Today we share the first of the three part series on a Galion resident who had a significant role at an important time in American history. In this first installment, we look at that moment in time.
On February 11, 1861, the newly-elected Abraham Lincoln left his beloved Springfield for Washington, D.C.. It was to be the last time he would be in a city he deeply loved.
At the Great Western Railroad Depot, Lincoln spoke a few words to the assembled crowd. Years later, friends would tell of how the President had a premonition that he was truly saying farewell. The uncertainties of what awaited him in the nation’s capital had to be occupying his thoughts.
There are at least three versions of Lincoln’s remarks that day. One was this:
“Friends, No one who has never been placed in a like position, can understand my feelings at this hour, nor the oppressive sadness I feel at this parting.
For more than a quarter of a century I have lived among you, and during all that time I have received nothing but kindness at your hands. Here I have lived from my youth until now I am an old man. Here the most sacred ties of earth were assumed; here all my children were born; and here one of them lies buried.
To you, dear friends, I owe all that I have, all that I am. All the strange, chequered past seems to crowd now upon my mind.
To-day I leave you; I go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon General Washington. Unless the great God who assisted him, shall be with and aid me, I shall not fail, I shall succeed. Let us all pray that the God of our fathers may not forsake us now. To him I commend you all — permit me to ask that with equal security and faith, you all will invoke His wisdom and guidance for me. With these few words I must leave you — for how long I know not. Friends, one and all, I must now bid you an affectionate farewell.”
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This is how his remarks appeared in the February 12, 1861 edition of the Illinois State Journal, a Springfield newspaper. It is considered the most accurate of the three versions. The paper added that although it was raining fast when he began to speak, “…every hat was lifted, and every head bent forward to catch the last words of the departing chief. When he said, with the earnestness of a sudden inspiration of feeling, that with God’s help he should not fail, there was an uncontrollable burst of applause.”
Threats to his life had already appeared in great number as war was imminent. As would be expected, Lincoln had been surrounded for weeks by people who he trusted implicitly, although he had taken time out for a New Year’s Day event with several neighborhood invitees. Next week, we will meet one of those visitors, a man who lies buried in Galion’s Fairview Cemetery.
Each Saturday, we share a post about local history. We call this series “Galion History Corner,” and we will be sharing not only stories about our shared heritage but also updates on history news here in southeast Crawford County.
This series is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Bernard M. Mansfield, whose “Your Historical Galion” was a fixture in weekend editions of the Galion Inquirer. Dr. Mansfield was a friend and family physician, and he inspired the current generation of Galion historians to continue his work.
Source: 1912 History of Crawford County; Wikipedia
