"
Mr. Lincoln's inauguration for his second term as President took
place at the time appointed, on March 4, 1865. There is little
variation in the simple but impressive pageantry with which the
ceremony is celebrated. The principal novelty commented on by the
newspapers was the share which the people who had up to that time
been slaves, had for the first time in this public and political
drama. Associations of negro citizens joined in the procession,
and a battalion of negro soldiers formed part of the military
escort. The central act of the occasion was President Lincoln's
second inaugural address, which enriched the political literature
of the nation with another masterpiece. He said:
"Fellow-countrymen: At this second appearing to take the oath of
the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended
address than there was at the first. Then a statement, somewhat
in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper.
Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public
declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and
phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and
engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be
presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly
depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is,
I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all.
Pages:
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203