His majority by States
in the electoral college was overwhelming--two hundred and twelve to his
opponent's twenty-one.
The closing words of his second Inaugural rang clear and quivering with
emotion over the vast crowd:
"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the
right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the
work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who
shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan--to do all
which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves
and with all nations."
As the last echo died away among the marble pillars above, the sun burst
through the clouds and flooded the scene. A mighty cheer swept the
throng and the guns boomed their second salute. The war was closing in
lasting peace and the sun shining on the finished dome of the Capitol of
a new nation.
Betty Winter, leaning on John Vaughan's arm, was among the first to
grasp his big, outstretched hand:
"A glorious day for us, sir," she cried, "a proud one for you!"
With a far-away look the President slowly answered:
"And all that I am in this world, Miss Betty, I owe to a woman--my angel
mother--blessings on her memory!"
"I trust her spirit heard that beautiful speech," the girl responded
tenderly.
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