Lincoln VI, 184; N. & H., III, 343.  Seward advised the omission of part of the original draft of the first of these two paragraphs.  After “defend it,” Lincoln had written, “You can forbear the assault upon it.  I can not shrink from the defense of it.  With you and not with me is the solemn question ‘Shall it be peace or a sword?’” Having struck this out, he accepted Seward’s advice to add “some words of affection—­some of calm and cheerful confidence.”

The original version of the concluding paragraph was prepared by Seward and read as follows:  “I close.  We are not, we must not he aliens or enemies, but fellow-countrymen and brethren.  Although passion has strained our bonds of affection too hardly, they must not, I am sure, they will not, be broken.  The mystic chords which, proceeding from so many battlefields and so many patriot graves, pass through all the hearts and all hearths in this broad continent of ours, will yet again harmonize in their ancient music when breathed upon by the guardian angel of the nation.”

These words, now so famous, were spoken in the east portico of the Capitol on “one of our disagreeable, clear, windy, Washington spring days."(10) Most of the participants were agitated; many were alarmed.  Chief Justice Taney who administered the oath could hardly speak, so near to uncontrollable was his emotion.  General Scott anxiously kept his eye upon the crowd which was commanded by cannon.  Cavalry were in readiness to clear the streets in case of riot.  Lincoln’s carriage on the way to the Capitol had been closely guarded.  He made his way to the portico between files of soldiers.  So intent—­overintent—­were his guardians upon his safety that they had been careless of the smaller matter of his comfort.  There was insufficient room for the large company that had been invited to attend.  The new President stood beside a rickety little table and saw no place on which to put his hat.  Senator Douglas stepped forward and relieved him of the burden.  Lincoln was “pale and very nervous,” and toward the close of his speech, visibly affected.  Observers differ point-blank as to the way the inaugural was received.  The “Public Man” says that there was little enthusiasm.  The opposite version makes the event an oratorical triumph, with the crowd, at the close, completely under his spell.(11)

On the whole, the inauguration and the festivities that followed appear to have formed a dismal event.  While Lincoln spoke, the topmost peak of the Capitol, far above his head, was an idle derrick; the present dome was in process of construction; work on it had been arrested, and who could say when, if ever, the work would be resumed?  The day closed with an inaugural ball that was anything but brilliant.  “The great tawdry ballroom . . . not half full—­and such an assemblage of strange costumes, male and female.  Very few people of any consideration were there.  The President looked exhausted and uncomfortable, and most ungainly in his dress; and Mrs. Lincoln all in blue, with a feather in her hair and a highly flushed face."(12)