Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-08
AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW.
President Lincoln and the East Bal,imor
Eauferenra


From the Methodiet1
At the late session Of the East Baltimore
Conference it was ordered that a copy Of the
patriotic resolutions presented by the Rev. A.
A. Reese, DID, and which passed by 132 ayes
to is nays, should be transmitted to the Pres.
ident Of the United States, signed by the Pres
ident and Secretary of the Conference.
Accordingly the Bishop appointed a COM
mittee of three, consisting Of Revs. John A
Gere, ID. A. A. Reese and George D. Cheno-
with, who, on Monday morning, March 18th,
proceeded to Washington for that purpose
and accompanied by Senator Wright, of ind, D.,
Senator Wiley, Of Va, and Representative
Leary Of Md, were formally presented to
President Lincoln by the Hon. Mr.. 1eary in a
brief but eloquent address. Whereupon Rev
Mr.. Gere,. on behalf of the committee, said
"PTsStdent Ltncotn-We appear before you
sir, in behalf Of the East Baltimore Conference
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This body
numbers two hundred and twenty itinerant
ministers, having the pastoral care of upward
Of thirty-seyen thousand communicate Our
Conference territory includes large portion
Of the Western shore of Maryland and Of Cen
trail Pennsylvsnia, 1t is made our very pleas
ant duty to present to you sir, the document
hold in my hand, as an expression of our quail
fed loyalty to the Federal Constitution, and
the Federal Union-our adherence of the ex-
isting causeless and wicked rebellion, and our
approval and firm support of your administra-
ton, with assurance Of our constant prayers
for its entire success.
/" Should il comport with your onerous nd
multitudincus engagements 1t will afford high
qualification TO many thousands of loyal citi-
zsns to receive any reply which il may be
your pleasure to make. / will request the
Rev. DR. Reese, who, with the Rev G. ID.
Chenowith, was the original mover of this
paper, before the Conference, to read it to
your Excellency"
During the reading Of the document the
President listened with deep and most respect
ful attention. After which the Rev Mr.
Chenowith made a few remarks, expressing
the hope that, by the blessing of Divine Provf.
dence, and the wise and discreet policy of the
Executive, peace and order might soon be re-
stored to the country.
Upon the conclusion of Mr.. Chenowith's g ad-
dress President Lincoln responded as follows ::
Gentlemen-I am happy to see you. but
having no previous notice Of your coming, do
not feel altogether prepared to reply to the pa
pers and addresses you have presented me in
such terms as they merit. Allow me to say
however, that have the highest regard for
the numerous and influential Christian body
whom you represent. L Am profoundly i'm
pressed with the influence you are exerting as
Church on the morals of the nation, as also
with the loyalty of your people to the Govern
ment Of the United States thank you gen-
tlemen, for your kind words and loyal expires
sions, and will, at the earliest moment can
command amid my pressing duties, reply to
you in more formal manner"
After few moments desultory conversation
the committee retired, feeling satisfied that the
nation was governed by the right man at the
right time. The committee have since re-
ceived from the President the following writ
ten reply:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1852.
Reys. j. A. Gere, A. A. Reese, d. d.; Geo.
d. Chsnotcith
Gentlemen Allow me TO tender TO you, and
through you to the East Baltimore Conference
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church, my CRATE.
full thanks for the preamble and resolutions of
that body, copies Of which you did me the honor
TO present yesterday. These kind words Of ap-
proval, coming from so numerous q body of in.
tclligent Christian people, and 50 free from all
suspicion Of sinister motives, are indeed en-
couraging to me.
By the help of an All.wise Providence, /
shall endeavor to do my duty, and shall ex.
pect the continuation Of your prayers for a
right solution of our national difficulties, and
the restoration Of our country to peace and
prosperity.
Your obliged and humble servant,
.F A LINCoIN