Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-24


expected. Mr.. Judd answered that
Mr.. Lincoln's confidence in the peo-
pie was unbounded; that he did not
fear any violent outbreak, and that he
hoped. by his pacific policy and cod
ciliatory measures to bring the seces-
sionists back to their old allegiance.
There was no doubt in Mr. Judd's
mind of the correctness of his infor-
nation, and his manner and express
sion convinced US that his deductions
were reliable and accurate. After fur
Their discussion, he desired that
should accompany him to the Cont
mental hotel for an interview with Mr..
Lincoln himself, to which consented.
when we reached the Continental
hotel a dense crowd of people had fill
ed every available inch Of space in
Chestnut street, struggling for admis-
sion to the hotel where Mr. Lincoln
was holding a reception. and it was
with the utmost difficulty that we we're
able TO gain an entrance into the I
building It was almost, II not quite,
IL o'clock In the evening before Mr..
Lincoln was able to disengage himself
from the crowd and join Mr.. Judd and
me In the formers room. Though
plainly exhausted from the fatigue of |
/ travel and receptions, he greeted me /
in his usual kindly and gracious way. |
1 / unfolded as rapidly as / could the !
various bits Of information had !
gathered, all tending. as l contended, |
to prove the existence OF the alleged I
plot. He asked numerous questions,
especially as to the sources Of my In
formation, and appeared to be deeply
interested in the developments. Fin
ally he turned to Judd and, address
ing US both, inquired what course we
thought be ought to pursue.
Il urged upon him that as the Wash
ington train would not leave Philadel-
phia for an hour he had ample time to
take II, and thus would be enabled to
pass through Baltimore before the
conspirators would be looking for him.
This he firmly and positively refused
to do, saying he had an engagement
for the next morning to raise the flag
on Independence hail. and that he had
also promised the citizens of Penlsyl-
vania to meet them at their capitol in
Harrisburg; that he had positively en-
gagged this to Governor Curtin, and
was determined to carry out that pro-
gramme IL in so doing he knew he
would lose his own life, However, af-
ter the meeting in Harrisburg on the
following day, he was willing, he said,
to make any reasonable change in his
programme Mr.. Judd and l thought
best. He then assented to the follow
ing: After raising the flag on indie
pehdence hall the next morning at 6
be would breakfast at the hotel, leave
by special train for Harrisburg at 8
o'clock, meet the governor and the
legislature, and, after his reception
there, leave in the evening for Phila-
delphia by special train, in time to
connect with the midnight Washing
ton express, placing himself entirely
In our hands.
Undoubtedly this interview, culmi-
mating in his expressed determination
to carry out the programme both at
Philadelphia and Harrisburg, even at
the expense OF his life, made a deep
IMPRESSION on Mr.. Lincoln; for it will
be remembered that the next morning,
when he ran the union flag up the staff
over Independence hall, in a burst of
/; patriotic fervor, he exclaimed: Now,
my friends, can this country be saved
upon this basis? (The promise of
equal rights in the declaration of in
dependence.) II IL can, | will consider
myself one Of the happiest men in the
world if | can help to save it. If it
cannot be saved upon that principle
It will be truly awful But if this
country cannot be saved without Civ
ing up that principle, l was about TO
say, / would rather be assassinated
on this spot than 10 surrender.it
Finding Mr.. Lincoln resolute, l told
him thought l could make the neces-
sary arrangements for his safe pas
sage from Harrisburg Oh the follow
ing evening through Philadelphia and
Baltimore to Washington, being well
acquainted with the officers of the
roads over which it would be neces-
sary for him TO travel. After leaving
r him and promising TO return to see
Mr.. Judd-it was now about l a. M
l started out to find my friend Colonel
Thomas A. Scott, vice president OF
the Pennsylvania railroad, with a view
to arranging with him for a special
!. train to bring Mr. Lincoln from Har-
risburg TO Philadelphia. Learning
that Colonel Scott was out OF town,
I then applied to G. c. Franciscus, SUI
perintendent Of the Philadelphia divi-
sion OF the road. The city being all
excitement, l had some difficulty in
r finding Mr.. Frahciscus. and, in fact
did not succeed until almost o'clock
Knowing him to be a true and loyal
man. had no hesitation in telling him
what l desired. He promptly answer
ed that he would make the required
arrangements for the special train for
Mr.. Lincoln, adding, however, that
there was some difficulties IN the
way, because there we're so many spe
q cial trains due to leave Harrisburg for
Philadelphia that same evening; but
that he would arrange that Mr.. Lin
coins should be the last to leave and