The Iola register., 1896-05-08
"sTAR sPANGLED BANNER"
Its Singing and Its Influence When Lin
coin Was Inaugurated.

Its Singing and Its Influence When Lin
coin Was Inaugurated.
Thnmas Mast in the Boston Standard.
was in Washington few days
prior to the Inauguration of Lin coin,
having been sent there by Harpers to
take sketches when that event should
come off. 1 did nothing but walk
around the city and feel the pub
lie pulse, so to speak. There was no
necessity ofssying anything to any
body. You intuitively recognized
that trouble was brewing.
Mauy people had sworn that Lin
coin should not be inaugurated. Their
utteranees had flied the Northern
heart and the people loyal to the old
flag were just as determined that the
lawfully elected President should be
inaugurated, though blood should
flow in the attempt. II was an awful
time. People looked different then
than they do now. Little knots of
men could be seen eonversing in whis-
pers on street corners, and even the
whispers ceased when a person un-
known te.them approached.
Every body seemed to suspect every
body else. Women looked askance at
each Others children obliged to be out
would skurry home as if frightened,
probably having been given warning
by their parents. The streets at night
for several nights prior to the inaugu-
raj ceremonies were practically desert
ed. There was hush over every
thing. 1t seemed to me that the sbsd-
Ow of death was lowering near.
1 had constantly floating before my
eyes sable plumes and trappings of
woe. could hear diBges constantly,
and thought for while would have
to leave the place or go crazy. knew
all these somber thoughts were but
imagination, but also knew that the
something that had influenced nay i'm
aginatiOn was tangible, really existed.
The 4th of March came and Mr. Lin
coin was inaugurated quietly and
without Ostentation.. After the SER
vices were over and it became known
that Mr.. Lincoln had really been in
Quoted into Office, there wBs a savage
snarl went up from the disafected
ones. The snarl was infectious. 1t
was answered by just as savage
growls all over the CITY,. But MOTH
ing was saidl A single yell. of def
snce, q single pistol shot or even an
oath would have preeipitated a con-
fiict. Men simply glared at each, 9TH
sr and gnsshed their teeth. but were
careful not to gsit them 80 it could. be
heard
went to my room in the willard.
and sat down to. do some work.
couldn't work. The stiffness was,
oppressive. At least a.dozen times L
picked upmy pencils, only to. throw
them down again. l. got up and paced
the fDor nerveusIy. kheard men onr
either side of me doing the same thing
Walking don'trelievethe severe men,
tai strain. 1 sat down in a chair and.
pressed my hsad,in nay hands, Sud-
denly I,heard a. window go up and
some one step out on the balcony of
The Ebbitt house, directly opposite.
Everybody IN the hotel had heard
him. What is he going to Go? 1 asked
myself, and L, suppose everyone else
prOpounded the same interrogation.
We hadn't long to wait.
He began to sing the "Stsr SpaHgled
Banner" in clear, strong voice. The
effect was- magical-elecsrical. One
window went up and another, and
heads popped out all over the neighbor
hood. Beople began to stir on. the
streets. A crowd soon gathered. The
grand cid song-wastaken up by thous-
ands.. The spell was broken, and
when the song was flashed tongues
were lOosened and cheer after cheer
rent the air.
The man roeming Bext to me raped
on my door and insisted. that L should
take q walk with him.. Aswe passed
along the corridors we were joined by
others, men wild with joy. some of
thsm. weeping and throwing their
arms around each others neeks. 9th
eTs were singing and all were happy.
Washington was itself again. The
"Star Spangled Banner" had saved it.