Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-04-24
LlNcoLN's SECOND INAUGURAL.
Noah Brooks Describes the Scene at TIA
Delivery Of tho Address.

Noah Brooks Describes the Scene at tho
Delivery Of tho Address.
Tho day Of LinUoln's second !naugura.
tion, March 4, 1865, was as dark and driz-
ely as the November day OF his second cleo
tiun. When tho hour of noon arrived,
great crowds OF mon and women streamed
around the capitol building In most
wretched plight The mud in the city Of
Washington on that day certainly exoolled
all other varieties have ever seen before
or since, and tho greatest test OF feminine
herOism--tho spelling Of their clothes
was amply 20 tho credit Of the women who
were SO bedragglcd and drcnchod on that
memorable day. Tho only entrance to the
senate wing, whore the preliminary ccre-
monies were held, was by tho main or
eastern pOrtico, the other entrances being
used only by privileged persons.
Colonel forney, tho secretary Of the SEN
ate, read tho proclamation Of the president
conyodng an extra session. and called tho
names Of the members elect. Thoreupon
tho newly chosen senators woro sworn in,
and tho procession for tho Inauguration
platform, which had boon built on tho
east front Of tho ulpitol, was FORMED.
There was sea Of heads in tho great plaza
In front OF the capitol as far as the eye
could reach, and breaking In waves along
Its ontor edges among the budding foliage
of tho grounds beyond. When the prosi,
dent and tho procession OF notables ap-
ponred, n tremendous shout prolonged and
loud, arose from the suIginy ocean of hu-
mainly around the capitol building.
Then tho sergeant.at. arms Of tho senate,
the historic Brown, arose md bowed,
with his shining black hat In hand, in
dumb show before the crowd, which there
upon became STILL and Abraham Lincoln,
rising tall and gaunt among tho groups
about him, stepped forward and read his
Inaugural address, which was printed in
two broad columns upon single page OF
large paper, AS he advanced from his
seat n roar of applause shook tho air, md
again and again repeated, finally died far
nway on tho outer fringe OF the thropR.
Ike a sweeping wavo upon tho shore,
just at that moment tho sun, which had
boon ob5cuTed all day burst forth In its
unolouded meridian splendor and flooded
tho spectacle with glory and with liaht,
Every heart beat quicker at the una1peut-
cd omen, and doubtless not fow mental
ly prayed that so might tho darknesa
which had obscured tho past four years
% now dissipated by the sun Of prosperity
TIN dangers troubled night depart
And the star Of peace return.
The inaugural address was received
with almost profound silence. Every word
was clear and audible as tho somowhat
Hhrlll and ringing tones Of Lincoln's voice
sounded over the v1-t conoourse. There
was applause, however, at the words
Both parties deprecated war, but ono OF
them would make war rather than lot tho
nation survive, and the other would no.
cept war rather than let 1t perish" and
tho cheer that followed these words lasted
long enough to make considerable nnnse
notore ho added sententiously, "And tho
war came" There wero occasionally
spnrts OF applause, too at other points
along this wonderful address
Looking down into tho faces OF tho mao.
pie, illuminated by the bright rays of tho
sun, ono could 500 moist eyes and oven
fearful checks as the good president pro.
nounced these noble words. with mnlioe
toward none, with charity for all. with
nrmness In the right as God gives us to
500 ths right, let us strive n to finish the
WORK we arc in to bind up th nations
wounds to care for him who shall have
oofho tho baltic and for his widow and
MS orphansi to do all which may aohioyo
ana cherish Just and a lasting peace
among ourselves and with all natiops.1
among tho memories Of lifetime doubt
1858 there Is mono more fondly cherished
~ those wiz We're so fortunate as to stapd
near Lincoln at that historic moment than
the recollection Of tho beautiful solemnity,
The tendon sympathy, OF those Inspired ~.
teranoes and hernpt silence Of tho thropn-
me- multitndo.-Noah Brooks In Century,