Public men and public life in Canada; the story of the Canadian confederacy, being recollections of Parliament and the press and embracing a succinct account of the stirring events which led to the confederation of British North America into the Dominion of Canada . e inauguration of President Lincolndrew near, the excitement became almost as great inCanada as in some parts of the Republic itself. TheSouthern States were openly preparing for had in fact already committed an act of war,having fired on the Gov- —-. ernment steamer. Star of ^> v the West, and prevent-ed her from reinf
Public men and public life in Canada; the story of the Canadian confederacy, being recollections of Parliament and the press and embracing a succinct account of the stirring events which led to the confederation of British North America into the Dominion of Canada . e inauguration of President Lincolndrew near, the excitement became almost as great inCanada as in some parts of the Republic itself. TheSouthern States were openly preparing for had in fact already committed an act of war,having fired on the Gov- —-. ernment steamer. Star of ^> v the West, and prevent-ed her from reinforcinoFort Sumter in Charlestonharbour. When Mr. Lincoln andhis family left Spring-field for Washington, aweek before the inaugura-tion ceremonies, to be heldon the 4th March, 1861,the roar of the comingconflict met his ears atevery centre of population. he was earnestly pleaded with by his friends— giving way to tears—not to pass throughBaltimore for fear of assassination. He would notbe dissuaded, but finally consented to go by an earlymorning special train, incognito, which he did,reaching Washington safely, to the great relief ofhis friends. Few persons then realized the great man Abra-ham Lincoln really was. Most people regarded him 159. Abraham Harrisburg, Pa., PUBLIC MEN AND PUBLIC LIFE IN CANADA more as the railsplitter he was described to be duringhis canvass, than as the far-sighted, capable andpatriotic statesman he proved himself to be. Hisremarkable speeches at the principal cities he passedthrough on his way to the capital, however,—sooriginal, so powerful, but also so tender and fitting—convinced many that the new President was noordinary man. His speech at Philadelphia, in par-ticular, created immense enthusiasm, especially hisclosing appeal—that he might have their assistancein piloting the ship of state through this voyage,surrounded by perils as it is; for if it should sufferfrom shipwreck now, tJiere zvill be no pilot everne
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