Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-04-11
LINcoLN's SECOND INAUGURAL.
Noah Brooks Describes the Scene at the
Delivery of the Address.

Noah Brooks Describes the Scene at the
Delivery of the Address.
The day of Lincoln's second inaugura-
tion, March 4, 1865, was as dark and dris-
ely as the November day of his second cleo
tion. When the hour of noon arrived,
great crowds of men and women streamed
around the capitol building In most
wretched plight. The mud in the city of
Washington on that day certainly excelled
all other varieties have ever seen before
or since, and the greatest test of feminine
heroism-tbe 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 cere-
monies were held, was by the main or
eastern portico, the other entrances being
used only by privileged persons.
Colonel Forney, the secretary of the sem
ate, 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 procession for the inauguration
platform, which had been built on tho
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
could reach. and breaking in waves along
its outer edges among the budding foliage
of the grounds beyond. When the presi-
dent and the procession of notables ap-
peared, tremendous shout, prolonged and
loud, arose from the suIging ocean Of hu-
manity around the capitol building
mTlien the sergeant alarms of the senate,
the historic Brown, arose and 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 the 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 roar of applause shook the air, and
again and again repeated, finally died far
away on the outer fringe of the throng,
like a 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 nt the unexpect-
ed omen, and doubtless not a few mental
ly prayed that SO might the darkness
which had obscured the past four years
be now dissipated by the sun of prosperity
Till 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 the somewhat
shrill and ringing tones of Lincoln's voice
sounded over the vast concourse. There
was applause, however, at the words,
"Both parties deprecated war, but one of
them would make war rather than let the
nation survive, and the other would ac-
cept war rather than let it perish, !" and
the cheer that followed these words lasted
long enough to make considerable pause
before he added sententiously, "And the
war came" There were occasionally
spurts of applause, too, at other points
along this wonderful address.
Looking down into the faces OF the peo-
pie, illuminated by the bright rays Of the
sun, one could see moist eyes and even
fearful cheeks as the good president pro-
nounced these noble words: with malice
| toward none, with charity for all, with
| flrmness 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 nation q
wounds; to care for him who shall have
borne the battle and for his widow ant
his orphans; to do all which may achieve
and cherish just and lasting peact
among ourselves and with all nations. ;
| Among the memories of a lifetime doubt
less there is none more fondly cherished
by those who were SO fortunate as to stant
| near Lincoln at that historic moment thar
the recollection of the beautiful solemnity
the tender sympathy, of these inspired ut
terances and The rapt silence of the throng
ing multitude. Noah Brooks in Century