The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-04-25
LINcoLNs SECOND INAUGURAL
The Beautiful solemnitys of the Memoir
able Event.

The Beautiful Solemnitys of the Memoir
able Event.
The day of Lincoln's second inaugu-
ration, March A, 1865. was as dark and
| drizzly as the Novem Der day of his sec
ond election. When the hour OF noon
arrived great crowds of men and women
streamed ar ound the capitol building
in most wretched plight. The mud in
the city of Washington on that day
certainly excelled all the other varie-
ties have ever seen before or since,
and the greatest test of feminine
heroism = the spelling of their clothes
was amply to the credit of the women
who were so bedraggled and drenched
on that memorable day. The only
entrance to the senate wing, where
the preliminary ceremonies were held,
was by the main or eastern portico, the
other entrances being used only by
privileged persons.
Col. Forney, the secretary of the
senate, read the proclamation of the
president convoking an extra session,
and called the names of the members
elect Thereupon the newly chosen
senator's were sworn in, and the pro-
cession for the Inauguration platform,
which had been built on the east front
of the capitol was formed. There was
a sea of heads in the great plaza in
front of the capitol as far as the eye
couh reach, and breaking in waves
I aa5dsrits outer edges among the bud
ding foliage of the grounds beyond.
When the president and the procession
of notables appeared, tremendous
shout, prolonged and loud, arose from
the surging ocean of humanity
around the capitol building. Then the
sergeant-at-arms of the senate,
the historic Brown, arose and
bowed, with his shining black hat
in hand, in dumb-show before the
crowd, which thereupon became still
and Abraham Lincoln, rising tall and
gaunt among the groups about him,
stepped forward and read his inaugu-
raj address, which was printed in two
broad columns upon single page of
large paper. AS he advanced from his
seat, roar of applause shook the air,
and, again and again repeated, finally
the throng, like sweeping wave upon
the shore. Just at that moment the
sun, which had been obscured all day,
burst forth in its unclouded meridian
splendor, and flooded the spectacle
with glory and with light. Every
heart beat quicker at the unexpected
omen, and doubtless not few mentally
prayed that so might the darkness
which had obscured the past four
years be now dissipated by the sun Of
prosperity,
TIL natures 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 the
somewhat shrill and ringing tones of
Lincoln's voice sounded over the vast
concourse.
Looking down into the faces of the
people, illuminated by the bright rays
of the sun, one could see moist eyes
and even fearful cheeks as the good
| president pronounced these noble
words: with malice toward none,
with charity for all, with firmness in
the right as God gives us to see the
right, let us strive on to finish the
work we are in; to bind up the nations
wounds; to care for him who shall have
borne the battle, and for his widow and
bis orphans; to do all which may achieve
and cherish just and lasting peace
among ourselves and with all nations"
Among the memories of lifetime,
doubtless there are none more fondly
cherished by those who were so fortu-
ate as to stand near Lincoln at that his
toric moment than the recollection of
the beautiful solemnity, the tender
sympathy, of these inspired utterances,
and the rapt silence of the thronging
multitude Noah Brooks, in Century.