Existing comment:
President-Elect Lincoln in Indianapolis:
The Wabash train drew into Indianapolis in the late afternoon, at five o'clock, February 11, 1861. Governor Oliver P. Morton, numerous state dignitaries and 45,000 Indiana citizens greeted President-elect Lincoln. Lincoln gave his first remarks (excepts which you may hear on the audio tape) at Missouri and Washington Streets in Indianapolis. After a military parade, display of the Fire Department and shaking hand with hundreds of well-wishers, Lincoln made his way to a hotel reception, later that evening Lincoln gave a formal speech from the balcony of the Bates House. The inaugural train left Indianapolis the next morning at 8 o'clock for Cincinnati.
The inaugural journey from Springfield to Washington brought Lincoln face to face with the governors and legislators of five states. He set foot in key cities; spoke with important me controlling politics, money, transportation, supplies; delivered more than 20 speeches, shook the hangs of thousands of people; and peered over immense crowds who wanted their look at the pivotal figure of the American scene. |