Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-09-08
Abraham Lincoln's IntegritY-An Intorest-
Ing Story Of His Early Life.

Ing story Of His Early Lie
A correspondent of the Portland oregonian
sends this narrative;
70 ne Editor Of ne oregonian;
The following incident in the early history
of Mr.. Lincoln, now the Republican candi-
date for President, illustrates more fully than
any thing that can be said or done HOU, his
great integrity Of character, and bis peculiar
fitness in that respect, for the Office Of Presi-
dent Il shows that he would take special
care that not dollar Of the peoples money
should be used improperly.
During the Presidency Of Gen. Jackson,
and while Mr.. Barry, OF Kentucky, was Post
master General, Abraham Lincoln was Post
master in the little town of New Salem, in
Sangamon Co., Ill. The Governments por-
ton of the receipts Of the Office for the two
years he held it, amounted to one hundred
and fifty or two hundred dollars; all OF which
was permitted to remain in his hands uncall-
ed for by the Post Master General, for three
or four years after Mr.. Lincoln resigned the
Office, and removed to Springfield, where he
now lives. In the mean tine, Mr.. Kendall,
having succeeded Mr.. Barry in the Post Office
Department, set about relieving the Depart
uu6ub lIOul 4ts PCCuulhIg eiubaIAhNSAASAe9i -
"picking up the crumbs which Mr.. Barry, had
thrown away as not worth the trouble OF
saving, and in the fall Of 1884 or 30, drew
on Mr.. Lincoln, in favor OF mail carrier, for
the amount standing against him on the
books of the department The mail carrier
enquired Of me for Mr.. Lincoln at the same
time showing me the draft on him for near
two hundred dollars. felt that this would
be large sum for poor man, like Mr.. Lin
coin, to raise, on demand, and on meeting
him, offered to aid him if necessary. He
| thanked me and said be did not need assist
ance; went to his room and returned in a
few minutes with package in his hand, con
tanning money, and on counting it out it was
found to be the exact amount called for by
the draft, and the very money received By him
four and Jfvs years precious
| During all this period, money was being
loaned for three and five per cent. per month
and MIR. Lincoln was often, from inability to
collect what was due him, sorely pressed for
FIVE dollars to pay board bill. Besides, it
was the policy of the government to allow
the banks to use the peoples money for spec
ulative purposes, and it was not thought
wrong OF disreputable for government Off
/ CCL " use lLe LAV4ey III AlS pNsSSSStOui PfS-
Vided, he had a reasonable prospect for rails
| ing it when it was wanted for disbursement.
But Mr.. Lincoln believed it was wrong to
use what did not belong to him, and his stern
unbending integrity, enabled him to resist
not only the temptation of "pinching pow
erty," but the all-powerful influence of pub
| lie sentiment
Now, Mr.. Editor, l feel very sure that when
the people come to understand the true char
acter of Mr.. Lincoln, and reflect upon the
present laxity of public morals on the sub
ject of using the public money, and the
great need there is of reform in this particu-
lar-will say of Abraham Lincoln, in No
vember next, as was said of old of the faith
ful servant, by the G-eat Judge of human ma
ture-"thou hast been faithful over a fer
things" sOe "tOiU make thee ruler over many"
Lafayette, July l6, 1860. H.