Why was Lincoln forced to sneak into Washington D.C.?

Lincoln was forced to sneak into Washington D.C. in February 1861 due to concerns for his safety amid heightened tensions and threats against him. Following his election, a wave of secessionist sentiment was sweeping through the South, and there were fears of potential assassination attempts during his inaugural journey. To avoid potential attacks from conspirators, he traveled discreetly and arrived in the capital under the cover of night. This cautious approach underscored the political instability and divisions in the nation at that time.