Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-05-30
1.-THE STAR sPAhGLED BANNER"
It's Singing and Its Influence when
Lincoin Was Inaugurated.
mas Nast in Roston Standard.

Thomas Mast in Boston standard.
1 was In Washington a few days prior to
he inauguration OF Lincoln, having been
sent there by Harpcrs to take sketches
when that event should come of. did
lothing but walk around the city and feel
.he public pulse. SO 90 speak; There MAS
Many peopie had SWORN that farccin
should not be ~inaugurated. Their utteran-
res had fired the northern heart. and the
people loyal to the old flag were just as
,etermined that the lawfully elected pres
dent should be i~naugurated. though blood
should flow In the attempt. II was an aw-
full time. People looked different. then
thar they do now. Little knots OF men
could be seen conversing in whispers on
street corners. and even the whispers
ceased when a person unknown TO hem
approached.
Everybody seemed 10 suspect everyone
else. Women looked askance at each 9TH
or; children Obliged TO be out would skuKry
home as II frightened, probably having
been given warning by their parents. The
streets at night for several nights prnoI 10
the inaugural ceremonies, were practic-
ally deserted. There was a hush over ey-
srything. II seemed to me that the shadow
Of death was lowering near
l had constantly floating before my eyes
sable plumes and trapplngs OF woe.
rould hear dirges constantly, and thougnt
for a while that ! would have 70 cave tho
place or go crazy. I knew all these SOM
Der thoughts were but imagination, but 1
also knew hat the something that had In
fuenced my Imagination was tansipie'
The 4th of March came and Mr.. Lincoln
was inaugurated quietly and without os-
~tentation. After the services were over
and II became known that Lincoln had
really been inducted into office. there was
a savage sDarl went up from the disanect-
ed ones. The snarl was infectious. II was
answered by just as savage growis all over
the city. But nothing was said. a single
yell of defiance a single pistol shot or even
an oath would have precipitated a conflict:
Men simply glared at each other ana
CRASHED their teeth. but were careful not
to grit them so IL could be heard.
/ went to my room In the willard ana
sat down to do some work. l couldnt
work. The stiffness was oppressive. AT
east a dozen times l picked up my pencils:
only to throw them down again. Igot up ana
paced the floor n~ervously. l heard men ON
either side Of me doing the same thing;
Walking didn't relieve the severe mental
strain. sat down in a chair and pressed
my head In my hands. Suddenly ! heard
4 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 doy I
asked myself. and l suppose everyone else
~propounded the same Interrogation. We
hadn't 10 walt long.
The man rooming next to me raped on
rfy door and insisted that 1 should take q
valk with him. As we passed along the
corridors we were Joined by others. men
Wild with Joy, some OF them weeping ana
throwing their srms around each others
iecks. Others were singing and all were
tappy.
Washington was itself again. The Star
Ipangled Banner" had saved II.