Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-03-01
THE RUMOREO PLOT TO ASSASSlNATE NR.
LINCOLN,

party of tho President elect:
HARRISBURG, Feb. 23-8 A. NJ
Abraham Lincoln, the President elect Of
the United States, is safe in the capita,
of the nation. BY the admirable ar
rangement of Gen. Scott, the country
has been spared the lasting disgrace,
which would have been fastened indeli-
bly, upon it had Mr.. Lincoln baen muir
dered upon his journey thther as he
would have been had be followed the
programme as announced in papers, and
gone by the Northern Central Railroad
to Baltimore.
On Thursday night, after he bad re-
tired, Mr. Lincoln was aroused and in
formed that stranger desired to see him
on matter of life or death. He declin-
ed to admit him unless he gave his name,
which he at once did.
Such prestige did the name carry that
while Mr.. Lincoln was yet disrobed he
ganted an interview to the caller.
A prolonged conversation elected the
fact that an organized body of men had
determined that Mr. Lincoln should not
be inaugurated, aud that he should never
leave the city Of Baltimore alive, if in
deed he ever entered it.
The list of the names of the conspira-
tors presented a most astonishing array
Of persons high in southern confidence
and some whose fame is not to this
country alone.
Statesmen laid the plan, bankers en-
dorsed it, and adventures were to carry
it into effect. AS they understood Mr..
Lincoln was TO leave Harrisburg at
o'clock this morning by special train, and
the idea was, if possible, to throw the
cars from the road at some point where
they could rush down a steep embank-
ment and destroy in a moment tho lives
CT all on board. In case Of the failure
Of this project, their plan was to surround
the carriage on the way from depot to
depot in Baltimore, and assassnate him
with dagger or pistol shot.
So authentic was the source from
which the information was obtained, that
Mr. Lincoln after counseling with his
friends, was compelled to make arrange
meEts which would enable him to subyert
the plans of his enemies.
Greatly 10 the annoyance of the thou
sands who desired to call on him last
night, he declined giving a reception
The final council was held at 8 o'crcck.
Mr.. Lincoln did not want to yield, and
Col. Sumner actually cried with indigna-
ton; but Nrs. Lincoln, seconded by Mr..
Judd and Mr.. Linelon's original inform
ant, insisted upon il and at nine o'clock
Mr.. Lincoln lett on special train. He
wore a Scotch plaid cap and long milf
tary cloak, so that he was entirely I'M
recognizable. Accompanied by Super
intendent Lewis and one friend, be start
ed, while all the town, with the exception
of Mrs. Lincoln, Colonel Sumner Mr..
Judd and two reporters who were sworn
to secresy, supposed him to be asleep.
The telegraph wires were put beyond
reach Of any one who might desire to
use them.
AT one o'clock the fact was whispered
from one to another, and it soon became
the theme of most excited conversation.
Many thought it a very injudicious move
while others regarded it as a stroke of
great merit"
The N. Y. Hsralfs correspondent
sends the following, dated al Harrisburg,
Saturday morning:
" The city was startled just now by a
rumor that Lincoln had left by special
train. The information was said to have
leaked out from Col. Sumner, who was
indignant at this flight, but was not made
public until after the telegraph Office clos
ed for the night. Two hours before the
Herald reporter obtained the facts, but
was kept locked in a room, unable to use
them until half an hour before this dis
patch was written.
The details of The affair were obtained
by him, and even sdmor has not hinted
them all. In brief, Mr. Lincoln, the
President elect, left Harrisburg secretly
at six o'clock last evening took a special
train over the Pennsylvania Central
Railroad to Philadelphia, thence took a
special train to Washington, and before
this reaches New York will be, if no ac-
cident occurs, safe at the house of Sena-
tor Trumbull and in charge of General
Scott. The reasons for this movement,
SO extraordinary and unprecedented, arc
that Lincoln's friends believe, from in
formation acquired | am not permitted to
teB how that if he carried out his pro-
gramme and left by special train at nine