The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-10

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and the elements and surroundings Of the
first Inauguration of President Lincoln in 1864
and the second Inauguration OF PRESIDENT
Grant in 1873 marks the epoch OF revolution
and work of political reconstruction the
most radical, complete and comprehensive in
the history of any people. It embodies the
leading idea of the American Declaration OF
177G and the enduring principles Qf the great
French Revolution of17S9. Il establishes the
equal and inalienable national rights OF all
men and the sovereignty of the people. This
great revolution, precipitated upon the coun-
try in the Southern rebellion of 1861. has not
only been carried through to its logical con-
clusion within tho brief historical epoch of
the twelve eventful years that have followed,
but is universally accepted from the lately
rebellious section of the Union MS fixed beyond
any probabilities of change for generations to
come. - tas ,a e..o.
To comprehend and to appreciate the height
and depth. the length and breadth Of this
amazing and comprehensive revolution in q
few brief touches of pen or pencil, we have
only to outline the pictures widely differ
ent--of the first Inauguration of President
Lincoln and the second Inauguration of Presi-
dent Grant. In 1861 President Lincoln, en-
route from Harrisburg to Washington, to avoid
the dangers of REASONABLE conspiracies lying
in wait to cut him off along his appointed
route and time for the journey. was con-
strained to adopt convenient disguise and to
slip through like thief in the night Thus
safely arriving at his destination, he found
himself surrounded by new dangers which
appeared to offer no loophole of safety or of
escape for the national government or the
Union. A Southern Confederacy, founded
upon the corner stone Of negro slavery, was
already in the field and preparing for war.
Mysterious rumors were afoat that Lincoln
never would be inaugurated; that ON organ
lied body of ten thousand Southern men from
Virginia and Maryland was within convenient
distance for descent upon and seizure of the
capital that the city was filed with the sworn
confederates of this alarming conspiracy that
they were in every department of the govern
ment, and that they had the active sympathies
of nine-tenths of the resident white population
of Washington.
That these rumors were well founded could
not be doubted by any eyewitness of the
precautions adopted by General Scott for the
safety of President Lincoln on his memorable
Inauguration day of 1861. The handful of
loyal United States troops which General
Scott had collected in Washington were dis
tributed with remarkable sagacity for the
safety of the city against an apprehended rebel
raid and for the protection of the new Presi-
dent in his progress from the White House to
the Capitol. For the safety of the city pickets
were stationed at various points Of approach
to announce, if required the coming of the
enemy, and for the protection of the President
o squad Of cavalry, equipped for bloody work,
surrounded his barouche, and sentinels on the
housetops were posted from point to point
along the line of march, prepared with pre-
arranged system of signals for the concentra-
ton of the troops at any point where an attack
might be made to cut off the Inauguration.
At the Capitol, from the street to the side door
of the Senate wing. where the President entered
the building, covered way had been erected,
under which he could pass without danger
of hostile bullet from the miscellaneous null
titude there assembled. The platform on the
eastern central portico, on which the inaugu-
ration ceremonies were enacted, was boarded
up so high above the mighty mass OF
people assembled in front that no pistol
shot could reach Lincoln from any would.
be martyr for Southern independence from
the plaza. But the most touching and the
most suggestive fact on that awful day o.
doubt, suspense and mystery and peril WA
the fact that the outgoing President Buchanan
in the same barouche and seated by hi.
side, rode up to the Capitol with Lincoln, ant
was there by his side to the close of the inau
guration. In this courteous and courageou
act on the part of Buchanan there was a
Endorsement of the incoming administrator
, of Lincoln which, we cannot doubt, gave it il
that critical emergency q moral support tn
value of which cannot be too highly estimated
That act of President Buchanan is at least emit
tied to be held by every surviving Union ma
of that day in grateful remembrance.
President Lincoln was quietly inaugurated
and with the going down of the sun of tina
ominous 4th of March it is said that Geners
Scott remarked, THE great immediate dar
gers of the morning have been safely passed
thank God but there are other and broade
dangers still before u.s." The dangers Of thi
:, morning, in the judgment OF Scott, from ii
facts and rumors in his possession, were II
, dangers of the seizure of the capital by
: powerful armed body of Southern conspir'
!, tors and the danger of Lincoln's assassin
:. ton. Even On outline of the stupendo'
= events which have filled up the eventful twel'
= years which have followed that portento'
. morning of dangers, fears and suspicion
= need not here be given to enable the reader
:. mark the bright and encouraging contra
= afforded in our report of the brilliant secor
W 81 Droaidonf Grant IL mari