The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-25
The First Republican President.

"Carp's" Letter in Cleveland Leader.
When the light broke with leaden skies and
tornadoes of dust on the 4th of March, 1861, the
military authorities took measures to prevent a
riot and to repress all mobs The many military
organizations who were to march in the process
sion were given cartridges, and before it started
sharp shooters were posted at intervals along its
line of march and on the roofs of the houses.
General Scott was then commander in-chief. and
he had a number of batteries stationed at differ
ent points. One at the market house, Just
midway between the Capitol and the Treasury,
and the General himself was in command of an
other at the corner of Delaware avenue and B
street He also had a number of spies or
scouts mixing with the by-standers and
among the crowds to report the slightest attempt
at disturbance. AT o'clock the procession
formed. and at IL it marched to Wizards Hotel
where it awaited the advent of the two Presi-
dents, Buchanan and Lincoln. An hour later,
these having joined the procession in an open
carriage, the procession started Mr.. Lincoln
was pale, and his face was clouded with anxiety.
troop of military surrounded his carriage, and
a great number of companies of armed men were
in the procession behind him. There were differ
ent emblemS and various wagons In the line of
march, and there was great drawn by six
white horses, each wearing a blanket labeled
Union" On this car was a pyramid of seats,
from the top of which rose a staff on which stood
q big gold eagle. On the steps of the pyramid
sat number of little girls dressed in white, hold
ing banners bearing the coat-of arms of each
State aud Territory On each side of the car
was the word Constitution
Mr. Lincoln read his inaugural address from
the east portico of the Capitol, in clear, pene-
trating voice His manuscript was printed
copy plentiful!y interlined, and it was well re-
ceived There disturbance as far as
could be seen, and the policemen in every part
of the crowd kept good order.
On the 4th of March, 1861 the rain poured
and the wind blew. The streets were muddy
and the city was filed with the excitement of
war. Military rule prevailed, and troops with
loaded arms were ready TO quellithe slightest dis
turbance. During Inauguration week, it Is said,
the arrivals numbered from five to eight thou
sand per day, and the windows, roofs and bal
comics of both private and public buildings
were filled with sightseers as the procession,
headed by 1l9 policemen started up the avenue.
In it there were many military organizations Il
mammoth liberty car, and working model OF
the war-ship Monitor AT the" Capitol Andrew
johnson was sworn in as Vice-president, and he
delivered drunken address to the foreign min
listers Cabinet officers and spectators. The
oath was administered to President Lincoln on
the east portco, and when it was over the clouds
had disappeared and the blue sky shone forth.
That night there was big reception at the
White House, and 1000 people were present.
About six weeks later President Lincoln was
shot. and the day following his death
Vicepresident Johnson was sworn in
as President "The ceremony" says Coione
O'Beirne, who was present, twas hardly
more than the swearing IN of a witness in an un
important trial before justice of the peace.
took place in the Kirkwood House parlor anc
the outside world knew nothing OF what wa