Arrangements were accordingly at once made to foil the conspirators, absolute secrecy being essential, as the city government of Baltimore was in the hands of Lincoln's enemies; and while not openly daring to take part in such a horrible crime, the police would probably secretly aid in its accomplishment.

It was therefore publicly announced that Mr. Lincoln's route to Washington would bring him to Baltimore in the forenoon of February 23d, after the speech at Harrisburg, while it was secretly arranged that he should leave the latter place early in the evening, passing through Baltimore after midnight and arriving at the Capital early on the morning of the 23d.

To carry out this plan the cooperation of the president of the railway company was enlisted. That gentleman ordered a special car with an engine to be in waiting at Harrisburg at 6 P. M. for Lincoln's use. He also held the regular 11 P. M. train at Philadelphia for Washington, order

“It was not the mere matter of separation of the colonies from the mother land, but that sentiment in the Declaration of Independence which gave liberty not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world for all future time. It was that which gave promise that in due time the weights would be lifted from the shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance. . . . But if this country can not be saved without giving up that principle, I was about to say I would rather be assassinated on this spot than surrender it."

ing the conductor to wait for an important package."

After his speech before the Legislature at Harrisburg and while Mr. Lincoln was yet at dinner at the hotel, a carriage was driven up to a side

entrance.

Mr. Judd called him from the table, and Mr. Lincoln, changing his clothes, put on a Scotch cap, and, with a shawl upon his arm, quietly and without informing the other members of his party, entered the waiting vehicle with Colonel Lamon, of Springfield, Ill., as his only companion.

The "special" train (unlighted, except the engine headlight) was found waiting a little distance from the station, and they succeeded in entering it without attracting attention. They arrived at Philadelphia without incident a little after eleven o'clock, where they found the train for Washington waiting.

As soon as Lincoln and his friend boarded the train, where a section in a sleeping car was ready for them, the "important package " for Washington was handed to the conductor, and the train. started on its journey, the conductor himself being unaware of the fact that he was conveying the

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man of destiny" to the Capital. Immediately retiring to his berth, Lincoln was enjoying a good night's rest and passing through the enemy's coun

try at the very hour the assassins in Baltimore were completing the details for his murder.

Lincoln and his companion arrived safely, and without disturbance, in Washington at six o'clock in the morning, where Mr. Seward and Elihu Washburne met them at the station with feelings of relief and gratitude, and conducted them at once to Willard's Hotel, where Mr. Lincoln was to remain until his inauguration.

His arrival at the Capital surprised and discomfited the conspirators, but pleased and gratified the people of the North, who did not, until years after, realize the imminent danger to the life of their chosen President.

Colonel Lamon, who accompanied Lincoln and was most urgent in his secretly passing through Baltimore, afterward discredited the entire story, and, in his work, states that Lincoln always deeply regretted yielding to his overzealous friends. He ridicules the idea and blames himself for the part he took in the "President's flight."

SEVENTH PERIOD: THE PRESIDENT

(1861-1865)

CHAPTER XI

Events leading up to the great civil war-Treason in the Cabinet of President Buchanan-The Southern Confederacy formed-War begun.

In order that we may understand the great and difficult task which Lincoln had before him, it is necessary to briefly state the facts which led up to the great rebellion.

After Lincoln's election in November, many of the Southern people concluded they would not be ruled by a "black abolitionist," as they called him. In December the State of South Carolina. withdrew from the Union (seceded).

In February, 1861, six seceding Southern States held a convention at Montgomery, Ala., forty-two persons only being present. These adopted a constitution, and elected Jefferson Davis and Alexander Stephens president and vicepresident, thus setting up a government in opposition to the United States, especially for the purpose of protecting slavery.

Meantime the President in office, Mr. Buchanan, was surrounded by traitors, who, while taking pay for serving and defending the Union, were using their power and positions to destroy it. Thus the Secretary of War, Mr. Floyd, sent to the States in rebellion all the guns and ammunition from the Northern States which could be transported.

The United States Treasury of New Orleans was taken possession of by the State of Louisiana, and five hundred thousand dollars robbed from the Government; Major Anderson, commanding a small body of United States troops at Charleston, S. C., was shut up Fort Sumter, and a vessel sent secretly by the Government of President Buchanan to carry them provisions, etc., was fired on

in

by the rebels, shot in sev

Nitest Audusen

eral places, and, being unarmed, was compelled to return to New York.

Traitors were everywhere, and open threats were made against the life of Lincoln-that he should be killed, and never be allowed to become President of the United States. Thus actual