Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1917-03-02


words preceded that OF swords. the
candidates were Douglas and Lincoln,
and when the latter jonrneyed 10
Washington every preeaution possible
was taken TO see that he would
reach that city in safety. In fact.
to avoid being assassinated he was
secretly changed from one train to a
new route and thus arrived unexpect-
eddy at the capital city. On his way
he had his inaugural address slowed
away in large grip. and his mind was
engaged in meditation, and. thinking
lie would glance over his address, he
reached for his grip. To hiS-surpr1se,
he could not find IL. At once he quietly
began search. Without this carefully
prepared document he would be lost
After carelessly. yet thoughtfully. 60
ing about the train he begged leave to
enter the baggage car, and after hunt
ing through the packages. boxes and
trunks he spied his grip where his lit
tie son Tad had carelessly put 1t.
This Lincoln later related as the most
distressful half hour of bis life. He
was not as we'll prepared for the inau-
gural as Grover Cleveland, who had
his address committed to memory
When Lincoln was about TO be inaugu-
rated the entire nation speculated as
to where Douglas would stand II the
south meant secession and war. Many
believed he would be with the south.
Lincoln was of better faith. Though
these two great men had from boyhood
been rivals, antagonists. opponents and
leaders, yet respectful regard always
characterized their behavior.
The procession started, and when the
long. lank and pale faced Lincoln as
cended the platform his eyes beheld
Stephen A. Douglas. Then, turning 10
the audience. he removed his tall silk
hat, which Douglas took from his hand.
The crowds cheered, the people enthu-
slastically received the new leader, and
his address was full of soft, sweet
sounds for union, freedom and loyalty
for the Declaration and the constitu-
tion of the forefathers. When the last
words-'I am loath to close. We are
not enemies, but friends. We must not
be enemies. Though passion may have
strained 1t must not break our bonds
OF affection. The mystic cords of mem
DRY, stretching from every battlefield
and patriotic grave to every living
heart and hearthstone all over this
broad land will yet swell the chorus of
the Union, when again touched, as
surely 1t will be, by the better angles
Of our nature''-were said Douglas was
the first to arise and reach forward to
take the hand OF Lincoln and with
warmth and sincerity never before
equaled assured Lincoln of his support
and loyalty.
The second inaugural, while IL was
not as dramatic as Iineoln's first, yet
strange and partly unpleasant task
fell to Chief Justice Salmon =. Chase,
member of the cabinet. who was
ayowedly a candidate for the presiden-
cy. was appointed to the supreme bench
and as its chief official administered
the oath to his superior, Abraham Lin
coin.
Grants Inaugural Kills Many.
When General L. s. Grant was elect.
ed he proceeded 10 Washington but he
did not choose to ride to the capital
with Johnson since their relations were
not OF a friendly character. The dis
appointing features of the Grant inau.
gural was the inaugural ball. Ii al
ways brings on domestic turmoil and
political warfare. The bill was given
in the just completed treasury building.
The plaster and dusty conditions as
well as unprepared heating facilities
gave many colds which brought Grape
! to many homes. The cloakrooms were
so poorly arranged that the wardrobe
was practically dumped upon the floor
ut midnight with orders, take what
! belongs 10 YOU" But the orders mis-
| carried, and hundreds went home coat
less, frockless and hatless, while even
distinguished men like Horace Greeley
walked "hatless, but not speechlesS," to
J some hotel.