Author Description

One hundred years ago, on March 4, 1861, Abraham Lincoln and the GPO were inaugurated. For Abraham Lincoln, the day was close to the beginning of 4 war years; for the GPO it marked the beginning of a century of printing years. The political climate of the day was one of sharp national division and marked by extremely bitter debates in Congress by Northern and Secessionist members. South Carolina had already seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860, and on February 4, 1861, the Confederate Government had been organized in Montgomery, Ala. Washington was thronged with inauguration visitors, with secession and Fort Sumter, Cabinet appointments and political jobs, and Lincoln assassination threats the chief conversation pieces. The Baltimore Sun of March 5 noted that-There is no sense of relief here from the tone of the inaugural. It is regarded "as grim-visaged war'' under a smooth, deceptive front.On March 11, the Sun said: The rush of office-seekers upon the departments exceed anything of the kind ever before known. From all morning till late in the evening, Uncle Abe and each of the members of the cabinet are beset by men, women and children.The Government printing climate, however, was tranquil. In sharp contrast were the recent events which led to the beginning of the GPO. From a national issue, with the Nation, Congress, and newspapers familiar with the printing situation of the 1850's, Lincoln's inauguration and almost inevitable civil war caused the GPO's opening to go unnoticed. Washington was now preoccupied with more important national matters.Receiving the blessing of Congress on June 23, 1860, and its opening authorized on March 4, 1861, the GPO was aware of its mission, for during the debate on the creation of the GPO, Congressman Gurley had outlined its aims and purposes, as follows