The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-12
AS HARRISBURG REMEMBERS LINCOLN

Harrisburg looked upon Abraham Lincoln twice
once in life and once in death. The first time
when he was on his way to Washington to become
President of the nations the last time when, nation
in tears his body was being borne to its last resting
place in Springfield Illinois.
In the fullflush of great victory for the people,
achieved at the polls when they chose him their
President Lincoln visited Harrisburg in February
1861 His appearance here was his last public one
before reaching Washington, he having previously
spoken in Cleveland Buffalo, New York and other
cities. Leaving his home in Illinois, he took leave
of his friends and neghbors in address that was
in parts deeply religious. He said;
90 to assume difficult than that which has
devolved upon any other the days of Washing
ton He would have succeeded except for the aid OF
Divine Providence, upon which he at all times relied
/ feel that succeed without the same Divine
blessing which sustained him; and on the same Almighty
Being | place reliance for support,
Everywhere the deep sincerity of the man, his
fearessness in announcing his intention to be Pres
dent of the entire nation and his rugged honesty
met with the acclaim of all who heard him. Even
his critics had difficulty in finding anything to crit
icise adversely.
In Harrisburg he made wonderful impression.
The Legislature in session, and Lincoln, arriv-
ing here in the morning invited to the Capitol
to address the legislators There he made address
that the hearts of his hearers, Later, IN short
talk from the balcony in front Of the Jones House
(now the Commonwealth Hotel, he responded to
the cheers of the great crowds in, Market Square.
He asked that loyal, patriotic people uphold him in
his desire to do what in his Judgment was the right.
On the evening of that same day Lincoln left Har-
risburg secretly, fear being expressed by those in
charge of his movements that secret emissaries of
his enemies might do him injury. The descendants
of men who aided Lincoln to leave Harrisburg that
night still reside in this city, and how the great
was taken from the hotel to the car that bore him
to Philadelphia is still tradition in their families.
Fours years later, in April, 1865, Harrisburg for
the second time looked upon Lincoln-this time in
his coffin as it rested on the catafalque in the hall
of the House of Representatives in the old Capitol.
Thousands gathered to pay last tribute to the Great
Commoner. Many of them were those who wished
him Godspeed when on his way to Washington to
assume the Presidency
1t was one of the most remarkable incidents in
bearing the body of Lincoln reached Harrisburg,
late in the evening, all the time the sad procession
was on its way to the Capitol and until early the
next morning. IHe rain Ill III was Sdlu
among those inclined to note such matters, that
even the heavens weeping because of the death
of the great man. in unison with the grief that was
apparent throughout the city.
There are men in Harrisburg to-day-the ami
versary of the birth of this martyred President
who recall that night of mourning as multitudes
looked upon. the dead man in his coffin.
Lincoln in life was hope; Lincoln dead was an