New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-26
THRILLING EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF
"ABE LINCOLN"


Correspondence Of The Cleveland Leader.
Asa Western man, | wish space TO give vent TO my
enthusiasm over the nomination of the Hon. Abraham
Lincoln for President of the United States. Mr.. Lin
coin. or "Od Abe" as his friends Familiarity call him,
is self-made man, A Kentuckan by birth, he emf
grated 10 Illinois in his boyhood where he earned his
living at the anvil devoting his leisure hours TO study
Having chosen the law us his future calling he devoted
himself assiduousy its mastery contendlng at every
step with adverse fortune During this period OF study
he for some time found home under the hospItable
roof of one Armstrong, farmer who lived III "a log
house some eight miles from the village of Petersburg
Menard County. Here, clad in homespun, with elbows
ont, and knees covered with patches, young Lincoln
would master his lessons by the freight OF the cabn
and then walk TO town for the purpose Of recitation
This man Armstrong himself poor, but he saw the
genius struggling in the young STUDENT and opened TO
him his rude home and bid him welcome 10 his coarse
fare. How Lincoln graduated with promise, how he
has more than fulfilled that promise, how honoraby he
acquitted himself alike the battlefield IN defending
our border settlements against the ravages OF savage
foes and in the halls of our national legislature are
matters Of history, and need no repetition here But
one little incident of more private nature standing
as it does sort of sequel to some things already al
luded TO- deem worthy of record Some few years
since the Oldest son of Mr.. Lncoms old friend Arm
strong, the chief support of his widowed mother-he
good old having time previously passed from
earh-was arrested on the charge OF murder. Ayoung
man had been killed during rloOus melee, IN the
night time at Cdmp-mectlng, ana one OF MS dssO-
GATES stated that the death-wOund was inflicted by
young Armstrong. preliminary examination was
gone into at which the accuser testified so positively
that there seemed doubt of the guilt OF the prisoner,
and therefore he was held for trial. As Is too often
the case the bloody act caused undue degree of
element in the public mind. Every improper incident
in the life of the prisoner-each act winch bore the
least sembance of rowdy sm-each schOol-boy quarrel
was suddenly remembered and magnied, until they
uictured him as a fend of the most horrd hue. As
these rumors spread abroad they were received as
gospel truth and eversh desire for vengeance seized
upon the infatuated populace while only pIson-Das
prevented a horrible death at the hands OF mon.
The events were heraded in the counypapers painted
in highest colors, accompanied by rejoicing over the
certainty Of punishment being meed out to the gny
party. The prisoner overwhelmed by the circani-
stances under which he found himself placed, fell into
a melancholy condition, bordering upon despair; and
the widowed mother, looking through her tears, saw
no cause for hope from earthly aid.
At this juncture, the widow received letter from
Mr. Lincoln volunteering his services in an effort 10
gave the youth from the impending stroke Gladly was
bis aid accepted although it seemed impossible for even
his sagacty prevail in such desperate case but
The heart of the attorney in his work, and he SGT
about il with will that knew such word rs fail.
Feeling that the poisoned condition of the public mind
was such to preclude the possibility OF upanneng
an IMPARTIAL Jury in the Court having jurisdiction he
rrocured change Of venue, and p0sponement OF the
Irial lie then went studiously to work unrayelng
the history Of the case, and satisfied himself that his
client was the victim of malice and that the statements
of the accuser tissue OF faselOOds, hen the
trial was called on, the prisoner pale and enaelated,
Nil: hope,essness itten every feature, and ac-
comTanied by his haihOpng, hafdespalrlng mother
whose only hope was in a mothers belief OF her sons
innocence in the justice of the God she worshiped,
and in the noble counsel who without hope OF fee or
reward mon earth had undertaken the cause-took
his seat In the prisoners box, and with stony nrm-
| ness" listened to the reading Of the Indictment;
Lincoln sat quietly by, while the large auditory looked
on him though wondering what ne eo9id say VI ee
,l,.a nYttlf hey
The examination Of witnesses for the state WAS pc
| Gun. and wel.arranged mass 81 @""..SStnee cir
| curnstantia ard positive, was introduced, winch
seemed 10 impale the prisoner beyond the possibility Of
| eXtrcatOn. The counsel for the defense pfopOunded
but few questions and those of character which ex
cited no uneasines on the part of the prosecutor
merely, in most cases requiring the mann witness 10 Os
| definite as to time and place. When the evidence "a
| the prosecution was ended Lincoln introduced IL"
witnesses remove some erroneous Impressions IN re-
gard 10 the previous character OF hs client, VINO,
| though somewhat rowdyish, had never been known 70
commit vicious act and 10 show that greater az
gree of l-feelng existed between the accser ana the
accused than the accused and the deceased The prose
cutor felt that the case was clear one, and his opening
speech was brief and formal. Lincoln arose, WINE
| deathy silence pervaded the vast audience, ana III
| clear but moderate tone began his argument AiOSy
and carefully he reviewed the testimony, poitihS ou'
the hitherto unobserved discrepancies IN The state9s
Of the principal witness That which had seemed PLAIN
and plausible, he made to appear crooked as serpent
path. The witness had stated that the affair TOOK ao1
at certain hour in the evening, and that by the ara Oh
the brightly shining moon, he the prisoner ihl'o
| the death blow with slung.shot. Mr.. Lincoln showed
that at the hour referred TO- the moon had not ye az
peared above the horizon and consequently the whoie
tale was a fabrication An almost instantaneous cbago
seemed to have been wrought in the minds OF his aui,
tors and the verdict of mot guilty was at the enu 3i
every tongue But the advocate was not content wl'
| this Intellectual achievement. His whole being mao
for months been bound up in this work OF gratitude
and mercy and the lava OF the overeharged crater
| bursts from It's imprisonment, so great thouenlss
and burning words leaped forth from the soui
/ Ia ala 4 Ia "A