Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-05

abraham Lincoln, I86I.I865, whO faced
the Grill Var crisis.
was personally as we'll as politically opposed 10
him. He entered Washington Gin order to
prepare for his inauguration) with at least
semi-stealthy manner, amid threats OF assasSi-
nation. and was compelled to quietly pass
through the State :. Maryland, while in its
homes and armories angry voices were singing
a topical song beginning: My Maryland my
MARYLAND the despot's heel is in thy soil!
when this alleged despot reached WASH
ineton. four ffths of its inhabitants were his
enemies But thousands of his friends had al
ready journeyed thither to sustain him In MS
constitutional rights by their affectionate pres
ence Within few miles of Washington at
the time of his arrival, trained bands OF his foes
were getting ready by drill and military prep
aration for a upon him and already he
was confronted with an organized opposiuon
government at the head whereof was another
President Fortunately, the general OF the
Army was Winfield Scott, who bore his years.
threescore and ten with all the fire of youth
and the judgment of middle age. And when
Inauguration morning dawned he had disposed
the small military force at his call so effectively
as to repress any attempt at disorder.
The Gavin and many subsequent hours OF
Iincolns Inauguration showed heavy clouds
and chilling wind-that first condition ap-
propriate to the existing aspect of the Union.
and the latter condition to the chill in all
Northern hearts; but when noontide arrived.
the day had become bright and sunny"
ONCE the time of the American Revolution
y many changes have been wrought in the
world Our relationship with the rest of the
universe has grown from that of a small I'M
stable group of provinces struggling for a place
in the international sun to that of one of the
foremost nations of the modern world. Our
national progress has not been smooth and un-
opposed for We have met and surmounted many
grave crises
Today, we are confronted by world wide de-
preston. Industry, agriculture, art and science
are feeling its cruel brunt in every country.
In other nations, there has been open revolt
and rioting; Kings have been toppled from their
thrones; Presidents have been ruthlessly as
sassinated; able ministers have been elected
from their positions of trust; erstwhile power
full governments have crumbled into ptifui
bankruptcy; political campaigns have been at
tended by violence and bloodshed
1t Is of cheerful and heartening significance
that the recent campaign in this country has
not been marred by il-feeling-either personal
or otherwise. The candidates have conducted
their campaigns with rare good craftsmanship
and political disagreement among private indl-
viduals has taken the form of intelligent dis
cussion rather than physical violence
This has not been true of many of the other
crises In our history. Washington retired to
his Potomac plantation chagrined at the in
gratitude of his people, Andrew jackson made
many personal enemies during his adminiStra-
ton and Abraham Lincoln met death at the
hands of a fanatical assassin who saw in his
rash act the liberation Of the American people,
Woodrow Wilson might have been included
in more detail in this article were it not for the
fact that We are concerned chiefly with those
Presidents who entered for the first time into
public life during a crisis. The condition Of
the country at the time of the first Wilson in
augural was comparatively serene Wilson. it
might be added, lost his health in defending the
cause of world peace.
Franklin Deano Roosevelt will contend with
problems at once grave and perplexing. The
depression has created situation which might
easily have resulted in national chaos As he
assumes Office, he may be cheered by the fact
that no opposing military force lies ready to
strike; no narrow or prejudiced attacks have
been circulated against him by rival politicians.
It is tribute to the growth Of our American
civilization that the campaign has been con-
Quoted nationally and In good faith-tnat tho
defeated candidate leaves the White House with
the goodwill Of the people invested in him.
The state of the public mind bodies nothing but
good for the new administration! =
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