Lincoln’s Inauguration

In February 11, 1861, Lincoln leaves his Springfield, Illinois, home on 12-days journey to his inauguration as the 16th President of the United States. In February 23, 1861, Lincoln's inaugural train was supposed to stop in Baltimore; however the train secretly passes through the city at night to avoid an assassination threat. In many circles he is ridiculed as a coward. At March 2, 1861, to avoid war, Congress passes a constitutional amendment to protect slavery. Lincoln in his inaugural address says "I have no objection to its being made express and irrevocable.” At Lincoln's inauguration on March 4 1861, before a crowd of 30,000 people, Lincoln takes the oath of office and declares that "the Union of these States is perpetual and that secession is an act of rebellion – not a legal right”. The new president said he had no plans to end slavery in those states where it already existed, but he also said he would never accept secession. He hoped to resolve the national crisis without warfare.