change of scenery. However, it could have been due 
 to the father's restlessness, commonly known as wanderlust. 
 
 With the completion of the last family migration, Abe was 
 ready to assume full responsibility for the conduct of his own 
 life, for he had now reached the age of twenty-one. 6 
 
 Abe could not expect help from home that customarily came 
 to a boy of this age, for his father was scarcely able, financially, 
 to take care of himself. His father had no team of horses to 
 give him; no acreage to share; no money to bestow upon him; 
 no college education to offer. The best he could do was to say, 
 
"Abe, you've been a good boy. Good luck and God bless you." 
 
 Abe had neither friends, profession, trade, patrons, nor influ- 
 ence. He did not even have a respectable suit of clothes. So, 
 before he left home, he split four hundred rails for every yard 
 of jeans that it took to make him a pair of pants. And to add 
 a little touch of color he had them dyed brown with the bark 
 of white walnut. 7 
 
 But Abe had one virtue that was a valuable asset in this 
 primitive country — his physical prowess. He was strong, vigor- 
 ous, and healthy. He stood six feet four and weighed one- 
 hundred and eighty pounds. He could outfight, outwrestle, out- 
 swim, outrun any boy in the neighborhood and was proud of it. 
 
 With a bundle thrown over his shoulder, and wearing his 
 new brown jean pants, young Abe, with a heavy heart, bade 
 farewell to father and mother and started out into the world 
 alone, wondering what Dame Fortune might have in store for 
 him. As for jobs, well, he could not be choosey — he had to eat. 
 So he took the first job that came his way. He hired out to 
 Denton Offut, a flatboat captain for forty cents a day, to help 
 build a boat and take a cargo from Beardstown, Illinois, down 
 the Mississippi to New Orleans. 
 
 After arriving in New Orleans and unloading, the crew 
 decided to spend a month taking in the sights. As they roamed 
 from place to place looking for excitement, they came across 
 a slave market. 
 
 Abe had never before witnessed slaves sold from the auction 
 block, and he was curious. At the moment a comely mulatto 
 wench was being driven around the mart at the crack of a 
 whip, like some prize animal. Prospective buyers were gathered 
 about. They were feeling and pinching her, and discussing her 
 good and bad points. The scene was revolting to the sensitive 
 nature of young Lincoln. 
 
 "Boys," said he, "let's get away from this. If I ever get an 
 opportunity to hit this thing I'll hit it hard!" 8 
 
UNIVERSITY OF HARD KNOCKS 
 
 The up-river journey was uneventful until the boat arrived 
 at St. Louis, where the crew disembarked, and young Lincoln 
 walked across Southern Illinois, a distance of one-hundred-fifty 
 miles, to visit his parents who had again moved, this time 
 near Charleston, Coles County, Illinois. An attack of fever and 
 ague could have been the cause of this change of habitation. 
 
 At the conclusion of his visit at home, he returned on foot, 
 to New Salem to take up his residence in the little frontier town 
 of twenty log houses. 
 
 Denton Offutt, the flatboat captain, had been so impressed 
 with the business opportunities of New Salem, that he decided 
 to remain there and open a store. Offutt had given Abe his first 
 job, after setting out for himself, and now, Abe was depending 
 on him for another. 
 
 It was in New Salem that the flatboat bound for New 
 Orleans with its cargo, a few months before, had floundered on 
 the dam. And it was through the ingenuity of this tall bronze 
 faced, sinewy lad, that the boat was maneuvered safely across. 
 This feat brought cheers from the bystanders, and won for 
 young Lincoln the acclaim of hero by the crew and crowd. 
 
 But New Salem was to mean far more to him than this 
 simple honor — it was to become his training ground for future 
 tasks — a place of trial and error — a kind of "University of 
 Hard Knocks" from which he would emerge with his most 
 startling discovery, the discovery of himself. 
 
 Offutt's stock of goods soon arrived from St. Louis and 
 the store was put in order; and Abe received his first assign- 
 ment, a clerkship in Offutt's new grocery store. 
 
 His orientation was rapid. The town and country folk 
 
 5 
 
liked his friendly manner. He joked and swapped stories with 
 them while he leisurely dispensed groceries across the counter. 
 They respected his honesty, when it was learned that he had 
 been willing to walk three miles, to return six and a quarter 
 cents of extra change to a country customer. They respected 
 his chivalry, when he took Charlie Reavis, a bully, by the 
 coat-collar and the baggy seat of his trousers, and tossed him 
 to the ground and rubbed smartweed into his eyes until he 
 yelled for mercy, for swearing in the presence of ladies. 9 
 
 At the age of twenty-three, having been a resident of the 
 county but nine months, this ambitious youth threw his hat 
 into the political ring and ran for the state legislature. He made 
 known his position in a simple straight-forward speech delivered 
 in 1832, at Pappsville, Sangamon County, Illinois. 
 
 He said, "Gentlemen and fellow citizens: I presume that 
 you all know who I am. I am humble Abraham Lincoln. I 
 have been solicited by my many friends to become a candidate 
 for the legislature. My politics are short and sweet. I am in 
 favor of a national bank. I am in favor of the internal improve- 
 ment system and a high protective tariff. 
 
 "These are my sentiments and political principles. If elected 
 I shall be thankful; if not, it will be all the same." 10 
 
 According to a publication of the Old Salem League, a 
 fight broke out in the audience while Abe was talking, and 
 learning that one of his friends was getting worsted, he leaped 
 from the stand, seized the enemy and lifting him bodily, slung 
 him flat upon the ground. Then remounting the platform he 
 finished his speech. 11 
 
 In his second speech delivered before friends and neighbors 
 at New Salem, on March 9, 1832, a little over three weeks past 
 his twenty-third birthday, he seemed to have been transformed 
 suddenly, into a polished and persuasive political orator. He 
 spoke now with the clarity of thought, color, tactfulness, and 
 confidence of a seasoned campaigner. 
 
 After advocating a system of free education, which would 
 
make possible for all to learn to read so that they could enjoy the 
 Bible, to be informed about the histories of other countries, and 
 to know more about our own free institutions, he closed with an 
 intimate and elegantly expressed sentiment, setting forth his 
 political aspirations. 
 
 "Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether 
 it is true or not, I have no other so great as that of being truly 
 esteemed of my fellow-men, by rendering myself worthy of 
 their esteem. How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambi- 
 tion, is yet to be developed. I am young and unknown to many 
 of you. I was born and ever remained in the most humble walks 
 of life. I have no wealth or popular friends to recommend me. 
 My case is thrown exclusively upon the independent voters of 
 the county, and if elected they will have conferred a favor 
 upon me for which I shall be unremitting in my labors to 
 compensate. But if the good people in their wisdom shall see 
 fit to keep me in the background, I have been too familiar with 
 disappointments to be very much chagrined." 
 
 However the Black Hawk War broke out in April, inter- 
 rupting temporarily his political ambitions. A company was 
 formed by the citizens residing in and about New Salem, and 
 Abe enlisted. His popularity was on the up-swing, for his 
 mates elected him to the top position — captain of his company. 12 
 
 In his latter years Lincoln was quoted as saying, "No recog- 
 nition in my early days was more heartily appreciated than the 
 one that came to me through being elected captain of my 
 company in the Black Hawk War." 13 
 
 The Indian skirmish was of short duration; the company 
 was mustered out at Whitewater, Wisconsin, on July 10, and 
 the boys were back in their homes by the last of the month. 
 
 Abe, a Whig, and a Henry Clay man, entered again with 
 renewed enthusiasm into his campaign for the legislature. He 
 electioneered right up to the day of election, August 6, but 
 in spite of hard work he was defeated. 
 
 It was true that he was not too "chagrined" with the out- 
 come. For one thing he was deeply appreciative of the vote 
 
given him by the home folks and neighbors. Out of 290 votes 
 cast, Abe received 277. 14 Also it was his first political fling, and 
 there was much to learn. It was clear that political battles are 
 not won by flights of oratory. There are other, and quite as 
 important essentials. For instance, he was lacking in political 
 finesse. He did not have an intimate acquaintance with all the 
 important voters. He had not yet acquired a friendly hand- 
 shake. He was neither a good backslapper nor an adept at baby 
 kissing, both evidently an essential part of the bag of tricks of 
 a winning candidate. Finally, viewing further his shortcom- 
 ings, he concluded that he needed more of the essentials of 
 good grammar. 
 
 So in February, 1833, he placed himself under the tutelage 
 of the scholarly Mentor Graham, the village schoolmaster. 15 At 
 about the same time he fished out of the basement of the store 
 a worn and stained copy of Blackstone and began the study of 
 law. And as though he did not have enough to keep him busy, 
 he added to his curriculum the subject of surveying. The knowl- 
 edge gained from it he put to immediate use in the village and 
 neighborhood in helping him to earn a livelihood. 
 
 Abe's first political break came when President Andrew 
 Jackson appointed him village postmaster. President Jackson was 
 a Democrat, while Lincoln was a Whig. But politics had nothing 
 to do with the appointment to such an insignificant job. Abe 
 attracted no little attention about town by delivering much of 
 the mail in his tall hat. 
 
 Although awkward, ungainly, and homely of feature, Abe 
 was not without his early romance. It was while boarding at 
 the Rutledge tavern in New Salem that he met and fell in love 
 with the tavern-keeper's daughter, attractive Ann Rutledge. But 
 the romance was short-lived, for within a few months after 
 they had met, Ann fell ill and died, leaving young Abe dis- 
 consolate. 
 
 Cultural subjects, war, politics, surveying, law and romance 
 had so overwhelmed him that there was no room left for busi- 
 ness. To him business had become drab, routine, uninteresting, 
 
laborious. With a twinkle in his eye he often remarked to his 
 friends, ''Father taught me how to work but he never taught 
 me how to love it." 16 
 
 He had flunked the major portion of the courses in the 
 University of Hard Knocks. As a business man he had been, 
 as he so often expressed it, a "flat failure." The one bright spot 
 in it all was his election two successive times to the legislature. 17 
 His plans in that direction had paid off. 
 
 But his clerkship in the grocery store had provided only a 
 scanty living; he had engaged in business for himself, but with- 
 out financial gain; he tried partnerships and met with a similar 
 fate. He bought, traded and sold grocery stores; and his 
 entire transactions for five years added up to the distressing 
 result of bankruptcy. Disconsolate and weighted down with debt, 
 he sought new fields of endeavor. Borrowing a horse and put- 
 ting his scanty belongings in the saddle-bags, he rode away. 
 
 In my imagination I have often followed him in those 
 despairing moments as he trekked through sloughs and mos- 
 quito-infested swamps and forded swollen streams, to arrive 
 alone and practically unfriended in the little city of Springfield, 
 where he took refuge in an attic-like room above a dry-goods 
 store, sharing it with a stranger. 18 
 
 None knew better than he that life was one struggle after 
 another. Cervantes wrote eloquently when he said, "He that 
 loses wealth loses much, but he that loses courage loses all." 
 
 Young Lincoln's spirit had now sunk to a new low. He had 
 lost everything of material value except the clothes on his back. 
 But he had retained the one thing that could redeem him — 
 that which would restore his self-respect, and give him a fresh 
 start in life — his courage. 
 
THE NEW LINCOLN 
 
 The days ahead naturally, were critical ones for the depressed 
 Lincoln. He was not altogether unacquainted with his new 
 environment in Springfield. He had occasionally visited this 
 growing city of 1,500 population for social and business reasons, 
 and he felt that it would not be long before he would be calling 
 these strange faces by their first names. 
 
 There was no doubt that Lincoln was ambitious to improve 
 his lot in life. Had this not been so he would have remained in 
 New Salem. Living in Springfield with its larger population 
 had its advantages. 
 
 In his first decision of consequence, he accepted a table in 
 the law office of J. T. Stuart where he began his practice of 
 law. He continued his interest in politics, and no doubt through 
 an improved personality, and by dint of hard work, succeeded 
 in being re-elected to the legislature for the third successive 
 time. By careful saving of his earnings, he was able within a 
 few years to liquidate what he called his "National Debt". 
 Within five years after becoming a resident of Springfield, he 
 courted and married the Kentucky belle, beautiful Mary Todd. 
 
 He had grown in stature, politically and socially, so much 
 so that his advice and companionship were much sought after. 
 It was through his influence that the state capital was moved 
 from Vandalia to Springfield. His district had elected him to the 
 legislature for a fourth term, and subsequently sent him to 
 Congress. Ten years of residing in Springfield wrought many 
 changes in the life of the once disheartened Lincoln, a Lincoln 
 who during this short period of time had grown strong and con- 
 fident — a Lincoln who had discovered himself, a new man. 
 
 At the close of his term in Congress, he did not "choose to 
 run" a second time, but returned to his home folks in Spring- 
 
 10 
 
field. He put aside politics and re-entered with renewed vigor 
 into the practice of law. His jokes, wit and stories that brought 
 him popularity while in the national Capitol later, made him 
 the life of the party in the old home town. 
 
 None relished a good story more than he, and none could 
 tell one more effectively. But a story had to have a point and 
 a reason for using it. Said Lincoln, "It's not the story itself 
 that interests — rather it is the purpose and the effect." 19 An 
 article published in Harpers Magazine of July, 1865 reported 
 Lincoln as saying, "I remember a good story when I hear it, 
 but I never did invent anything original. I am only a retail 
 dealer." 
 
 It was the clerk of courts in Sangamon County who once 
 said, "I was never fined but once for contempt of court. Judge 
 Davis fined me five dollars. Mr. Lincoln had just come in, and 
 leaning over my desk, told me a story so irresistibly funny that 
 I broke out into a loud laugh. The judge called me to order 
 saying, 'This must be stopped,' and turning to Lincoln, said, 
 'Mr. Lincoln, you are constantly disturbing this court with 
 your stories.' Then glancing back at me, 'You may fine yourself 
 Rye dollars.' I apologized, but told the judge the story was 
 worth the money. In a few minutes the judge called me to 
 him. 'What's that story Lincoln told you?' I repeated it to him 
 and he laughed aloud in spite of himself, after which he quietly 
 whispered to me, 'Remit your fine.' " 
 
 It was a cold stormy November day. Circuit court was 
 being held in a distant school house. It was a fifteen mile ride, by 
 horse back, to reach the place. Lincoln was a little late upon 
 arriving. He dismounted, tied his horse and entered the little 
 one-room building. Here he found most of the lawyers sitting 
 around a log grate fire engaged in animated conversation. 
 "Pretty cold," someone remarked. 
 
 "Yes," replied Lincoln. "About as cold as it is hot in 
 Hades." 
 
 "Well, what do you know about Hades?" 
 
 "Been there," said Lincoln. 
 
 11 
 
"Well, what is it like? Tell us about it." 
 
 Said Lincoln, "A good deal like it is here, most of the 
 lawyers sittin' 'round the fire." 
 
 There was much rivalry in Illinois between the Whigs and 
 the Democrats. On one occasion it was necessary for Lincoln 
 to hire a horse to take him to a Whig gathering. The liveryman, 
 a Democrat, picked out the pokiest nag he had — and Lincoln 
 had a twenty mile jaunt to make. He had not gone far before 
 he discovered that he had been tricked. He sensed that the 
 speed of the horse would not be sufficient to enable him to 
 reach his destination on time. However, by coaxing, spurring 
 and pleading, he managed to make it. Upon his return he 
 reproved his cunning political enemy. "Why, that old plug 
 you gave me was the slowest thing I ever saw. Here is a word 
 of warning; don't ever use that beast for funerals, for if you 
 do, it is doubtful if the corpse would reach the grave in time 
 for the resurrection." 
 
 Lincoln's opponent on the Democratic ticket, when he ran 
 for Congress was the well known evangelist of his time, the 
 Reverend Peter Cartwright. Cartwright was conducting a series 
 of evangelistic meetings in a community near Springfield, and 
 Lincoln attended one evening. During the service Cartwright 
 called for all those who wished to go to Heaven to rise. Then 
 he called for those who did not wish to go to Hell to rise. 
 Lincoln kept his seat during both invitations. Finally the evan- 
 gelist said, "I notice my good friend Lincoln is present tonight, 
 sitting back there unmoved by these appeals. If he does not 
 want to go to Heaven or escape Hell, will he please tell us where 
 he does want to go." 
 
 Lincoln arose slowly and said, "I want to go to Congress." 
 
 A neighbor of Mr. Lincoln's said he was called to the door 
 one day by cries of children in the street. There Mr. Lincoln 
 was striding by with his two sons, Willie and "Tad," both of 
 whom were wailing loudly. 
 
 "Why, Mr. Lincoln what is the matter with the boys?" 
 
 12 
 
 
"Just what's the matter with the whole world," was Lincoln's 
 reply. "I have got three walnuts and each wants two." 2 
 
 BIG COMPANY 
 
 An inadequate transportation system was then the plague 
 of Illinois. The state was literally mired in the mud. Cities 
 and towns were of necessity located on navigable streams and 
 lakes. Inland territories remained undeveloped. Corduroy roads 
 were not the solution of the transportation problem, for they 
 were easily washed out, exceedingly dangerous to the hoofs and 
 legs of animals, and not durable. 21 
 
 Lincoln was among the first to advocate a new mode of 
 travel, by rail. But how could it be obtained? The state had 
 a fourteen million dollar debt and could not shoulder further 
 financial burden. 
 
 However, through patience, maneuvering, and agitation, 
 the problem was solved. The officials of the Illinois Central 
 Railroad, finally came to the rescue and agreed to finance a 
 stretch of road six hundred miles long, extending through a 
 vast undeveloped wilderness; and much to Abe's surprise he 
 was made solicitor. 
 
 As the road neared completion, the state levied a tax 
 against its potential earnings. The counties followed suit. 
 Double taxation threatened the very existence of the road. 
 But Lincoln proved to be the man for the occasion. He evolved 
 a plan whereby only the state could levy a limited tax. Such 
 legislation was tested in the courts, and Lincoln won, saving the 
 road and the company millions of dollars in taxes. 22 
 
 He sent a personal bill to the officials in New York for 
 $5,000. They were astounded at such an exorbitant fee. Why, 
 they could have hired a New York lawyer for less than that! 
 
 13 
 
Who was this lawyer from the sticks who dared to render 
 such a bill! They refused to pay it. But Lincoln stuck to his 
 guns. He sued, and won. 23 
 
 Up to this time, it was Lincoln's greatest triumph. His name 
 now was one to be conjured with. No longer would he be 
 considered a "sticks lawyer," but a formidable corporation 
 lawyer, who could follow through with his cases, travel in 
 big company, and collect big fees. 
 
 BIG CHANCE 
 
 Ominous clouds were looming upon the political horizon. 
 The Missouri Compromise had been repealed. Senator Stephen A. 
 Douglas of Illinois was author of a new bill, the Kansas and 
 Nebraska Act, that authorized the people to decide for them- 
 selves for or against slavery, thus establishing "squatter sover- 
 eignty and opening the territories to slavery." It was a bold 
 stroke on the part of Douglas. Either it would make him 
 president, or break him politically. 
 
 The conscience of the quiet, peaceful, prairie lawyer was 
 now fully aroused. The chance of which he had spoken at the 
 slave market in New Orleans had come. He must hit, and hit 
 hard, to do what he could to help keep slavery from engulfing 
 the nation. 
 
 In 1858, Senator Douglas was up for re-election. He re- 
 turned from the Capitol to meet an "outraged constituency." 
 He was denounced from pulpit and platform. His Kansas and 
 Nebraska bill was condemned as "little short, of treason." In his 
 senatorial campaign, Douglas called his opponents a "mob," 
 and they in turn dubbed him a "rowdy." 
 
 The date of the Republican state convention to be held 
 at Springfield, to select a senatorial candidate was set for June 17, 
 
 14 
 
1858. Lincoln, because of his views against the extension of 
 slavery into free territory, and because of his reputation as a 
 corporation lawyer, seemed to be the natural selection. He was 
 approached, and nodded his assent. 
 
 He prepared an acceptance speech to be delivered before 
 the delegates, in the Hall of Representatives of the statehouse the 
 evening of the convention. However, a group of his political 
 cronies persuaded him to give them a preview of what he was 
 to say at a private hearing in the library, a few hours previous 
 to the assembly. 
 
 Among his most challenging thoughts uttered on the state 
 of the Union were: "A house divided against itself cannot stand. 
 I believe this government cannot endure permanently half free 
 and half slave. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved. I do 
 not expect that it will cease to be divided. It will become all 
 one thing or all the other." 
 
 Lincoln had scarcely completed the last phrase of his reading 
 before a dissenter was on his feet. "I characterize this as darned 
 fool utterance." Another said, "It will drive away voters fresh 
 from the Democratic ranks." 
 
 But Lincoln was firm in his contention. "Gentlemen," he 
 said, "this thing has been retarded long enough. The time has 
 come when these sentiments should be uttered; and if it is 
 decreed that I should go down because of this speech, then let 
 me go down linked to the truth — let me die in the advocacy 
 of what is just and right." 24 
 
 The biographer Herndon reports that later, Lincoln de- 
 clared, "If I had to draw a pen across my record, and erase my 
 whole life from sight, and I had one poor gift or choice left as 
 to what I should save from the wreck, I should choose that 
 speech and leave it to the world unerased." 
 
 Lincoln gave that acceptance speech to the convention dele- 
 gates and was nominated for the senatorship. Later he met 
 Stephen A. Douglas in what proved to be America's most 
 spectacular series of political debates on the issues of the day. 
 
 The controversy did not end at the crossroad towns of 
 
 15 
 
Illinois, where the debates were held, but was continued by the 
 people throughout the North, on the street corners, around 
 the cracker barrels in the grocery stores, on the camp grounds, 
 and upon the public rostrums. 
 
 It was indeed a contest with strange results. It has had no 
 counterpart in American history; for when it was over and 
 the ballots were counted at the November election both had 
 won and lost. Stephen A. Douglas won the senatorship but 
 ultimately lost his most coveted goal, the presidency. Abraham 
 Lincoln lost the senatorship but subsequently won the undis- 
 puted leadership of his party in the time of the nation's greatest 
 crisis. This leadership helped to blaze the political trail which 
 led straight to the White House. 
 
 RIGHT MAKES MIGHT 
 
 The East was now asking the question, "Who is this Lincoln?" 
 For some time they had been watching with eager interest the 
 meteoric rise of this Western prairie lawyer. From the time of 
 the widely-publicized debates, Mr. Lincoln had been in demand 
 as a public speaker. A trustee of the Plymouth Church of 
 Brooklyn, New York, suggested that Mr. Lincoln be invited to 
 come East and deliver a lecture. The suggestion ultimately grew 
 into an invitation issued by a group of young Republicans. 
 The invitation was accepted for two reasons: it would afford 
 him an opportunity to visit his son Robert, who was attending 
 Phillips Exeter Academy, and, more important, the two-hun- 
 dred dollar honorarium would come in handy. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln understood, before leaving Springfield for the 
 metropolis, that the lecture was to be held in the Plymouth 
 Church, so he prepared an address that would fit into a cultural 
 and educational atmosphere. However, upon arriving in New 
 
 16 
 
York, he was informed that the place had been transferred to 
 the popular forum, Cooper Union Institute. 25 
 
 Next day, Sunday, an interested group of friends called on 
 Lincoln at the Astor House, where he was staying, and requested 
 that he accompany them to the Plymouth Church for morning 
 worship. Mr. Lincoln graciously accepted the invitation. It 
 would also afford him an opportunity of meeting and hearing 
 the pastor, the renowned abolitionist, Henry Ward Beecher. 
 
 Back at the Astor House that afternoon, Mr. Lincoln 
 excused himself and retired to his room for meditation. What 
 went on in the recesses of his mind in the quiet hours of that 
 Sunday afternoon no one seems to know. And Lincoln himself, 
 so far as I am able to ascertain, never revealed it. Whatever it 
 was, the decision that he made was politically a momentous 
 one. For he decided to revamp the prepared speech that he 
 brought with him from Springfield to deliver from the pulpit 
 of a great church. This change from Plymouth to Cooper Union 
 Institute had put an entirely different light on the invitation 
 to speak. No longer would it be necessary to confine himself 
 to a cultural and educational subject. The doors were wide open. 
 He could even discuss the political issues of the day — the all- 
 absorbing topic, Slavery and States' Rights. In fact, that was 
 really what would be expected of him. 
 
 To say that Lincoln was not politically ambitious would 
 not be telling the whole truth. But he was not ambitious in the 
 sense that Caesar was ambitious. He was a highly patriotic 
 citizen. The welfare of his country had been very much a 
 part of his thinking ever since he had failed as a young business- 
 man in New Salem. He had been elected to the state legisla- 
 ture and to Congress, and had fought Douglas to a standstill 
 for the senatorship. With the sting of that defeat still fresh in 
 his mind, he would now have a chance to more than even the 
 score. He had been mentioned as a possible candidate for the 
 presidency. The Republican convention was less than four 
 months away, and his chance to enlighten a new and influential 
 group on the issues of the day had come. Not to take advan- 
 
 17 
 
tage of it would be to commit a political blunder of the first 
 magnitude. 
 
 Here we have the shrewd, calculating and determined Lin- 
 coln, planning the strategy of his future political fortunes. He 
 entered upon the re-writing of his speech to meet this unex- 
 pected turn of events with confidence and enthusiasm. His 
 stakes were high — his goal, the presidency. 
 
 It was on Monday evening, February 27, 1860, that 
 a committee of leading politicians of New York City, waited on 
 Mr. Lincoln at the Astor House, and escorted him to the plat- 
 form of Cooper Union Institute. William Cullen Bryant, editor 
 of the New York Evening Post, did the introductory honors 
 in an appropriate and fitting manner. 26 
 
 Then, in ill-fitting store clothes and a pair of new boots 
 which had so blistered his ankles that he was in physical pain, 
 Abe Lincoln arose from his seat, and with a slight limp, walked 
 to the edge of the high platform, to greet an enthusiastic and 
 almost hysterical audience. 
 
 After a few well-chosen salutatory remarks, he began his 
 address by reading from a prepared manuscript. His high- 
 pitched, almost piping voice, his ungainly platform manners, 
 together with a noticeable sectional accent and an unruly collar 
 that bobbed up and down at the slightest provocation from 
 each bodily movement, created a rather ludicrous picture. So 
 much so that Noah Brooks, an eminent politician of New York, 
 was moved to say, "Old fellow, you won't do. It's all very 
 well for the wild west, but it will never go down in New York." 
 
 For the first fifteen minutes of Mr. Lincoln's address the 
 audience was restless. The impression was not good. But during 
 this time Lincoln was getting his second wind. His self possession 
 was gradually returning. A deadly earnestness seemed to settle 
 over his entire being. Suddenly he discarded his manuscript and 
 began to speak with the freedom that was his when he was 
 addressing a jury. Three thousand charmed listeners uncon- 
 sciously found themselves electrified by the clarity of his 
 thought, the soundness of his argument and the merit of his 
 
 18 
 
cause. His speech was often interrupted with cheers and bravos. 
 Noah Brooks had gone completely into reverse, and was all out 
 for the Westerner. His words were words of praise and not of 
 scorn. "Look," he said, "his face lights with an inward fire!" 
 Another was heard to exclaim, "He's the greatest man since St. 
 Paul!" And skeptical old Horace Greeley could no longer control 
 his emotions, and before the occasion was over said, "That's the 
 most powerful speech I ever heard!" 
 
 Lincoln rose that night to heights perhaps not reached here- 
 tofore by any other American. 
 
 "Wrong as we think slavery is," said he, "we can yet afford 
 to let it alone where it is, because that much is due to the 
 necessity arising from its actual presence in the nation. But can 
 we, while our votes will prevent it, allow it to spread into the 
 national territories, and to over-run us here, in these free 
 states? If our sense of duty forbids this, then let us stand by our 
 duty, fearlessly and effectively. Let us be diverted by none of 
 those sophistical contrivances whereby we are so industriously 
 plied and belabored; neither let us be slandered from our duty 
 by false accusations against us; nor frightened from it by 
 menaces of destruction to the government; nor of dungeons 
 to ourselves. Let us have faith that right makes might: and in 
 that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we under- 
 stand it." 27 
 
 Abe Lincoln sat down amidst thunderous applause, Ameri- 
 ca's foremost champion of the cause of freedom and union. 
 Undoubtedly he had set the stage for his own nomination for 
 the presidency of the United States at the coming Republican 
 national convention, in May, 1860. 
 
 FAVORITE SON 
 
 About three months later the Republican delegates gathered 
 in Chicago, Illinois, to select a presidential nominee. It was a 
 new and interesting experience for this rapidly growing fron- 
 
 19 
 
tier city of the West, and its people were feverish in their 
 preparation. 
 
 On the lake shore front, at the corner of Market and 
 Lake streets, these enterprising citizens erected a temporary 
 structure to house the delegates and spectators, which was 
 given the name of "The Wigwam." It was a hundred and eighty 
 feet long and about a hundred feet wide. The roof rose in 
 the segment of a circle, so that one side was higher than the 
 other. Across the sides and two ends were galleries and com- 
 mittee rooms. And facing the part without a gallery, was a 
 platform upon which the delegates were to sit. The galleries 
 were to be reserved for "gentlemen accompanied by ladies." 
 
 The Wigwam was a rough, crude, homely building con- 
 structed of pine boards, and accommodating 10,000 persons, 
 4,500 of whom would occupy standing room. The ingenuity 
 and decorative genius of the Republican women of Chicago 
 relieved much of its ugliness, by draping the pillars and gal- 
 leries with green, and suspending from them American flags 
 and the banners of the numerous delegations. Busts of notable 
 Americans were arranged about the platform, entrances and 
 exits. Portraits of American statesmen and paintings of justice 
 and liberty occupied prominent spots on the walls. There were 
 also unusual exhibits which attracted no little attention. For 
 example, the seat of the chair used by the chairman was 
 hewed out of an immense log mounted upon a large rocker. 
 A special gavel provided for the occasion was carved from the 
 wood of Commodore Perry's valiant ship "Lawrence." 
 
 For a week previous to the opening of the convention 
 people of various trades, professions and businesses, continued 
 to pour into the city, filling every available space. The New 
 England delegation brought with it Gilmore's Band. New York 
 came with 2,000 Seward men, accompanied by the most famous 
 musical organization of the day, Dodworth's Brass Band. Penn- 
 sylvania brought more than 1,000 of her prominent Republi- 
 cans. Half of the House of Representatives was there. Practi- 
 cally every street corner became a rostrum where harangues 
 
 20 
 
were delivered in behalf of favorite candidates. Boisterous dem- 
 onstrations as well as endless processions displaying flags and 
 banners, continued in the streets without interruption each day 
 throughout the week. 
 
 Top men of the nation could be found in smoke-filled 
 rooms of hotels and seen mingling with the crowds on the 
 streets. Among them were William Evarts, Tom Cor win, Carl 
 Schurz, Thaddeus Stevens, Joshua Giddings, George William 
 Curtis, Francis Blair, George Ashman, Gideon Welles and Thur- 
 low Reed. A thousand editors and reporters were on hand, 
 including such well known personages as Horace Greeley, Murat 
 Halstead, Joseph Medill, Henry Villard and A. K. McClure. 
 
 At twelve on Wednesday, May 16, 1860, the big show 
 opened with 465 delegates present. Governor Morgan of New 
 York called the convention to order, then named David Wilmot 
 of Pennsylvania as temporary chairman. The entire gallery space 
 and standing room had been filled, and 40,000 strangers were 
 milling about outside the Wigwam and in the streets, just to be 
 close to this dramatic scene of action. In the galleries could be 
 found the elite of Republian society. The women were con- 
 spicuous for their high peaked flower-filled bonnets, bright 
 shawls and plaids. 
 
 The program had been carefully planned so as to conserve 
 time and energy. Wednesday and Thursday were to be given 
 over to the election of officers, the adoption of a platform, and 
 routine business, leaving the remaining part of the week open 
 for the choosing of a nominee. However, the early part of 
 Thursday afternoon found the convention with the first ob- 
 jectives met; they could proceed immediately with the nominat- 
 ing speeches. 
 
 It was at this point that the supporters of the candidacy of 
 Abe Lincoln showed a bit of well-thought-out strategy. Time 
 would be a vital factor, for it would help to build up support 
 for their candidate and break down the strength of the Seward 
 forces. 
 
 Senator William H. Seward had been considered by leading 
 
 21 
 
Republicans to be the strongest contender for the presidency, 
 and had come to the convention with the largest delegate sup- 
 port. It was thought possible by some that he could be nomi- 
 nated on the second ballot. But Seward, having held public 
 office for many years, was not without his political enemies. 
 Horace Greeley, founder and editor of the New York Tribune, 
 the most influential Republican organ came to the convention 
 determined "to put a crimp'' into Seward's presidential aspira- 
 tions. 
 
 An avowed political enemy of Seward's he talked inces- 
 santly against him on the street corner, in the hotels, and 
 wherever he could find anyone to listen to him. His contacts 
 often started with a conversation and ended with a protracted 
 speech. 
 
 Andrew G. Curtin of Pennsylvania, and Henry S. Lane of 
 Indiana, both candidates for the governorship in their own 
 states, were not altogether sure that if Seward were nominated, 
 he could be elected president. And if Seward went down to 
 defeat he would drag both of them down with him in the 
 fall election. 
 
 It was also the consensus of those in the Lincoln camp that 
 Seward could not win the nomination without a majority 
 support from the Pennsylvania and Indiana delegates. They 
 reasoned that those delegates were still vulnerable, and there- 
 fore should be thoroughly canvassed for their votes. This would 
 take time, and could spell the difference between victory and 
 defeat. This time could be obtained only by a temporary ad- 
 journment of the convention. It was discussed and decided 
 upon. A motion was made and carried, that the convention 
 be adjourned until Friday morning at ten o'clock. The quick- 
 ness of the action almost took the wind from the sails of the 
 Seward forces, but did not shake their confidence in the ulti- 
 mate triumph of their candidate. 
 
 While adjournment would mean leisure for some, it would 
 mean long arduous hours for the friends of Abe Lincoln. These 
 friends retired to their hotel rooms to remain there for the 
 
 22 
 
night. "Hundreds of Pennsylvanians, Indianans, Illinoisans," 
 said Murat Halstead, "never closed their eyes." All through the 
 night, wtih fanatical regularity, they interviewed delegate after 
 delegate, discussing and extolling the virtues of their candidate, 
 and horse trading for votes. While the Lincoln forces were 
 working desperately, and at times almost in tears, the confi- 
 dent Seward men were putting on premature celebrations in 
 the street just for pastime. 
 
 The long night was over and the nation would soon learn 
 the results. Promptly at ten o'clock Friday morning, the con- 
 vention was called to order. The crowd inside and out strained 
 every nerve to catch the drift of events. Speeches of nomination 
 began at once. A distinguished citizen of each of the states of 
 Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio, arose and nomi- 
 nated its favorite son for the high office of president. William 
 Evarts of New York came to the front, amid thunderous 
 applause, to nominate its illustrious son, William H. Seward. 
 
 At the close of the speech, the New York delegation let 
 out an indescribable, deafening roar that fairly shook the 
 Wigwam. The length of the demonstration and the degree of 
 the outburst took the Lincoln supporters by surprise. Not to 
 be outdone, at least in noise, Lincoln supporters set out to col- 
 lect every available rooter to be found in and outside of the 
 Wigwam. Communications were arranged with one another 
 through signals. Women were to wave handkerchiefs, while 
 friendly supporters were supplied with American flags. Rails 
 split by Abe himself, especially imported for the occasion, and 
 displayed upon the platform, furnished the background for the 
 nominating speech for Illinois' favorite son. The effect was 
 electrifying. The nominating honors fell to N. B. Judd, state 
 Republican chairman of Chicago, and close friend of Abe's, 
 who rose and said, "Mr. President, I beg leave to offer as candi- 
 date before this convention for president of the United States, 
 the name of Abraham Lincoln of Illinois." He was greeted with 
 long and vociferous applause. Caleb Smith seconded for Indiana. 
 
 "When Smith had finished," said Leonard Swett, "5,000 
 
 23 
 
steam whistles, ten acres of hotel gongs, a tribe of Comanches, 
 headed by a choice vanguard of pandemonium, might have 
 mingled in the scene unnoticed," so great was the jubilation. 
 
 As the demonstration quieted down, a voice rang out, "Abe 
 Lincoln has it by the sound; NOW, let us ballot!" and Judge 
 Logan fairly screamed to the convention, "Mr. Chairman, in 
 order, or out of order, I propose that this convention and 
 audience give three cheers for the man who is evidently their 
 nominee." 
 
 To become the nominee of the convention a candidate had 
 to pool 234 votes. The first ballot gave Seward 173^29 Abe 
 Lincoln 102, with scattered votes for other favorite sons. On 
 the second ballot Pennsylvania threw her entire 52 votes back 
 of Lincoln. A tremendous shout rocked the Wigwam. The 
 swing to Lincoln had started. The second ballot closed with 
 Seward having a total of 184 votes, while Lincoln had climbed 
 to 181. On the third ballot Lincoln reached a peak of 231% 
 — two and one-half votes short of a nomination. 
 
 Carter of Ohio was on his feet in an instant. "I a-arise Mr. 
 Chairman to a-announce the change of four votes from Gov- 
 ernor Chase to Abraham Lincoln." 
 
 "There was silence for a moment, and the next instant," 
 wrote Murat Halstead, "there was a noise in the Wigwam like 
 the rush of a great wind in the van of a storm, and in another 
 breath the storm was there. Thousands were cheering with the 
 energy of insanity." 
 
 A lone rooter climbed to the roof of the Wigwam and 
 shouted to the world, "Hallelujah, Abe Lincoln is nominated!" 
 
 From the top of the same roof, cannons boomed forth the 
 refrain. Thousands in the street took up the shout. "Abe Lin- 
 coln is nominated!" Locomotives, factory whistles, church 
 bells sounded out the victory and the hills and valleys re-echoed 
 it to the millions of firesides throughout the North, East and 
 West. 
 
 With the nominating of Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, for 
 
 24 
 
Vice-President, the epoch-making Convention in the Wigwam 
 was brought to a close. 
 
 It was late Friday afternoon in the little city of Springfield, 
 that Abe Lincoln was standing in the doorway of a shop, 
 chatting with a friend, having just completed an errand for 
 Mrs. Lincoln, when a boy came running up to him from the 
 telegraph office, shouting, "Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Lincoln, you've 
 been nominated !" Within a few minutes, friends and neighbors 
 came from every direction, some laughing, some weeping, and 
 all anxious to be the first to congratulate him and to shake 
 his hand. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln politely protested for a moment. 
 
 "I am glad to receive your congratulations but you must 
 excuse me," he said, "for there is a little woman down on 
 Eighth Street who also will be glad to hear the news." 28 
 
 THE GREAT AMERICAN INSTITUTION 
 
 Political conventions of the earlier period were notorious 
 for their long and exceedingly noisy celebrations, and have 
 come down to us with but slight changes. 
 
 In recent years the Republicans have introduced into their 
 assemblies the portly elephant, symbol of their party, while 
 the Democrats have brought to their conventions the lowly 
 donkey, as their famous party emblem. The length of the cele- 
 brations have been shortened, but the new model continues to 
 toot its horns with stops wide open. 
 
 This late model is a sort of paradoxical American institu- 
 tion. A close up gives one the impression of a three ringed 
 circus, part clowning, part carnival, with a few of the virtues 
 of the pulpit and platform thrown in. Some one has likened it 
 to a family fight with the window shades drawn. I like the late 
 Senator Vandenberg's description of it. 
 
 25 
 
"You know all this could happen in only one country on 
 earth today. There is a lot of hoopla to it, but every one in 
 all the rest of the world would be glad to have our way of 
 doing it." 
 
 It's true; the modern political convention is distinctly 
 American, dramatized Americanism, yes, the Great American 
 Institution. 
 
 THE PEOPLE SPEAK 
 
 The Summer and Fall days of 1860 found four political 
 parties vying with each other for the highest political stakes of 
 the nation. The Democrats were split into Northern and South- 
 ern wings. Douglas represented the Northern and Breckenridge 
 the Southern; Bell headed the Constitutional Party; while Lin- 
 coln was the Republican nominee. 
 
 As the campaign moved into high gear, with the autumn 
 days approaching, excitement ran high. 
 
 Listen to the words of Abe Lincoln, this political evangel, 
 this "Apostle of Liberty," as he swung into the climax of his 
 campaign, with stops wide open, pulling no punches and court- 
 ing no favors. 
 
 "I know there is a God, that he hates injustice and slavery. 
 I see the storm coming and I know that His hand is in it. If 
 He has a place and work for me — and I think He has — I believe 
 I am ready. 
 
 "I am nothing, but truth is everything. I know that I am 
 right, because I know that liberty is right, for Christ teaches 
 it, and Christ is God. I have told them that a house divided 
 against itself cannot stand, and Christ and reason say the 
 same, and they will find it so. Douglas don't care whether slavery 
 is voted up or down, but God cares, and humanity cares, and 
 I care, and with God's help I shall not fail. I may not see the 
 
 26 
 
end but it will come, and I shall be vindicated; and these men 
 will find that they have not read their Bibles aright." 29 
 
 It was a resolute citizenry that went to the polls that somber 
 day in November of 1860. The outcome of that battle of 
 ballots meant freedom or bondage for some and unity or dis- 
 unity for all. The people patiently awaited the verdict. 
 
 Their patience was rewarded, for Abe Lincoln, in whom they 
 had placed their trust to hold the Union together and stop the 
 flow of slavery into new territory, emerged from the tempes- 
 tuous campaign a winner, the first Republican to be elected 
 President of the United States. America bad discovered Lincoln. 
 
 The people had spoken. Abe Lincoln had carried every state 
 north of the Mason and Dixon line, except New Jersey, with 
 a plurality of a little less than 500,000. But south of this line 
 there were ten states that did not cast a vote for him. 30 
 
 The battle of ballots showed convincingly that we were in 
 truth "a house divided against itself." 
 
 REWARDS HIS ENEMIES 
 
 Lincoln was confronted with the herculean task of selecting 
 a cabinet. Evidently he was well aware of the Scriptural adage, 
 "I will reward them that hate me," for he invited some of his 
 most rabid political haters to share responsible positions with 
 him in the cabinet. 
 
 For his large experience in governmental affairs, he chose 
 William H. Seward of New York to become his Secretary of 
 State. For his integrity, he offered the position of Secretary of 
 the Treasury to Salmon P. Chase of Ohio. For his popularity, 
 he tendered the position of Secretary of War to Simon Cameron, 
 of Pennsylvania. Because of his strategic Western location, he 
 asked Edward P. Bates of Missouri to accept the portfolio of 
 Attorney General. To placate the East he requested Gideon 
 
 27 
 
Welles, of Connecticut, to become Secretary of the Navy. 
 Caleb Smith of Indiana was accorded the honor of Secretary of 
 the Interior, for his loyal political support. And to appease the 
 Democrats and the South, he insisted on Montgomery Blair, of 
 Maryland, taking over the Postmaster generalship. Seward, 
 Chase, Cameron and Bates were candidates against him for 
 the presidency. They were all able men, but not one among 
 them was considered to be a close personal friend. 31 
 
 It took three weeks for Seward to make up his mind to 
 serve. When he did, he said it was because he felt he was needed 
 to save the Union. Chase said he would think about it and took 
 until a few days before the inauguration before he sent his 
 acceptance. He was later known as the chronic resigner. Cameron 
 requested to be relieved from cabinet duties a year later. Lincoln 
 filled the vacancy by inviting Edwin M. Stanton, of Ohio and 
 Pennsylvania, to take over. Stanton willingly accepted. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln had had the profoundest respect for the ability 
 of Mr. Stanton ever since the day that he had heard him 
 plead in the McCormick Harvester case at Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 However, Stanton did not have the same high regard for 
 Lincoln's ability. He felt that the elevating of Mr. Lincoln to 
 the presidency was a grave mistake, "a deplorable accident." 
 
 It was not uncommon for Stanton to give vent to his 
 antagonistic feelings toward the President to his friends and 
 office callers. On one occasion he referred to the President as a 
 "damn fool." But Lincoln refused to be perturbed by such 
 remarks. To the epithet of damn fool, his courteous reply was, 
 "If Stanton thinks I'm a damn fool, I must be one, for he is 
 usually right in these matters." 32 On another occasion, Stanton 
 characterized the President as "a long lean cadaverous critter 
 who wore a cape for a coat, that was so splotched with sweat 
 that it resembled the map of a continent." 
 
 28 
 
WRITES OWN SPEECHES 
 
 With his cabinet worries temporarily out of the way, the 
 next important task on Mr. Lincoln's political agenda, was the 
 writing of his inaugural address. 
 
 With the secession of Southern states on the increase, and 
 the nation in an upheaval, perhaps no previous inaugural 
 address was awaited with more eagerness and anxiety. The most 
 discussed question of the hour was — would there be peace or 
 war. And only the newly elected President could give the satis- 
 factory answer. The people were in such a frame of mind that 
 they did not care to wait even until his inauguration for his 
 views; they wanted them at once. 
 
 But Lincoln demonstrated that he was not a novice in 
 politics and would not allow himself to be stampeded by his 
 political enemies into making statements "off the cuff." His 
 policy was one of silence on all controversial political subjects 
 until the day of the delivery of his inaugural. This resolve he 
 kept to the end. 
 
 In the preparation of this address, Mr. Lincoln did his own 
 thinking and writing. Ghost writers played no part in the 
 preparation of his political speeches. He was not unreceptive to 
 other people's opinions, but was adamant should anyone try to 
 interefere with his thought, style or policies. 
 
 His mode of procedure was to jot down ideas as they came 
 to him upon scraps of paper, or on backs of old and discarded 
 envelopes. After a goodly number had accumulated he pigeon- 
 holed them for future reference. 
 
 A few weeks before he departed for Washington, he gath- 
 ered up his scattered notes and retired to his secret retreat, a 
 bare room above his brother-in-law's store, located in the busi- 
 ness section of Springfield. Here, usually in the quiet of the 
 
 29 
 
night and alone, he slowly molded his ideas into the finished 
 product. 
 
 Upon the completion of the inaugural he turned it over to 
 manager William H. Bailhache of the Illinois State Journal, 
 who put it into type. On the train enroute to Washington, 
 President-elect Lincoln courteously presented to his personal 
 friends, Orville H. Browning and Judge David Davis, advance 
 copies. After his arrival he supplied his Secretary of State Seward 
 with a copy. 
 
 True to form, Seward assumed that the responsibility for the 
 preservation of the Union rested squarely upon his shoulders; 
 and spent almost all of the following Sunday in making copious 
 suggestions for the already printed address. The critique cov- 
 ered nearly as many pages as the address itself. 
 
 But the President-elect did not seem at all perturbed by 
 Seward's sudden display of arrogance. He weighed each sugges- 
 tion in its relation to the whole, and incorporated those ideas 
 which seemed to help to clarify his thoughts on the important 
 questions of the day. 
 
 THE AFFABLE HOSTS 
 
 The latter weeks of 1860 and the early period of 1861 found 
 the quiet, peaceful, prairie city of Springfield, Illinois, the home 
 of President-elect Abraham Lincoln, suddenly transformed into 
 a sort of glorified political capitol. The curious, the office- 
 seeker and the well wisher from here, there, and everywhere, 
 had beaten a path to the door of the reception room in the State 
 House. Inventors brought their devices for Lincoln's inspection 
 and opinion. Wood artists depicting him in his environs swamped 
 him with their creations. Tall men trekked long distances to 
 match heights with him. Young bucks with their brides and 
 
 30 
 
sweethearts joined the queues, awaiting patiently their turn, to 
 shake hands with him. Politicos were on hand to warn him 
 and to shower him with their advice. And country and town 
 folk of his own community sauntered around just to get a new 
 look at "Old Abe" since he had suddenly become famous. Many 
 came to shake his hand; a few were there to ridicule and make 
 fun of him. 
 
 "I see," said one, "Old Abe is wearin' a new hat and a new 
 suit." Another replied, "Yeh, and he has covered his face 
 with whiskers. I reckon he's gittin' stuck up." Each day's mail 
 brought new threats upon his life to disturb his peace of mind. 
 
 Even Mrs. Lincoln did not escape the stinging remarks of 
 bystanders. Her ear was attuned to such expressions as, "Aha, 
 is that the old woman!" Neither was her mail always free from 
 sneak insults. Imagine her humiliation when she unwrapped a 
 parcel containing a painting upon canvas portraying her dis- 
 tinguished husband with a rope around his neck, his ankles bound 
 with chains, and his body covered with tar and feathers. 
 
 But all was not dismal and tragic with the Lincolns. There 
 were bright spots that penetrated the gloom of a day's log. For 
 instance, a politico from the State House of Columbus, Ohio, 
 presented Mr. Lincoln with a unique gadget, a whistle made 
 out of a pig's tail. This special gift brought a hearty laugh to 
 his weary countenance and evoked a jocular remark. "I never 
 before suspected, up to this time, that there was music in such 
 a thing as a pig's tail." 
 
 An elderly woman came, dressed in country garb, and 
 wearing upon her head a huge sunbonnet. "Mr. Lincoln," she 
 said, "I want to give ye something to take back to Washington 
 with ye." And reaching down into her reticule she drew forth 
 a pair of blue woolen socks and handed them to Mr. Lincoln. 
 "These are all I have. I spun the yarn and knit them myself." 
 Mr. Lincoln accepted the gift, bowed graciously, and thanked 
 her for her thoughtfulness. As she turned to go he arose and 
 escorted her to the door with as much courtesy as if she had 
 been the Queen of England. Upon returning to his chair, he 
 
 31 
 
took the socks by the toes, one in each hand, scrutinizing them 
 thoroughly, then holding them up in full view of his friends, 
 excitedly exclaimed: "Well, the old lady certainly got my lati- 
 tude and longitude 'bout right, didn't she." 33 
 
 The door to Mr. Lincoln's reception room was always open. 
 There were no ushers, no reception committees, and no guards. 
 Visitors came and went, as unceremoniously as if he had been 
 a candidate for district judge. Mr. Lincoln was not unduly 
 ruffled by the drift of circumstances, and like a good American 
 he took the events in stride. 
 
 An intimate glimpse of Mr. Lincoln at the scene of action 
 is given by Henry Villard reporting for the New York Herald. 
 
 "The concerned expression on the pallid cheeks of Mr. 
 Lincoln tells a meaningful tale. However, he does not complain 
 of any direct ailment. The vigor of his mind and the stead- 
 fastness of his humor are obviously unimpaired. He receives 
 everybody with uniform kindness and is the very embodiment 
 of good temper and affability." 
 
 FAREWELL TO HOME FOLKS 
 
 In the early days of February, with their soirees and public 
 receptions over, and their home closed, Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln 
 retired to the Chenery Hotel in Springfield, to av/ait their 
 departure to Washington. 
 
 Because of the many threats made upon her husband's life, 
 Mrs. Lincoln was strongly urged by her friends not to make 
 the journey until after Mr. Lincoln was safely anchored in 
 Washington. But she did not heed the entreaties, and emphati- 
 cally stated, "I shall remain at the side of my husband regard- 
 less of hazards." 
 
 A short time previous to his departure, Mr. Lincoln quietly 
 
 32 
 
slipped away from Springfield, to pay a short visit to his aged 
 stepmother and to bid her a last farewell at her home near the 
 little Illinois town of Charleston. It was to her, in the darker 
 moments of his boyhood, that he had turned for solace and 
 encouragement. It was she who had helped him to carry out a 
 resolution that he had made early in life: "I will prepare and 
 get ready and maybe my time will come." Certainly, he thought, 
 that time had now arrived, and he would pay his debt of grati- 
 tude before it was too late. 
 
 Upon his return, Lincoln was actively engaged in caring 
 for final items of the business of moving, and bidding goodbye 
 to the home folks. It was far more difficult than he had antici- 
 pated to tear himself away from the old friends with whom 
 he had been chummy on the street, about the court room, 
 and at the grocery store. 
 
 One of his most trying ordeals was to say a last goodbye 
 to his law partner, "Billy" Herndon. Stealing away to that 
 little one-room second-story law office, to which he was wont 
 to go each morning for many years, he found his partner re- 
 clining in his customary chair back of the table, gazing out of 
 the window. Abe crossed to the opposite side of the room and 
 threw himself down on the office sofa. He lay there for a time 
 without either speaking. 
 
 Finally Abe broke the silence. 
 
 "Billy, how long have we been together?" 
 
 "Over sixteen years," replied Billy. 
 
 "We've never had a cross word in all that time, have we?" 
 
 "No, Mr. Lincoln, none that I can recall." Herndon always 
 addressed his senior partner as "Mr." Lincoln. * 
 
 A sign at the foot of the stairs announcing their partnership 
 had swung on its rusty hinges through the years. "Billy," said 
 Abe, "I've a request to make before I go. I want you to let 
 the old sign hang as it is, undisturbed. It will give our clients 
 to understand that the election of a president makes no change 
 in the firm of Lincoln and Herndon. If I live I'm coming back 
 
 • R. E. Bendell, Lansing, Michigan. 
 
 33 
 
sometime, and then go right on practicing law as if nothing 
 had ever happened. Goodbye Billy." 
 
 "Goodbye, Mr. Lincoln," said Billy with moistened eyes 
 fe I shall never have another partner as long as you live." 
 
 Abe tarried for a moment, taking a last fond look at the 
 old place, then he gathered up a bundle of papers and stuffed 
 them into his tall hat, and with a few books tucked under his 
 arm, disappeared through the open door and down the narrow 
 stairway which led to the street. As he passed under the old 
 squeaky office sign, the wind semed to waft it with greater in- 
 tensity, as if it, too, was anxious to wave a last affectionate 
 goodbye." 34A 
 
 It was about 7:30 o'clock, February 11, 1861, a cold damp 
 dismal morning, that Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln with their three 
 sons, personal friends, and bodyguard, left the Chenery Hotel 
 and rode to the Great Western Depot in Springfield. 
 
 More than a thousand friends, neighbors, and people from 
 a distance, from various walks of life, had assembled at the 
 railway station, on each side of the festively decorated train, 
 to bid farewell to their honored townsman. 
 
 Soon after the arrival, Mr. Lincoln stationed himself at a 
 vantage spot in the waiting room of the depot, where his 
 friends filed by and took his hand for the last time. His face was 
 pale and he was so overcome with emotion that he could scarcely 
 utter a word. 
 
 At eight o'clock Colonel W. S. Wood, and Editor E. L. 
 Baker of the Springfield Journal approached Mr. Lincoln to 
 escort him to his car. 
 
 As the tall angular figure towering above the rest made his 
 way through the multitude, there were cheers and frequent calls 
 of "Speech, Abe, speech!" 
 
 At the train, Mr. Lincoln exchanged a few words with 
 his wife, who then entered the car and took her seat. Mr. 
 Lincoln remaining upon the platform, turned about and met 
 the gaze of the cheering throng, and lifting his hand requested 
 silence. He threw back his long cape and removed his tall hat. 
 
 34 
 
The men likewise bared their heads and stood at respectful 
 attention while the kind, humble, homey Abe Lincoln, now 
 President-elect of the United States, addressed to them his 
 parting words. 
 
 "My friends, no one not in my situation can appreciate my 
 feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place and the kindness 
 of this people I owe everything. Here I have lived for a quarter 
 of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. 
 Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now 
 leave not knowing when or whether I may ever return, with 
 a task greater than that which rested on Washington. Trusting 
 in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be 
 everywhere for good, let us confidently hope all yet will be 
 well. To His care commending you as I hope in your prayers 
 you will remember me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.""" 
 
 There was scarcely a dry eye in the crowd. Choked exclama- 
 tions went up: "We'll do it — we'll do it! Goodbye, Abe, stick 
 to the constitution and we'll stick to you!" 
 
 Abe Lincoln lingered silently for a moment with fixed gaze 
 upon familiar scenes and faces; then turned, entered the coach 
 and took his seat with Mrs. Lincoln and the children. The long 
 journey to the Nation's Capitol had begun. 
 
 U. S. Senator Fred T. Dubois from Idaho said that his 
 brother, who was at the station, never forgot Lincoln's sorrow- 
 ful face as he bade all of them farewell." 34 
 
 "■This is Nicolay's version of the famous farewell. 
 
 35 
 
Part II 
 
 AMERICA DISCOVERS LINCOLN 
 
SPRINGFIELD TO WASHINGTON 
 
 The Presidential Special, was made up of an engine, baggage, 
 smoking and passenger cars, beautifully decorated with flags, 
 engravings, evergreens and other devices. The train, which 
 traveled thirty miles an hour, was in charge of L. Tilton, 
 president, and W. C. Whitney, conductor, and J. J. S. Wilson, 
 superintendent of the Union Telegraph Company. It had every- 
 thing in readiness to make telegraphic connections at a moment's 
 notice. 
 
 Some of the important personages aboard the Special out 
 of Springfield for Washington were Colonel Ward Hill Lamon, 
 Colonel R. E. Ellsworth, Hon. N. B. Judd, Hon. W. S. Woods, 
 Judge David Davis, John George Nicolay, Esq., John Hay Esq., 
 Dr. W. S. Wallace M.D., Lockwood Todd, George Latham, 
 J. M. Burgess, Colonel E. V. Sumner U.S.A., Major D. Hunter 
 U.S.A., and Captain John Pope. There were other friends of 
 Lincoln, and numerable politicos and friends who joined the 
 party at various stops, riding for a day or so and then 
 dropping out. In many instances delegations from the cities 
 where important stops were to be made were sent on ahead 
 as ambassadors of goodwill to greet the party previous to the 
 arrival of the train. 35 
 
 This pre-inaugural trip of the President-elect was fraught 
 with danger as well as political significance. Numerous threats 
 had already been made upon his life. But the composed Lincoln, 
 believing the good to be accomplished outweighed the potential 
 dangers, embarked upon his charted course with no visible 
 traces of fear or apprehension. 
 
 To paint an accurate word picture of what took place at 
 the seat of events along the way over ninety years removed from 
 the present, is a difficult task. Such a picture could be easier to 
 
 39 
 
comprehend, should one in his imagination re -live the recent 
 fabulous acclaim given to General Douglas MacArthur upon his 
 return from the Orient, at San Francisco, Washington D. C, and 
 New York City. For the Lincoln and MacArthur demonstrations 
 bore a marked resemblance to each other. 
 
 One should also keep in mind in shaping the picture that 
 the centers of population in 1861 were not so populous as 
 today. Nevertheless the noisy, tumultuous throngs that greeted 
 Lincoln taxed the capacity of walks and streets, and at times 
 overflowed the cities. At the receptions the oratory from the 
 tongues of governors, mayors, and other top-flight officials 
 was no less ornate than contemparary oratory, while the enthu- 
 siastic welcome was every bit as fervent, and the cordiality as 
 genuine. 
 
 As one follows the President-elect and his party from city 
 to city, he should keep in mind the tenseness of the national 
 political situation. The entire country was in a turmoil. The 
 states of the Southland had begun to secede and preparations 
 were in the making for a new seat of government for the 
 rebellious potential Federated States. A new political party had 
 been born and had elected its first President, which added to 
 the confusion; for the South was jealously suspicious of almost 
 his every act. But the North remained steadfast in support of 
 Lincoln, and staked her hopes on the efficacy of his wisdom to 
 maintain order and keep the Union intact. 
 
 There was little doubt that Abraham Lincoln entered upon 
 his perilous and arduous journey with but one object — that 
 of meeting the people and testing their political pulse. This 
 somehow might enhance his chances of uncovering the secrets 
 that could lead to a solution of the colossal problems con- 
 fronting him as he was about to take the oath of office as chief 
 executive of the nation. 
 
 40 
 
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 
 
 On the train that afternoon enroute to Indianapolis, Mr. 
 Lincoln discovered that the satchel containing his inaugural 
 address was missing. He had entrusted it to his son Robert, who 
 in turn had inadvertently handed it to a waiter, and the 
 waiter had mislaid it. The episode caused no little excitement 
 among the passengers and crew. But after much searching it was 
 discovered in the baggage car. With the return of the satchel, 
 Mr. Lincoln reprimanded his son for neglect of duty and hence- 
 forth assumed full responsibility for the care of the all- 
 important address. 
 
 The Special arrived at the station at 4 o'clock amidst the 
 booming of thirty-eight cannons, and a din of noise from 
 "an acre or more'' of frenzied people. The party was met at 
 the train by a reception committee headed by Indiana's Governor 
 Morton. After Mr. Lincoln had made some brief remarks, he, 
 Mrs. Lincoln and the children, were ushered into a waiting 
 carriage which was drawn by four beautiful white horses. The 
 procession passed down Washington Steet, flanked on both 
 sides by a yelling, cheering mob. Mr. Lincoln stood up in the 
 carriage and acknowledged the cheers with a gentle bow. The 
 occasion was enlivened by marching fire companies, three brass 
 bands, and the firing of artillery salutes. The buildings were 
 gaily decorated with flags and streamers, and the windows were 
 stuffed with people even including the third and fourth floors. 
 The streets were so crowded that many were in danger of being 
 trampled upon. Workmen who had not left their jobs in years 
 took a holiday to get a good look at "Old Abe." And they 
 were not disappointed, for he was easier to look at than they 
 had anticipated, and they liked his free and affable manner. 
 
 Upon reaching the Bates House, the center of the festivities, 
 
 41 
 
the crowd was so dense that it became necessary to lift Mr. 
 Lincoln above their heads and into the hotel, where he made his 
 way up to the balcony from which he was to address the 
 multitude. » 
 
 After a short introduction by Governor Morton, Mr. Lincoln- 
 said: ' 
 
 "Governor Morton and fellow citizens of the State of 
 Indiana: Most heartily do I thank you for this magnificent 
 reception, and while I cannot take to myself any share of the 
 compliment thus paid, more than that which pertains to a mere 
 instrument, an accidental instrument, perhaps I should say,- 
 of a great cause, I yet must look upon it as a most magnificent 
 reception, and as such, most heartily do I thank you for it. You 
 have been pleased to address yourselves to me chiefly in behalf 
 of this glorious Union in which we live, in all of which you 
 have my hearty sympathy, and, as far as may be within my 
 power, will have, one and inseparably, my hearty consideration. 
 While I do not expect, upon this occasion, or until I get to 
 Washington, to attempt any lengthy speeches, I will only say to 
 the salvation of the Union, there needs but one single thing — 
 the hearts of a people like yours. (Applause) 
 
 "The people, when they rise in mass in behalf of the Union,, 
 and the liberties of their country, truly may it be said, 'The 
 gates of hell cannot prevail against them.' (Renewed applause) 
 
 "In all trying positions in which I shall be placed, and, ( 
 doubtless I may be placed in many such, my reliance will be 
 placed upon you, and the people of the United States — and I 
 wish you to remember, now and forever, that it is your busi- 
 ness, and not mine, that if the Union of these states, and the 
 liberties of this people, shall be lost, it is but little to any one 
 man 52 years of age, but a great deal to the thirty millions of 
 people who inhabit these United States, and to their posterity in 
 all coming time. It is your business to rise up and preserve the 
 Union and liberty for yourselves and not for me. 
 
 "I desire they should be constitutionally performed. I, as 
 already intimated, am but an accidental instrument, temporary, 
 
 42 
 
and to serve but for a limited time, and I appeal to you again 
 to constantly bear in mind that with you and not with politi- 
 cians, not with presidents, not with office seekers, but with you, 
 is the question: Shall the Union and shall the liberties of this 
 country be preserved to the latest generations?" (Cheers) 
 
 In a second address at Indianapolis, Mr. Lincoln took for 
 his subject "Coercion and Invasion." He explained these terms 
 in their relation to the troubled situation existing between the 
 Northern and Southern states. He used apt illustrations, 
 phrasing his language in the form of questions, allowing the 
 people to make their own applications from what he said. 
 
 The address reminded one of the parables used by the 
 Master, to drive home simple truths. 
 
 He closed with, "Fellow citizens, I am not asserting any- 
 thing, I am merely making questions for you to consider. Now 
 allow me to bid you farewell." 
 
 Sidelights 
 
 The comment of the Indianapolis State Guard, evidently an 
 opposition paper, was not favorable. "We have heard speeches," 
 stated the editorial, "in our day from Presidents Monroe, Jack- 
 son, Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler and Fillmore, but really we 
 have not heard anything to be compared to this one from Lin- 
 coln, so remarkable for gross levity. Forty-five thousand people, 
 it is said, came from all parts of the state to hear the President 
 say something designed to soothe their apprehensions — to give 
 them hope that he would pursue a policy calculated to restore 
 peace to the country."" What did they hear? Some unintelligible 
 stuff about "Regular Marriage," "Free Love," "Homeopathic 
 Pills," and such like nonsense, far inferior to what is delivered 
 on many stumps by candidates for the lower house of the 
 legislature. The people were much disappointed in him in many 
 respects. They did not see as ugly a man as his likeness made him 
 out, and they did not get anything positive from him as to his 
 
 *Yet Lincoln had clearly made it known before he left Springfield, that he 
 did not intend to discuss controversial political questions until after his inauguration 
 as President. 
 
 43 
 
future policy upon the great question now convulsing the 
 country." 
 
 In President-elect Lincoln's room at the Bates House, a 
 rich melodramatic scene took place on the morning of Febru- 
 ary 12, when two of his cronies, J. K. Dubois and E. Peck bade 
 him goodbye. They hugged him and told him to "behave himself 
 like a good boy in the White House, and even cut a lock of 
 his hair from his head with which they rushed triumphantly out 
 of the room." 36 
 
 CINCINNATI, OHIO 
 
 About 10:30 o'clock carriages received the Lincoln party 
 and drove to the Union Station from which they departed for 
 Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 The train had not gone far on its journey before a committee 
 from Cincinnati,' Covington, and Newport, Kentucky, of which 
 the Hon. D. K. Este was chairman, came aboard the Special and 
 joined the Lincoln party, providing an escort into the city. The 
 committee was made up of both Republicans and Democrats. 
 
 "Within a few moments the entire party was engaged in a 
 lively exchange of wit and humor. The President-elect was the 
 merriest among the merry and kept those around him in a 
 continual roar." 
 
 Four stops were made between Indianapolis and Cincinnati, 
 and at each Lincoln appeared upon the platform to say a few 
 words and to listen to the firing of guns and vocal and instru- 
 mental music prepared for the occasion. 
 
 At the stops Tad and Willie Lincoln would hurry from the 
 train, mingle with the crowd and shout to a bystander, "Do 
 you want to see Old Abe?" Then they would point to some 
 tall stranger, hide behind their elders to watch the fun, and 
 hop back on the train again. 
 
 44 
 
At 3:00 o'clock P.M. of the same day the suburb of Porkop- 
 olis hove into sight and the train reduced its speed to provide 
 for the safety of the crowd which lined each side of the track 
 leading to the Cincinnati Station. The crowd to greet the 
 President-elect was enormous. Not only were the streets im- 
 passable but every elevation, freight car, coal dump, house top, 
 lumber pile, treetop was alive with humanity. 
 
 The reception took place at the Burnett House. The Presi- 
 dent-elect was introduced by Mayor Bishop who said, "Honored 
 sir: In the name of the people of all classes of my fellow citizens, 
 I extend to you a cordial welcome, and in their behalf I have 
 the honor of offering you the hospitalities of Cincinnati. Our 
 city needs no eulogy from me. Her well known character for 
 enterprise, liberality, and hospitality, is not more distinguished 
 than her fidelity and undying devotion to the Union of these 
 United States, and a warm filial affectionate regard for that 
 glorious ensign which has 'braved the battle and the breeze' 
 upon land and sea so many years. The people under the solemn 
 and dignified forms of the constitution have chosen you as 
 President of the United States, and as such I greet you. I 
 welcome you to our noble city, and trust that your short stay 
 with us may be an agreeable one, and that your journey to our 
 federal Capitol may be pleasant and safe." 
 
 In reply Mr. Lincoln said, "Mr. Mayor, ladies and gentle- 
 men: A few hours ago I stepped out of the capitol of Indiana. 
 I said to myself I have never seen so many people together on 
 any occasion whatever. I am no longer able to say that. But 
 it could reasonably be expected of this great city of Cincinnati. 
 I confess myself entirely overwhelmed with the magnificence 
 of this reception. I will not say it was given to me but to the 
 President of the United States of America. Most cordially do I 
 thank you one and all for it. 
 
 "I have been reminded by the Mayor that this reception is 
 given not by any one political party: and if I had not been 
 so reminded by His Honor the Mayor, I could have known the 
 fact by the extent of the multitude. I could not but have known 
 
 45 
 
that all parties join in this reception. This is as it should be. 
 It is as it should have been if Mr. Douglas had been here; as 
 it should have been had Mr. Bell been here; as it should have 
 been had Mr. Breckenridge been here; as it should have been, 
 and should forever be when any citizen of the United States 
 is constitutionally elected President. 
 
 "And allow me to say, I think what happened here could 
 not happen in any country of the world without the influence 
 of free institutions that we have enjoyed in the United States 
 for three quarters of a century." 
 
 Then speaking briefly of the difficulties which had arisen 
 between the states, and affirming that he would treat Kentuck- 
 ians and those of the South as Washington, Jefferson and Madi- 
 son had treated them, he closed with these fitting words: 
 
 "Trusting that the good sense of the American people under 
 the providence of God who has never deserted us, that we 
 shall again be brethren and forget past differences, and hoping 
 that this may be so, fellow citizens, I bid you farewell." 
 
 Sidelights 
 
 Lincoln's appearance prompted many odd comments from 
 the crowd. One old lady who had prided herself on seeing a 
 "power of presidents" in her day, was overheard to remark, 
 "Ef I was a man and elected President and couldn't go on to 
 Washington and take my seat 'thout bein' gyraded like Linkum, 
 I'd stay at home." "Do you believe," inquired someone else, 
 with an appearance of great earnestness and some incredulity, 
 "that Linkum ever split a million rails in one day." "Old Abe's" 
 physique was freely discussed, and like the crowd in Indianapolis, 
 people seemed disappointed in not finding him as atrociously 
 ugly as he had been represented. 
 
 It was written: "The throng of human beings, men, women 
 and children, massed about the Burnett House exhibited a 
 higher state of condensation than we thought possible. Mixed 
 in with the crowd were a number of street cars and several 
 private carriages, the horses of which became frightened and 
 
 46 
 
pitched about, to the imminent danger of those about them. 
 The crowd swayed and surged back and forth and it did seem 
 as if someone would be crushed to death. Among them were 
 several females who were forced to undergo a higher degree 
 of pressure than was agreeable, to the imminent peril, not 
 only of the sympathy of their hoops, but of limbs and life 
 itself. We observed several small children of different denomina- 
 tions, elevated above the crowd, and literally passed over heads 
 to places of safety, thus saving them from certain death which 
 would have followed had they once gone down. Corpulent 
 gentlemen came out of the crowd considerably thinner and 
 several inches longer. An attempt was made several times to get 
 up a general fight, but they were so densely packed as to pre- 
 clude any exhibition of the manly art." 
 
 This conversation was overhead during the procession, 
 "Hello Harry." "Hello John, where have you been?" "Why 
 Fve come from the corner of Fourth and Vine streets, where I 
 saw the largest funeral procession for our country that was 
 ever before looked upon by an American citizen." 37 
 
 COLUMBUS, OHIO 
 
 A special committee selected by Governor Dennison of Ohio 
 had been sent to Cincinnati to invite the President-elect to visit 
 Columbus. With the invitation accepted, the Lincoln party left 
 the station in Cincinnati, at eight o'clock February 13. The 
 route taken was over the little Miami and Columbus and Xenia 
 Railroad. 
 
 The party was met at the station by a committee headed by 
 L. Donaldson, Esq. Upon alighting from the train, Mrs. Lincoln 
 was escorted to the Governor's residence, while Mr. Lincoln 
 was driven directly to the Governor's office at the capitol. 
 Here he was introduced to Governor Dennison, by the Hon. 
 
 47 
 
James Monroe. After brief ceremonies Mr. Lincoln was ushered 
 into the House of Representatives and was introduced by Gov- 
 ernor Dennison to Lieutenant Governor Kirk, who made the 
 address of welcome. In part he said, "Mr. Lincoln, it is my 
 pleasurable duty in behalf of the people of Ohio, speaking 
 through the General Assembly, to welcome you to their capitol. 
 On this day, and probably this very hour, the Congress of the 
 United States will declare the verdict of the people making you 
 their President."" Never in this history of this government has 
 such painful responsibility rested upon the chief executive of 
 the nation as will rest upon you. Never since the memorable 
 time our patriotic fathers gave existence to the American 
 Republic have the people looked with such intensity of feeling 
 to the inauguration and future policy of a future President, as 
 they do to yours. I need not assure you that the people of Ohio 
 have full confidence in your ability and patriotism, and will 
 respond to you in their loyalty to the Union and the con- 
 stitution. It is the earnest prayer of our people that the same 
 kind of Providence which protected us in our colonial struggles 
 and has attended us thus far in our prosperity, will imbue your 
 mind with wisdom that you may dispel the dark clouds that 
 hang over our political horizon and thereby secure the return 
 of the harmony and the fraternal feeling to our distracted and 
 unhappy country. God grant their prayers may be fully real- 
 ized. Again I bid you a cordial welcome to our capitol." 
 
 The report of Mr. Lincoln's address was imperfect owing 
 to the impossibility of taking notes under such crowded condi- 
 tions, but he replied substantially as follows: "Mr. President, 
 Mr. Speaker, and gentlemen of the Senate and House of Repre- 
 sentatives: It is true, as has been said by the President of the 
 Senate, who I believe addressed me, that great responsibility rests 
 upon me, in the position I have been placed by the votes of my 
 fellow citizens. But in order to discharge it I must look for the 
 only support which will enable me to fulfill the obligations 
 resting upon me, the support of the American people, and that 
 
 * Lincoln's election was officially confirmed at Washington, D. C. February 13, 
 1861. 
 
 48 
 
of God who has always been with the American people. Owing 
 to the interest felt in my position and policy, I have received 
 censure from one portion of my countrymen and some degree 
 of praise from another for my silence. I am satisfied that it is 
 best to remain silent. I do not do so for my desire for party 
 strength, or popularity, but because I judge the course pursued 
 the best under the circumstances. Through all the varying inci- 
 dents of the past few months, with its shifting scenes and 
 without precedent, I preferred to see the whole field, and under- 
 stand the matter in all its phases. We may have differences of 
 opinion but no side is losing. 
 
 "I have been obliged to speak extemporaneously, and without 
 preparation, so I'll only say, that I heartily thank you gentlemen 
 for the very handsome reception you have given me." 
 
 At the conclusion of his speech, Mr. Lincoln retired to the 
 rotunda where he met and shook hands with thousands of 
 citizens until five o'clock, after which he returned to Governor 
 Dennison's office for some much needed repose. 
 
 Sidelights 
 
 At an early hour in the evening the rooms at Governor 
 Dennison's residence were crowded with guests, uncomfortably 
 so. The best arrangements were made to prevent any inconven- 
 ience or unnecessary annoyance. On entering the hall a servant 
 directed the visitors to the dressing rooms, upstairs where hats 
 and coats were deposited, descending, another waiter met guests 
 and pointed the way to the reception parlor where Mr. Lincoln 
 was holding his levee, the Governor introducing the new arrival 
 by name. The President-elect was in full evening dress, and 
 appeared as fresh and unwearied as though he had not traveled 
 a mile or performed a tithe of labor imposed on him by the 
 programme. After conversing a few minutes with him, the 
 guests retired to another parlor where Mrs. Lincoln held court 
 in true matronly style assisted by Mrs. Dennison. Mrs. Lincoln 
 was a very pleasant lady, courteous and unassuming and with a 
 smile and cordial greeting for all. She was rather below the 
 
 49 
 
medium height with a prepossessing face and engaging manners. 
 She was attired in a very rich dark figured silk, with head-dress 
 to match. After paying their respects to the President-elect and 
 lady, the gentlemen amused themselves by conversation and 
 interchange of opinions respecting the future chief magistrate 
 until about eight o'clock, when supper was announced. 
 
 A sumptuous table was spread with all the delicacies of the 
 season, and a large number of waiters, who relieved everyone 
 else of any trouble but masticating the viands. After supper, 
 the President-elect and his suite returned to the capitol where 
 the ladies of the city called on him until a late hour. 38 
 
 PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 
 
 The Lincoln party left Columbus, Ohio, Thursday morning, 
 February 14, at eight o'clock by special train in charge of con- 
 ductor Fell, over the Central Ohio and Steubenville R. R. for 
 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 
 
 For the safety of the party Governor Dennison requested 
 two of his aides, Colonels O'Harra and Mygatt, to accompany 
 the party as far as Cleveland. 
 
 The trip was uneventful until Pennsylvania was reached, 
 when between Rochester and Baden, a freight wreck occurred 
 which delayed the presidential party. 
 
 It was a dismal evening of this day when the train pulled 
 into Allegheny City, Federal Street Station, at about 8:30 
 o'clock, in a deluge of rain, three hours behind schedule. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln and entourage were met by a committee headed 
 by Mayor Drumm, of Allegheny City. Those in charge of the 
 reception, not knowing just when the train would arrive, had 
 used up much of the ammunition reserved for the occasion in 
 a pre-arrival celebration. But reverberations still lingered from 
 
 50 
 
Boyd's Hill and Monument Hill as the train finally approached 
 the station. 
 
 Among the first of Pittsburgh's citizens to reach Mr. Lin- 
 coln was a tall lanky teamster by the name of Henry Dillon. 
 Pushing and jamming his way up to the President-elect he said, 
 "Mr. Linkim — I'm as tall as you." To which Mr. Lincoln re- 
 plied, "Let's match heights back to back." This was done, and 
 Mr. Lincoln, noticing that he, himself, was at least two inches 
 taller than the teamster, exclaimed, "Why, I can lick the salt 
 off your head!" 
 
 Officers soon took charge of the boastful teamster, and 
 proceeded to make a way for Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln to escape 
 from the multitude. 
 
 Upon reaching the street, which was ankle deep in mud, 
 the party was guided to open waiting carriages and driven 
 directly to the Monongahela House on Smithfield and Water 
 streets, in Pittsburgh, overlooking the Monongahela River, 
 Here a reception committee including Mayor George Wilson 
 received the distinguished guests. The crowd was so dense that 
 to gain entrance to the hotel a passageway had to be cleared 
 with bayonets. The President-elect had not yet reached his room 
 when there were cries of "Speech, speech, Abe!" It already had 
 been considered by the committe, that owing to the lateness of 
 the hour, lengthy speech-making should go over until the next 
 day. But the crowd was insistent and Mr. Lincoln slipped to the 
 front of the balcony and spoke a few words to the hilarious 
 water-soaked Pittsburghers. 
 
 "I have made forty speeches in the last three days. In 
 addition to this I've just been through a wreck. I am very 
 tired, but I have been asked to say a few words about Allegheny 
 County. I have great regard for it. It is the banner county of 
 the State of Pennsylvania, if not of the entire Union. (Three 
 cheers for Honest Abe.) It gave to the cause a majority of 
 10,000 votes." 
 
 Just then a heckler had to have his say, "No rail-ing Abe!" 
 which remark was followed by hearty guffaws from the crowd. 
 
 51 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
 
"I appear now for the purpose of coming to an understand- 
 ing as to the best manner of closing this scene for tonight. I 
 shall now inform you that tomorrow morning I shall address 
 you in broad daylight at 8:30 o'clock from this balcony, when 
 you will have the opportunity of seeing my handsome physiog- 
 nomy. With these few words I'll say, for the present, good 
 night." 
 
 The morning of February 15 was smoky and rainy; Pitts- 
 burgh was dressed in her darkest and deepest blue. The whole 
 sky looked as if the city and surrounding country was a "huge 
 meerschaum" from which arose clouds of smoke both "wreathed 
 and extended." But Pittsburghers were not to be kept inside, 
 smoke or rain. The President-elect was in town. 
 
 Enormous numbers were milling about the Monongahela 
 House and on the river wharf awaiting the appearance of Mr. 
 Lincoln upon the balcony. The crowd was orderly, but precau- 
 tions were taken to guard more closely the life of Mr. Lincoln, 
 because Pennsylvania was a border state, and extra militia was 
 supplied, in charge of Brigadier General J. S. Negley, to meet 
 any emergency. 
 
 It is doubtful that any man of his time or before in the 
 history of the United States, in so short a space of time, had 
 created so much interest, and caused so many people to flock 
 to see and hear him. It seemed that at each stop en route the 
 throngs grew larger and noisier. 
 
 At a little past eight o'clock the next morning Mr. Lincoln 
 and party appeared upon the Monongahela Hotel balcony. Lin- 
 coln was introduced by Mayor George Wilson, who said, "It 
 affords me sincere pleasure to tender you in behalf of my 
 fellow citizens the kind greetings and the hospitality of the 
 citizens of Pittsburgh. It rarely occurs that an opportunity is 
 afforded the people for an exhibition of their devotion to the 
 Union by a tribute of respect to the person of their chief 
 magistrate. It is singular, therefore that the merchant, the 
 mechanic and the laborer, lay aside his usual vocation and 
 come out in strength to pay homage to a man whom the people 
 
 52 
 
have called to preside over the destiny of the nation. We greet 
 you sir, not only as chief magistrate of the nation but as a 
 harbinger of peace to our distracted country." 
 
 And Mr. Lincoln in reply launched into what proved to 
 be the longest speech of his journey. While he did not reveal 
 his hand as to what he would do to allay the existing uncer- 
 tainties, he did try to express himself in a way that would 
 restore their shaken confidence in the government. Pointing 
 his finger in what he thought was a southerly direction (it 
 was really west), he said: 
 
 "And notwithstanding the troubles across the river, there 
 is really no crisis springing from anything in the government 
 itself. In plain words, there is no real crisis except an artificial 
 one." (Laughter and applause) 
 
 Entering into a rather lengthy discussion of the tariff he 
 offered illustrations of what could be done to protect American 
 industry, and closed by begging consideration for speaking at 
 length, saying, "I have spoken longer on this subject than I 
 intended." 
 
 There were cries of "Go on, go on!" 
 
 "I shall say no more at present." 
 
 Immediately following the address the procession moved to 
 the railroad station across the Allegheny River in Allegheny 
 City (a town that has since been annexed to Pittsburgh) where 
 the presidential party was to entrain for Cleveland, Ohio. A 
 press reporter gives a detailed and amusing account of the event. 
 
 "The crowd was fearful, not even the warlike aspect of 
 General Negley, or the bristling bayonets of the military, being 
 capable of withstanding the pressure. A high picket fence 
 surrounds the platform from which the party started. But what 
 was a picket fence when the President was on the other side of 
 it? Small boys coaxed big men to throw them over bodily, after 
 which little episode, they jumped up as unconcerned as if such 
 a course of treatment was their chief delight. Boatmen took out 
 their knives and deliberately whittled off pickets enough to give 
 them a passage. Tall men climbed over, and fat men grimly 
 
 53 
 
swore at the one-sidedness of their views. Women were there 
 too. Two girls forced their way to Mr. Lincoln's side and begged 
 a kiss, which was readily granted by him, upon which tremen- 
 dous cheers went up from the spectators, and hundreds of 
 feminines, from four year olds to grandames, wished that they 
 could claim the same privilege. Then there was cheering and 
 cries of 'speech' and rushing and crowding enough for an 
 army, and the shouts that went up from the rail-splitters would 
 have been noxious doses to any stray seceder who might in the 
 'course of human events, 5 been near enough to hear. But all 
 things must have an end so at last the train moved off, with 
 Cleveland, Ohio, as its objective, amid a wild tumult of glorious 
 enthusiasm on the part of the host of presidential admirers 
 which it left behind it." 
 
 Sidelights 
 
 The crowd that greeted Lincoln in front of the balcony 
 of the Monongahela House was estimated to have been about 
 10,000. 
 
 The carriage in which President-elect and Mrs. Lincoln rode 
 from the station to the hotel was drawn by six white horses. 
 The occupants were completely drenched. The carriage was 
 open and the ride was taken in a downpour of rain. 
 
 "Bob" Lincoln seemed to have a heavy heart in Pittsburgh, 
 owing to the meeting of a Columbus beauty that he could not 
 quite dismiss from his mind. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln was dressed in a long black frock coat and 
 he wore a stiff hat. A comment was made that he might look 
 like a tired old farmer to any small boy. 
 
 Lincoln was entertained at dinner by a group of civic leaders, 
 who after seeing and hearing him adopted a watch and wait 
 policy. 
 
 "President-elect Lincoln is by no means handsome yet he 
 possesses an intelligent countenance and a gentlemanly mien." 
 A bystander was heard to remark, "He seemed no better 
 
 54 
 
informed on the tariff than he was on the directions when he 
 pointed with his finger across the river and called that south." 
 
 Still another said "He has facial angles that would not break 
 a looking glass." 
 
 The military escort included the Washington Infantry, the 
 Pittsburgh Blues and the Pennsylvania Dragoons. The crack 
 military corps, the Duquesne Greys, refused to participate. 
 
 "Lincoln has come and gone. He made a favorable impres- 
 sion. He was not ungainly in personal appearance, nor ugly in 
 face as made out to be, but is by no means a handsome man. His 
 reception was warm. However, he did not embrace the oppor- 
 tunity to declare himself for the compromise and concession 
 which is so urgently demanded by all true friends of the Union, 
 both North and South. Lincoln seemed determined to conceal 
 his policy to the last moment. The people have ceased to look 
 for any good results from the progress of Mr. Lincoln through 
 the country. It is a farce of the most puerile and trifling 
 description. It is time that this Trince of Rails' had ceased his 
 triumphal ovations and turned his thoughts to serious matters, 
 which must soon demand his attention. The country is bleeding 
 at every pore, and yet Mr. Lincoln goes on with his rare show 
 and says there is no crisis." 39 
 
 CLEVELAND, OHIO 
 
 The train leaving Allegheny City was drawn by the "splen- 
 did locomotive, Comet" and was in charge of engineer William- 
 son, who had run the same engine three years. His assistant as 
 far as Wellsville, Ohio, was young "Bob" Lincoln. Changing 
 engineers at Wellsville — S. L. Johnson took over. Johnson had 
 spent many years on the water and was known as "Old Salt." 
 He had the reputation of being as "bold and as cautious as a 
 lion. Short stops were made at Alliance, (for dinner) Ravenna, 
 
 55 
 
Hudson, and Newburg, Ohio, where Mr. Lincoln took a bow 
 and made short speeches to the gathered throngs. In Ravenna, 
 the firing of artillery close to the coach of the train, slightly- 
 shattered it, causing broken glass and splinters to be showered 
 upon Mrs. Lincoln, but without hurt or damage. 
 
 All day long trains brought thousands of people to 
 Cleveland, with but one object, to get a good look at the "Rail 
 Splitter" who was to lead this nation through what appeared 
 to everyone to be a great crisis. The surrounding territory added 
 to the already crowded thoroughfares those who came by wagon, 
 horseback, and on foot. By three o'clock in the afternoon, Euclid 
 Street was alive with humanity. The multitude extended for 
 more than two miles on each side. The street was deep with 
 mud, for the weather had been alternating for some time 
 between snow and rain. 
 
 It was one minute past four o'clock in the afternoon when 
 the train pulled into the Euclid Street Station amid the booming 
 of cannons. Mr. Lincoln stepped from the train, leaning upon 
 the arms of two members of the City Council committee, and 
 proceeded through the station to the carriage awaiting him. As 
 he did so, he smiled and bowed somewhat stiffly and awkwardly. 
 The carriage was an open barouche, drawn by four white 
 horses, and driven by Henry Nottingham Esq. The procession 
 moved down Euclid Street. Windows, doorways, and porches 
 were crowded with spectators. The streets and buildings were 
 gaily decorated with flags, buntings and pictures of Lincoln. 
 Bands played from various vantage places along the street. 
 Among the gorgeously decorated homes was that of J. G. 
 Hussey's, and when Mr. Lincoln's carriage arrived opposite it, 
 a stop was made to receive Mr. Hussey who walked out, shook 
 hands with the President-elect, and introduced his little daugh- 
 ter who presented Mr. Lincoln with a huge bouquet of flowers, 
 for which she was rewarded with a kiss. When the entourage 
 arrived at the hotel, the Weddell House, a throng had gathered 
 which made the entrance to the hotel almost impassable. 
 
 It was about 5:30 o'clock when Lincoln appeared upon the 
 
 56 
 
balcony. There were two addresses of welcome. The first by- 
 President Masters of the City Council, who said, "Honored Sir: 
 The pleasant duty devolves upon me to extend to you in behalf 
 of the citizens of Cleveland, through municipal representatives, 
 a cordial welcome to this city and community. In extending 
 this welcome, I am but speaking the voice of our men of busi- 
 ness, our merchants, whose numerous representatives around, of 
 farmers who have largely gathered here, of men of all trades, 
 avocations, professions, and parties, who merge all distinction, 
 in the name common to all, and best loved by all — American 
 citizen. They bid me welcome you as the official representative 
 of their country, chosen in accordance with the constitution 
 they venerate and love. They bid me express to you their uncon- 
 ditional loyalty to the constitution and the country which 
 their fathers transmitted to them and which they fervently 
 hope may by the blessing of God, be transmitted unimpaired 
 to their children's children. Again I bid you a hearty welcome." 
 Joining with President Masters, Judge Andrews said, "Mr. 
 Lincoln, Sir: I have the honor in behalf of the citizens of Cleve- 
 land to repeat the welcome you have already received through 
 the official organs of the city, and to express the great satisfac- 
 tion that we all derive from this personal interview. We come 
 today sir, to tender you the homage of our sincere respect both 
 for your personal character and for the high station to which 
 you have been called. We will cherish the hope that by the 
 blessings of Divine Providence you may be enabled to execute 
 the great trust confided to you as to allay excitement, correct 
 misapprehension, restore harmony, and reinstate this glorious 
 Union of ours in the affections and confidence of the whole 
 people. There is not a man in this vast multitude here assembled 
 to do you honor, who will not give you his cordial and earnest 
 support. Fellow citizens, I have the honor of introducing to you 
 Honorable Abraham Lincoln, the President-elect of the United 
 States." 
 
 Mr. Lincoln said, "Fellow citizens of Cleveland and Ohio: 
 We have come here on a very inclement afternoon. We have 
 
 57 
 
marched two miles through rain and mud. Your large numbers 
 testify that you are in earnest about something. And what is 
 that something? Do I desire that you should think this extreme 
 earnestness is about me? I should be exceedingly sorry to see 
 such devotion if that were the case. But I know that it is paid 
 to something worth more than any one man, or any 1,000 or 
 10,000 men. A devotion to the constitution, to the Union, and 
 the laws, to the perpetual liberty of this country. It is fellow 
 citizens, for the whole American people, and not for one single 
 man alone. 
 
 "In a country like this, where every man bears on his face 
 the marks of intelligence, where every man's clothing, if I may 
 so speak, shows signs of comfort, and every dwelling signs of 
 happiness and contentment, where schools and churches abound 
 on every side, the Union can never be in danger. I would, if 
 I could, instill some degree of patriotism and confidence into 
 the political mind in relation to this matter. I think that the 
 present crisis is altogether an artificial one. We differ in opinion 
 somewhat. Some of you didn't vote for him who addresses you. 
 Although quite enough did for all practical purposes to be 
 sure. (Cheers and applause) But if we don't make common sense 
 and save the good old ship, nobody will. It is a matter of 
 interest to all that it should be so. 
 
 "To all of you then who have done me the honor to partic- 
 ipate in this cordial welcome, I return most sincerely my 
 thanks, not for myself, but for liberty, the constitution and 
 the Union. I bid you all an affectionate farewell." 
 
 Sidelights 
 
 The Lincoln party was entertained at the Weddell House. 
 Colonel Ross reserved for their use twenty-two suites at the 
 front of the hotel. The suites were composed of a parlor and 
 one or two bedrooms. The Lincoln rooms were large and ele- 
 gantly fitted up with all the conveniences and luxuries known 
 to the art of hotel-keeping. Mrs. Lincoln was provided with a 
 reception room in addition to other rooms, where she could 
 
 58 
 
receive her friends free from the crowds attendant upon the 
 general reception. 
 
 A grand reception was tended Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln in the 
 evening. The dining hall was handsomely festooned with na- 
 tional flags and decorated with paintings of national historical 
 events. The reception was from seven until nine o'clock in the 
 evening. The balcony on the Superior Street side, from which 
 Mr. Lincoln addressed the citizens of Cleveland, was draped with 
 flags and hung with a beautiful array of colored lanterns. 
 
 The citizens seemed to have a "sort of Simeon satisfaction 
 in shaking the hand of the great Lincoln, forgetting that his 
 greatness was yet imaginary." 
 
 Mrs. Lincoln was prepossessing in her looks and conversation. 
 Mr. Lincoln only in the latter. Bob favored his mother in looks. 
 
 "Signs are abundant that Mr. Lincoln is growing in the 
 affection of the people, and that in a short time party prejudice 
 and all ungenerous suspicions will fall before sincere esteem 
 and love for the man himself." 
 
 At the close of Mr. Lincoln's speech from the balcony of 
 the Weddell House the ladies presented him with a huge 
 bouquet of flowers. 
 
 "While honest 'Old Abe' stood six feet four, in the crowd 
 last night that other 'Old Abe' (Mclllrath) backed up to Lin- 
 coln's back, and reaching over, patted the President-elect on 
 the head saying, 'I'm taller than the President-elect.' He was 
 six feet six." 
 
 Weddell House Registrations 
 
 "A. Lincoln and Lady two children and servant; R. T. 
 Lincoln; Col. Sumner; Col. Ellsworth; Col. Haynd; George 
 Nicolay, private secretary to the President (John G. Nicolay) ; 
 Jno. Hay, ass't to W. Neil Dennison, Col. Ward H. Lamon; 
 George Latham; L. M. Todd; N. B. Judd; Dr. W. S. Wallace; 
 Judge D. Davis; W. S. Wood; Foraes; Cap't Pope, U.S.A.; Gen. 
 Read and party, Erie; W. P. Haskin; C. B. Trego; J. P. Wether- 
 ell; A. J. Catheroad; Geo. Wm. F. Small, Philadelphia commit- 
 
 59 
 
tee; H. Villard, New York Herald; Henry Lovie, Frank Leslie's; 
 W. P. Painter, Philadelphia Inquirer; Terrill, Cincinnati Ga- 
 zette; J. R. Drake, Associated Press; O. H. Dutton, New York 
 Tribune; J. Howard, N. Y. Times. 
 
 "The ardent and admiring devotees of 'Old Abe' gave him 
 more attention than they did their pockets last night as the 
 following will show. The losses, as far as we have heard, are 
 about as follows: 
 
 Charles Ryder lost wallet and $ 4.50 
 
 R. C. Seldon lost wallet and 40.00 
 
 G. S. Richards lost wallet and papers 
 
 H. Stoery lost wallet and 19.00 
 
 Esq. Benham lost wallet 24.00 
 
 J. Ranney lost wallet 40.00 
 
 C. A. Dean lost wallet 25.00 
 
 Levi Johnson lost wallet 7.00 
 
 Mr. Martin lost wallet 8.00 
 
 E. Cleveland 
 
 S. J. Johnson lost wallet 58.00 
 
 C. Howard lost wallet 35.00 
 
 Cuyahoga Falls 
 
 G. H. SafTord Norwalk, lost wallet 33.00 
 
 R. C. Pier lost wallet 9.00 
 
 Man from Ashtabula lost wallet 40.00 
 
 H. F. Gaylord gold watch ($125.00) 
 
 Cash $50 175.00 
 
 We will report the rest when they come in. 
 No Democrats in the above list." 
 
 (Reported by Cleveland City Facts and Fancies.) 
 
 The floats and organizations taking part in the procession 
 were: the wagons of the American and the United States Express 
 Company, filled with the company employees. A miniature 
 ship full rigged and upon wheels, carrying a cannon and a large 
 number of people. Omnibusses containing the workmen of the 
 Forest City Tool Company with banners. Omnibusses con- 
 taining the Cuyahoga Steam Furnace workmen, some 75 in all, 
 bearing banners, one of which bore a picture of the President, 
 and another with the inscription "We Forge Bonds To Bind The 
 
 60 
 
Union." Members of the Phoenix Engine Company No. 4 and 
 Firemen's Board. Thirty or forty young men mounted and 
 escorting Robert Lincoln the President's son. The light Dra- 
 goons under the command of Colonel Barnett. The Cleveland 
 Greys under Captain Paddock. Carriages containing the Presi- 
 dent and party, the City Council and the Citizens' Com- 
 
 BUFFALO, NEW YORK 
 
 On the hour of nine on February 1 6, a crisp sunny morning, 
 quite in contrast to the weather of previous days, Mr. Lincoln 
 and suite bade goodbye to the warm hospitality of the citizens of 
 Cleveland and boarded their special train for Buffalo. 
 
 The curious that gathered at the whistle stops along the 
 way had neither diminished nor lost their interest in trying 
 to get a glimpse of their much-talked-about, rail-splitter 
 President-elect. 
 
 The original make-up of the Lincoln party that had left 
 Springfield, nearly a week before had undergone some changes. 
 A few old faces had dropped out, while new ones had joined 
 up, at various stops. Mr. Lincoln was taken completely by sur- 
 prise when Horace Greeley, stormy petrel, editor and founder 
 of the New York Tribune, out on a lecture jaunt, climbed 
 aboard at Girard, Ohio. 
 
 The first stop in the State of New York was at Westfield. 
 The party was at once made to feel at home through a huge 
 banner conspicuously displayed across the street bearing the 
 inscription, "Welcome to the Empire State." 
 
 Entrance into the state recalled to Mr. Lincoln's mind two 
 incidents. New York was the home state of his one time rival 
 for the presidential candidacy, but now his potential Secretary 
 of State, William H. Seward, and he should not be unmindful 
 
 61 
 
of this in his round of talks; and Westfield was the home 
 of a little girl, a newly found correspondent, who during his 
 recent campaign had made to him a very meaningful suggestion 
 with which he had considerately complied. 
 
 The Masterpiece 
 
 With his Westfield talk over, Mr. Lincoln startled the crowd 
 by making a request. "Could there be by any chance a little 
 girl in the crowd whose name is Grace Bedell, if so will she 
 please come to the platform?" "Yes" shouted a native. "Here 
 she is right here!" 
 
 Unsteady of foot, but nevertheless proud and happy, Grace 
 picked her way through the cheering throng to the Special, 
 and mounted the steps to the platform, where her newly made 
 friend was waiting to greet her. Here is the letter Grace wrote 
 which contained the meaningful suggestion, that now had 
 lifted her to the very pinnacle of her dreams. 
 
 Westfield, Chautauqua Co. 
 
 New York, Oct. 15, 1860 
 "Dear Mr. Lincoln: 
 
 My father has just come home from the fair and brought 
 home your picture. I am a little girl 1 1 years old but want you 
 to be president of the United States very much. So I hope you 
 won't think me very bold to write to such a great man as 
 you are. Have you any little girl about as large as I am, if so 
 give her my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot 
 answer this letter? I have got four brothers and part of them 
 will vote for you anyway. And if you will let your whiskers 
 grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you. You 
 would look a great deal better, for your face is so thin. All 
 the ladies like whiskers and their husbands would vote for you 
 and then you would be president. My father is going to vote 
 for you, and if I was a man I would vote for you. When you 
 write your letter address to Grace Bedell, Westfield, Chautauqua 
 County New York." 41 
 
 Mr. Lincoln lifted his little friend to a place beside him 
 on the platform, and gently pressing a kiss to her blushing 
 
 62 
 
cheek, much to the delight of all the home folks, heartily- 
 thanked her for the letter and thoughtfulness. 
 
 Yes, little eleven year old Grace Bedell had made her entrance 
 and exit on the political stage. Her part was small, and her 
 words were few, but she played them well; and in that short 
 span of time created a masterpiece, a "New Look" on the face 
 of "Old Abe" that has lingered in the memories of men for 
 nearly a century, and has become a kind of symbol of Democ- 
 racy for lovers of freedom everywhere. 
 
 It was early afternoon and the Lincoln Special moved slowly 
 on toward its evening destination. Dunkirk was to be the last 
 stop before Buffalo. Here Mr. Lincoln assumed the roll of 
 actor. Instead of making the customary speech, he chose to 
 dramatize the situation. Stepping to the rear platform, he took 
 two American flags, and placed one on each side of him; then 
 clasping a flag staff in one hand, he turned and faced the crowd, 
 and said: "Will you my countrymen stand by me so long as I 
 stand by it?" The act and sentiment was electrifying. Shouts 
 went up, "We will, We will!" 
 
 The engineer brought the Special to a halt in Buffalo at 4:30 
 o'clock that afternoon. Mr. Lincoln appeared upon the platform 
 attended by Mr. Clapp and committee, Mr. Lincoln's distin- 
 guished predecessor in office, ex-President Millard Fillmore and 
 Acting Mayor Bemmis. The jam in and about the station was 
 tremendous. Women fainted and men were carried from the 
 crowd with broken ribs. Once away from the maddening 
 multitude some were heard to utter a brief, "Thank God for 
 the preservation of my life." 
 
 The procession upon leaving the station proceeded immedi- 
 ately to the American House where room reservations were 
 awaiting the party. Upon arriving, President-elect Lincoln was 
 escorted directly to the balcony by the committee, and was 
 introduced to the throng by the acting Mayor, after which he 
 addressed the citizens of Buffalo. 
 
 "Lincoln's speech on the balcony was marked by the 
 abundance of qualifying expressions, and the reticence of unnec- 
 
 63 
 
essary remarks, which belong peculiarly to the legal or judicial 
 mind. Its most important thought was that he entered upon 
 his onerous duties untrammeled, pledged to no procrustean 
 policy, but firm in principle, and hoping to reconcile the best 
 good and the perpetuity of the Union, with the principles and 
 platform on which he was elected. On all hands we hear expres- 
 sions of content and satisfaction with his speech; to which his 
 self-possessed and self-reliant manner, with accuracy and pre- 
 cision of diction, lent additional force and character. It was a 
 well considered utterance, designed, we thought, as the speech 
 of a man who had no longer a right to consider himself a 
 partisan." 42 
 
 Sidelights 
 
 In the evening, a reception was given at the hotel. Mr. 
 Lincoln receiving in the hall, and Mrs. Lincoln and Robert in 
 the parlor. Mr. Lincoln stood on a slightly raised platform, sur- 
 rounded by a few friends, while a bodyguard detached from 
 et D" Company kept the crowd in line. A kindly smile lighted 
 up his truly genial face, and his fatherly attention to the chil- 
 dren and gallant manner to the ladies won their hearts most 
 effectually. Many of the little girls were lifted up and kissed 
 by the President, and some of the mothers evidently wished 
 they were "a child again." Indeed it is said that one of the trio 
 of ladies, who had been duly presented, upon leaving Mr. Lin- 
 coln, looked over her shoulder and exclaimed, "The dear soul, 
 how I should like to kiss him!" Mr. Lincoln promptly responded 
 that he was not averse to such "labial inflictions," and the 
 ceremony was duly performed on all three of the blushing 
 belles. 
 
 Advanced notices were circulated that President-elect and 
 Mrs. Lincoln would attend Sunday services conducted by the 
 Reverend Doctor Lord, in his church on Pearl Street. At an 
 early hour the auditorium was packed. The congregation pa- 
 tiently awaited the arrival of the distinguished guests. But 
 long after the hour of worship they were still waiting expect - 
 
 64 
 
antly. A similar situation occurred in the church of Dr. 
 Clarke's. "These two ministers for once preached to a packed 
 house." 
 
 "At the usual hour of service, former President and Mrs. 
 Fillmore, together with the President-elect, Abraham Lincoln, 
 drove up to the First Unitarian Church, alighted from their 
 carriage, and quietly entered the church and were ushered to 
 the Fillmore pew. Approximately a hundred persons were 
 present in addition to the regular worshipers. It was a rare 
 and impressive sight; the sunlight streaming, in mellowed tints, 
 through the stained glass gave additional beauty to the already 
 beautiful sanctuary. The venerable pastor in the background, 
 the past and incoming Presidents, humbly joining in devout 
 aspirations, presented a scene not to be forgotten. And when 
 the pastor in his touching and eloquent prayer alluded to the 
 chief magistrate, there were few dry eyes in the church. It is 
 proper to state that Mr. Lincoln listened with profound atten- 
 tion to a masterly sermon by the Reverend Dr. Hosmer. After 
 the church services, Mr. Lincoln with ex-President and Mrs. 
 Fillmore drove to the American House to call for Mrs. Lincoln, 
 who with her husband was to be the guest of Mr. Fillmore for 
 the day." 
 
 During the celebration an election bet was paid off. The 
 loser was to saw a cord of wood in front of the American House 
 and present it to the poorest Negro to be found. A little before 
 Mr. Lincoln began his speech the loser appeared in front of the 
 balcony at the hotel, with a wagon loaded with a cord of wood, 
 unloaded it while Mr. Lincoln was speaking and began sawing 
 with all his might. 
 
 "Father Beeson, the Indian's friend, addressed a respectable 
 audience upon his subject, the wrongs practiced upon the Western 
 Indians by border settlers and government agents. He has lived 
 in Oregon among the Indians and speaks of what he has seen 
 and known. He spoke of falsehoods, treachery, ravishment and 
 murder, which he himself had known and showed how millions 
 of public money, given to the Indian Department, was stolen 
 
 65 
 
away by villains, who make more money by Indian wars, and 
 base robbery, than they could make by cultivating the earth 
 or digging gold. 
 
 "The audience was deeply interested. Many eminent persons 
 were present, among whom we noticed ex-President Fillmore 
 and the President-elect Mr. Lincoln. It shows what spirit our 
 new President is to be in his high office — that amidst all the 
 fatigue of his journey and receptions he should leave his hotel 
 and quietly and alone go to hear the wrongs of the poor 
 friendless Indians. May God help him to do them justice. 
 
 "Our people have their opportunity of seeing Mr. Lincoln, 
 and forming an anxious estimate of his personal qualities upon 
 observation. The result we believe to have been generally satis- 
 factory. In personal appearance, Mr. Lincoln's strangely con- 
 vertible face wears at times a dreamy absent expression, in 
 which even amidst a crowd, he seems to turn upon himself in 
 reverie. But in an instant thereafter, on the call of any duty, 
 his countenance flashes out in one of the most hearty, cordial, 
 animated expressions we have ever witnessed." 42A 
 
 ALBANY, NEW YORK 
 
 At 5:45 on the morning of February 18, the train under 
 the command of John Corning of Buffalo, bearing the presi- 
 dential party, left Buffalo for Albany, the capital of New York. 
 The party was escorted to the train by "D" Company 74th 
 Regiment. The presidential car which was furnished by the 
 Central Road, was elegantly fitted up with sofas, center tables, 
 mirrors and carpets. The accoutrements were in excellent taste. 
 The locomotive was decorated with flags and "moved off" in 
 grand style on the moment. As the entourage passed through 
 the smaller towns, the usual greetings of the citizens were 
 "salutes of salvos." 
 
 66 
 
The first stop was for five minutes at Batavia, where thou- 
 sands were gathered. Mr. Lincoln spoke for only a few minutes. 
 Here a committee from Rochester met the party, and upon 
 reaching that city the train was stopped at the state crossing, 
 and the committee escorted the President-elect to the balcony 
 of the Waverly Hotel where he was vociferously welcomed by 
 the mayor and 10,000 people. Mr. Lincoln responded briefly; 
 and amid a salute from the cannons on Falls Field, the train 
 dashed forward at 7:50 drawn by the locomotive "Dean Rich- 
 mond" elegantly decorated for the occasion. 
 
 Immense crowds were assembled at Palmyra, Lyons and 
 Clyde, but no stops were made, except for three minutes at 
 Clyde, until Syracuse was reached, at about ten o'clock. Here a 
 platform had been erected at the west end of the station, from 
 which President-elect Lincoln addressed the vast throng that 
 waited to greet him. 
 
 A brief reception was tended the party at Utica, the last 
 stop before arriving at Albany, at 2:20 p.m. A salute of twenty- 
 one guns from the Observatory was fired by Archibald Young, 
 the same official who fired the salute at the time of the execu- 
 tion of John Brown. This coincidence was a painful reminder 
 of an earlier tragedy, and had a tendency to mar to some degree 
 the pleasures of the day. 
 
 A few minutes later the train arrived at the Broadway 
 crossing where a platform had been erected by the Central 
 Railroad Company. The locomotive drawing the special train 
 was the "Erastus Corning Junior" a "new and handsome one." 
 Some delay occurred by the military not reaching the grounds 
 in time, and the crowd became impatient, by repeated cries of 
 "Come out on the platform," "Get off the cars," "Show us the 
 Rail Splitter!", "Trot out Old Abe!" Finally the music was 
 heard in the distance and soon the 25th Regiment under com- 
 mand of Colonel Bryan, marched on to the ground and took 
 up their position and cleared the platform and made a pathway 
 for the President-elect and party. 
 
 Upon the completion of these arrangements Mayor Thacher 
 
 67 
 
appeared upon the platform and delivered his address of 
 welcome. 
 
 "Mr. Lincoln: In behalf of the Common Council and the 
 citizens of Albany, Ihave the honor to tender to you a cordial 
 welcome to our city. We trust that you will accept the welcome 
 we offer, not simply as a tribute of respect to the high office 
 you are called to fill, but as a testimony of good will of our 
 citizens without distinction of party, and as an expression of 
 their appreciation of your eminent personal worth, and their 
 confidence in your patriotism. We are aware that your previous 
 arrangements with the state authorities, and the brevity of 
 your stay, will compel us to forego the pleasure of extending 
 to you, on the part of the city, other and more befitting hos- 
 pitalities; but we are happy to know that His Excellency the 
 Governor and the senators and representatives in the legis- 
 lature are about to receive you as the guest of the Empire State; 
 and in so doing they will represent the kind regards of the 
 whole people, as well as of the citizens of the capital. Permit me, 
 therefore, to greet you in the name of our citizens, and to 
 repeat the assurance of a most cordial welcome." 
 
 Mr. Lincoln made a brief reply after which the presidential 
 party and distinguished guests proceeded to the carriages await- 
 ing to carry them to the capitol. A very handsome barouche 
 drawn by four fine bay horses and furnished by the livery of 
 Thomas Wilson was occupied by President-elect Lincoln, Mayor 
 Thacher, Senator Ferry and Mr. Ball of the Assembly. The 
 procession made its way up Broadway and State streets direct 
 to the capitol. 
 
 The whole route was crowded with citizens and the win- 
 dows of the houses presenting an attractive array of Albany 
 beauty. "Flags were displayed in profusion; however, in one of 
 two instances bad taste of partisanship was shown. Across Broad- 
 way was displayed a strip of canvas with the inscription, 'Wel- 
 come to the Capitol of the Empire State. No more Compromise.' 
 From the Y.M.C.A. a banner floated with this inscription, 'We 
 will Pray for You the defender of the Constitution as it is.' ' 
 
 6% 
 
In the capitol park an immense crowd of people were gath- 
 ered. The task of the military and the police in preserving any- 
 thing like order, and the clearing the way for the President- 
 elect and party was by no means easy and agreeable. Upon 
 reaching the capitol Mr. Lincoln was at once escorted to the 
 executive chamber. Here he met Governor Morgan, Hon. Ira 
 Harris U. S. senator-elect. Among other notables present were 
 Hon. David R. Floyd, secretary of state. Hon. James M. Cook, 
 bank superitendent. Hon. H. H. Van Dyck, superintendent of 
 public instruction; Comptroller Dennison; Mr. Barnes, head 
 of the insurance depot; Mr. Parmalee, canal appraiser; Harvey 
 Kidd; Mr. Charles Hughes, clerk of Court of Appeals; Adju- 
 tant General Reed; Commissary General Welch; Inspector Gen- 
 eral Jackson; Col. Morgan, aide-de-camp to the Governor; 
 Quarter Master Van Vechten, and Major Linsly. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln was accompanied by the Senate and Assembly 
 committee, and the committee of the Common Council. He 
 was briefly introduced to the Governor by Mr. Ball, chairman 
 of the Assembly committee. 
 
 Gov. Morgan shook Mr. Lincoln long and cordially by the 
 hand, and said: "Mr. Lincoln, I am glad to take you by the 
 hand." 
 
 Mr. Lincoln replied: "And I am very glad to meet you, 
 Governor." 
 
 Gov. Morgan then inquired: "How have you stood the 
 fatigue of the journey?" 
 
 "Well, Governor, better than I expected." 
 
 The Governor then conducted Mr. Lincoln out of the 
 chamber to the top of the capitol steps, where he was greeted 
 by a perfect roar of applause, the people rushing forward to 
 obtain a sight of his countenance, and for a time defying the 
 efforts of soldiers and police to keep the line. Mr. Lincoln gazed 
 around upon the immense crowd, for the whole park was filled 
 with people and scores of men and boys had taken up their 
 stations in the trees, in apparent amazement at its vastness, and, 
 
 69 
 
turning to the Governor said, "Do you think we can make 
 these people hear us?" 
 
 Gov. Morgan replied with a dubious shake of the head, and 
 made one or two efforts, by waving his hat, to still the noise 
 of the multitude, but in vain. The hoarse roar of the people, 
 the shouts and remonstrances of the soldiers and police, the 
 clashing of bayonets and the breaking of glass — for several panes 
 were smashed in the pressure — made a din and con- 
 fusion that rendered the speeches that followed, mere dumb- 
 show, except to those in the immediate vicinity of the speakers. 
 
 Gov. Morgan then welcomed the President-elect, as follows: 
 "Honored Sir, chosen as you have been to the highest and 
 most responsible office in the nation or on the globe, and jour- 
 neying as you are to the federal Capitol to enter upon your pub- 
 lic duties, you have kindly turned aside, upon the invitation of 
 the legislature, for the purpose of a brief sojourn at the capital 
 of New York. On behalf of the people, irrespective of political 
 opinion, it is my privilege to greet you, and to extend to you 
 a cordial welcome. If you have found your fellow-citizens in 
 larger numbers elsewhere, you have not found, and I think will 
 not find, warmer hearts, or a people more faithful to the Union, 
 the constitution and the laws, than you will meet in this 
 time honored city of the capital. The people thank you, Sir, 
 for the opportunity you have thus afforded them of manifesting 
 to you, no less for yourself, personally, than for the high office 
 you are destined to fill." 
 
 Loud cheers followed Gov. Morgan's address, when Mr. 
 Lincoln replied, in part: "Mr. Governor, I was pleased to re- 
 ceive an invitation to visit the capital of the great Empire 
 State of this nation on my way to the federal Capitol. And 
 now I thank you, Mr. Governor, and you, the people of this 
 capital, and the people of the State of New York, for this 
 most hearty and magnificent welcome. If I am not at fault, 
 the great Empire State at this time, contains a greater population 
 than did the United States of America at the time she achieved 
 her independence. I am proud to be invited to pass through your 
 
 70 
 
capital and meet your people as I now have the honor to do. 
 I am notified by your Governor that the reception is given 
 without distinction of party, and I accept it more gladly because 
 it is so. Almost all men in this country attach themselves to 
 political parties. It is but ordinary charity to attribute this to 
 the fact that in so attaching himself to the party which his 
 judgment prefers, the citizen believes he thereby promotes the 
 best interests of the whole country. But when an election is 
 past it is altogether befitting a free people that, until the next 
 election they should be as one people. The reception that you 
 give me this day, is not given to me personally — it should not 
 be so — but as the representative for the time being, of the 
 majesty of the nation. 
 
 "I have neither the voice nor the strength to address you 
 at any greater length. I beg you will accept my most grateful 
 thanks for this devotion, not to me, but to this great glorious 
 and free country." 43 
 
 Sidelights 
 
 At about the time that the Special train bearing Abraham 
 Lincoln President-elect and suite was nearing the capital of 
 New York, another episode in American history quite as dra- 
 matic was being enacted in far away Montgomery, Alabama. 
 Jefferson Davis was being sworn in as the first President of the 
 newly created Federation of the States of the South. The dis- 
 patch dated February 28, 1861, at Montgomery, Alabama, 
 stated, "that the inauguration ceremonies were the grandest 
 pageant ever witnessed in the South. There was an immense 
 crowd on Capitol Hill, consisting of the beauty, military, and 
 citizens of the different states. At exactly 1 p.m. Jefferson Davis 
 began his inaugural speech. 
 
 "Gentlemen of the Congress of the Confederated States of 
 America, friends and fellow citizens: Called to the difficult and 
 responsible station of chief executive of the provisional gov- 
 ernment which you have instituted, I approach the discharge 
 of the duties assigned me with a humble distrust of my abilities, 
 
 71 
 
but with sustaining confidence in the wisdom of those who 
 are to guide and aid me in the administration of public affairs, 
 and an abiding faith in the virtue and patriotism of the people. 
 Looking forward to a speedy establishment of a permanent 
 government, to take the place of this, and which by the greater 
 moral and physical power, will be better able to combat with 
 the many difficulties which arise from the conflicting interest 
 of separate nations, I enter upon the duties of the office to which 
 I have been chosen with the hope that the beginning of our 
 career as a confederacy, may not be obstructed by hostile 
 opposition to our enjoyment of the separate existence and 
 independence, which with the blessing of Providence we have 
 asserted, and which by the blessing of Providence we intend to 
 maintain. 
 
 "Our present condition achieved in a manner unprecedented 
 in the history of nations, illustrates the American idea, that 
 government rests upon the consent of the governed, and it is 
 the right of the people to alter and demolish governments, when- 
 ever they become destructive to the ends for which they were 
 established." 44 
 
 NEW YORK CITY 
 
 At 7:45 o'clock a.m. Tuesday, February 19, the crack 
 corps — the Albany Burgesses, with Captain Kingsley and Mayor 
 Thacher — marched to the Delevan House and there received 
 Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln and party, and proceeded to the Special 
 of the Northern Railroad which was waiting to convey them 
 to Troy. At eight o'clock the train moved off amidst the boom- 
 ing of cannons and the cheers of countless citizens. The loco- 
 motive, "Union," was attached to the coaches which drove the 
 party from Albany to Poughkeepsie. The "Constitution" com- 
 pleted the haul from Poughkeepsie to New York. 
 
 72 
 
The train was in charge of Hon. Samuel Sloan, president 
 of the company. Stops and short speeches were made at Troy, 
 Hudson, Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, and Peekskill; and the train 
 arrived in New York at the station of the Hudson River Rail- 
 road Company, 30th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenue, at 
 2:55 o'clock in the afternoon. The jam of humanity gave the 
 party a rousing welcome with cheers, the blowing of whistles 
 and the ringing of bells. 
 
 Upon alighting from the train, President-elect and Mrs. 
 Lincoln were driven to the Astor House in a carriage drawn 
 by six black horses. 
 
 Enroute to the hotel, huge banners were displayed bearing 
 the inscriptions: 
 
 Fear Not Abraham, I Am Thy Shield 
 
 and Exceedingly Great Reward! 
 
 Genesis 15, 1 
 
 Abraham Lincoln 
 President of the United States 
 
 It Is Written in the Book of Destiny 
 That Abraham Lincoln Is to Be 
 the Next President of 
 the United States 
 
 Welcome 
 
 May God Preserve the Union and 
 
 Give Abraham Lincoln Wisdom and 
 
 Strength to Rule Over It 
 
 Welcome 
 
 Abraham Lincoln — We Beg 
 
 for Compromise 
 
 Welcome, Welcome 
 None Too Soon 
 
 Welcome 
 
 to the President-Elect and Prosperity 
 
 to His Administration 
 
 and Our Union 
 
 73 
 
The party arrived at the Astor House at about 4:30 p.m. 
 
 The reception in New York must have been peculiarly 
 gratifying to Mr. Lincoln. He was escorted to the Astor House 
 by the Common Council in carriages. The line of the route 
 along 9th Avenue, 23 rd Street, 5 th Avenue, 14th Street and 
 Broadway, was crowded with spectators, almost equalling the 
 turnout to witness the Japanese and Prince of Wales pageants. 
 
 At the Astor House Mr. Lincoln was waited upon by va- 
 rious delegations of Republicans, and made several brief speeches. 
 
 The ships in the harbor, particularly those of the London, 
 Liverpool and Havre lines, were handsomely decorated with 
 bunting; and the Stars and Stripes waved from many flagstaff's 
 on the New York, Brooklyn and New Jersey sides of the river. 
 Mayor Wood formally received Mr. Lincoln at 10 o'clock Wed- 
 nesday morning, in the Governor's room of the City Hall. 
 
 "It becomes my duty," the Mayor said, "to extend an official 
 welcome on behalf of the corporation. In doing so, permit me 
 to say, that this city never offered her hospitality to a man 
 clothed with more exalted powers or resting under graver re- 
 sponsibilities than those which circumstances have devolved 
 upon you. 
 
 "Coming into office with a dismembered government to 
 reconstruct, and a disconnected and hostile people to reconcile, 
 it will require a high patriotism and an elevated comprehension 
 of the whole country, its varied interests, opinions and prej- 
 udices, to so conduct the public affairs as to bring it back 
 again to its former harmonious, consolidated and prosperous 
 condition. 
 
 "I refer to this topic because New York is deeply interested. 
 The present political divisions have sorely afflicted her people. 
 Her material interests are paralyzed. Her commercial greatness 
 endangered. She is the child of the American Union. She has 
 grown up under its maternal care, and been fostered by its 
 paternal bounty, and we fear if the Union dies the present 
 supremacy of New York will perish with it. 
 
 "To you, therefore, chosen under the forms of the con- 
 
 74 
 
stitution, as the head of the confederacy, we look for a resto- 
 ration of the fraternal relations between the states, which is 
 only to be accomplished by peaceful and conciliatory means — 
 aided by Almighty God." 
 
 Mr. Lincoln responded: 
 
 "Mr. Mayor: It is with feelings, indeed, of gratitude that I 
 make my acknowledgments for the reception which has been 
 extended to me by this great commercial city of New York. 
 I can but remember that such a reception is tendered by a 
 people who do not, of a majority, agree with me in political 
 sentiments. It is more grateful on this account, because it is 
 evidence that in support of the great principles that underlie 
 our government the people are nearly, or quite unanimous. 
 
 "In regard to the difficulties which encompass us at this 
 time, and of which your honor has thought fit to speak so 
 becomingly, and so justly, I suppose, I can only say that I 
 agree with the sentiments expressed by the Mayor. In my devo- 
 tion to the Union, I hope I am not behind any man within 
 the Union; but in the wisdom necessary to so conduct affairs, 
 I fear I may be deficient, and that too great confidence has 
 been reposed in me. I am sure, however, that I at least bring a 
 heart devoted to the work. There is nothing which could bring 
 me to consent willingly to the destruction of that Union, under 
 which not alone the great commercial city of New York, but 
 the whole country has acquired greatness. As I understand it 
 the ship is made for the carriage and preservation of the cargo, 
 and so long as the ship can be saved with the cargo it should 
 never be abandoned. We should never cease in our efforts to 
 save it, so long as it can be done without throwing overboard 
 the passengers and cargo. So long as the prosperity and liberty 
 of this people can be preserved in the Union, it will be my pur- 
 pose, and shall be my effort, at all times, to preserve the Union." 
 He closed by thanking the Mayor for his reception. 
 Following the words of welcome, the members of the city 
 councils and state government were introduced. After which 
 the people were admitted and an immense rush and scramble 
 
 75 
 
was made to get into the Governor's room, and the jam was 
 tremendous. Many thousands attempted to gain admittance, 
 and rent clothes and some bruises were the consequence. Many 
 were unable to shake Lincoln's hand. He returned to the Astor 
 House at one o'clock. 
 
 Sidelights 
 
 A journalist's report gives us these interesting happenings 
 about the Lincolns: 
 
 En route from Albany to New York, Mr. Lincoln was so 
 fatigued that he took little interest in political conversations. 
 
 "It was plain to see that the Lincolns were common-sense 
 homelike folks unused to the glitter and flutter of society. He 
 towered above all with his face and forehead furrowed by a 
 thousand wrinkles, his hair unkempt, his new whiskers looking 
 as if not yet naturalized, and his clothing illy arranged. 
 
 "Putting prejudice aside, no one can see Mr. Lincoln without 
 recognizing in him a man of immense power and force of 
 character and natural talents. He seems to be sincere, so con- 
 scientious, so earnest, so simple hearted that one cannot help 
 liking him. 
 
 "All are asking, what will he do? Will he favor Thurlow 
 Weed, or Horace Greeley? Either Weed or Greeley would give 
 a small fortune to know. Mr. Lincoln is tremendously rough, 
 honest and earnest. He talks excellently, and with ease upon 
 any topic and tells a story with consummate tact. However he 
 seldom tells stories in his public addresses. 
 
 "Bob Lincoln, 'the Prince of Rails' as he was called with 
 sarcastic raillery thought not much of anything but 'segars' 
 but wouldn't be a prince on a bet, represented his father in the 
 forward car and indulged in all sorts of hilarious merriment." 
 
 At the Hudson stop, Mrs. Lincoln was recognized and 
 warmly applauded. In response, she opened the window and 
 returned the salutation. "Where are the children?" came a 
 shout from the crowd. Mrs. Lincoln immediately called Bob 
 to the window, who was greeted by a hearty cheer. "Have you 
 
 76 
 
any more on board?" "Yes, here's another," replied Mrs. Lincoln 
 as she attempted to bring Tad, a tough, rugged little fellow of 
 tender age to the window. But he proved to be somewhat 
 refractory, and the more the mother attempted to pull him 
 within sight of the crowd, the more stubborn he became. He 
 finally threw himself on the floor, and let out a convulsive 
 laugh, and refused to become a part of the Lincoln exhibit, 
 much to the disappointment of a doting mother. 
 
 The reporters who met the train in the metropolis were 
 amused with a little domestic scene between Mrs. Lincoln and 
 the President-elect. 
 
 Mrs. Lincoln took a comb and brush from her reticule, 
 smoothed Mr. Lincoln's hair, arranged his cravat, brushed some 
 of the dust from his coat, then looked him over with admira- 
 tion. "Am I all right now, Mother?" asked the President-elect. 
 Mrs. Lincoln's only reply was a bounding kiss. The scene pro- 
 voked laughter and amusement among the press. 
 
 While Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln were in Albany, they received 
 a telegram inviting them to attend the opera at the Academy 
 of Music when in New York. The invitation was accepted. 
 However Mr. Lincoln shocked New York society by appearing 
 in black gloves. "Just as we expected," said a matronly patron. 
 "What more could one expect from a Red Republican?" 
 
 A Red Republican was an epithet used by New York 
 capitalists who were afraid that Lincoln would take their dollars 
 from them. A Black Republican was an epithet used by rural 
 aristocrats who were afraid that Lincoln would take away 
 their servants. 
 
 While the President-elect was enjoying himself at the opera, 
 Mrs. Lincoln held a levee in the ladies' parlor of the Astor House, 
 where she received her own and her husband's friends, besides 
 several hundred ladies and gentlemen who previously were 
 strangers to both, but who took this opportunity to pay their 
 respects to the lady who was to do the honors at the White 
 House for the next four years. The reception started about 
 8:30 o'clock, and continued till ten, during which time the 
 
 77 
 
parlor was continually thronged with ladies and gentlemen, 
 some of whom were introduced to Mrs. Lincoln, while others 
 merely passed in and out, being satisfied with a glance at the 
 distinguished lady. Mrs. Lincoln occupied a position at the 
 south end of the parlor, with Mrs. James Watson Webb on 
 her right, and Mrs. Edwards, her sister, on the left. 
 
 "She was plainly dressed in a light colored silk. The ladies 
 were presented by Mrs. Webb, and received by Mrs. Lincoln 
 with an ease and grace, and at the same time with a cordiality, 
 which augur well for the social qualities of the future mistress 
 of the national mansion, promising to Miss Harriet Lane a 
 worthy successor. Among the most prominent of those pre- 
 sented were Mrs. Hamlin, wife of the Vice President-elect, Mrs. 
 August Belmont, Mrs. Burnham, Mrs. F. P. James and others. 
 Among the gentlemen who called during the evening were 
 Vice President Hamlin, Col. James Watson Webb, Hon. Horace 
 Greeley, Hon. Truman Smith, Hon. Robert Schnook, Wm. M. 
 Evarts, Esq., Erastus Benedick, Esq., Hon. H. J. Raymond, 
 Simon Draper and others, too numerous to mention." 45 
 
 TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 
 
 After two nights in the great metropolis of the East, nights 
 packed full of speeches, opera parties, social and political ap- 
 pointments, Mr. Lincoln and his party left Thursday morning, 
 February 21, at nine o'clock, for Trenton, the capital of New 
 Jersey. Mr. Lincoln appeared at Jersey City and Newark for 
 whistle stop speeches. The entourage was greeted at Trenton by 
 Mayor Mills, who escorted the dignitaries to the Senate Chamber 
 where Hon. Ed. Perry, president of the senate, welcomed the 
 President-elect. "Sir, in the name and on behalf of the Legisla- 
 ture of New Jersey, I welcome you to the capital of our state. 
 Elected to the high and responsible office of President of the 
 
 78 
 
United States, you are soon to take upon yourself the solemn 
 duties to which you have been called. You go to preside over the 
 destinies of this vast country at a time of great distraction and 
 eminent peril, when the hearts of all true patriots are filled 
 with anxiety and solicitude, when the true sons of liberty stand 
 appalled at the impending crisis. 
 
 "That you may receive from on High wisdom to direct, 
 strengthen and sustain you in the discharge of the laborious 
 duties of your high office, and that you may so succeed as to 
 merit the universal plaudit of Veil done, good and faithful 
 servant', is I am sure today the prayer of millions of freemen. 
 Go, honored sir, to your great task, and may God go with 
 you." 
 
 In reply Mr. Lincoln said, "Mr. President and Senators of 
 the State of New Jersey: I am very grateful to the President 
 for this welcome to your state. I cannot but remark about the 
 exalted character of the place. New Jersey holds a noble posi- 
 tion in history. In the Revolutionary struggle few states had 
 more fields of battle than she. I remember reading when a 
 very small boy Weem's Life of Washington, an old-fashioned 
 book such as young men now seldom see. It detailed the 
 crossing of the Delaware, the triumph at Trenton, and other 
 noble events in the history of this state. 
 
 "These great men who conquered the Hessians in this city 
 must have been animated by a great idea. They fought for 
 something more than national independence. When we remem- 
 ber them are we not prompted to promote the liberties of the 
 whole people by preserving our constitution in this integrity? 
 (Applause) I appear before you gentlemen as the executive 
 officer of that constitution. 
 
 "The welcome you have given me is a patriotic one: for a 
 majority of you did not agree with those who thought me the 
 best man for the presidency.' 5 ' I take your reception then as an 
 evidence that you wish to see the laws carried out and the 
 government preserved. (Applause) As such I am proud to 
 
 *Mr. Lincoln received a minority vote in the New Jersey general election. 
 
 79 
 
accept the hospitalities of your state. What capacity I have, 
 shall be devoted, so long as I have life, to the Union, the con- 
 stitution and the cause of liberty." (Applause) 
 
 At the close of the speech Mr. Lincoln was escorted to the 
 Chamber of Assembly where he again was welcomed by Hon. 
 F. H. Tees, Speaker of the Assembly. Again Mr. Lincoln replied 
 in his usual appropriate and happy fashion. At the conclusion 
 of the ceremonies, Mr. Lincoln and notables retired to the hotel 
 where dinner was waiting. The shouts of the crowd in front of 
 the hotel were so loud and continuous that Mr. Lincoln was 
 impelled to appear upon the balcony and greet the multitude 
 by saying a few words. 46 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 
 
 At 2:30 o'clock the same afternoon the Special departed 
 from Trenton, arriving at the Kensington Station in Phila- 
 delphia, at four o'clock. Mr. Lincoln was met at the train by 
 the sub-committee of Councils, 200 in number. There was a 
 salute of 34 guns after which the entourage was escorted to the 
 Continental Hotel to be welcomed by the citizens of the city 
 at one of the most elaborate receptions of the entire trip. 
 
 The reception had not progressed far before Mr. Lincoln 
 felt a tap on his shoulder. It was his private secretary, John 
 Nicolay, trying to gain his attention. In subdued tones he 
 addressed the President-elect. "Come at once to Mr. Judd's 
 room for conference." Here among others were to be found 
 the Pinkerton detectives. "A plot has been uncovered to assassi- 
 nate you when the train passes through Baltimore. You MUST 
 change your schedule by going to Washington at once." 
 
 Lincoln was silent for a moment then said, "Tomorrow" 
 morning I have promised, to raise the flag over Independence 
 Hall; after that to visit the legislature at Harrisburg. At what- 
 
 80 
 
ever cost, these two promises must be kept. Beyond that I 
 shall be ready to consider any plan you may adopt." 
 
 Independence Hall 
 
 Lincoln kept his promise, and at seven o'clock on the morn- 
 ing of the next day, February 22, 1861, Washington's birthday, 
 he was driven to Independence Hall in a barouche drawn by 
 four white steeds amidst the cheers and shouts of untold num- 
 bers that lined the streets of the City of Brotherly Love. His 
 manly and honest face betrayed his emotions as he stood with 
 bowed head in that consecrated shrine, dear to every American 
 heart. He was welcomed by Theodore L. Cuyler Esq., President 
 of the Select Council, who said, in part, "I have been requested 
 by the Councils of Philadelphia, as their presiding officer to 
 welcome you to these venerable walls, to greet you in their 
 name, in the birthplace of our national independence, on the 
 anniversary of the birth of the chief, and the most illustrious 
 of its founders and defenders — to do so in this hour of national 
 peril and distress when that great work which the wisdom and 
 the patriotism of our fathers achieved and which is connected 
 with this spot by imperishable memories, seems to be threatened 
 with instant ruin. 
 
 "Under circumstances like these you have been called to 
 the discharge of a trust which none more responsible could 
 devolve upon any man. To you it belongs by wisdom, prudence 
 and moderation and just concession, to repair the shattered 
 fabric of our national Union. 
 
 "Within these sacred walls the charter of our national inde- 
 pendence was signed, and near this spot was framed the Con- 
 stitution of the United States. This precious legacy of our fathers 
 has been made more precious by the benefits it has conferred 
 on us, and the honor we have attained under its protection. 
 
 "May the spirit of those good men, who wrought out our 
 deliverance, by their wisdom, courage, patriotism, and whose 
 faces look down upon you from these walls, and whose very 
 
 81 
 
spirits seem to linger about this spot, abide upon you. In the 
 name of the city of Philadelphia you are welcome here." 
 
 The response of Mr. Lincoln was delivered in a low tone, 
 hardly audible. "Mr. Cuyler: I am filled with deep emotion at 
 finding myself standing here in the place where were collected 
 together the wisdom, the patriotism, the devotion to principle, 
 from which have sprung the institutions under which we live. 
 You have kindly suggested to me that in my hands is the task 
 of restoring peace to our distracted country. I can say in return, 
 sir, that all the political sentiments I entertain have been drawn, 
 so jar as I have been able to draw them, from the sentiments 
 which originated, and were given to the world from this hall in 
 vjhich we stand. 
 
 f 7 have never had a feeling politically that did not 
 spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence. (Great cheering) I have often pondered over the 
 dangers which were incurred by the men who assembled here 
 and adoptd that Declaration of Independence — I have pon- 
 dered over the toils that were endured by the officers and 
 soldiers of the army, who achieved that independence. (Ap- 
 plause) I have often inquired of myself, what great principle 
 or idea it was that kept this confederacy together. It was not 
 the mere matter of the separation of the colonies from the 
 mother land: but something in that declaration giving liberty, 
 not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world 
 for all future time. (Great applause) It was that which gave 
 promise that in due time the weight should be lifted from the 
 shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance. 
 (Cheers) This is the sentiment embodied in that Declaration of 
 Independence. 
 
 "Now, my friends, can this country be saved upon that 
 basis? If it can, I tvill consider myself one of the happiest men 
 in the tvorld if I can help save it. If it can't be saved upon 
 that principle, it will be truly awful. But, if this country cannot 
 be saved without giving up the principle — / was about to say 
 I would rather be assassinated on this spot than to surrender it. 
 (Applause) 
 
 82 
 
"Now, in my view of the present aspect of affairs, there 
 is no need of bloodshed and war. There is no necessity for it. 
 I am not in favor of such a course, and I may say in advance, 
 there will be no bloodshed unless it be forced upon the govern- 
 ment. The government will not use force unless force is used 
 against it. (Prolonged applause and cries of "That's the proper 
 sentiment. ,, ) 
 
 "My friends, this is a wholly unprepared speech. I did not 
 expect to be called upon to say a word when I came here. I 
 supposed I was merely to do something towards raising a flag. 
 I may, therefore, have said something indiscreet (cries of no, 
 no!) but I have said nothing brut what I am willing to live by, 
 and, in the pleasure of Almighty God, die by." 
 
 Mr. Lincoln concluded amid great applause. He was then 
 conducted from the hall to the platform. As his tall form rose, 
 "Saul-like above the mass," the scarcely intermittent cheers 
 burst forth with intensified fervor. Stephen Benton, Esq., then 
 addressed Mr. Lincoln and the people thus: "Mr. Lincoln, it 
 affords me pleasure, as chairman of the committee on city 
 property, having in charge the ceremonies of the morning, to 
 invite you, personally, to raise this new American flag, with 
 thirty-four stars on its azure field, the first elevated by the 
 city government. 
 
 "Our Councils thought the birthday of Washington and 
 the advent of a successor in his illustrious line, a fitting season 
 for the demonstration. I need not speak of the edifice above 
 which this banner will soon float, nor its hallowed recollection — 
 these have already been ably and eloquently dwelt upon within 
 the hall, by the President of Select Council. I will only add, 
 about eighty years ago, upon a morning like this, citizens arose 
 the subjects of a king, and ere the sun had crossed the meridian, 
 from this spot they were proclaimed free men. 
 
 "A common principle and a common foe united them in 
 bearing out a successful issue. After a full flow of prosperity, 
 triumphantly exhibiting the practicability of republican insti- 
 tutions, we suddenly find ourselves fallen upon this later and 
 
 83 
 
darker period, when sectional differences reach the sight of our 
 departed heroes and early sages, to irritate them in their graves, 
 or call down their offending frowns from heaven. 
 
 "But, sir, amidst all this we place upon our flag a new star, 
 and trust to the wisdom, the firmness and the moderation of 
 the incoming administration to make it a fixed star in the con- 
 clave of freedom.* Your countrymen are about to hand this 
 standard to you, with the hope that, in your keeping, it will 
 not know sully or diminution." 
 
 In response to Mr. Benton, Mr. Lincoln said, "Fellow Citi- 
 zens, I am invited and called before you to participate in raising 
 above Independence Hall the flag of our country, with an 
 additional star upon it. (Cheers) I propose now, in advance 
 of performing this very pleasant and complimentary duty, to 
 say a few words. I propose to say that when that flag was 
 originally raised, it had but thirteen stars. I wish to call your 
 attention to the fact that, under the blessing of God, each addi- 
 tional star added to that flag has given additional prosperity and 
 happiness to this country until it has advanced to its present 
 condition, and its welfare in the future, as well as in the past, 
 is in your hands. (Cheers) Cultivating the spirit that animated 
 our fathers, who gave renown and celebrity to this Hall, cherish- 
 ing that fraternal feeling which has so long characterized us 
 as a nation, excluding passion, ill temper and precipitate action 
 on all occasions, I think we may promise ourselves that not 
 only the new star placed upon that flag shall be permitted to 
 remain there to our permanent prosperity for years to come, 
 but additional ones shall from time to time be placed there, 
 until we shall number as was anticipated by the great his- 
 torian, 500,000,000 of happy and prosperous people. (Great 
 applause) With these few remarks, I proceed to the very agree- 
 able duty assigned me." 
 
 It is impossible to describe the mad enthusiasm of the people 
 at this moment, as the President-elect gave utterance to these 
 remarks. 
 
 * The fixed star alluded to, represented the State of Kansas. 
 
 84 
 
At this time the Scott Legion were drawn up around the 
 platform, with arms presented. The police stood quiet and 
 steady. At the request of the committee, all except two or 
 three persons left the platform, and Mr. Lincoln, with overcoat 
 off, grasped the halyards to draw up the flag. The multitudinous 
 acclamations of the citizens increased with almost fearful ex- 
 citement as Mr. Lincoln with a firm hand, drew the halyards, 
 and the flag, still furled, rose to view. As it rose and rose, 
 however, it unfolded, and by the time it had reached the peak, 
 the glorious ensign of the Republic floated out magnificently 
 in the pure air, "without a single star erased or a stripe polluted." 
 Yes! and every human being in that multitude breathed forth 
 that prayer of the great expounder of the constitution, deliv- 
 ered at a time when a crisis shook the nation with throes almost 
 equal to those under which the land quivers and reels today. 
 
 The band in attendance played the Star Spangled Banner, 
 and the roar of cannons, fired in the square, mingled with the 
 music and with the shouts of the excited throng. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln was then escorted to his hotel, and in a short 
 time the crowd had melted away, many going back to their 
 untasted breakfasts, and the rest moving off as business or 
 pleasure prompted. 
 
 As the time approached for the departure of the President- 
 elect, an immense crowd gathered in the neighborhood of the 
 Continental Hotel. The distinguished guest, with his suite, left 
 the hotel at 8:30 o'clock, and proceeded by way of Walnut 
 and Twenty-third streets, to West Philadelphia, where a special 
 train of three cars was in waiting. Lincoln rode in an open 
 barouche, which was drawn by four noble grays. He was accom- 
 panied by Col. Sumner, Hon. N. B. Judd of Illinois, and Mr. 
 Wm. P. Hacker, of Philadelphia. 47 
 
 In West Philadelphia a salute was fired, and there was an 
 immense crowd and great cheering. As the train left, Mr. Lin- 
 coln stood upon the rear platform, and bowed his acknowledg- 
 ments. The train started at 9:30 o'clock. Mr. Hacker was the 
 only member of the Philadelphia committee who accompanied 
 the President-elect to Harrisburg. 
 
 85 
 
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 
 
 The special train bearing Abraham Lincoln to the Pennsyl- 
 vania capital arrived at the corner of Vine and Second streets 
 at 1:30 o'clock, from which place he was escorted to the Jones 
 House, where he was welcomed by Governor Curtin. ""We have 
 frequently heard of you," said the Governor, "since you left 
 your home in a distant place, and every word that has fallen 
 from your lips has fallen upon the ears of an excited, patriotic 
 but loyal people. (Applause) 
 
 "Sir, as President-elect of the United States, you are called 
 to the discharge of official duties at a period of time when the 
 public mind is distracted and divided, when animosities and 
 distractions divide the people of this hitherto happy and pros- 
 perous country. You undertake, sir, no easy task. You must 
 restore fraternal feeling. You must heal up discord. You must 
 produce amity in place of hostility and restore prosperity, peace 
 and concord to this unhappy country; and future generations 
 will rise up and call you blessed. 
 
 "Sir, this day, by act of our legislature, we unfurled from 
 the dome of the capitol the flag of our country, carried there 
 in the arms of men who defended the country when defense 
 was needed. I assure you, sir, there is no star or stripe erased, 
 and on the azure field there blazon forth 34 stars, the number 
 of the bright constellation of states over which you are called 
 by a free people, in a fair election to preside. 
 
 "We trust, sir, that in the discharge of your high office, you 
 may reconcile the unhappy differences now existing, as they 
 have heretofore been reconciled. 
 
 "Sir, when conciliation has failed, read our history, and 
 study our tradition. Here are the people who will defend you, 
 the constitution, the laws and the integrity of this Union. 
 
 86 
 
"Our great law-giver and founder established this govern- 
 ment of a free people in deeds of peace. We are a peaceful and 
 laborious people — we believe that civilization, progress and 
 Christianity are advanced by the protection of free and paid 
 labor. Sir, I welcome you to the midst of this generous people, 
 and may the God who has so long watched over this country, 
 give you wisdom to discharge the high duties that devolve upon 
 you, to the advancement of the greatness and glory of the 
 government, and the happiness and prosperity of the people." 
 
 In reply to Governor Curtin Mr. Lincoln said, "Governor 
 Curtin and citizens of the State of Pennsylvania: Perhaps 
 the best thing that I could do would be simply to endorse the 
 patriotic and eloquent speech which your Governor has just 
 made in your hearing. I am quite sure that I am unable to 
 address to you anything so appropriate as that which he has 
 uttered. 
 
 "Reference has been made by him to the distraction of the 
 public mind at this time and to the great task that lies before 
 me in entering upon the administration of the general govern- 
 ment. With all the eloquence and ability that your Governor 
 brings to this theme, I am quite sure he does not, in his situa- 
 tion, he cannot appreciate as I do the weight of that great re- 
 sponsibility. I feel that, under God, in the strength of the arm 
 and wisdom of the heads of these masses after all, must be my 
 support. As I have often had occasion to say, I repeat to you, 
 I am quite sure I do not deceive myself when I tell you I bring 
 to the work an honest heart; / dare not tell you that I bring 
 a head sufficient for it. If my own strength should fail, I shall 
 at least fall back upon these masses, whom, I think, under any 
 circumstances will not fail. 
 
 "Allusion has been made to the peaceful principles upon 
 which this great commonwealth was originally settled. Allow 
 me to add my meed of praise to those peaceful principles. I 
 hope no one of the Friends who originally settled here, or who 
 lived here since that time, or who live here, now, has been or 
 
 87 
 
is a more devoted lover of peace, harmony and concord than 
 my humble self. 
 
 "While I have been proud to see today the finest military 
 array, I think, that I have ever seen, allow me to say in regard 
 to those men that they give hope of what may be done when 
 war is inevitable. But, at the same time, allow me to express 
 the hope that in the shedding of blood their service may never 
 be needed, especially in the shedding of fraternal blood. 
 
 "It shall be my endeavor to preserve the peace of this country 
 so far as it can possibly be done, consistently with the mainte- 
 nance of the institutions of the country. With my consent, or 
 without my great displeasure, this country shall never witness 
 the shedding of one drop of blood in fraternal strife. 
 
 "And now, my fellow-citizens, will you allow me to bid 
 you farewell?" 
 
 At 2:30 o'clock the Senators, members of the House and 
 the Military, escorted Mr. Lincoln to the hall of the House, 
 where, after order was restored, Mr. Palmer greeted him on 
 behalf of the Senate. "Honored Sir: In behalf of the Senate of 
 Pennsylvania, I welcome you to the capital of our state. We 
 deem it a peculiar privilege and a happy omen, that while on 
 your way to assume the duties of the high office to which you 
 have been called, at this momentous period in our national his- 
 tory, we are honored by your presence at our seat of govern- 
 ment on the anniversary of the birthday of the Father of his 
 Country. 
 
 "The people of Pennsylvania, upon whom rests so large a 
 share of the responsibility of your nomination and election to 
 the presidency, appreciate the magnitude of the task before 
 you, and are fully prepared to sustain your administration of 
 the government, according to the constitution and the laws. 
 
 "Whatever differences of opinion existed previous to the 
 election as to the political questions involved in the canvass, 
 they are a law-abiding, constitution and Union-loving people, 
 and there is no difference among them as to your right to claim, 
 and their duty to render such support. 
 
 88 
 
"Accordingly, here today, are assembled men of all parties 
 and of every shade of political opinion, to welcome and to 
 honor you as the constitutionally chosen President of the United 
 States. 
 
 At the conclusion Mr. Lincoln arose and said, "Mr. Speaker 
 of the Senate and also Mr. Speaker of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives and gentlemen of the General Assembly of the State 
 of Pennsylvania: I appear before you only for a very few brief 
 remarks in response to what has been said to me. I thank you 
 most sincerely for this reception, and the generous words in 
 which support has been promised me upon this occasion. I thank 
 your great commonwealth for the overwhelming support it 
 recently gave, not to me personally, but the cause, which I 
 think a just one, in the late election. 
 
 "Allusion has been made to the fact — the interesting fact, 
 perhaps we should say — that I for the first time appear at the 
 capital of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, upon the 
 birthday of the Father of his Country. In connection with that 
 beloved anniversary, connected with the history of this country, 
 I have already gone through one exceedingly interesting scene 
 this morning in the ceremonies at Philadelphia. Under the kind 
 conduct of gentlemen there, I was for the first time allowed the 
 privilege of standing in old Independence Hall. 
 
 "Besides this, our friends there had provided a magnificent 
 flag of the country. They had arranged it so that I was given 
 the honor of raising it to the head of its staff; and when it went 
 up, I was pleased that it went to its place by the strength of 
 my own feeble arm. When, according to the arrangement, the 
 cord was pulled and it flaunted gloriously to the wind without 
 an accident, in the light glowing sunshine of the morning, I 
 could not help hoping that there was in the entire success of 
 that beautiful ceremony, at least something of an omen of what 
 is to come. Nor could I help feeling then, as I often have felt, 
 that in the whole of that proceeding, I was a very humble instru- 
 ment. I had not provided the flag; I had not made the arrange- 
 ments for elevating it to its place; I had applied but a very 
 
 89 
 
small portion of even my feeble strength in raising it. In the 
 whole transaction, I was in the hands of the people who had 
 arranged it, and if I can have the same generous cooperation 
 of the people of this nation, I think the flag of our country 
 may yet be kept flaunting gloriously . . ." 
 
 SIDELIGHTS 
 
 Mr. Lincoln, upon the completion of his address before the 
 legislature, retired to the Jones House, preparatory to carrying 
 out the orders of his private secretary, John Nicolay. Nicolay 
 had been in conference with Fred Seward, son of William H. 
 Seward, who had come on from Washington to inform Mr. 
 Lincoln of a possible plot to take his life at a scheduled stop 
 in Baltimore. 
 
 Since the situation seemed too serious to be overlooked, Mr. 
 Lincoln was advised that the presidential party be broken up, 
 and that in disguise he should travel to Washington at a differ- 
 ent hour from that which had been originally scheduled. 
 
 While Mr. Lincoln expressed displeasure at entering the 
 national Capitol, like a thief, nevertheless he accepted the 
 inevitable and cooperated in carrying out the plan as best he 
 knew how. 
 
 While in New York, Mr. Lincoln had been presented with 
 a box containing two hats — a beaver and a soft hat. In his 
 room at the Jones House he put on an old overcoat that he 
 had brought with him. Then he took the soft hat out of the 
 box and put it in his overcoat pocket. He had never, according 
 to his recollection, worn a soft hat. Upon leaving the room he 
 donned the soft hat. It was a complete disguise. 
 
 Then Mr. Lincoln together with his friend N. B. Judd, 
 and bodyguard Ward Lamon, boarded a special train which 
 took him back to Philadelphia. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, 
 Lincoln, Judd and Lamon, proceeded in a sleeping car attached 
 to the regular midnight train, reaching Washington at an early 
 morning hour of the 23rd of February. From the station the 
 
 90 
 
party was driven to the Willard Hotel where a few hours later 
 Mr. Lincoln was reunited with his family. 48 
 
 WASHINGTON, D. C. 
 
 On the 27th of February, four days after the arrival of 
 President-elect Lincoln at the Capitol, a reception was arranged 
 in his honor at the Willard Hotel. Following the address of 
 welcome by the Hon. James G. Berrett, Mayor of Washington, 
 Mr. Lincoln in response said: 
 
 "Mr. Mayor: I thank you, and through you the municipal 
 authorities of this city who accompany you, for this welcome. 
 And as it is the first time in my life since the present phase of 
 politics has presented itself in this country, that I have said any- 
 thing publicly within a region of country where the institution 
 of slavery exists, I will take this occasion to say that I think 
 very much of the ill feeling which has existed, and still exists, 
 between the people in the sections from whence I came and the 
 people here, is dependent upon a misunderstanding of one 
 another. I therefore avail myself of this opportunity to assure 
 you, Mr. Mayor, and all the gentlemen present, that I have not 
 now, and never have had, any other than as kindly feelings 
 towards you as towards the people of my own section. I have 
 not now, nor never have had, any disposition to treat you in any 
 respect otherwise than as my own neighbors. I have not now 
 any purpose to withhold from you any of the benefits of the 
 constitution, under any circumstances, that I would not feel 
 myself constrained to withhold from my neighbors; and I 
 hope, in a word, that when we shall become better acquainted, 
 and I say it with great confidence, we shall like each other the 
 more. I thank you for the kindness of this reception."* 9 
 
 91 
 
The Inauguration 
 
 It was early afternoon of March 4, 1861, that the outgoing 
 President James Buchanan drove up to the Willard Hotel 
 accompanied by the Senate committee, Messrs. Foot, Pearce 
 and Baker, entered, and returned a few minutes later with 
 President-elect Abraham Lincoln. The party mounted an open 
 carriage and proceeded down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the 
 Capitol. The pace was moderate, with military in front and 
 rear; thousands of private citizens in carriages, on horseback 
 and on foot crowded the broad avenue. One of the exotic floats 
 in the procession was a large conveyance, provided by the 
 Republican Association of the city, and draped and furnished 
 to allegorize the constitution and the Union, the states and 
 territories being represented by a corresponding number of 
 little girls dressed in white — the whole drawn by six horses 
 covered with housing on each of which was printed in large 
 letters, "UNION." 
 
 Riflemen occupied vantage points at the tops of buildings. 
 The entire Capitol had the appearance of an armed camp. The 
 crowd was not demonstrative; in fact it was unusually quiet 
 for such an august occasion. It was in deep contrast to the 
 thousands who cheered the President-elect again and again 
 en route from Springfield. 
 
 The soil on which he was now treading was different — it 
 was enemy soil, Southern soil. The faces of many of the spec- 
 tators were grave. Their attention seemed to be absorbed in the 
 questions: What would he say? What would he do? The eyes of 
 England, France, Spain and Mexico were also riveted on this 
 new champion of democracy. What would his attitude be 
 toward them? 
 
 The Capitol building was reached by passing up the road 
 on the north side of the Capitol grounds, and the party entered 
 the building by the northern door through an extempore 
 planked way. 
 
 During the hour and a half previous to the arrival of 
 
 President Buchanan and President-elect Lincoln at the Senate 
 
 •k 
 
 92 
 
Chamber, that beautiful hall presented a gayer and more bril- 
 liant spectacle than ever before. The desks of the Senators had 
 been removed and "concentric lines of luxurious and ornamented 
 chairs set for the dignitaries of our own and other lands with 
 whom this country is in bonds of amity and friendship. The 
 inner half-circle on the right was occupied by the Judges of the 
 Supreme Court, and by Senators, mostly Democrats. The cor- 
 responding half-circle on the extreme left was occupied by 
 members of the Cabinets of Buchanan and Lincoln; mingled 
 together, and farther on by the Republican Senators. The con- 
 centric circle farther back was filled by Senators. The next 
 half-circle on the right by members of the Diplomatic Corps — 
 all in full court dress of their respective countries. 
 
 "We learned that on no previous occasion have the ranks 
 of the Diplomatic Corps been so full as it was yesterday." In 
 the half-circle immediately in the rear of that occupied by the 
 Ministers were the Secretaries and Attaches. The half-circles on 
 the left corresponding to those occupied by the Corps Diplo- 
 matique, furnished places for Senators and Governors of states 
 and territories. Outside of all, on both sides, stood (for there 
 was no further room for seats) the members of the House of 
 Representatives and chief officers of the executive bureaus. 
 The galleries all around the Senate, the reporters' gallery ex- 
 cepted, were occupied by ladies, no gentlemen having been 
 admitted, other than some half dozen in the diplomatic gallery. 
 
 At a quarter past one o'clock the President of the United 
 States and the President-elect entered the Senate Chamber, pre- 
 ceded by Senator Foot and the Marshal of the District of Colum- 
 bia, and followed by Senators Baker and Pearce. They took 
 seats immediately in front of the clerk's desk, facing outward, 
 President Buchanan having the President-elect on his right, 
 and the Senators and Marshal equally distributed right and left. 
 
 In a few minutes Vice-President Hamlin, who had been 
 previously installed, ordered the reading of the order of pro- 
 cession to the platform on the east of the Capitol, and the line 
 was formed, the Marshal of the District of Columbia leading. 
 
 93 
 
Then followed Chief Justice Taney and the Judges of the 
 Supreme Court, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, the Com- 
 mittee of Arrangements of the Senate, the President of the 
 United States and Senate, the members of the Diplomatic Corps, 
 Governors of states and territories, and members of the House 
 of Representatives. 
 
 In this order the procession marched to the platform, 
 erected in the usual position over the main steps on the east 
 front of the Capitol, where a temporary covering had been 
 placed to protect the President-elect, from possible rain during 
 the reading of his Inaugural Address. Sharpshooters crouched 
 behind the windows above the crowd. Mrs. Lincoln and children 
 occupied vantage seats. Chief Justice Taney, resembling an 
 elderly monk, in his black robe, waited impatiently to adminis- 
 ter the oath. 
 
 With the preliminaries over, Senator Edward D. Baker of 
 Oregon, an old friend and former fellow townsman, arose and 
 introduced the President. There were a few hand-claps as this 
 tall figure with his white shirt bulging from the front, came 
 forward and stood awkwardly at the edge of the platform. 
 His gold headed cane, a recent gift to him, seemed to be in the 
 way so he leisurely tossed it into the corner, and removing his 
 tall hat handed it to his friend, but one-time political enemy, 
 Stephen A. Douglas. Then taking out of his pocket his steel- 
 rimmed spectacles, he adjusted them to his long nose, unfolded 
 his carefully guarded manuscript, and began to read. 
 
 "Fellow citizens of the United States: In compliance with 
 a custom as old as the government itself, I appear before you 
 to address you briefly, and to take in your presence the oath 
 prescribed by the constitution of the United States to be taken 
 by the President, before he enters on the execution of his 
 office. 
 
 "I do not consider it necessary at present for me to discuss 
 those matters of administration about which there is no special 
 anxiety or excitement. Apprehension seems to exist, among the 
 people of the Southern states, that by accession of a Republican 
 
 94 
 
administration their property and their peace and personal 
 security are to be endangered. There never has been any reason- 
 able cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evi- 
 dence to the contrary has all the while existed and been open 
 to their 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 e I have no purpose, directly 
 or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery 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 full knowledge that I had made 
 this and many similar declarations, and had never recanted 
 them. And more than this, they placed in the platform for 
 my acceptance, and as a law to themselves and to me, the clear 
 and emphatic resolution which I now read: 
 
 " 'Resolved, that the maintenance inviolate of the rights of 
 the states, and especially the right of each state to order and 
 control its own domestic institutions according to its judgment 
 exclusively, is essential to the balance of power on which the 
 perfection and endurance of our political fabric depend, and 
 we denounce the lawless invasion by armed force of the soil 
 of any state or territory, no matter under what pretext, as 
 among the gravest of crimes.' 
 
 "I now reiterate these sentiments; and, in doing so, I only 
 press upon the public attention the most conclusive evidence of 
 which the case is susceptible, that the property, peace, and 
 security of no section are to be in any wise endangered by the 
 now incoming administration." 
 
 Then in simple language he defined his position as the con- 
 stitutionally elected President of a democracy. He defined the 
 violation of democratic principles which he would oppose even 
 with war. 
 
 In closing, he said, "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 deliber- 
 
 95 
 
ately, that object will be frustrated by taking time; but no 
 good object 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, 
 if it would, to change either. If it were admitted that you who 
 are dissatisfied hold the right side in this dispute there is still 
 no single good reason for precipitate action. Intelligence, pa- 
 triotism, 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 difficulty. 
 
 "In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not 
 in mine, are the momentous issues of civil war. The govern- 
 ment will not assail you. You can have no conflict 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 loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We 
 must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it 
 must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic cords of 
 memory stretching from every battle-field and patriot grave, 
 to every living 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." 50 
 
 At the close of the address the venerable Chief Justice 
 Taney administered the oath of office. The drama that began 
 in the cradle of the little cabin in Kentucky, had reached its 
 climax at the Capitol in Washington. 
 
 With the same resolute heart with which he assumed full 
 responsibility for his young life at twenty-one, Abraham Lin- 
 coln, the sixteenth President of the United States, took over 
 the executive duties of his country. 
 
 Up to the time of the inauguration there were many existing 
 uncertainties, but with the delivery of the inaugural address, at 
 least one had been silenced. "We at last had a government." 
 
 96 
 
Part III 
 
 LINCOLN SAVES AMERICA 
 
THE WHITE PAPER 
 
 The morning of April 12, thirty-eight days after President 
 Lincoln's inaugural plea for peace and unity, the South gave 
 her answer with a shower of shrapnel poured on Fort Sumter 
 in Charleston Harbor, reducing it to shambles. 
 
 "Fort Sumter fell but the nation arose." Three days after 
 the fall of Fort Sumter, the President sent out an urgent call for 
 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion. That number 
 sprang to arms almost overnight. And the first of July 23 5,000 
 more were added and allocated to the defense of the Capitol 
 and other strategic points. 
 
 Although the President still had hopes of averting a major 
 conflict, he felt that the soldiers should know why they were 
 being called to arms, and if necessary what they were fighting 
 for. So on July 4, 1861, he addressed a message to Congress in 
 clarification of his stand. 
 
 "This is essentially a people's contest. On the side of the 
 Union it is a struggle for maintaining in the world that form 
 and substance of government whose leading object is to elevate 
 the condition of men — to lift artificial weights from all shoul- 
 ders; to clear the paths of laudable pursuits for all; to afford all 
 an unfettered start, and a fair chance in the race of life. Yield- 
 ing to partial and temporary departures, from necessity, this 
 is the leading object of the government for whose existence we 
 contend. 
 
 "Our popular government has often been called an experi- 
 ment. Two points in it our people have already settled — the 
 successful establishing and the successful administering of it. 
 One still remains — its successful maintenance against formida- 
 ble internal attempt to overthrow it. 
 
 "It is now for them to demonstrate to the world that those 
 
 99 
 
who can fairly carry an election can also suppress a rebellion; 
 that ballots are the rightful and peaceful successors of bullets; 
 and that when ballots have fairly and constitutionally decided, 
 there can be no successful appeal back to bullets; that there 
 can be no successful appeal except to ballots themselves at 
 succeeding elections. Such will be a great lesson of peace; teach- 
 ing men that what they cannot take by election, neither can 
 they take by war; teaching all the folly of being the beginners 
 of a war. 
 
 "As a private citizen the executive could not have con- 
 sented that the institutions of this country shall perish; much 
 less could he, in betrayal of so vast and so sacred a trust as the 
 free people have confided in to him. He felt that he had no 
 moral right to shrink, nor even to count the chances of his 
 own life in what might follow. In full view of his great respon- 
 sibility he has, so far, done what he has deemed his duty. You 
 will now, according to your own judgment, perform yours. He 
 sincerely hopes that your views and your actions may so accord 
 with his, as to assure all faithful citizens who have been dis- 
 turbed in their rights, of a certain and speedy restoration to 
 them, under the constitution and the laws. 
 
 "And having thus chosen our course, without guile and 
 with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward 
 without fear and with manly hearts." 51 
 
 REALITY OF WAR 
 
 It was the opinion of those about the Capitol that hostilities, 
 if continued, would not last long. The end could easily come 
 through a few insignificant thrusts or perhaps a short rebellion 
 at the most. Washington "big-wigs" were anxious to get on 
 with the fight. If it must come, then let's get it over with. 
 
 However, with the seceding of Virginia and with Robert E. 
 
 100 
 
Lee lost to the Northern cause, the "higher-ups" were a bit less 
 impetuous. Alexandria and Arlington Heights, just across the 
 Potomac in Virginia from Washington D. C, were a little 
 too close for the safety of the Capitol. So the order went forth 
 to bring these two strategic spots into the Union. With this 
 accomplished, the cry went up, "On to Richmond!" 
 
 It was on July 21, 1861, a clear warm sunshiny day, that 
 the Federal forces under General Irvin McDowell, left Washing- 
 ton and moved slowly toward the city of Richmond. McDowell 
 had not gone far before he encountered the Southern forces at 
 Manassas Junction, better known as Bull Run. Here he had the 
 surprise of his life. Instead of a skirmish, or a pushover, as he 
 had expected, he was confronted with much superior forces 
 under the able leaderships of Generals Beauregard and Jackson; 
 and after a day of combat, the Federalists were put to complete 
 rout. They were not only badly beaten, they were panic stricken, 
 and fled in disorder. 
 
 Back in Washington, President Lincoln had followed his 
 usual custom of attending church in the morning, and to his 
 astonishment, could hear distinctly the cannonading of the 
 battle twenty miles away. At the close of the services the Presi- 
 dent sought out dispatches from the front, and anxiously 
 scanned the contents. Although the news was not as satisfying 
 as he had hoped, yet he could see no immediate cause for alarm. 
 In the afternoon he took his accustomed ride about the streets 
 and through the parks. 
 
 Cocky Congressmen and Senators, confident of victory, 
 earlier in the day had set out by horseback and carriage for 
 the front, to gain vantage places from which to observe the 
 battle. What they had hoped would be a gala day, had, at 
 about sundown, been turned into a nightmare of confusion. 
 On the return trip to Washington, they drove over roads and 
 forded streams cluttered with dead, and dying; they met de- 
 moralized, retreating soldiers in a mad rush to get away from 
 the withering fire. In fact, legislators and soldiers seemed to vie 
 with each other to see which could get to the Capitol first. 
 
 101 
 
When the official news of the disaster finally reached the 
 President, it found him in almost a state of collapse, for he 
 too had felt that victory would perch upon the banner of the 
 Union forces. 
 
 It was indeed a different Washington to which Congress- 
 men, Senators, and soldiers returned. A sober one. The atmos- 
 phere had the tenseness of a city that suddenly had been shaken 
 by an earthquake, and had just completed the somber task of 
 burying its dead. What had appeared to be, a few short hours 
 before, a trivial family scrap between the states, now loomed 
 to be a long-drawn-out, hard fought battle to the finish. 
 
 President Lincoln with the return of his composure steeled 
 himself to meet the situation. He sent out an S.O.S. call for 
 additional troops. He shook up the official staff of the army, 
 and cut heads off where necessary. He turned over in his mind 
 again and again what he considered to be the formula for a 
 successful democratic state. "Two points of our popular gov- 
 ernment have been already settled — the successful establishing 
 and the successful administering of it. But one remains — its 
 successful maintenance against a formidable internal attempt to 
 overthrow it." Yes, the Union must be saved even at the cost 
 of the shedding of blood. The terrible spectacle that he had 
 hoped and prayed might not come, was upon him: the brutally 
 tragic, living reality of war. 
 
 Two theatres of war were mapped out: an Eastern, including 
 the Potomac and Virginia areas with General McClellan in 
 charge, and the Western, embracing Tennessee and the Missis- 
 sippi valley with General H. W. Halleck, and later General 
 Ulysses S. Grant in command. 
 
 The Western forces were fairly successful from the begin- 
 ning. But the Eastern armies suffered defeat after defeat at the 
 hands of the Southern generals. For two years and more this 
 titanic struggle went on with frightful loss of human life. 
 
 In the North there were riots and discontent, and abroad 
 were threatenings and implications. But President Lincoln never 
 once wavered, and undismayed, "held on through blame and 
 
 102 
 
faltered not at praise," with his objective ever before him. A 
 popular government must be maintained against a formidable 
 internal attempt to overthrow it. 
 
 Shrewd and circumspect General Robert E. Lee felt that 
 he should take advantage of the enemy's disturbed conditions, 
 move his army North, make a few dramatic thrusts and put 
 an end to the slaughter. 
 
 On June 24, 1863, for the second time in his campaign, 
 Lee pointed his victorious Virginia forces northward, crossed the 
 Potomac near Shepherdstown and prepared to invade Pennsyl- 
 vania. On July 1 , he met the army of the Potomac under General 
 George Meade at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. For three days and 
 nights the battle raged; but on the fourth, at about midnight, 
 Robert E. Lee and his depleted forces, battered, beaten, and 
 humiliated, began a hurried retreat back toward the Mason and 
 Dixon line from whence they came. The next day Vicksburg 
 fell to General Grant, and the backbone of the Southern Con- 
 federacy was at last broken. 
 
 However, the end was not yet in sight, for the armies of 
 the South were still intact. But Lincoln could see in these two 
 victories the first sign of a dream come true; one nation, one 
 people, free. 
 
 THE NATIONAL CEMETERY 
 
 Not long after the smoke of battle had cleared away, Andrew 
 J. Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania, left his desk in Harrisburg, 
 and came to Gettysburg to view the battlefield. The object of 
 the visit was to arrange for the burial of the dead and to care 
 for the injured. 
 
 To augment the work the Governor appointed a board with 
 Judge Wills of Gettysburg as head. Steps were taken immediately 
 for the purchase of a suitable burying ground. The board 
 
 103 
 
affirmed the suggestion of Judge Wills that the cemetery be 
 made national. Arrangements were also completed for a dedi- 
 catory service to be held on October 23, 1863. 
 
 In searching the field for a possible speaker, whom they 
 felt would grace this important occasion, the board, after much 
 deliberation, settled upon the name of Edward Everett, minister, 
 eductor, lecturer, ex-Congressman, ex-Governor of Massa- 
 chusetts ex-United States Senator and former Ambassador to 
 the Court of St. James. Upon the receipt of the invitation to 
 appear on the consecration program, Mr. Everett replied that 
 he would be unable to appear on the date set, but if it were 
 moved forward a month he felt certain he could be present. 
 The postponement would give him added time for thought 
 and preparation, and also afford an opportunity to visit the 
 battlefield, which should lend color and background to what 
 he would have to say. The request was granted and the date 
 for the service was set for Thursday, November 19. 
 
 With the selection of the orator and the date for the occasion 
 out of the way, the next important matter to come before the 
 board was whether or not to invite the President to speak. It 
 was the consensus that under no circumstances should he appear 
 on the program with a lengthy speech. If he did, it was felt 
 that he would not be equal to the occasion. However, in accord- 
 ance with propriety, he should not be left out. It was finally 
 agreed that he should be asked to make a few appropriate 
 remarks to give the occasion the official stamp. So Judge Wills, at 
 the suggestion of the board, wrote the President. Among other 
 things he said, "It is the desire that after the oration (by 
 Everett) you as chief executive of the nation, formally set 
 apart the grounds to their sacred use by a few appropriate 
 remarks. I hope that you will feel it your duty to lay aside 
 pressing business for a day and come here to perform these last 
 sad rites to our brave soldiers on the 19th inst." 
 
 104 
 
THE CONSECRATION 
 
 On the morning of November 18, the presidential party 
 entrained at Washington for Gettysburg, to be present at the 
 consecration exercises. Among those accompanying the Presi- 
 dent were Secretary of State Seward, Secretary of the Interior 
 Usher, Postmaster General Blair, Minister M. Mercier of France, 
 Minister M. Bertinatti of Italy, personal escorts, General Fry 
 and Ward Lamon, intimate friend, Wayne MacVeagh, personal 
 secretaries, John Nicolay and Major John Hay, Lieutenant Mar- 
 tinez, and Captain and Mrs. H. A. Wise. (Mrs. Wise was the 
 daughter of Edward Everett, the speaker of the day.) There 
 were also many personal friends and secretaries as well as nu- 
 merous newspaper men. 
 
 A short distance out of Baltimore the train passed through 
 a deep ravine which darkened the coaches, and confined the 
 sound, making the train noisier. President Lincoln sat at the 
 head of the table during luncheon, and was the life of the party. 
 After two long years of worries of war, it seemed that the 
 relaxation of such a trip was the tonic that was needed to mend 
 his frayed nerves. He was his old self again, and ere long was 
 telling one of his accustomed "reminds me" stories. "The situa- 
 tion," said the President, "recalls to my mind a friend in 
 Southern Illinois, who one night encountered a terrible thunder- 
 storm while riding over a corduroy road, and became frightened. 
 The lightning made it possible for his horse to get from one 
 log to another, but he too often missed, stumbled and fell carry- 
 ing the rider down with him. After several such upsets my 
 friend, although unaccustomed to prayer, thought it was about 
 time to call upon his Maker to help him out of his predica- 
 ment. He finally cried out in desperation, 'Lord, if it would suit 
 you equally as well, it would suit me better, if you would give 
 
 105 
 
me a little more light and less noise.' " The story ended with 
 a hearty laugh as the train passed out of the darkness, and light 
 was restored and the noise vanished. 
 
 Frequent stops were made at cities and villages along the 
 way, and the President usually appeared on the rear platform to 
 greet and say a few words to the cheering throngs that gathered 
 at the stations to bid him welcome. 
 
 While the train halted at a town near Gettysburg, he was 
 attracted by a little girl attempting to pass some flowers to him 
 through an open window. It is said the President turned away 
 from a friend with whom he was conversing, and leaning far 
 out of the window, kissed the little one saying, "You are a 
 little rosebud yourself. I hope your life will open in perpetual 
 beauty and goodness." 
 
 The presidential party arrived at the village of Gettysburg 
 mid-afternoon Wednesday, November 18. A citizen's committee 
 met the distinguished guests at the station and escorted them 
 to the homes of their hosts for the evening. The President 
 accepted an invitation to be the guest of Judge David Wills, 
 president of the board and responsible for the creation of the 
 national cemetery. Other officials and diplomats were guests 
 at the hotel or were entertained in the homes of prominent 
 Gettysburgers. 
 
 Early in the evening joyous serenaders gathered to welcome 
 the elite of the party. The President appeared upon the porch 
 of Judge Wills' home, and in response to a call for a speech 
 said, "My fellow citizens: I appear before you merely to thank 
 you for this compliment. The inference is a very fair one that 
 you would hear me for a little while at least, were I to commence 
 to make a speech. I do not appear before you for the purpose 
 of doing so and for several substantial reasons. The most sub- 
 stantial of these, that I have no speech to make. In my position, 
 it is somewhat important that I should not say any foolish 
 things." 
 
 A voice from the crowd called, "If I can help it!" 
 
 Whereupon Mr. Lincoln concluded, "It very often happens 
 
 106 
 
that the only way to help it is to say nothing at all. I must beg 
 of you to excuse me from addressing you further." 
 
 The President's arrival in Gettysburg sparked one of the 
 most controversial questions in the life of the Emancipator. 
 When and where was the Gettysburg Address written? Not 
 that the time or place would add to, or take from it, one whit 
 of its interest and popularity; yet the American mind is such 
 that it naturally wants to know the facts about such things. 
 
 Was the Address written on the train while the President was 
 en route from Washington to Gettysburg? I do not think so. 
 The road beds of the early railroads were so rough and crudely 
 constructed that they were not at all conducive to legible hand- 
 writing. It is also extremely doubtful that the President had 
 either time or privacy in which to write thoughtfully. General 
 Fry, his personal escort, said, "I have no recollection of seeing 
 him writing or reading a manuscript, nor was there any oppor- 
 tunity for him to do so." 
 
 Did President Lincoln prepare the address at the home of 
 Judge Wills? No, at least not in full. The President, as the guest 
 of a prominent Gettysburg citizen, could have had but little 
 time to devote to personal affairs. A party also was given in the 
 President's honor at Judge Wills' home. At least two thirds of 
 his evening was devoted to this social function. Wayne Mac- 
 Veagh, a close personal friend of the President, said that during 
 the latter part of the evening, Mr. Lincoln told him he expected 
 to excuse himself and go to his room and devote a little time 
 to what he was to say on the morrow. John Nicolay stated that 
 after breakfast on the morning of the consecration, he reported 
 to the President's room for duty and found him working on 
 his address, previous to its delivery that morning at ten o'clock. 
 
 That Lincoln was meticulous in the preparation of this 
 important address cannot be denied. But there is not sufficient 
 evidence to show that the basic part of the Gettysburg Address 
 was prepared at the Judge Wills' home. It is not uncommon for 
 public speakers, anxious to please, to give special attention to 
 their speeches previous to their delivery. 
 
 107 
 
Was the Address written in Washington? It seems to be the 
 accepted opinion among Lincolnian writers that it was. There 
 is reason to believe that the address appeared on two separate 
 sheets of White House stationery; that some time previous to 
 the trip to Gettysburg one of the sheets, on which was written 
 the closing part of the speech, was either lost or mislaid; some- 
 time between arriving at the Wills' home and departing for 
 the consecration meeting the next morning, the President asked 
 for a piece of paper on which he rewrote the missing part. This 
 was done no doubt to refresh his memory. The entire speech 
 was spoken from memory, although the President had before 
 him the written words at the time of delivery. The words 
 "under God" were not included in the original manuscript, but 
 were inserted, impromptu, at the time of the delivery. 
 
 Five drafts of the original speech were made by the Presi- 
 dent. The first two were given to Major John Hay, his secretary; 
 the third to Edward Everett; the fourth to the Soldiers and 
 Sailors Fair at Baltimore in 1864. The fifth is known as the 
 Bliss copy. 
 
 The morning of November 19, 1863, was clear and unusually 
 warm for the time of the year. A hush and quietness was in 
 the atmosphere greatly in contrast to the belching of cannons 
 and the bursting of shells a few short months before. The 
 stores and homes of the little town were appropriately deco- 
 rated with the nation's emblem, the Stars and Stripes. The 
 last nail had been driven into the planks of the rustic platform 
 where that morning the nation's great would sit. There would 
 be representatives there from eighteen states whose sons had 
 fallen for a great cause. Congressmen, governors, senators, cabi- 
 net members, together with the President of the United States 
 would be there. It was a state occasion which had required the 
 most careful preparation. 
 
 No less attention had been shown in selecting the orator of 
 the day. The life of every American speaker of note had under- 
 gone the strictest scrutiny. What was his reputation? Was he 
 popular with the masses? Had he been loyal to the Union? Could 
 
 108 
 
he meet the exacting conditions in so critical a time? There 
 was one man and only one who could measure up to the severe 
 test: the distinguished statesman and scholar, Edward Everett. 
 
 At about eleven o'clock the President mounted his horse in 
 front of David Wills' home at the corner of the village square 
 in Gettysburg and rode to the cemetery past thousands of 
 those who had come to witness the consecration. The President 
 took his place upon the platform followed by other notables of 
 this and other nations. After the invocation had been pro- 
 nounced, those upon the platform were seated. There was a 
 slight lull in the proceedings, because Mr. Everett was tardy. 
 Then he arrived, and was introduced to the audience of about 
 10,000 people, most of whom were standing. As he approached 
 the front of the platform he held in his hand a manuscript of 
 his speech to which at times he glanced and then again from 
 which he read. His voice had a clear, distinct, cultural tone; 
 and the words spoken were eloquently expressed. He was every 
 inch an orator. Here is part of what he said: 
 
 "Friends, fellow citizens of Gettysburg and Pennsylvania, 
 and you from remoter states: Let me again invoke your benedic- 
 tion, as we part, on these honored graves. You feel, though the 
 occasion is mournful, that it is good to be here. You feel that 
 it was greatly auspicious for the cause of the country, that the 
 men of the East and the men of the West, the men of nineteen 
 sister states, stood side by side on the perilous ridges of the 
 battle. You now feel it a new bond of union, that they should 
 lie side by side, 'til a clarion, louder than that which marshalled 
 them to the combat, shall awake their slumbers. God bless the 
 Union; it is dearer to us for the blood of these brave men shed 
 in its defense. The spots on which they stood and fell; those 
 pleasant heights, the fertile plain beneath them, the thriving 
 village whose streets so lately rang with the strange din of 
 war; the fields beyond the ridge, where the noble Reynolds held 
 the advancing foe at bay, and while he gave up his own life, 
 assured by his forethought and self-sacrifice, the triumph of the 
 two succeeding days; the little streams which wind through the 
 
 109 
 
hills, on whose banks in after times, the wandering plowman 
 will turn up, with the rude weapons of savage warfare, the 
 fearful missiles of modern artillery; the Seminary Ridge, the 
 Peach Orchard, Cemetery, Culp and Wolf Hill, Round Top, 
 Little Round Top, humble names, henceforward dear and 
 famous; no lapse of time, no distance of space shall cause you 
 to be forgotten. 'The whole earth/ said Pericles, as he stood 
 over the remains of his fellow citizens who had fallen in the 
 first year of the Peloponnesian war, 'the whole earth is the 
 sepulchre of illustrious man.' All Time, he might have added, 
 is the millenium of their glory. Surely I would do no injustice 
 to the other noble achievements of the war, which have reflected 
 such honor on both arms of the service, and have entitled the 
 armies and the navy of the United States, their officers and 
 men. to the warmest thanks and the richest rewards which a 
 grateful people can pay. But they, I am sure, will join us in 
 saying, as we bid farewell to the dust of these martyr-heroes that 
 wheresoever throughout the civilized world the accounts of 
 this great warfare are read, and down to the latest recorded 
 period of time, in the glorious annals of our common country, 
 there will be no brighter page than that which relates to the 
 Battles of Gettysburg." 
 
 For two hours Edward Everett spoke, and as his clear reso- 
 nant tones faded away, the crowd burst forth into spontaneous 
 and prolonged applause. They were confident that they had 
 heard an orator that missed no word of appeal or grasp of 
 thought. 
 
 After the singing of a hymn, composed for the occasion by 
 Benjamin B. French, Marshall Ward Hill Lamon, Lincoln's 
 friend, arose to introduce the President. He used the simple 
 phrase, "The President of the United States." 
 
 Tall, awkward and ungainly, Abraham Lincoln made his 
 way to the foot of the platform and after a moment of pause, 
 began his few appropriate remarks. 
 
 "Fellow Countrymen: Four score and seven years ago our 
 fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, con- 
 
 110 
 
ceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men 
 are created equal. 
 
 "Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether 
 that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can 
 long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. 
 We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final 
 resting place for those who here gave their lives, that that 
 nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we 
 should do this. 
 
 "But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot con- 
 secrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living 
 and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above 
 our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, 
 nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget 
 what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated 
 here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have 
 thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedi- 
 cated to the great task remaining before us — that from these 
 honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which 
 they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly 
 resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this 
 nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and 
 that government of the people, by the people, for the people, 
 shall not perish from the earth." 
 
 Lincoln returned to his seat. The applause was scattered and 
 listless. He was stunned. The audience by its prolonged applause 
 had certainly placed its stamp of approval upon Everett's speech, 
 he thought, but toward his the people were cold. Turning to 
 his friend, Marshall Lamon, Lincoln said, "That speech won't 
 scour. It's a flat failure, and the people are disappointed." 
 
 Then his friend Wayne MacVeagh took him by the hand 
 and said, "You have made an immortal address." 
 
 Replied the President, "But you must not be extravagant 
 about it." 
 
 During the return trip to Washington, that evening after 
 the consecration, President Lincoln, although suffering from a 
 
 111 
 
severe headache, felt that he must see his friend Wayne Mac- 
 Veagh for a few moments, as he was to leave the party at 
 Hanover Junction, Pennsylvania. So he sent for him to come 
 to the drawing room. MacVeagh upon reaching the room, 
 found the President lying down, applying cold water to his 
 swathed head. It was MacVeagh who opened the conversation 
 by pressing further the compliment that he had paid earlier 
 in the day. 
 
 "You did not like what I said this afternoon about your 
 address, but I have thought it over carefully, and I can only 
 say, the words you spoke will live in the land's language." 
 
 The President was somewhat perturbed. "But you are more 
 extravagant than ever. You are the only person who has such 
 a misconception of what I said. But I did not send for you to 
 talk about my address, but about more important matters. " 
 
 The next morning found the President back at his desk in 
 the White House, and the consecration was just another memory 
 in the long list of state events in which the chief executive of 
 the nation found it necessary to participate. 
 
 The business grinds on. A messenger seeks entrance to the 
 President's office. He is admitted and places in the hands of the 
 President a letter. It is opened and the President observes that 
 it is from Edward Everett. He reads: 
 
 re My dear Sir: Permit me to express my great admiration 
 of the thoughts expressed by you with such elegant simplicity 
 and appropriateness at the consecration of the cemetery. I should 
 be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near the central 
 idea of the occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes." 
 
 Lincoln replied immediately: "My dear Mr. Everett: Your 
 kind note of today is received. In our respective parts yesterday, 
 you could not have been excused to make a short address and 
 I a long one. I am pleased to know in your judgment the little 
 I did say was not a failure." 52 
 
 It is characteristic of human nature that when one does 
 not think about success, he cares little about failure. That 
 
 112 
 
Lincoln thought in terms of failure should be sufficient reason 
 to warrant that he was unusually anxious to succeed. 
 
 Again success or failure upon the platform often times is 
 measured in terms of applause or the lack of it. The consensus 
 of Lincolnian writers seems to be that Lincoln had a super- 
 sensitive nature that may have led him to place too high a 
 value on the ovation that Edward Everett received, and to attach 
 too much concern to the comparative silence that greeted his 
 own effort. 
 
 The consecration program was of nearly three hours' dura- 
 tion. Edward Everett occupied two hours or more of this time, 
 while Lincoln used but three minutes of it with his "appropriate 
 remarks." The people had been standing throughout the exer- 
 cises and no doubt had become tired and restless. Under such 
 circumstances it would not be unusual for the people to lack 
 the impulse of a normal demonstration. The President could 
 well have interpreted the near-silence at the close of his address 
 as an ominous indication that he had failed to impress the people 
 with the vital issues of the war. 
 
 WRITTEN IN OUR HEARTS 
 
 Among the great expressions in the English tongue of all 
 time is the Gettysburg Address. It has become so much a part 
 of the American life that it is difficult to think of a time 
 when it did not exist. More has been written about these two 
 hundred and seventy-two words than about any other thoughts 
 ever delivered, except the Sermon on the Mount. The cheers that 
 greeted the words of Edward Everett are forgotten: But the 
 words that Lincoln uttered, and felt "would not scour'' are 
 written in the hearts of every true American. 
 
 Great thoughts, like great men, survive the critical test of 
 years. Critics, scholars, public speakers alike, have spoken, 
 
 113 
 
studied, and quoted from the Gettysburg Address without 
 offering a suggestion that a thought or word be changed. It has 
 been accorded, by those who should know, the highest place 
 among great pieces of literature. 
 
 What is it that has won for it the acclaim of "great"? There 
 can be but one answer. Great issues, a great man, a great occa- 
 sion. Seldom in history do these three meet at the same time. 
 Viewing the fortunes of war, Abraham Lincoln felt on that 
 bright November day that the issues to which he had devoted 
 his life would soon be favorably settled. He stepped out from 
 his seat on the platform with that idea in possession of his 
 soul. Naturally it would be to him, the executive head of the 
 government, and not to the orator of the day that the people 
 would look for guidance in this dark hour. And so Abraham 
 Lincoln, as President of the United States, accepted the full 
 responsibility for the welfare of his country when he said, 
 "that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom 
 and that government of the people, by the people, for the 
 people, shall not perish from the earth.' 9 With these closing 
 words the immortal Gettysburg Address was born. 
 
 Great men are far-seeing men. Could Lincoln have been 
 thinking of that day when all the democracies of the earth 
 would be threatened with extinction and America must be 
 saved to bear the torch of freedom to others whose flame had 
 flickered out? Who knows? 
 
 "THE PERFECT TRIBUTE" 
 
 President Lincoln was accustomed, whenever possible, to 
 visit the front and talk and mingle with the soldiers. He was 
 anxious to get their opinion of conditions behind the lines. 
 And as the war wore on to the end his mind more and more 
 became absorbed by the suffering on the battlefield and the 
 
 114 
 
seemingly useless waste of human life. And in one of his 
 most disturbed moments he was heard to cry out to a friend, 
 "How willingly I would trade places today with the soldier 
 that sleeps on the ground in the army of the Potomac! I say to 
 you now that if it were not for the occasional vent of story- 
 telling I should die. If it were not for my firm belief in an 
 over-ruling Providence, it would be difficult for me in the midst 
 of such complications of affairs to keep my reason on its seat." 
 
 Such were the disconsolate words of a distraught Lincoln 
 during the dark days of the War between the States. Yet not- 
 withstanding this emotional disturbance and the cumulative 
 responsibilities of his high office, Lincoln found time and con- 
 solation in penning an appropriate tribute to a sorrowing mother 
 who it was reported had lost her sons in battle. 
 
 The letter was addressed to Mrs. Bixby of Boston, Massa- 
 chusetts, a poor widow whose sixth son, recently wounded in 
 battle was now lying in a hospital. The letter exemplifies the 
 noble character of the writer, and conveys in exquisite English 
 the nation's respect to a mother who had made the supreme 
 sacrifice,* that every American regardless of color might enjoy 
 the fruits of freedom. 53 
 
 EXECUTIVE MANSION 
 
 Washington, November 21, 1864 
 
 To Mrs. Bixby 
 Boston, Mass. 
 
 Dear Madam: 
 
 "I have been shown on the file of the War Department a state- 
 ment of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are 
 the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field 
 of battle. 
 
 I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine 
 which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss 
 so overwhelming. 
 
 But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation 
 
 * Hangs on the wall of the library, Oxford, England. 
 
 115 
 
that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they have 
 died to save. 
 
 I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish 
 of your bereavement and leave only the cherished memory of 
 the loved and lost and the solemn pride that must be yours 
 to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom." 
 Yours very sincerely and respectfully, 
 
 A. Lincoln. 
 
 GOD WILLS IT 
 
 With victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, the turning 
 point of the war was at hand, and the President seemed more 
 confident than ever that the will of God prevailed in human 
 affairs. Tarbell says in her Life of Lincoln that he had been 
 animated since his election to the presidency with the simple 
 theory, "If we do right God will be with us, and if God is with 
 us we cannot fail." 
 
 "He had struggled to see what was right and no man or 
 men had been able to bear pressure heavy enough to turn him 
 from a step he had concluded was right." 
 
 But as the days went on he saw his cause fail again and 
 again. At times it seemed on the verge of destruction. Was he 
 wrong in his own judgment of what was right, or could it 
 be that God had some end in view different from either that 
 of the North or the South? In the latter part of 1862 he 
 summed up his feelings in the following statement. 
 
 "The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims 
 to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may not be, but 
 one must be wrong. God cannot be for and against the same 
 thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite 
 possible that God's purpose is something different from the 
 purpose of either party: and yet the human instrumentalities, 
 
 116 
 
working, just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His 
 purpose. I am almost ready to say that this is probably true: 
 that God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet. 
 By His mere great power on the minds of the contestants, 
 He could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a 
 human contest. Yet the contest began. And having begun he 
 could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the 
 contest proceeds." 
 
 And Tarbell states further, "As time went on and his con- 
 viction that his cause was right grew stronger, in spite of the 
 reverses he suffered, he began to feel that God's purpose was 
 to wipe out slavery and that the war was a divine retribution 
 on North as well as South for the toleration of slavery." 54 
 
 By the Spring of 1865 the President was convinced that 
 the war must go on to the end, and in his second inaugural of 
 March 4 of that year he expressed in beautiful language, and 
 yet in no uncertain terms, his convictions of what he felt his 
 Maker expected of him. 
 
 "The Almighty has His own purposes. Woe unto the world 
 because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come: 
 but woe unto that man by whom the offense cometh. If we 
 shall suppose that American slavery is one of these offenses, 
 which in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, 
 having continued through His appointed time, He now wills 
 to remove, and He gives to both North and South this terrible 
 war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall 
 we discern therein any departure from these divine attributes 
 which the believers in the living God always ascribe to Him? 
 Fondly do we hope — fervently do we pray — that this mighty 
 scourge of war shall soon pass away. Yet if God wills that 
 it continue until all wealth piled by the bondsman two hundred 
 and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every 
 drop of blood drawn from 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.' 
 
 117 
 
"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firm- 
 ness 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." 55 
 
 SEALED WITH HIS BLOOD 
 
 Throughout the long arduous years of turmoil and struggle 
 on the journey from Cabin to Capitol, Abraham Lincoln never 
 faltered, but held firmly to his ideal of Union and Peace for 
 all Americans. 
 
 Within a little over a month from the day that Mr. Lincoln 
 had taken the oath for the second time to uphold the Con- 
 stitution of the United States, General Robert E. Lee, com- 
 mander of the Confederate forces, surrendered his army to 
 the Union commander, General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox 
 Court House in Virginia. Thus the catastrophic struggle of four 
 deadly years of war between the states was ended. Lincoln had 
 saved America. 
 
 And within a short space of a few days from this climactic 
 event, a tired and weary President had sealed that covenant 
 with his blood, shed by an assassin's bullet. 
 
 This covenant, costly and tragic as it was, was the price 
 that was exacted that freedom might come to enslaved millions 
 here at home and that the oppressed of all nations throughout 
 the world might take NEW HOPE. 
 
 118 
 
THE HIDDEN TREASURES 
 
 No one writer or small group of writers have succeeded in 
 gathering all the information about a nation's hero that a 
 curious public would like to know. That usually leaves room 
 for some lesser known light, to bring forth something new 
 and startling. Then there are those who by virtue of their 
 environment obtain a more intimate knowledge of a situation 
 or character. Such were the positions of John Nicolay and 
 John Hay. As private secretaries to President Lincoln, they 
 were front seat drivers, and could observe almost his every word 
 and act during the war days. 
 
 "Billy" Herndon, junior law partner of Mr. Lincoln's, with 
 an association of sixteen years, should have had an extremely 
 interesting story of Lincoln's pre-war days. But so often what 
 the public gets depends on what the writer stresses. Herndon 
 emphasized the Lincoln heritage and the Ann Rutledge love 
 affair, and reaped a "whirlwind." 
 
 Nicolay and Hay, soon after the death of President Lincoln, 
 were interested in bringing to the public the facts of the Lincoln 
 life: and to this day, almost a century after, what Nicolay 
 and Hay wrote, the public has accepted without question. 
 
 Following the publication of the Lincoln history by Nicolay 
 and Hay, Robert Lincoln fell heir to the basic material. Robert 
 was severely criticized by historians for keeping the material in 
 close privacy. However, toward the end of his life, and aware 
 of this continued criticism, Robert decided to dispose of the 
 matter. In May 1919, according to David G. Mearns, Director 
 of the Congressional Reference Department, Washington D. C, 
 Robert brought his father's papers, then in his possession, and 
 deposited them for safe keeping in the Library of Congress. 
 And in 1923 he executed a deed of gift to the library. It was 
 
 119 
 
stipulated in the deed that the papers were to be kept under 
 lock and key "until the expiration of twenty-one years from 
 the date of my death." 
 
 The all-important Lincolnian question of the day was, 
 Why was this done? Why did not he, himself, turn the papers 
 over to the biographers and historians for public use? These 
 questions, so far as my knowledge extends, have never been 
 satisfactorily answered. There have been rumors that the deed 
 was made to the library to block a certain person from securing 
 the Nicolay and Hay material for a new Lincoln book. 
 
 There was a story afloat that a certain prominent politician 
 of the time approached Robert at his eastern mountain retreat 
 and requested the use of the Nicolay and Hay material for a 
 book, but was flatly refused. The reason given by Robert was, 
 that this person had written a magazine article attacking the 
 legitimacy of his grandmother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln. 
 
 Henry Watterson, Southern born Confederate soldier, editor 
 of the Louisville Courier- Journal and United States Senator, 
 one of America's prominent and influential citizens — a personal 
 acquaintance of President Lincoln, made an investigation of the 
 legitimacy of the birth of Nancy Hanks. 
 
 In an article published in the Cosmopolitan Magazine 1909 
 he said, "Dr. Christopher Columbus Graham, of Louisville, 
 Kentucky, who died in 1885, wrote at my request his recollec- 
 tions; and testified to them before a notary in the ninty-eighth 
 year of his age: I know Nancy Hanks to have been virtuous, 
 respectable and of good parentage; and I knew Jesse Head, 
 Methodist preacher of Springfield, who performed the wedding 
 ceremony. The first child was a daughter, Sarah. Three years 
 after the marriage arrived the boy Abraham. Another son 
 named Tom was born. He lived but a few months. The last 
 recorded words of Nancy Lincoln were words of cheer. The 
 dread milk sickness stalked abroad killing human beings and 
 cattle. Nancy took to her bed, and knowing that she would not 
 live long, put her hand on the head of the little boy nine years 
 old, Abraham, and said, 7 know that you will be a good boy. 
 
 120 
 
I'm going away from you, Abraham, and shall not return. I 
 know that you will be kind to Sarah and your father. I want 
 you to live as I have taught you and love your Heavenly 
 Father: " 56 
 
 A pitiful story; one can scarcely read it with dry eyes, but 
 it lifts the veil forever from the cruel mystery which so long 
 clouded the memory of Nancy Hanks. I here dwell upon it 
 and give the details because it ought to be known to every 
 American who would have the truth of history fulfilled. 
 
 There were also conjectures that certain portions of the 
 material referred to those yet alive, which if published might 
 cause untold anguish. 
 
 Still further, historians and distinguished authors thought 
 the material might also shed some light on the all absorbing 
 question, as to whether or not there was a general plot among 
 high government officials to assassinate the President. 
 
 David C. Mearns says that "myth and misunderstanding 
 have clustered about the documents ever since President Lin- 
 coln's secretaries, John Nicolay and John Hay, started collecting 
 them at the White House a few days after the assassination of 
 the President." 
 
 A gala day for writers, biographers, historians, and lovers 
 of Lincolnia was July 27, 1947. For it was on that day, one 
 minute past midnight, in the Congressional Library, Washing- 
 ton D. C, that five safes containing a collection of more than 
 18,000 documents were opened by Luther Evans, the librarian, 
 in the presence of a celebrated group of impatient students and 
 historians. Following the opening of the treasures, on the after- 
 noon of the same day, an estimated crowd of 3,000 devotees and 
 descendants of the Emancipator, filled the rotunda and galleries 
 of the Congressional Library to listen to a dedicatory and 
 laudatory service, at which I was present. 
 
 It is not my intention to enter into a detailed account of 
 these documents. The story has been amply covered in recent 
 magazine articles and books. It may be said, however, that 
 outside of one letter from Mr. Lincoln's cousin, John Hanks, 
 
 121 
 
touching upon the legitimacy of Nancy Hanks' birth, some 
 45 letters written to the President by Horace Greeley, criticiz- 
 ing his actions as executive head of the government, and more 
 than 80 letters containing threats upon his life, there seems 
 little that was startlingly new. 
 
 Evidence of the great interest in the opening of these new 
 treasures is revealed by figures issued by the Library of Congress 
 showing that a total of 1,911,475 microfilm copies of items in 
 the collection has been ordered. Also, a set of 7,200 prints 
 has been sent to Oxford University, England. It is further 
 known that countless school children, housewives and business 
 men, as well as historians, have inquired about the collection. 
 
 A NEW SOUTH 
 
 It is now four score and nine years since the end of the war 
 that ravaged the Southland. But in spite of untold devastation 
 of property, the creating of rabid hatred, and the setting of 
 brother against brother, the proverbial courtesy and graciousness 
 of these Southern folk still survives. Time has been a miraculous 
 healer of animosities, mistrusts, and misunderstandings. 
 
 In traveling about the sunny Southland, I can find no 
 evidence that the sons and daughters, descendants of the Con- 
 federates, bear any ill-will toward Abraham Lincoln, the libera- 
 tor of their families' servants, and the Commander in Chief of 
 their opposing armies. They even extend hospitality to those in 
 their midst who wish publicly to extol the virtues of the 
 Emancipator. 
 
 And here is further evidence of the growth of goodwill 
 between the "yanks" of the North and the "rebs" of the South: 
 
 Eighty-four years after the implements of war had been 
 laid aside, there was erected at Harrogate, Tennessee, a statue 
 to the memory of the great liberator. It was unveiled by Mar- 
 
 122 
 
garet Patterson, great granddaughter of President Andrew- 
 Johnson, who succeeded Abraham Lincoln, upon his assassina- 
 tion. 
 
 This epochal event took place on the peaceful campus of a 
 distinguished University located on the soil of a former Con- 
 federate State. Abraham Lincoln was eulogized by both whites 
 and blacks, and not a finger of "white supremacy" was lifted. 
 
 How often have I heard from the lips of those with whom 
 I have conversed, this expression, "Had the life of Abraham 
 Lincoln been spared to take part in the program of reconstruc- 
 tion, at the close of the War between the States, he would 
 have, without doubt, assumed the role of the Good Samaritan, 
 by helping to bind up the wounds of our stricken people." 
 
 Such an attitude of a once harassed and defeated people, is 
 perhaps without precedent in the annals of warfare. And the 
 comforting thought about it all, is, that since his tragic death, 
 no skeletons have projected their ghostly forms to mar the 
 sacredness of his memory. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln's life of fifty -five years — an open book 
 of unselfish service to humanity, and devotion to country and 
 God, is among democratic America's choicest gifts to a gloomy, 
 jittery and war infested world of today. 
 
 123 
 
r He built the rail-pile as he built the State 
 Pouring his splendid strength through every blow 
 The grip that swung the axe in Illinois 
 Was on the pen that set a people free." 
 
 Edwin Markham 
 
APPENDICES 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF NOTABLES ABOARD 
 THE PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL 
 
 Colonel Ward Hill Lamon 
 
 Personal friend of Lincoln, an aide-de-camp of Governor Yates of 
 Illinois. Colonel Lamon was one of the most talented and prominent 
 members of the Republican Party of Illinois. A lawyer of high 
 standing and especially popular with young Republicans. 
 
 Colonel R. E. Ellsworth 
 
 A member of the famous United States Zouaves Cadets, who served 
 
 to protect Mr. Lincoln on his trip from importunities of the crowds. 
 
 Honorable W. S. Woods 
 
 Mr. Woods was an ambassador of good will, attached to the Special. 
 His residence was Springfield, the home of Mr. Lincoln, and they 
 had long been personal friends. Mr. Woods seemed to be the right 
 man in the right place, quiet, suave; and as such he quieted the 
 rankled spirit and brought peace and harmony to turbulent and 
 jealous committees. 
 
 Honorable N. B. Judd 
 
 Was a resident of Chicago, and a lawyer of great ability. He perhaps 
 was best known, nationally, of any among the party. He was an old 
 and tried friend of the President-elect, and did more to secure his 
 nomination at the Wigwam than perhaps any other man. As chairman 
 of the State Central Republican Committee, he contributed much 
 toward the success of the Lincoln cause in Illinois. He was the 
 natural selection to make the nomination speech at the convention. 
 
 Judge David Davis 
 
 Another very close friend of Mr. Lincoln's. Had been for a number 
 of years a distinguished member of the bar, and a Republican leader 
 of the state. Had been judge of the State of Illinois Circuit Court, 
 and served in the state Legislature, also had been connected with the 
 Secretary of State. He was Mr. Lincoln's confidant and advisor. 
 
 129 
 
John George Nicolay, Esq. 
 
 Private secretary to Mr. Lincoln. He was a young man twenty-nine 
 years of age, of Bavarian extraction, but educated in the United States. 
 He was of medium height, rather slim, and somewhat pale, rather hand- 
 some, with pleasant features, looking none the worse for a mustache 
 and goatee. He had had large experience in the office of the Secretary 
 of State of Illinois, and rendered himself invaluable during the political 
 campaign. 
 
 John Hay, Esq. 
 
 A graduate of Brown University, and assistant secretary to Mr. Lin- 
 coln. Although but twenty-three years of age, he had made himself 
 widely known through his contributions to leading "Western papers. A 
 young man of remarkable culture and talent who intuitively seemed 
 to know just what should be done. He had an unusually handsome 
 presence and caused many sighs among the belles of Springfield. 
 
 Dr. W. S. Wallace M.D. 
 
 Dr. Wallace was a brother-in-law of the President-elect, and accom- 
 panied him as his personal physician. The doctor was a native of 
 Pennsylvania, but had been a resident of Springfield, Illinois, for 
 twenty-five years. He was quiet and unassuming, with a ready humor, 
 and made an excellent traveling companion. 
 
 Lockwood Todd 
 
 A cousin of Mrs. Lincoln. 
 
 George Latham 
 
 A chum of "Bob" Lincoln. 
 
 J. N. Burgess 
 
 Personal friend of the Lincolns from Janesville, Wisconsin. 
 
 130 
 
Official Escorts 
 
 Colonel E. V. Sumner U.S.A. 
 
 Colonel Sumner had served in the army for over forty years, having 
 entered the Second Infantry in 1819. Most of his life was spent in the 
 saddle, west of the Mississippi. He participated in the whole of the 
 Mexican War. At the battle of Cherubusco, General Scott paid him 
 the high compliment of assigning him to the command of another 
 regiment — the Mounted Rifles. After the war Colonel Sumner was 
 placed in the command of the Department of New Mexico. With the 
 formation of four new regiments authorized by Congress in 188 5 
 he was appointed Colonel of the First Cavalry. He was a most efficient 
 officer, and one of its brightest ornaments. 
 
 Major D. Hunter U.S.A. 
 
 Was graduated from West Point in 1822, and attached to the Fifth 
 Infantry. With the formation of the First Dragoon, Lieutenant Hunter 
 was appointed to a captaincy. He served with distinction in that 
 regiment until transferred to the pay department. He entered the 
 Mexican War under General Wool, but was transferred to the com- 
 mand of General Taylor. His family was wealthy and widely celebrated 
 for their hospitality. 
 
 Captain George W. Hazard 
 
 Of the Fourth Artillery, was graduated with distinction at West 
 Point, in 1847, and immediately joined General Taylor's Army in 
 Mexico. At the close of the war he remained two years on the Rio 
 Grande and was engaged in almost continual bouts and skirmishes 
 with the Indians. Later was transferred to Florida, and remained there 
 until the close of the Florida war. From Florida he went to Kansas. 
 In 1857-18 5 8 he was at Lawrence, Leavenworth and Kickapoo. Cap- 
 tain Hazard was an excellent officer and a highly cultivated gentleman. 
 
 Captain John Pope 
 
 Of the Topographical Engineers was a son of Judge Pope of the United 
 States District Court of Illinois. Captain Pope was graduated at West 
 Point in 1842 and was attached to the enginer corps. He served under 
 General Taylor during the whole Mexican War and later was employed 
 searching for water in the "Liano Estacado" or "Staked Plains" on the 
 line of the Pacific Railroad survey. Captain Pope was a gentleman of 
 profound scientific attainments. 67 
 
 131 
 
CITATIONS 
 
 1. Old Salem, Petersburg, Illinois home, Lincoln Monument, Spring- 
 field, Illinois. Ford's Theatre, house where Lincoln died, Lincoln 
 Monument, Washington D.C. Cemetery, Lincoln Monument, 
 Judge Wills' home, battlefield, seminary building — General Lee's 
 lookout, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lincoln Memorial, Hogen- 
 ville, Knob Creek, Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Old slave market, 
 New Orleans. 
 
 2. Gettysburg Seminary Library. 
 
 3. Near Hogenville, Ky. 
 
 4. Boyhood of Abraham Lincoln: Gore 1, 23. 
 
 5. Honest Abe: Rothschild 1,9. The True Abraham Lincoln: Curtis 
 1, 23. 
 
 6. Nearly twenty-two. 
 
 7. Life of Lincoln: Tarbell, Vol. 1, IV 49, IV 50. 
 
 8. Abraham Lincoln, The Boy and the Man: Morgan, V. 34. Life 
 of Lincoln: Tarbell, Vol. 1, IV, 57. 
 
 9. Lincoln and New Salem: Compiled and published by Old Salem 
 League, Petersburg, 111. 56, Honest Abe: Rothschild, 1, 20. 
 
 10. Words of Lincoln: Oldroyd, 1,2. 
 
 11. Lincoln and New Salem: 42. 
 
 12. Lincoln and New Salem: 38. Governor called out the militia at 
 Beardstown, 22 April to put down the uprising of the tribe of 
 Sac Indians. 
 
 13. Lincoln and New Salem: 40. 
 
 14. Lincoln and New Salem: 42. 
 
 15. Mentor, Graham, Duncan and Nichols, XIII, 128. 
 
 16. Abraham Lincoln, The Boy and The Man: Morgan, IV, 25. 
 
 17. The True Abraham Lincoln: Curtis, Lincoln Calendar. , 
 
 18. Abraham Lincoln, The Boy and The Man: VIII, 63. 
 
 19. Lincoln: Nathaniel Stephenson, VI, 64. 
 
 20. Abe Lincoln's Anecdotes: Wordsworth. Thesaurus of Anecdotes: 
 Wise Book Co., Inc., New York. 
 
 21. Abraham Lincoln, The Vast Future: Burford, 23. 
 
 22. Abraham Lincoln, The Vast Future: Burford, 34. 
 
 23. Abraham Lincoln, The Vast Future: Burford, 36. 
 
 133 
 
24. The True Abraham Lincoln: William E. Curtis III, 109. Herndon's 
 Life of Lincoln: XIII, 326. 
 
 25. Life of Lincoln: Tarbell, Vol. II, XVIII, 120. 
 
 26. Abraham Lincoln, The Boy and The Man: Morgan XVI, 140. 
 
 27. "Words of Lincoln: Oldroyd, 44. 
 
 28. Life of Lincoln: Tarbell, Vol. II, XIX, 128-180. Men of War 
 Times McClure. Lincoln in 1860, 30th President. Lincoln's Ad- 
 ministration: Raymond, 44. 
 
 29. Words of Lincoln: Oldroyd, 49. 
 
 30. Abraham Lincoln, The Boy and The Man: Morgan, XVII, 157. 
 
 31. The True Abraham Lincoln: Curtis, V. 
 
 32. The True Abraham Lincoln: Curtis, V, 32. 
 
 33. Life of Lincoln: Tarbell, Vol. II, XX, 169. 
 34a. Lincoln Among His Friends: "Wilson. 
 
 34. Herndon's Life of Lincoln: XVI, 390. 
 
 3 5. Cincinnati Daily Commercial Telegraphic News: February 13, 
 1861. Life of Lincoln: Tarbell, XXI, 204. 
 
 36. Indianapolis State Guard, February 16, 1861, Cincinnati Daily 
 Commercial, February 13, 1861. 
 
 37. Cincinnati Daily Commercial, February 13, 1861. 
 
 38. Daily Capitol City, Columbus, Ohio, February 14, 1861. 
 
 39. Daily Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1861. Tele- 
 graphic reports from Cleveland Morning Leader, Plain Dealer, 
 February 16, 1861. 
 
 40. Cleveland Daily Herald, February 15, 1861. Cleveland Morning 
 Leader, February 15. Cleveland City Facts and Fancies, February 
 16, 1861. Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 16, 1861, Ohio. 
 
 41. Museum Ford's Theatre, Washington D. C. July 26, 1947. History 
 of the Administration of President Lincoln. Page 89. 
 
 42. Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, February 18, 1861, New York. 
 
 43. Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, February 18, 1861. New York 
 Telegraphic reports, Public Library, Albany, New York News- 
 papers. 
 
 44. Buffalo, New York, Commercial Advertiser, February 18, 1861. 
 Telegraphic report. 
 
 45. New York Times, February 20, 1861. New York Herald, Febru- 
 ary 18, 1861. New York Daily-Tribune, February 20, 1861. Ga- 
 zette and Republican, February 21, 1861, New York City. 
 
 46. New York and Philadelphia papers. 
 
 47. Public Ledger, February 22, 1861. Philadelphia, Penn., Daily 
 Evening Bulletin, February 22, 1861. Philadelphia, Penn., Life 
 of Lincoln, Tarbell, Vol. II, XXI, 212. 
 
 134 
 
48. Patriot and Union, February 23, 1861, Harrisburg, Perm. Lincoln 
 and Men of War Times, McClure, 5 6. 
 
 49. Life and Public Services of Abraham Lincoln, VI, 90, Frank 
 Crosby. 
 
 50. National Intelligencer, March 5, 1861, Washington D. C. 
 
 51. The Ufe of Lincoln-. Tarbell, Vol. Ill, XXIII, 54. 
 
 52. The True Story of the Gettysburg Address: Joseph Tausek, Lincoln 
 MacVeagh, the Dial Press, N. Y. Lincoln Among His Friends: 
 Rufus Rockwell Wilson, They Heard Lincoln at Gettysburg: 
 XXVI. 
 
 53. Life and Public Services of Abraham Lincoln: XXII, 330, Frank 
 Crosby. 
 
 54. The Life of Lincoln: Tarbell, Vol. IV, XXIX, 1-25. 
 
 55. Second Inaugural, March 4, 1865. Words of Lincoln: Oldroyd, 168. 
 
 56. Lincoln Among His Friends: The Caxton Printers, 291. 
 
 57. New York Herald, February 20, 1861. 
 
 135 
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
 
 With deep gratitude to Puhlishers, Authors, and Libraries for 
 the folloti/ing sources of information. 
 
 Life and Speeches of Abraham Lincoln — D. W. Bartlett. 
 
 H. Dayton, Publisher, New York 1860 
 
 President Lincoln's Administration — 
 
 H. J. Raymond, J. C. Derby and M. C. Miller, Publishers, N. Y. 1864 
 
 Life and Public Service of Abraham Lincoln — Frank Crosby. 
 
 Published by John E. Potter, Philadelphia 1865 
 
 Abraham Lincoln and Men of War Times — A. K. McClure. 
 
 Times Publishing Co., Philadelphia 1892 
 
 Words of Lincoln— O. H. Oldroyd. 
 
 Washington D. C 1895 
 
 Life of Lincoln — 4 Vol. — Ida Tarbell. 
 
 Lincoln History Society, New York 1895 
 
 Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln — John Nicolay and 
 John Hay. 
 
 Frances D. Tandy Co., New York 1905 
 
 Abraham Lincoln — The Boy and Man — James Morgan. 
 
 The Macmillan Co., New York 1908 
 
 Lincoln's Own Stories — Anthony Gross. 
 
 Garden City Publishing Co., New York 1912 
 
 The True Abraham Lincoln — William Eleroy Curtis. 
 
 J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia and London 1913 
 
 Honest Abe — Alonzo Rothschild. 
 
 Houghton, Mifflin Co., Boston and New York 1917 
 
 The Man for the Ages — Irving Bacheller. 
 
 Bobbs-Merrill Co., Indianapolis 1921 
 
 Lincoln National Park — Rev. Louis A. Warren. 
 
 Herald Publishing Co., Hodgensville, Kentucky 1920 
 
 The Boyhood of Abraham Lincoln — J. Rogers Gore. 
 
 Bobbs-Merril Co., Indianapolis 1921 
 
 Lincoln — Nathaniel Stephenson. 
 
 The Bobbs-Merrill Co., Indianapolis 1922-24 
 
 Myths After Lincoln — Lloyd Lewis. 
 
 The Piers of the Readers Club, New York 1929 
 
 137 
 
The True Story of the Gettysburg Address — Joseph Tausek, 
 Lincoln McVeagh. 
 
 Dial Press, New York 1933 
 
 Lincoln, His Life in Photographs — Stefan Lorant. 
 
 Duell, Sloan and Pearce, New York 1941 
 
 Herndon's Life of Lincoln. 
 
 World Publishing Co., Cleveland and New York 1942 
 
 Lincoln Among His Friends — Rufus R. Wilson. 
 
 Caxton Printers, Caldwell, Idaho 1942 
 
 Mentor Graham — Duncan and Nichols. 
 
 University of Chicago Press, Chicago 1944 
 
 Thesaurus of Anecdotes — Edmund Fuller. 
 
 The Wise Book Co., Inc., New York 1945 
 
 The Diplomat in Carpet Slippers — Jay Monaghan. 
 
 Bobbs-Merrill Co., Indianapolis, New York 1945 
 
 Abraham Lincoln — A Vast Future — Isaac Kuhn. 
 
 Joseph Kuhn and Co., Champaign, Illinois 1946 
 
 Lincoln's Other Mary — Olive Carruthers. 
 
 Ziff Davis-Davis Publishing Co., Chicago, New York 1946 
 
 Lincoln's Herndon — David Donald. 
 
 Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York 1948 
 
 The Indianapolis State Guard Indianapolis, Ind. 
 
 Saturday — February 16, 1861 
 
 Daily Commercial Cincinnati, Ohio 
 
 Wednesday — February 13, 1861 
 
 Daily Capitol City Columbus, Ohio 
 
 Thursday — February 14, 1861 
 
 Daily Post Pittsburgh, Penn. 
 
 Friday — February 15, 1861 
 
 Cleveland Morning Leader Cleveland, Ohio 
 
 Saturday — February 16, 1861 
 Cleveland Plain Dealer 
 Saturday — February 16, 1861 
 City Facts and Fancies 
 Saturday — February 16, 1861 
 
 Buffalo Commercial Advertiser Buffalo, N. Y. 
 
 Monday — February 18, 1861 
 
 Papers from Library Albany, N. Y. 
 
 The New York Herald New York City, N. Y. 
 
 Wednesday — February 20, 1861 
 New York Times 
 Wednesday— February 20, 1861 
 New York Daily Tribune 
 
 138 
 
Wednesday—February 20, 1861 
 Gazette and Republican 
 Thursday — February 21, 1861 
 
 Daily Evening Bulletin Philadelphia, Perm. 
 
 Thursday — February 21, 1861 
 Public Ledger 
 Friday — February 22, 1861 
 Daily Evening Bulletin 
 Friday — February 22, 1861 
 
 The Patriot and Union Harrisburg, Penn. 
 
 Saturday — February 23, 1861 
 
 The National Intelligencer Washington, D. C. 
 
 Tuesday — March 5, 1865 
 
 139 
 
MEET THE AUTHOR 
 
 ■■■I I Dr. Elbert R. Moses was born 
 Ws I of pioneer parents, Abram 
 
 "f m; A I and Minerva Moses, in Ster- 
 ling Township, Blue Earth 
 %tZ? j I County, Minnesota. Elbert, 
 v_g ^ e £f tn child in a family of 
 
 jg|£jgfl six — the restless one, like 
 
 his hero, Abraham Lincoln, 
 trampled on family tradition, 
 | by choosing to become a 
 speaker rather than a farm- 
 er. After taking a short course in Elocution, 
 young Elbert enrolled in College and won the 
 State Oratorical Contest. For 20 years after 
 graduation, Doctor Moses divided his time be- 
 tween College Teaching and Platform Lectur- 
 ing. He founded, and was President of the 
 Pittsburgh School of Speech for 27 years. In 
 1942 the Alumni of his Alma Mater, North- 
 western University, cited him for a Distin- 
 guished Merit Award. He was a pioneer 
 broadcaster over Radio Station KDKA, the 
 author of the Torch of Freedom, holder of 
 membership in the Delta Sigma Rho, and 
 Tau Kappa Alpha College Speech Fraterni- 
 ties, and the International Platform Associ- 
 ation and member of the Congregational 
 Church. He is the author of "From Cabin to 
 Capitol" records in which he plays the title 
 role. They were produced with top flight actors 
 and radio artists. A fuller account of his life 
 is found in Vol. 27 "Who's Who in America." 
 
 COLLEGE PUBLISHING CO. 
 
 "Books of Distinction 99 
 Daytona Beach, Florida 
 
RECORD! 
 
 W'ritten and Dramatized by 
 ELBERT R. MOSES, Litt.D. 
 
 Recorded by RCA 
 
 Living American history as spoken by the famous American, Abraham 
 Lincoln, is now available for audio entertainment and educational aids for 
 the first time. You will hear about such events as Young Lincoln's Visit 
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 to Congress, His Senatorial Nomination, The Debates with Douglas, The 
 Cooper Union Speech, Wigwam Convention, Nomination for President, 
 His Campaign and Election, Public Receptions in Springfield, Selecting a 
 Cabinet, Farewell to the Home Folks, Trip to Washington, Why Lincoln 
 Grew Whiskers, Raising the Flag Over Independence Hall, Assassination 
 Plot, The War Days, Gettysburg Address, Writing the Bixby Letter, and 
 in part, His Immortal Inaugural Addresses. 
 
 SLOW AND FAST PHONOGRAPHIC SPEEDS; WITH 
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 6 fifteen minute chapters of the Life of Abraham Lincoln are pro- 
 cessed on 9 double-faced 12-inch discs at 78 revolutions per minute. Also 
 6 fifteen minute chapters are processed at 3 3 1/3 revolutions per minute on 
 3 double faced 16 inch discs. Custom made-RCA-Vinylite Victor records. 
 Enacted by top flight actors, with sound-music. Elbert R. Moses, the 
 author, platform and radio artist, plays the role of Abraham Lincoln. 
 
 AN INVESTMENT IN AMERICANISM 
 
 Countless public schools, colleges, homes, libraries, and army camps 
 throughout America are using "Cabin to Capitol Records." Your investment 
 in one or more sets of "Cabin to Capitol Records" is an investment in 
 Americanism. The words of Lincoln are the words of free men, and your 
 purchase may save a life from communism. 
 
 Write today for brochure, and full information about 
 "Cabin to Capitol" records, to 
 
 COLLEGE PUBLISHING COMPANY 
 
 840 Magnolia, Daytona Beach, Florida