Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-28
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Personal Impressions and Recollec-
tiOns.


Personal Impressions and Recollec-
The INDEPENDENT publishes the fol-
lowing account, by Mr.. Carpenter, OF an
interview between the President and
Robert Dale Owen: ~
Punctual to the appointment OF the
hour found Mr.. Owen at the White
House. A repeated summons at the
bell brought no response, and he at
length pushed open the door and walk
ed leisurely up the stairs to the recep-
ton room. Neither servant nor secre-
tary was to be seen. Presently Mr..
Lincoln passed through the hall to his
Office and all was still again. Looking
vainly for q servant to announce his
name, Mr.. Owen finally went to the
Office door and knocked.
Greatly" said he, "Mr. President, l
owe Won an apology for coming in upon
Won in this unceremonious way, but /
have for some time been waiting the
appearance of servant.
s'Oh," was the good natured rep y,
the boys are all out this morning. l
have been expecting you; come In and
sit down.
Proceeding directly to the subject he
had on hand, at the same time unfold
ing O manuscript of large proportions,
Mr.. Owen said:
81 have paper here, Mr.. President,
that 1 have prepared with some care,
which I wish to read to you."
Mr.. Lincoln glanced at the formida-
BILE document (really much less volumi-
nous than it appeared, being very coars-
ly written) and then, half unconsciously.
relapsing into an attitude and express
ion of resignation to what he evidently
considered an infection which could not
well be avoided, signified his willing,
ness to listen.
The article was very carefully pre-
pared digest of his historical precedents
in relation to the subjec of amnesty in
connection with treason and rebellion.
1t analysed English and continental his
tory, and reviewed elaborately also the
action of President Washington in ref
erence to Shay's, and the subsequent
"whisky" rebellion.
81 had read but two or three
pages" said Mr.. Owen, "when
Mr.. Lincoln assumed an erect pos
ture, leaning slightly forward, and.
fixing his eyes intently upon
me, seemed wholly absorbed in the con-
tents of the manuscript Frequently
he would break in upon me with, 'Was
kthat SOP Please read that paragraph
again sc. When at length came to
Washington's proclamation to those en-
gagged in the whisky rebellion, he inter
rupted me with, what, did Washing
ton issue a proclamation of amnesty?
Here it is, sir, was the reply. well,
L never knew that, he rejoined and SO
on through"
Upon the conclusion of the manu-
script, Mr.. Lincoln said, ''Mr. Owen, is
that for me?"
Certainly, SIR" said MIR. o., hand.
ing him the roll. II understood you
were considering the subject, and
thought review of this kind might be
interesting to you"
"There is good deal of hard work in
that document" continued Mr., Lincoln
"May ask you how long you were pre-
pairing it?"
"About three months; but then i
have more leisure for such work than
you, Mr.. President.
Mr.. Lincoln took the manuscript,
and, folding it up carefully, arose and
laid it away in the pigeon hole" mark
ed co." in his desk. Returning to his
chair, he said, ''AIr. Owen, it is due to
you that ] should say that you have
conferred very essential service, both
upon me and upon the country, by the
preparation of this paper. 1t contains
that which it was exceedingly impor-
tant that / should know, but which, if
left to myself, never should have
known. / have not the time necessary
for such an examination of authorities
as a review of that kind involves. And
L want to say, secondly, if / had the
time, L could not have done the work so
well as you have done it."
This frank and generous avowal-so
unlike what might have been expected,
under similar circumstances, from most
public men-was exceedingly character
istic of Mr.. Lincoln.