Friday, July 5, 2019

Lincoln Travels to Washington - 1861

Mr. Lincoln on his way to Washington
Chenango American, February 21, 1861

Mr. Lincoln, the President elect, left Springfield, en route for Washington, Monday, the 11th.  He was accompanied to the depot by a large concourse of his fellow-townsmen, to whom he made a brief parting address, expressing his regrets at leaving them, alluding to the difficult and responsible duties upon which he was about to enter, and declaring his reliance upon Divine Providence for aid and assistance.  Mr. Lincoln reached Indianapolis Monday evening, where he was received by an immense crowd of citizens, and made a few remarks in response to repeated calls, in which he, for the first time since his election, adverted to the troubles now agitating the country.

He left Indianapolis the next morning, and arrived at Cincinnati in the evening.  At every station along the route immense throngs of people were collected, who welcomed him in the most enthusiastic manner.  At Cincinnati, where the reception was almost unparalleled in enthusiasm, Mr. Lincoln made another important speech, which was partly aimed at the Kentuckians.  He arrived at Pittsburgh on the evening of the 14th.  On the next morning he made a speech in the course of which he alluded to the National crisis as a factitious one--such a one as could be taken up at any time by turbulent men, aided by designing politicians--and advised everybody to keep cool, and everything would be settled satisfactorily.  The most important part of the speech, however, was relative to the Tariff question, which more immediately interests the people of Pennsylvania than almost any other.  He reiterated the declaration of the Chicago Platform upon the subject, and declared that the policy of his Administration would be in accordance with those declarations.

The President spent the sabbath in Buffalo, attending the Unitarian Church in company with Ex President Fillmore.  From there he proceeded on Monday morning to Albany, making his appearance at several stations on the route, and greeting the people who had assembled to see and hear him.  From Albany he was to proceed to New York, thence to Washington.

Chenango American, February 28, 1861

The reception at New York of the President elect was a most flattering testimonial of respect to the elect Chief of the Nation.  Mayor Wood in a short speech welcomed the President, and hoped he would prove equal to the crisis, and Mr. Lincoln replied, modestly, wishing he could bring as good a head as heart to the work, and expressing his devotion to the Union.  About six thousand citizens were admitted to the Governor's room, and either shook hand with or bowed to Mr. Lincoln. The crowd seemed to be still almost as great as ever, so that after two hours the doors were closed, and Mr. Lincoln made a brief address from the balcony. The Police arrangements were excellent.  In the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln visited the opera, and subsequently Mrs. Lincoln had a reception at the Astor House.

On his way from New York he was enthusiastically received.  He reached Philadelphia at 4 P.M., on the 21st inst.  On the 22d, Washington's Birthday, the President participated in the celebration at Philadelphia.  He was in the morning escorted to the old Hall of Independence, where he was welcomed in a brief address by Hon. Theodore Cuyler, and responded patriotically, promising to do all in his power to preserve the country, the independence of which had been there declared.  Mr. Lincoln was subsequently escorted to the Square in the rear of the Hall, where he raised with his own hand a new American Flag, having on it thirty-four stars.  The demonstrations attending this ceremony were most enthusiastic.  Mr. Lincoln shortly afterwards left Philadelphia for Harrisburg, stopping briefly at Lancaster and other places on the route, where the usual crowds were assembled to greet him. At Harrisburg he made speeches before the Pennsylvania Legislature, full of expressions of Patriotic devotion to the whole country, and of assurances that he will do everything in his power to reconcile the differences which now distract it.  He also took occasion to reiterate the sentiment of his Pittsburgh speech relative to the Tariff.

On Saturday morning the telegraph furnished the startling intelligence that Mr. Lincoln had secretly left for Washington ahead of the train which was to have taken him, and was already in Washington.  Various reasons were assigned for this course, one of which was that it was induced by the desire to avoid threatened trouble in Baltimore, and was taken at the earnest solicitation of his friends and leading Republicans in Washington, who had received authentic information that an organized demonstration would be made against him in Baltimore--if, indeed, he were allowed to reach there alive; for it was also feared that an attempt would be made to throw the Presidential train from the track on the Northern Central Railroad. The most reasonable account however is that which is given by our New York correspondent.

Mrs. Lincoln and the other members of the Presidential party left Harrisburgh at the appointed time, and reached Washington on Saturday evening.  The Baltimoreans, some of whom professed great indignation at the course pursued by Mr. Lincoln, expressed their disapprobation by insulting the party as they passed through.

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