Saturday, April 23, 2022

Just before Lincoln left Springfield, a citizen visited [Gen. Winfield Scott] to ask whether precautions had been taken to make sure that Congress could formally count the electoral votes; it was being rumored that a mob would rise and prevent it, thus (presumably) making it impossible for Lincoln to take office.

Scott: "...any man who attempted by force or unparliamentary disorder to obstruct or interfere with the lawful count of the electoral vote for President and Vice-President of the United States should be lashed to the muzzle of a twelve-pounder and fired out of a window of the Capitol. I would manure the hills of Arlington with the fragments of his body, were he a Senator..."-Catton, Bruce, The Coming Fury, (1961) p 224.

Very commendable measures.