The Shasta courier., 1865-07-01
SHASTA COURIER.
Reminiscence of Mr.. Lincoln.
TMR. CARPENTERS PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS

Renaissance OF Nlrs AiuCOlu
TNR. CARPENTER's PERSONAL IMPRESSIoNsl
Mr.. F. B. Carpenter, the artist who paint
ed the picture of 'The Signing of the Eman-
cipaton Proclamation, contributes to late
number of the Independent his Personal
Impressions of Mr.. Lincoln" embodying
some interesting Renaissance, which we
copy below:
MR.. LINcoLN's SADNESS.
1t has been the business of my life, as you
know, to study the human face, and L say
now, as have said repeatedly tony friends,
Mr. Lincoln had the saddest face ever paint
ed. During some of the dark days of last
spring and summer | saw him, at times,
when his care worn, troubled appearance
was enough TO bring tears of sympathy into
the eyes of his most violent enemies. | re-
call, particularly, one day when, having
occasion to pass through the main hall OF the
domestic apartment, l found him all alone.
pacing up and down narrow passage, bis
hands behind him, his head bent forward
upon his breast, heavy black rings under his
eyes, showing sleepless nights altogether
such picture of the effects Of weighty cares
ald responsibilities as | never had seen.
And vet he always had q kind word and
almost always a genial smile, and it was
his way frequently to relieve himself at such
times by some harmless pleasantly. recol-
lect an instance told me by one of the most
radical members of the last Congress. 1t
was during the darkest days Of 1862. He
called upon the President early one morring
lust after news of disaster 1t was time
of great anxiety, if not despondeney. MIR.
Lincoln commenced telling some trif;ng in
cident, which the Congressman was in no
mode to hear. "Mr. President, / did not
come here this morning to hear stories; it is
too serious time. Instantly the smile dis
appeared from Mr.. Lincoln's face, who ex.
claimed, " A., sit down; | respect you as an
earnest sincere man. You cannot be more
anxious than l am constantly, and l say to
YOU now, that were it not for this occasional
vent | should die."
HIS SYMPATHY.
A large number of those whom he saw
every day, came with appeals to his feeling,
in reference to relatives and friends in con-
fnement and under sentence of death. 1t
was constant marvel to me that, with all
bis other cares and duties, he could give so
much time, and be so patient with this mul-
titude. l have known him to sit for hours
patiently listening to details of domestic
troubles from poor people-much of which
of course, irrelevant carefully sitting the
the facts and manifesting as much anxiety
to do exactly right, as in matters ofthe great.
est interest. Poorly clad people were more
likely to get a good bearing than those who
came in silks and velvets. No one was ever
turned away from his door on account of pow.
erty. If he erred, it was sure to be on the
side of mercy. Itwas one of his most pain
full tasks to confirm sentence of death. L
recollect the case of q somewhat noted rebel
prisoner, who had been condemned to death,
/ believe, as aspy. A strong application had
been made to have his sentence commuted.
While this was pending, he attempted to
escape from confinement, and was shot by
sentinel on guard. Although he richly de.
served death, Mr.. Lincoln told Judge Holt,
in nv presence, I" it was a great relief to
him that the man took his fate into his own
hands,
If the slightest occasion existed for show
ing clemency, he was sure to improve 1t.
Judge Bates in the same conversation re
ferred to above, said that he had often told
the President that :" he was hardly tit to be
intrusted with the pardoning power.
Why" said the Judge, she can scarcely
turn away from the application lit it touches
his feeling) of man, and the tears OF
woman are sure to overcome him."
APARDoN.
A touching instance of his kindness of
heart occurred quite recently, and was told
me accidentally by one of the servants. A
poor woman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvan-
ia had been walking, with baby in her
arms, for three days to see the President
Her husband had furnished substitute for
the army, but some time afterward was one
day made intoxicated by some companions.
and in this state induced to enlist. Soon
after he reached the army he deserted, think.
ing that as he had provided substitute, the
Government was not entitled to his services.
Returning home, he was, of cousse, arrested,
tried, convicted and sentenced to be shot.
The sentence was to be executed on Satur
day. On Monday his wife left her home
with her baby. to endeayor to see the Presi-
dent. Said old Daniel: "She had been
waiting here three days, and there was no
chance for her to get in. Late in the after
noon of the third day, the President was 60
ing through tle UaCk passaSe W HIS private
rooms to geta cup of tea and take some rest. !"
This passage. way has lately been construct
ed, and shuts the person passing entirely out
of view of the occupants of the ante-room.)
son his way through be heard little baby
cry. He instantly went back to his Office
and rang the bell Daniel said he. is
there woman with baby in the ante
room?'' / said there was, and if he would
allow me to say it, thought it was case he
ought to see, for it was matter of life and
death" Said he: '.Send her to me at
once" She went in, told her story, and the
President pardoned her huspand. As the
women came out from his presence, her eyes
were lifted and her lips moving in prayer,
the tears streaming down her cheeks. Said
Daniel: ~ went up to her, and, pulling
her shawl, said. Madame, it was the baby
that did it."
4 TOUCHING INCIDENT.
Another touching incident occurred, be-
lieve the Same week. A woman in faded
shawl and hood, somewhat advanced in life,
at length was admitted, in her turn, to the
Drae;deut Her husband had heen fil1ed