Preserve Protect and Defend: The Presedency of Abraham Lincoln

By Mary Beth Smith

As I was studying Lincoln I wondered why a pioneer child would want to learn to read, something no other child at that time wanted to do. These days children want to learn to read because their older siblings do it. Parents read. Their parents take them to the public library (children's section). Parents read to their children. Children conclude that if you want to be a big person, learn to read. But why would a poor pioneer child want to do such an unpopular activity? Especially since pioneer children rarely attended school.

Why did Lincoln want to learn to read? He was an abused child. He was beaten when seen reading and called lazy. He was forced to do hard physical work and turn his wages over to his father and if caught reading was beaten.

Lincoln kept reading because Lincoln was rebellious.

Lincoln became great from reading, writing, studying, thinking, making speeches, working steadily as a lawyer and working continuously on self improvement. We are fortunate that Lincoln was rebellious as a child and learned to read.

There was another rebellious class of people at the time—slaves. Slaves were forbidden to learn to read and write. Many of them made a decision to do the opposite of what their masters ordered. They secretly learned to read and write.

Lincoln as president had a great respect for former slaves who wrote and lectured. To him, they were heroic. Many were self taught and seemed more intelligent than Lincoln himself in spite of being badly mistreated before escaping slavery. Sojourner Truth noticed that President Lincoln seemed to admire black people. She said, “he showed as much kindness and consideration to the colored persons as to the white—if there was any difference, more.” At his second inaugural reception he said to Frederick Douglass, “Douglass, I saw you in the crowd today listening to my inaugural address. There is no man's opinion that I value more than yours: what did you think of it?”

“It was a sacred effort,” said Douglass.

Lincoln became an early martyr for African American Civil Rights. During his last speech he said, “It is unsatisfactory to some that the elective franchise is not given to the colored man. I would myself that it were now conferred on the very intelligent and on those who served our cause as soldiers.”

That was too much for John Wilkes Booth. He decided to kill him.

This book touches on many of the Civil War battles, Lincoln's speeches and writings and most of his actions during his presidency. It is simply writing and an excellent introduction to Abraham Lincoln. It is the third volume in a series which includes his early years, his time as a lawyer and his reentry into politics.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Beth Smith
• Release date: Feb 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370023820

Mary Beth Smith

Mary Beth Smith graduated from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland in Baltimore, Md. She worked as a computer programmer for 20 years. She enjoys cats, flying, motorcycling and lives in Cocoa, Florida with her husband novelist G. Ernest Smith.

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1. Journey to Washington

During Harvard's winter vacation Robert Lincoln met his mother in New York where she was shopping for clothes suitable for a first lady. They then took a train to Springfield. Lincoln had not been informed of the date of their arrival so he spent three cold and miserable nights waiting at the depot. <1>

One journalist compared Robert's elegant appearance to the loose, careless, awkward rigging of his Presidential father. Robert became reaquainted with 22-year-old John Hay who was assisting Lincoln's personal secretary John Nicolay.

Robert had come home to accompany his father to Washington. He would be traveling with John Nicolay, John Hay, journalists and friends. Ward Hill Lamon and Elmer E. Ellsworth would act as bodyguards.

After Lincoln was elected he began to get such hateful mail from Southerners that he decided to have his wife and two youngest sons, Willie and Tad, go on a separate train to Indianapolis.

On February 11 Lincoln gave a farewell speech to the citizens of Springfield. Many cried.

Lincoln would travel to Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Pittsburgh. Then he would go to Cleveland, Buffalo, Albany, New York, Trenton, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg. The trip would take 12 days. Because of a rumored assassination plot in Baltimore he would take a train that did not require him to disembark in that city.

Trains of the time were uncomfortable. The seats were hard and trains shook so hard it was difficult to read on one.

He wanted the people to see and hear him. They expected an ugly man. Even the photograph taken by Matthew Brady showed his long, gaunt face. Now a beard filled out his face and he looked much better.

An Erie resident said, The president has been materially improved, in appearance, by the growth of whiskers and seems to be in good health and spirits. <2> A reporter wrote, The improvement is remarkable. The gaunt, hollow cheeks, and long, lank jawbone are so enveloped as to give fullness and rotundity to the entire face. A New York minister said, "He is not so bad looking as they say. But James Garfield wrote, He has raised a pair of whiskers, but notwithstanding all their beautifying effects he is distressingly homely. But through all his awkward homeliness there is a look of transparent, genuine goodness, which at once reaches your heart, and makes you trust and love him. He is frank—direct—and thoroughly honest," Garfield added. <3>

His train stopped at every village and town that had a railroad station. His first stop was at Lafayette, Indiana where he was greeted by the governor and a 34 gun salute.

On December 29, 1860 William Seward had suggested Lincoln arrive earlier than planned at an unexpected time because of a possible Southern plot to seize Washington. Lincoln stuck to his planned itinerary.

When he first arrived in Indianapolis he said, as he would say many times later, I do not expect, upon this occasion, or any other occasion till after I get to Washington, to attempt any lengthy speech. Large crowds greeted him at each stop. Hay said, There was something of religious fervor in the welcome everywhere extended to him.

In Indianapolis Robert had handed Lincoln's inaugural address to a hotel clerk. Lincoln had given a black oilcloth bag to Robert, saying, Take care of it but Robert didn't know what the bag contained.

When Lincoln asked him what he had done with it he said that since he did not have a room assigned to him he had given it to the hotel clerk like everybody else.

And what did the clerk do with it?

Set it on the floor behind the counter.

Ward Lamon had never seen Lincoln so angry.

Lincoln ran down the stairs and jumped over the counter. There was a mountain of bags there. He took a small key out of his pocket and one by one opened the black carpet bags to the amusement of everyone. Many of the bags contained dirty underwear which people thought was hilarious. After six tries he found the right bag. He handed it to Robert saying, Now you keep it!

On the train Robert stayed close to the bar and smoked cigars. One journalist reported, He thinks of nothing just now but segars...and indulges in all sorts of uproarious merriment in the saloon car. The Democratic newspapers said he was a partier. He was there to protect Lincoln whom the crowds almost killed with kindness. Mary said Robert was fond of the girls. <4>

The next morning Lincoln headed toward Cincinnati. It was his 52nd birthday and he was in a better mood than normal.

At Lawrenceburg, Indiana he said, If my administration prove to be a very wicked one, or what is more probably, a very foolish one, if you, the PEOPLE, are but true to yourselves and to the Constitution, there is but little harm I can do, thank God! <5>

In Columbus a woman held up her infant to be kissed and asked Lincoln to name him. Lincoln said, Abraham is too big for such a wee atom of humanity. I will name him Lincoln. The mother said, "We will add the Abraham, for he saved his people." The crowd cheered. <6>

He said that there was no cause for anxiety for there is nothing going wrong. Critics said he was out of touch with reality. Supporters said he was trying to calm the public. In Cleveland he said, The crisis, as it is called, is altogether an artificial crisis. He didn't seem to realize the severity of the problem. Edward Everett wrote, He is evidently a person of very inferior cast of character, wholly unequal to the crisis.

A Democrat at Pittsburgh said he lacked the higher order of intellectual developments, so necessary for the position he is called to occupy.

In one speech he said, The condition of the country, fellow-citizens, is an extraordinary one, and fills the mind of every patriot with anxiety and solicitude. My intention is to give this subject all the consideration which I possibly can before I speak fully and definitely in regard to it—that, when I do speak, I may be as nearly right as possible. <7>

At Ashtabula the crowd demanded to see Mrs. Lincoln. Her husband said, I don't believe I can induce her to come out. In fact I never succeeded very well in getting her to do anything she didn't want to do.<8>

Grace Bedell said later, After his election to the presidency, the train stopped at Westfield, Chautauque County, New York where I lived at the time. Mr. Lincoln said, 'I have a correspondent in this place, a little girl, her name is Grace Bedell. I would like to see her.' I was taken to him. He stepped from the cars, extended his hand and said, 'You see, I have let these whiskers grow for you, Grace?' He kissed me, cordially, shook my hand, and was gone. <9>

He kept his speeches short. Some thought them frivolous. Democrats said Republicans should be mortified by these speeches. The New York Tribune opined that they showed his honesty and refreshing sincerity...In him there is no guile.

In Buffalo Mary ordered their black servant William Johnson to get Lincoln's new black suit. He had been wearing too-short pants, an old overcoat and a battered hat. <10>

On February 18, 1861 as he headed toward Albany he learned that Jefferson Davis had taken the oath of office, as provisional President of the Confederate States of America.

By the time they got to Albany, Lincoln was tired. The Democratic paper said, He does not look as if he has the bodily vigor to stand the pressure upon him.

A reporter wrote, the impression made upon the masses here by the appearance and demeanor of the President-elect has been unexpectedly favorable. So much has been said in disparagement of the personal appearance of Mr. Lincoln that imagination had depicted him with ogre-like lineaments; but, his face having been much improved by the beard,...he is found, on actual inspection, to be a perfectly presentable man, and in his frank and open features the people read at once the sure indications of a kind, generous and truthful nature. A Massachusetts man who had traveled to Albany said, Lincoln looked 100 percent better than I was led to suppose from any picture etc I had seen. The New York Herald's correspondent covering the president-elect's journey was struck by how unpretentious the Lincolns were. They were common sense, home-like folks. He also said Lincoln was so sincere, so conscientious, so earnest, so simple hearted, that one cannot help liking him. <11>

Addressing the New York Assembly he said, It is true that while I hold myself without mock modesty, the humblest of all individuals that have ever been elevated to the presidency, I have a more difficult task to perform than any one of them. <12>

As he left Albany he confessed to feeling ill and did not feel like talking about politics.

Walt Whitman, who saw him in New York was impressed by his perfect composure and coolness—his unusual and uncouth height, his dress of complete black, stovepipe hat push'd back on the head, dark-brown complexion, seam'd and wrinkled yet canny-looking face, black, bushy head of hair, disproportionately long neck, and his hands held behind as he stood observing the people.

When served oysters on the half-shell he looked puzzled but said, Well I don't know that I can manage these things, but I guess I can learn. <13> When someone asked him how he was going to handle secession he said he never crossed a river until he got there. When someone suggested he might be able to be elected to two terms of office he said, I think when the clouds look as dark as they do now, one term might satisfy any man.

On February 21 his train arrived in New Jersey. He addressed the General Assembly. The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it. But it may be necessary to put the foot down firmly. As he said that he, according to John Hay, lifted his foot lightly, and pressed it with a quick, but not violent, gesture upon the floor. <14>

He talked to the Senate about how as a boy he was impressed by the Revolutionary war, the Hessians, the hardships suffered by the soldiers in New Jersey. I recollect thinking then, boy even though I was, that there must have been something more than common that those men struggled for. I am exceedingly anxious that that thing which they struggled for; that something even more than National Independence; that something that held out a great promise to all the people of the world to all time to come; I am exceedingly anxious that this Union, the Constitution, and the liberties of the people shall be perpetuated in accordance with the original idea for which that struggle was made, and I shall be most happy indeed if I shall be a humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty, and of this, his almost chosen people, for perpetuating the object of that great struggle.

The entourage then left for Philadelphia and arrived at 4 p.m. Despite the cold, they were met by 100,000 people. <15>

Lincoln spoke at Independence Hall. It was not the mere matter of the separation of the colonies from the mother land; but something in that Declaration giving liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world for all future time....This is the sentiment embodied in that Declaration of Independence.

He assured them that his goal was to avoid war. The Government will not use force unless force is used against it. <16>

Assassination Plot

Baltimore was known as Mobtown for its political violence. In 1856 fourteen people were killed and 300 injured. There were two violent gangs in Baltimore, The Blood Tubs and the Plug Uglies. Unlike other cities, Baltimore had not planned a reception for the president-elect. Later Lincoln told Issac N. Arnold, I did not then, nor do I now, believe I should have been assassinated, had I gone through Baltimore, as first contemplated; but I thought it wise to run no risk where no risk was necessary.

Southerners were outraged by the election of Lincoln. Some felt they would be fully justified in murdering him even though they might be killed in the attempt. They were willing to give their lives for their country which was anything below the Mason Dixon line.

Allan Pinkerton, Samuel M. Felton and Norman B. Judd were aware of a plot to kill Lincoln in Baltimore. Allan Pinkerton was a well-known Chicago detective hired by Samuel M. Felton, the head of the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad and friend of Norman B. Judd. There were probably only 15 or 20 people plotting to kill Lincoln but they were determined. Once Lincoln was shot the Baltimore mob would go wild. War would follow. <17>

Lincoln selected Ward Lamon to be his bodyguard. Originally from Virginia, he had a Southern accent. He was 6 feet 2 inches tall and muscular. Senator Charles Sumner had wanted to accompany Lincoln to Washington but he was distracted by Judd long enough to allow Lincoln and Lamon to depart by themselves. <18>

Allan Pinkerton and his agents got wind of a plot to kill Lincoln. One of his agents had spoken to two anti-Union men and knew there were others—probably no more than 15 or 20 people—but it would be easy to kill him as he rode in an open carriage from one Baltimore station to another.

The would-be assassins—all good looking and intelligent men—thought they had every right to kill the president-elect for the good of the South.

They suspected that Lincoln would send in Federal troops to steal their slaves. They were willing to sacrifice their own lives to get rid of Lincoln. My life is of no consequence. I am willing to give my life for Lincoln's. If I alone must do it, I shall. Lincoln shall die in this city, one told an undercover detective. <19>

Allan Pinkerton predicted the mob scene that would follow the killing of Lincoln particularly since Baltimore mobs were the most excitable of all mobs--the whole would become a living mass of mad, ungovernable people. Worse, the Baltimore Marshall did not want to provide a police escort. In light of that fact and of the fact that Southern troops were drilling in the Maryland countryside, Lincoln would not get from the Northern Central Depot to the Washington Branch Railroad Depot alive in an open carriage, Pinkerton felt he must warn Lincoln's friend Judd. <20>

Lincoln was standing on the first floor balcony looking down on the crowd in the Continental hotel in Philadelphia. After he went to his room he received a message from Judd who wanted to see him on an important matter.

When Lincoln came to Judd's room Pinkerton informed him of the plot to kill him and of the necessity of going through Baltimore by a route that didn't involve him getting off the train in Baltimore.

Pinkerton described Lincoln's reaction:

Mr. Lincoln listened very attentively, but did not say a word, nor did his countenance, which I watched very closely, show any emotion. He appeared thoughtful and serious but decidedly firm. Lincoln asked me to detail the circumstances connected with Ferrandina, Hillard and others, and what my opinion was of the probable attempt. I did so commenting at some length on the fact of overhearing Col. Kane, Marshall of Baltimore, state last Saturday at Barnum's Hotel that he would give no Police Escort probably referring to the passage of Mr. Lincoln through Baltimore. <21>

I alluded to the expressions of Hillard and Ferrandina: that they were ready to give their lives for the welfare of their country and also that their country was South of Mason's and Dixon's line. That they were ready and willing to die to rid their country of a tyrant as they considered Lincoln to be. I said that I did not desire to be understood as saying that there were any large number of men engaged in this attempt—but that on the contrary I thought there were very few. They looked upon the North as being aggressors upon the rights of that section and upon every Northern man as an Abolitionist. They looked upon him (Mr. Lincoln) as the embodiment of all these evils, in whose death the South would be largely the gainers.

Pinkerton reiterated the fact that the crowd would be very large and there would be no police escort. It would be very easy to kill the president-elect in the confusion of the crowd.

During the time I was speaking Mr. Lincoln listened with great attention only asking a question occasionally, said Pinkerton.

Pinkerton continued:

After I had concluded, Mr. Lincoln remained quiet for a few minutes apparently thinking when Mr. Judd inquired if...Lincoln would consent to leave for Washington tonight. Mr. Lincoln said promptly, No, I cannot consent to this. I shall hoist the flag on Independence Hall tomorrow morning (Washington's Birthday) and go to Harrisburg tomorrow then I will have fulfilled all my engagements.

Mr. Lincoln said, If you think there is a positive danger in my going through Baltimore according to the published program...I shall endeavor to get away quietly from the people at Harrisburg tomorrow evening and shall place myself in your care.

He spoke firmly. There was no further use in arguing with him. Allan Pinkerton suggested that Mr. Lincoln leave from the Harrisburg depot at dusk tomorrow evening. Pinkerton would try to get a special train on the Pennsylvania Rail Road to bring him from Harrisburg to Philadelphia in time to get the train going south on the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail Road which goes directly through Baltimore to Washington and would not require him to get out of the car. He said that no one should know about this but Lincoln said he would have to tell Mrs. Lincoln and she would probably insist upon W. H. Lamon going with him. <22>

Lincoln asked me several questions upon the subjects which I do not now recollect.....He then asked Mr. Judd and myself what course we thought he had better pursue. We urged him to leave Philadelphia. This Mr. Lincoln firmly and positively refused to do saying that he had an engagement to raise a flag on Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and that he had also promised the citizens of Pennsylvania to meet them at Harrisburg on the following day. He had positively promised Governor Curtin. He said he would fulfill those engagements under any and all circumstances even if he met with death doing so. However he did suggest a plan. He would hoist the Union Flag on Independence Hall about 6 a.m. the next morning, take breakfast at the Continental at 7 and leave for Harrisburg by special train about 8 or 9 o'clock. At Harrisburg meet Governor Curtain and the Pennsylvanians, and after the reception was over come back to Philadelphia by special train in time to connect with the regular midnight train leaving for Washington. He would place himself in my hands but he would not forgo his engagements for the next day at Independence Hall and Harrisburg whatever his fate might be....Finding Mr. Lincoln resolute I told him I would endeavor to make the necessary arrangements for his passage after dark on the following evening to Philadelphia and thence to Baltimore and Washington.<23>

Lincoln gave a speech to the people in Independence Hall. Then he raised the flag. It was Washington's birthday. He then left for Harrisburg where he addressed the Pennsylvanians. Then we went back to Philadelphia. He cordially greeted Pinkerton who said, he was as cool, calm and collected as I have ever seen him.

He wore a disguise—an overcoat and hat. He bent over to disguise his great height. He got on a sleeping car. The train raced toward Baltimore. Mr. Lincoln showed calmness and firmness, Pinkerton said.

Pinkerton briefly left the car in Baltimore. They got to Washington about 6 a.m. <24>

Pinkerton explained what happened in Washington:

A man noticed Lincoln in the depot and caught hold of his arm. Abe, he said, You can't play that game on me. I punched the man with my elbow making him stagger. He recovered and took hold of Mr. Lincoln claiming he knew him. I prepared to punch him but Lincoln took hold of my arm, saying, Don't strike him Allan, don't strike him. That is my friend Washburne. [Elihu B. Washburne, Republican Congressman from Illinois]

William Seward possessed proof