Mrs. Lincoln returned with her son to Charleston that they might enjoy each other’s company still longer. When the time arrived that Mr. Lincoln must leave, both he and his mother were deeply affected. Mr. Lamon continues:—

“The parting between Mr. Lincoln and his mother was very touching. She embraced him with deep emotion, and said she was sure she should never behold him again, for she felt that ‘his enemies would assassinate him.’

“ ‘No, no, mother; they will not do that. Trust in the Lord and all will be well; we shall see each other again.’

“Inexpressibly affected by this new evidence of her tender attachment and deep concern for his safety, he gradually and reluctantly withdrew from her arms, feeling more deeply oppressed by the heavy cares which time and events were rapidly augmenting.”

Mrs. Lincoln was not alone in her fears that her son would come to an untimely end. Neighbours and friends in Springfield were equally anxious.

“They will throw the cars from the track,” one suggested.

“Some one will stab him in the crowd,” another.

“He will be poisoned before the fourth of March,” still another.

“He will be shot from a housetop on inauguration day,” a fourth.

“You ought to take a cook with you from your own female friends,” suggested a fifth.

On the 11th day of February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln left Springfield for Washington with his family. A multitude of friends and neighbours gathered at the depot for a parting hand-shake. From the platform of the cars he addressed the company:

“My friends,—No one not in my position can appreciate the sadness I feel at this parting. To this people I owe all that I am. Here I have lived more than a quarter of a century. Here my children were born, and here one of them lies buried. I know not how soon I shall see you again. A duty devolves on me which is greater, perhaps, than that which has developed upon any other man since the days of Washington. He never would have succeeded except for the aid of Divine Providence, upon which he at all times relied. I feel that I cannot succeed without the same Divine aid which sustained him, and on the same Almighty Being I place my reliance for support: and I hope you, my friends, will pray that I may receive that Divine assistance without which I cannot succeed, but with which success is certain. Again I bid you all an affectionate farewell.”

His journey to Washington was signalized by sincere demonstrations of respect and honour. His passage was like that of a conqueror. From the beginning to the end of his journey it was one splendid ovation. At all the cities on the route he addressed the vast multitudes assembled, and his sentiments were eagerly caught up and borne over the land; for the people were eager to obtain the least hint of his future policy. His speeches were characterized by that thoughtful, sound, solid, clear, and logical element that ever distinguished his best efforts.

The presidential party was met at Philadelphia by the son of Mr. Seward, with the startling intelligence that a plot had been discovered to assassinate the President-elect when he passed through Baltimore on the following day. Threats of assassination had been heard again and again, and now detectives supposed that they had discovered a veritable plot, and that speedy action alone could thwart the purpose of the conspirators.

A consultation with Mr. Lincoln followed, and it was arranged that, instead of going on the presidential train the next day, Mr. Lincoln should be taken through that night to Washington by the night express.