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| Monday February 11, 1861 |
When Abraham Lincoln left Springfield, Illinois, to start his
inaugural journey for Washington, D.C., he paid an unforgettable
tribute to his friends and neighbors
in what is known today as the Farewell Address. There was a
crowd of
approximately a thousand to see him off at the station. Lincoln
spoke these
famous, emotion-charged words as he boarded a special
presidential train at
the Great Western Railroad station, now a restored Lincoln visitor
site.
The day Lincoln saw this depot for the last time he recognized
most of the people in the huge crowd gathered outside. Ahead of
him was war, death, and enduring fame; behind him were the
warm-hearted people who provoked this response:
"My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate
my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and
the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I
have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from
a young to an old man. Here my children have been
born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing
when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before
me greater than that which rested upon Washington.
Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever
attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I
cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and
remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us
confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care
commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will
commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell."