The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-09-28
MANKAro FREE PRESS.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER, 2s. 1888.
Iinc,ln's First Inaugural.

When MIR. Lincoln arrived Tin WASH
ingtom in advance of the announced
time, to escape threatened lssassina-
ton. he brought his inaugural address
with him in print. rather to the annoy
ance OF Mr.. Seward, who, as secretary
OF state of the new administration, had
hoped to draft the production which
was so eagerly awaited by the country.
MIR. Lincoln had written his inaugural
at Springfield, and had had it contiden-
italy put in type by his friend. the To-
cal printer. Four copies were printed
on foolscap paper, and wherever the
writer thought that Il paragraph would
be effective, he preceded it with Il ty-
biographical fist. A carpet-bag. contain
'ng these printed cOp.es of the forth
coming inaugural, was intrusted by MIR.
Lincoln to his oldest son, Bob" now
secretary OF war, who was so taken
aback by the enthusiastic reception
which they received ut Harrisburg that
he permitted q waiter TO take it and
forgot all about it. When asked for it
by his father, he was forced to confess
that he knew not where il was. Mr..
Lincoln Immediately started for the
baggage-room. and striding over the
barrier at the door. he began overhaul
ing without ceremony large pile OF
calpet-bags. until he was fortunate
enough to find the one containing the
precious document. After arriving at
Washington Mr.. Lincoln gave one copy
OF his inaugural to MIR. Seward and an
other To the venerable Francis p Blair,
asking them to read and criticise. Some
changes were made of no great impor-
lance, which were given to Mr.. Nico-
lay, the presidents private secretary,
to write in Il fair hand on one of the
printed copies, from which MIR. Lincoln
was to read. Mr.. Nicolay corrected
another copy which was furnished to
the press and which | now own. When
Mr. Lincoln came out on the platform
in front of The capitol, his tall figure
rising above those around him, the usu-
al genial smile was OH his angular
counienancr, but he seemed much per-
picked IL know what to do with new
silk hat and large gold-headed cane.
The came he put under the table, but
the hal appeared too good to place on
the rough boards. Senator Douglas
SAW the embarrassment of his old friend.
ami rising took the shining hat from its
bothered owner and held it during the
delivery OF the inaugural address. Mr..
Lincoln was listened to with great earn
e,lness, and evidently desired To con-
vince the multitude before him. rather
taan To bewilder or dazzle them. 1t
was evident to all that he honestly be-
lieved every word he spoke, especially
The concluding paragraph. which Icopy
from the original print:
'.Hsss~l am 10th to close. We are not
enemies. but friends. We must not be
enemies. Though passion may be
strained. it must not break our bonds
OF affection. Ry" The mystic chords OF
memory which stretch from every bat
tleiield and patriot grave to every loved
heart ami hrarthstone all over Oul
broad land will vet swell the chorus OF
the Union when again touched. rs they
surely will he. b. the better angels OF
our nature. - Ben: Periey POOre IN the
Youths Companion.