The morning of March 4 was stormy, but towards noon the rain ceased, the clouds rolled away and the sun shone brightly. Vast crowds had gathered to witness the inaugural ceremonies. Congress, as usual, adjourned at noon, but the Senate was called to meet in special session, at which Hon. Andrew Johnson appeared, took the oath of office and became its presiding officer. The Senate-chamber was filled with a brilliant and distinguished assembly, in the midst of which were seen many an uniform whose wearer had become distinguished during the last four years.

Mr. Lincoln was accompanied by the Judges of the Supreme Court, in their judicial robes, many representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, in their national costumes, and a large number of military and naval officers, resplendent in their glittering uniforms. As he stepped upon the platform the air was filled with cheers and acclamations, which did not cease until he waved his hand in the air to indicate that he was ready to speak. The crowd, which had gathered in front of the Capitol, was vast, extending far beyond the reach of Mr. Lincoln's voice, but enthusiastic and contented if their eyes could but rest upon his form. The most touching and suggestive feature of the crowd was the large number of maimed and crippled soldiers, whose eager attention and hearty applause were but faintly indicative of their devotion to their illustrious chief. The simple oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Chase, after which, in a clear but melancholy voice, Mr. Lincoln read his second inaugural as follows:

"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 very 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. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

"On the occasion corresponding with this, four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought to avoid it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city, seeking to destroy it with war-seeking to dissolve the Union, and divide the effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the Nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish; and the war came. One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate and extend this interest, was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union by

war.

While the Government claimed no right to

do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it.

"Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding.

"Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing the bread from the sweat of other men's faces. But let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayer of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. 'Woe unto the world because of offenses, for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.' If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of these offenses, which, in the Providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern there any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid

by another drawn by the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, that 'the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.'

"With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us finish the work we are in, to bind up the Nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphans, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

Never had more impressive words been uttered by a nation's ruler. Did his character need aught to prove his greatness, this address would fully establish the claim.

As the procession moved from the Capitol to the White House a star was observed to be shining with a brilliancy which made it visible, even in the midst of the sunlight, and it was joyously hailed as a harbinger of brighter times; like that other star whose appearance was the heralding of "peace on earth, good-will to men."

CHAPTER XXI.

In the latter part of March, it became apparent that Richmond could not hold out much longer, and, as Mr. Lincoln had always been desirous of visiting the army while engaged in the work of actual warfare, he made arrangements to spend several days with General Grant at City Point.

He was much interested in the details of the siege, and would sit and watch the soldiers for hours. He did not wish to interfere with the military movements in any way, and hence took pains not to inquire into the plans of the campaign. It was here that the famous conference occurred between Generals Grant and Sherman and Admiral Porter, at which the President was present, and which was subsequently made the subject of a notable painting by Healy, now in the possession of the Calumet Club of Chicago. The object of the conference was to perfect the details of the closing campaign, in order that the army and navy might work harmoniously together. Mr. Lincoln was much interested in the discussion and, when the conversation turned upon the probability of another great battle being fought before the war could be ended, he asked more than Cannot this last

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once: Must more blood be shed?

bloody battle be avoided?"