Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-01-27
THE Day or LfNC ,LN'S NACEO.
KAYIOs.

R4YiOs.
az was in Washington few days
prior to the Inauguration OF Lincoln IN
1861, having been sent there by the
! Harper's to take sketches when that
event should come OFF. l did nothing
but walk around the city and feel the
public pulse, 80 to speak. There was
no necessity of saying ANYTHING to any
body. You intuit.vely recognized that
trouble was brewing. Southerners had
sworn that Lincoln should not be IN
augurated. Their utterances had tired
the Northern heart and the people
loyal to the old flag were Just as deter
mined that the lawfully elected Presl-
dent should be inaugurated, though
blood should flow in the attempt. 1t
was an awful time. People looked
different then than they do now. Lit
tie knots of men could be seen convers-
ing together in whispers on street
corners, and even the whispers ceased
when person unknown to them APP
preached. Everybody seemed to sus-
pect every one else. Even women
looked askunce at each other, and the
children obliged to he out would skurry
home us if frightened, probably having
been warned by their parents. The
streets at night, for several nights
prior to the inaugural ceremonies,
were practically deserted. There was
hush over everything. 1t seemed to
mo that the shadow of death was how
ering near. I had constantly float
ing before my eyes sable plumes and
trappings of woe. I could hear dirges
constantly, and thought for awhile that
would have to leave the place or go
crazy. ] knew all these sober thoughts
were but imagination, but I also knew
that the something which had inau-
encel my imagination was tangible,
really existed. The 4th day of March
came, and MIR. Lincoln was inaugurated
quietly and without ostentation. After
the services were over and it became
known that Mr.. Lincoln had really
been indicted into Office there was
savage snarl went up from the South
erners. The snarl was infectious. 1t
was answered by just as savage growls
all over the city. But nothing was
said. A single yell Of defiance, pistol
shot, or even on oath would have pre-
cpitated a conflict. Men simply glared
at each other and CRASHED their teeth,
but were careful not to grit them so it
could be heard. I went to my room in
the Willard and sat down to do some
work. couldn't work. The stiffness
was oppressive. At least dozen times
Ipicked up my pencils only to throw
them down again. I got up and paced
the floor nervously. I heard men on
either side of me doing the same thing.
Walking don't relieve the
severe mental strain, 1 sat down
in my chair and pressed my head in my
hands. Suddenly I heard window go
up and some one step out OF the bal
cony of the Ebbitt House directly OPP
! posite. Everybody in the hotels had
heard him. What is he going to do?
asked myself, and suppose every one
else propounded the same mental in
terrogation. We hadn't to wait long.
He began to sing the Star Spangled
Banner in clear, strong, voice. The
effect was magical, electrical. One
window went up, and another, and then
another, and heads popped out all over
the neighborhood. People began to
stir on the streets. A crowd soon gath
cred. The grand old song was taken
up and sung by thousands. The spell
was broken, and when the song was
finished tongues We're loosened, and
cheer after cheer rent the air. The
man rooming next to me raped on my
door and insisted that 1 should take
drink with him. AS we passed along
the corridors We were joined by others.
Men We're wild with JOY, some of them
were weeping and throwing their arms
around each others neck. Others
We're singing and all were happy.
"Washington was itself again. The
Star Spangled Banner saved it,
Thomas Mast, IN De7,uer Ne,rs.
IN E-xrEiORDIN-iRY THsMR.
| "No. sir, I'll not give Won a cent