The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-03-04


PRESIDENT MARoH 4. 1861.
voice carried far and was heard to the
outskirts OF the assemblage. Every
reference to upholding the Union was
enthusiastically cheered. Perhaps the
fate of the nation never hung on one
mans words as 1t hung on Lincoln's
then, and certainly no inaugural ad-
dress was ever uttered SO fateful with
meaning. While many sought to mini
mIze the crisis, saying that there
would be no war, all knew that the
crisis had come, and. while Lincoln's
greatness was not yet recognized. the
nation even then began to realize dim
ly that the man had come with the oc-
casion. The ussemblage. having heard
all manner of grotesque reports Of the
Illinois rail splitter" was surprised
at the statesmanship. moderation and
yet the firmness Of the address. 1t
was remarked that there was not a
weak line In It, Despite its appeals
for peace, the south took IL as a chal.
lenge 10 war. Looked Mt in retrospect.
1t seems plain now that war was In.
evitable whatever Lincoln had said,
but the country did not think 80 then
and continued to disbelieve until the
firing on Fort Sumter.
There were some memorable SEN
tences In Lincoln's first inaugural. For
example: "Perpetulty is implied. IL not
expressed. In the fundamental law OF
all national governments" physically
speaking. we cannot separate" "You
have no oath registered in heaven TO
have the most solemn one to preserve,
protect and defend it," I'VE are not
enemies. but friends" The beauty of
these simple statements Is that time
has approved their wisdom. Today
north and south Join In saying. 1--WE
are not enemies. but friends"
At the close Of the address Lincoln
was sworn in by Chief Justice Taney,
greeted the open Bible with his lips
according to form and was hailed by
the multitudes and by the guns as
president of the United States. At
that moment new era started In
America and new name was given to
the worlds immortals.
There was return trip through the
wooden tunnel and over the cobble-
stones OF Pennsylvania avenue. fare
well to Buchanan at the White House.
long presidential reception. which
was genuinely enjoyed by Lincoln.
who always liked to meet "the folks"
the usual inaugural ball in the even
ing, after which the new president.
who had to bear a burden heavier
than that of Washington" settled
down to grapple with the question OF
holding Fort Sumter and the larger
problems thereto related of preserving
a nation and freeing race.
That newspapers have improved In
fifty years, despite the opinions OF
some pessimlsts to the contrary, is
revealed by little item In the New
York Tribune of March 8. 1861. 1t Is
headed. "Telegraphing the Inaugural
to New York." and runs:
The manner In which President Lin
coins inaugural was transmitted by tele-
graph is deserving OF especial commenda-
ton. The American Telegraph company,
under the ablo management OF e. s. Sam
ford. Esq. vice president. placed at the
disposal of the Associated Press three
wires between Washington and this city.
The delivery of the inaugural commenced
at 1880 o'clock, Washington time. and the
telegraphers promptly to the minute be-
gan its transmission TO New York. The
first words OF the message were received
by the agent OF the press here at las
o'clock and the last at about $3.50, while
the entire document was furnished TO the
different newspapers by I o'clock. Such
papidity In telegraphio communication has
never before been reached In this country
and II should be II source OF pride TO the
American company. its president and op-
orators that so notable an act has been
accomplished. We understand that a full
synopsis OF the inaugural was yesterday
evening transmitted to st. Johns. N. f.,
thence TO be forwarded by steam tug to
intercept the steamship Fulton. bound to
Europe. OFF Cape Race.
Even II we have not improved In the
matter of presidents in half century.
since we have never had another Lin.
coln. we have at least gone ahead In
telegraphs and newspapers. Let us
have hope.