Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-08
MisfeIlaneous.
National Republican.
LIyCOLy'S FIRST INAUGURATION.
GIN. ScoTT's FEAR OF ASSASSINATION
AND Hrs PLANS To PREVENT IT-MR.
LINCOLN's PREFERENCE.

Speaking IF inaugurations and inau-
gural committees remarked Lewis Gle
plane to a Republican reporter, ''there
was a little incident connected with the
first inauguration of President Lincoln,
which Il interesting, If you would like to
hear it. Those were ticklish times. you
know, The President-elect was threat
ened with assassination, and there was
considerable uncertainty regarding the
inaugural ceremonies. The republican
organizations, however. determined to
carry out the programme they had pre-
pared. y. Il. French and were appoint
ed committee 10 make arrangements.
and we called upon General Scott to con-
fer with him in regard TO the procession.
He protested against having procession.
and became rather excited about it. II
would never do. he said; the President
was likely to be assassinated. We said
that was all ol-de-rol-perfect nonscnce.
DO you think SOP retorted the General
warmly; then look at these and putting
his hand around to his coat-tail pocket,
feat which he performed with difficulty
on account of the rotundity of his figure,
he drew forth big batch Of letters threat
ening the Presidents life. At this June
tuIc u udDptitb ptt ottbtN VI -'t"
York, who had been attending the peace
convention at Willard Hall. came into
Gen. SCOTS room Gen. Gaines fell up
On Gen. SCOTS shoulder. They wept
and otherwise showed great emotion.
This diversion appeared to mollify Gen.
Scott very much. and resuming the cor:
ference with US he said we could have
the procession. but there should be re
a.. boz IN, 10 tsyCniI no aai1
station artillery at the cross streets, and
place picked men on all the high houses.
Under these conditions we could have a
procession. Before we left he inquired
If we had seen President Buchanan vet.
We replied that we had not lie
said that he wished we would. So
down we went and saw President Buchan
an After we had explained our business
the President said Il don't see any rea-
son for departing from the general usage.
Have you seen Gen. Scott yet 9' We told
him the substance of the interview with
Gen. Scott. Well replied the President
i think the general is unnecessarily
alarmed. but it is best to defer to his opin-
ion.' Before we left the President Now
it will afford me pleasure to tender my
carriage to Mr. Lincoln and accompany
him to the capital to be sworn in We
told him we had no doubt Mr.. Lincoln
would accept the offer.
From the White House we went to Will
lard's holel, where Mr. Lincoln was stop
ping. Mr.. Lincoln received us in his
room, and we told him what President
Buchanan had said. Mary, Mary, come
here,' called the President-elect. calling
to his wife, and when Mrs. Lincoln APP
pearcd. he laid the matter before her. say
ing Mary. the President has rendered to
me the use of his carriage. and agreed to
accompany me to the capitol when | am
sworn in
very kind. and of course Mr. Lincoln
would accept the offer. As she was retir
ing. Mr.. Lincoln called out, Mary. by the
way. see some one has presented you
with carriage referring to some notice
which had appeared in the papers. When
this scene was over we detailed to the
president-elect what our business was and
asked him what his wishes were. Mr..
Lincoln rising from his seat threw one leg
over the back of his chair. and rested his
chin on his palm. and stopping a moment
to consider made the following character
istic reply: when was practicing law
in Illinois. a client of mine, peculiar
sort of fellow. was brought before the
court. and the Judge asked him. "Do you
swear. or affirm ?" MIR. Judge" my eli
ent replied. ~ don't care a - which. ~
We supposed we were TO take that for an
answer. So we lett. The result was that
we had fine Inauguration.