The National tribune., 1907-02-28

about him some 100 men of known
courage and resolution, and their con-
tinual presence about the President
elect undoubtedly saved his life. Many
of the most prominent men in the coun-
try never believed that Lincoln would
live to be inauguarted.
Col. Stones Plans.
Col Stone had studied the whole city
of Washington for months, and had
made comprehensive plans which were
examined and thoroIy approved by Gen.
Scott. One OF the singular features OF
this momentous time was that the Lieu
tenant-Colonel and Military Secretary
to Gen. Scott, who was present at all
the consultations, and together with
Col. Stone prepared the final instruc-
tions, Immediately after resigned his
commission and entered the service of
the State of Virginia. Col. Stone de-
cided to place rif1emen on the roofs
of certain commanding houses along
Pennsylvania avenue to watch the
windows on the opposite side of the
street with orders to Immediately fire
upon anyone making q hostile demon
stration. A battalion of District OF
Columbia troops was to be placed on
the steps Ct the Capitol with rifiemen
in the wings of the building which
commanded the rostrum upon which
the President would stand while taking
the oath and making his address. Col
Stone was in fear that an attempt would
be made to blow up this platform while
the President was standing upon It.
and he took the precaution Of ordering
al Guards. under Col. Tait-to form In
q semi-circle at the foot Of the grea'
stairway to prevent entrance from
without. A large number Of carefully
selected special policemen, in plair
clothes. were to distribute thsmselvs.
among the crowd in front Of the plat.
form and watch attentivsly for an!
gesture which looked like lsveling 6
weapon. President Buchanan and Mr.
Lincoln We're TO ride to the Capitol in 6
carriage between double files Of a squad
ron of District Of Columbia cavalry. Th'
West Point company of sappers ant
miners was to march in front of th'
carriage, and behind It the Regular in
fantry and that Of the District OF Col
umbia. A small force Of Regular cav
airy, which had been brot down from
Carlisle, Pa. was to guard the side
street crossings of Pennsylvania avenue
and march with the procession. Gen
Scott elected to ride At the head of th'
sappers and miners, with Capt. Duane
OF the Engineers.
Il The Inaugural.
4 These plans were carried out to tn
letter. There was large but not un
usual crowd in Washington, and II wa
moro orderly and less dsmonstrativ
than anyone had expected. The mo
nervousness OF the occasion sobere
even the toughs, and the display Of mil
itary force. very imposing for that day
had a wholesome effect upon would-b
disturbers. The morning OF March
1851, dawned cloudy and chilly, bu
presently cleared OF bright and genia
portion Of the troops marched to tn
White House and escorted Prssiden
Buchanan down to the Willard's Hote
I which he entered and met Mr.. Lincolr
with the troops saluting as they cam
out of the hotel and took their seats !
I the carriage. The maych OF q mile I
the east front of the Capitol was mad
In comparative silence and without Ia
i cident Col. Stone says that he rod
: near the carriage and by an apparentl
/. clumsy use of my spurs managed Z
. keep the horses Of the cavalry in a
D uneasy state, so that It would have bee
: very difficult for even q coed marksma
] to get an aim at one Of the inmates Q
the carriage between the prancin
4 horses"
I After taking the oath, President Lin
, ssh was received with cheers frsr