The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-06-03
washington in THE SIXTIES
BY James Croggon.


counting of the electoral votes to fui-
fill the constitutional requirement and
the Inauguration of President Lincoln
on March 4 were the principal subjects
discussed in the District To say the
least it was a debatable question il
either event would occur. While It
was conceded that two-thirds of the
people of the District were loyal, and
favored carrying out the requirements
of the constitution, there was a gen
eral disposition to give the incoming
administration an opportunity to
show its purposes. Whether it would
become necessary to use force, or SIM
ply make a show, the military COM
panies were making active prepare
ton for the celebration of Washing
toms birthday and for the inaugurs-
ton, and, indeed some of them were
preparing for balls on the evening Of
that day.
In view of the existing conditions
none knew how soon they would be
called on for serious purposes.
On the evening of January Is Pres
ident Buchanan held a levee at the
White House, and it was a brilliant
and enjoyable affair, notwithstanding
the ominous signs of the times. While
there were many officers of the ar
my and navy present in uniform,
members of Congress and others. it
was remarked that there were few Of
his political faith from the House and
Senate present, while perhaps three
fourths of the attendance were of the
opposition, many being of the most
radical trend. Some were attracted by
curiosity to see how the President
was standing the ordeal through
which he was passing, and to see who
were paying their respects.
There was news from all points re-
ceived daily, presaging the approach
of trouble and the authorities were
quietly preparing to meet it. Orders
had been given for the assembling OF
small force Of troops here to re-
lieve the marines at Fort Washington.
January 20 the first of these troops
arrived, detachment of engineers, or
sappers and miners, from Willets
Point, N. Y, and they were quartered
at Columbian Armory, near 9th and 3
streets, southwest. The officers were
Capt. ]. A. Duane and Lieut.. Godfrey
Wetzel, each of whom attained the
rank of major general soon afterward.
Col Taits Battalion of the National
Guard occupied the armory and there
were other District of Columbia Mill
tia. These fraternized with the regu-
lars, and many of the companies re-
ceived instruction in the military art
from Sergt Pierce and others of the
engineers. Temperance Hall, on L
street, where the National Rifles had
an armory, also was occupied by 9th
err companies; Odd Fellows Hall, on
8th street southeast, contained the ar
mories of several companies, as did
Island Hall, at 9th street and Virgin
ia avenue southwest, and Forest Hall
in Georgetown.
Nor was the military spirit confin-
ed to those determined on the inaug-
uration of Mr. Lincoln, for in some
companies were men who placed state
loyalty above allegiance to the Unit
ed States. 1t was currently reported
that one company in the city and an
other in Georgetown and individual
members of other companies would
follow the course of their states. The
National Volunteers, a political as
ISOLATION, was regarded as disloyal to
a man. 1t was claimed that the meet
ings were open to reporters, but The
Star reporter was excluded, and it
was generally believed that some Of
the meetings were held behind closed
doors. About the middle OF the month,
when some detection occurred in the
ranks, owing to the adoption of pa
per which was construed as an attack
on President Buchanan, several Of
fcers and members resigned or were
expelled.
A notice of this action appeared m
The Star of January H. 1861, and oc-
casioned much comment and the with
drawal of the members was applaud
ed by the loyal and deprecated by
the states right people. They declar-
ed that there was no intention of in
terfering with the Inauguration, styl-
ed the assemblage of troops and the
militia preparation as a menace TO
, Congress and reflection on the Dis
trict military companies, the munich
pal authorities and police, leading to
alarm opd inoacur{tv opd ovpraeeod