"The Abolitionists don't count. If we have war there are not enough of them to form a corporal's guard--to say nothing of an army. The North is hopelessly divided and confused. If the South unites--if North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Missouri and Maryland join the Confederacy under Davis, the Union is lost. What's going to hinder them from uniting? They are all Slave States. They believe the new President is a Black Abolitionist Republican. He isn't, of course, but they believe it. How can he reassure them? The States that have already plunged into Secession have hauled the flag down from every fort and arsenal except Sumter and Pickens. The new President can only retake these forts by force. The first shot fired will sweep every Slave State out of the Union and arraign the millions of Democratic voters in the North solidly against the Government. God pity the man who takes the oath to-day to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution!" When John Vaughan's voice died away at last into a passionate whisper, Betty stood looking at him in a spell. She recovered herself with a start and a smile. "You've mistaken your calling, Mr. Vaughan," she said with emotion. "Why do you say that?" "You're a statesman--not an editor--you should be in the Cabinet." "Much obliged, Miss Betty--but I'm not in this one, thank you. Besides, you're mistaken. I'm only an intelligent observer and reporter of events. I've never had the will to do creative things." "Why?" "The responsibility is too great. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Only God Almighty can save this Nation to-day. It's too much to expect of one man." "Yet God must use man, mustn't He?" "Yes. That's why my soul goes out in sympathy to the lonely figure who steps out of obscurity and poverty to-day to do this impossible thing. No such responsibility was ever before laid on the shoulders of one man. In all the history of the world he has no precedent, no guide----" Ned interrupted the flow of John's impassioned speech by suddenly appearing with uplifted hand. "Never such a crowd as this!" "Why, they say it's smaller than usual!" Betty exclaimed. "I don't mean size," Ned went on rapidly. "It's their temper that's remarkable. An Inauguration crowd should support the administration. The Lord help the Rail-splitter if that sullen dumb mob are his constituents! Half of them are downright hostile----" "Washington's a Southern town," John remarked. "They are not Washington folks--not one in a hundred. And the only honest backers old Abe seems to have are about a thousand serious young fellows from the West, whom General Scott has armed as a special guard to circle the crowd." He paused and pointed to a group of a dozen Westerners standing beside a bush in the outer rim of the throng.