Then the sergeant-at-arms of the Senate, the historic Brown, arose and bowed, with his shining black hat in hand, in dumb-show before the crowd, which thereupon became still, and Abraham Lincoln, rising tall and gaunt among the groups about him, stepped forward and read his inaugural address, which was printed in two broad columns upon a single page of large paper. As he advanced from his seat, a roar of applause shook the air, and, again and again repeated, finally died far away on the outer fringe of the throng, like a sweeping wave upon the shore. Just at that moment the sun, which had been obscured all day, burst forth in its unclouded meridian splendor, and flooded the spectacle with glory and with light. Every heart beat quicker at the unexpected omen, and doubtless not a few mentally prayed that so might the darkness which had obscured the past for years be now dissipated by the sun of prosperity.
Till danger’s troubled night depart,
And the star of peace return.
The inaugural address was received in most profound silence. Every word was clear and audible as the ringing and somewhat shrill tones of Lincoln’s voice sounded over the vast concourse. There was applause, however, at the words, “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 cheer that followed these words lasted long enough to make a considerable pause before he added sententiously, “and the war came.” There were occasional spurts of applause, too, at other points along this wonderful address. Looking down into the faces of the people, illuminated by the bright rays of the sun, one could see moist eyes and even tearful cheeks as the good President pronounced these noble words: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to 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.” Among the memories of a lifetime, doubtless there are none more fondly cherished by those who were so fortunate as to stand near Lincoln at that historic moment than the recollection of the beautiful solemnity, the tender sympathy, of these inspired utterances, and the rapt silence of the multitudes.
Glossary
deprecate: to strongly criticize or express disapproval of something
dissipate: to slowly disappear or spread out until it is gone
gaunt: very thin and weak-looking, often because of hunger or illness
meridian: the highest point of the sun’s path
multitudes: very large numbers of people or things
obscured: covered up or hidden so it is hard to see or understand
omen: a sign or event believed to predict something good or bad
profound: very deep, serious, or meaningful
prosperity: a time of success, wealth, and well-being
sententiously: in a way that sounds overly serious or moral, often like giving advice
solemnity: the quality of being serious, formal, or thoughtful
throng: a large crowd of people gathered closely together