The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-03-26
PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
His First Entrance to the Capital


III. c., in New York Timesl
1t was at first arranged by the Re
publican managers, who, in 1861
were concerned in the safe en-
trance of the President elect TO the
capital, and who, with many other good
citizens, feared he would be molested,
il not assassinated, upon his way, that
Mr.. Lincoln should leave Philadelphia
on an ordinary day-train and arrive at
Washington in the afternoon, where he
was to be received by Mr.. Washburne
and Senator Seward. In accordance
with the same arrangement, all the tel
egraph wires between Washington and
New York were cut, and hence no tele-
graphic communication could be had.
AT the time appointed the two gen.
tlemen mentioned were at the depot,
but, much to their CONSERVATION, Mr..
Lincoln was not among the passengers
on the train which arrived. With the
most intense anxiety they scrutinized
the face of each man as he passed, and,
when the last one had left the depot,
with great alarm Seward turned to
Washburne and said, excitedly:
My God, ne has not come; what can
have happened?"
70 which Mr. Washburne reassuring-
ly replied:
q can't imagine, but let us hope for
the best. 1t is probable that he will be
in on the morning train
Yes, of course" answered Mr.. Wash
burne, and shortly afterward the two
gentlemen parted.
Meanwhile the President elect was in
Harrisburg, and attended reception
which was given to him in that city.
In the course of the evening, at about
10 o'clock, while the festivities were at
their height, he slipped quietly away,
and in close carriage was conveyed to
a special train in waiting for him. On
this train he was taken to Philadelphia,
there making connection with the or
binary night.train between New York
and Washington. He boarded that
train with two companions, Allan Pink
erton, the detective, and Ward II. La
mon. With these gentlemen, on the
ordinary train, he proceeded on his
way.
On the following morning, in the gray,
cold dawn, WashDurne, faithful to his
promise, was at the old Baltimore and
Ohio depot. He looked anxiously about
for Seward, but Seward had not arrived.
Fearing much, yet still hoping, he
walked restlessly up and down the plat
form. Still Seward did not come. At
length the train came in sight, rolled
into the depot, and came to standstill.
One by one the passengers began to
alight. In almost an agony of suspense,
mans face, looked only to be disap-
pointed, for the face was not that of the
Republican President-elect. At last,
when he had almost relinquished hope,
he saw, from his position behind one of
the pillars of the station, three men de-
scend from the sleeping-car. One of
them, tall and ungainly, he at once re-
cognized as Lincoln. The President
was not clad in Scotch cap and short
cloak, as has been described by num-
Der of writer's, and as is popularity be-
lieved. He wore black slouched hat,
a short overcoat, and his neck was
muffied in what is known as a WOODEN
comforter. AS he came down the plat
form, Mr.. Washburne hastily advanced
from behind the pillar, and, extending
his hand, said: Lincoln, 1 am glad you
have got here safely"
AS he did SO, Lincolns companions
rushed forward, as if fearing an assault !;
but the President, waving them back,
said reassuringly, and with his own pc
cullar drawl, Now, never mind this is
all right; it is only my friend Wash
burne."
Then, without further ceremony, the
four gentlemen took carriage, which
Mr.. Washburne had in waiting, and rode
to Wizards Hotel. SO it was that
Abraham Lincoln entered Washington
for the first time after his election to
the Presidency.