The principal novelty commented upon by the
newspapers was the share which the hitherto enslaved race had for the
first time in this public and political drama. Civic associations of
negro citizens joined in the procession, and a battalion of negro
soldiers formed part of the military escort. The weather was
sufficiently favorable to allow the ceremonies to take place on the
eastern portico of the Capitol, in view of a vast throng of spectators.
The central act of the occasion was President Lincoln's second inaugural
address, which enriched the political literature of the Union with
another masterpiece, and deserves to be quoted in full. 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.
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