Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-06-07
u.-;.i.eeuec ct Mr.. Lincoln.
,,e c.RpySrER's PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS

say now, as nave salu Repeatedly W
nv friends, Mr.. Lincoln had the saddest
face ever painted. During some of the
dark days of last spring and summer l
saw him, at times, when his care-w orn,
troubled appearance was enough to bring
tears of sympathy into the eyes OF his
most violent enemies. recall, particu-
larly. one day when. having occasion to
pass through the main hall of the domes-
tic apartment, found him all alone. pa
cling up and down a narrow passage. his
hands behind him. his head bent forward
upon his breast, heavy black rings under
his eyes, showing sleepless nIghts-alto,.
gether such a picture Of the effects OF
weishty cares and responsibilities as l
never had seen. And yet he always had a
kind word and almost always a genial
smile, and it was his way frequently to
relieve himself at such times by some
harmless pleasantly. ! recollect an in
stance told me by one of the most radical
members of the last Congress. 1t was
during the darkest days OF 1867. lie
called upon the President early one morn
ing Just after news of disaster. 1t was
a time of great anxiety. if not dependency.
Mr.. Lincoln commenced telling some trit-
ling incident, which the Congressman was
in no mood to hear. He rose to his feet
and said, MIR. President, l did not come
here this morning TO hear stories; 1t Is too
serious time" Instantly the smile dis
appeared from Mr.. Lincoln's face, who
exclaimed, a.. sit down; l respect you
as an earnest, sincere man. You cannot
be more anxious than am constantly,
and 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 feel
ing, in reference 10 relatives and friends m
confinement and under sentence OF death.
1t was constant marvel to me that, with
all his other cares and duties, he could give
so much time. and be so patient with this
multitude. I have known him to sit for
hours patiently listening to details OF de-
nestle troubles from poor people-much
of which of course, Internationally
sitting the facts and manifesting as much
anxiety to do exactly right, as in matters
of the greatest interest. Poorly clad peo-
pie were more likely to get good hearing
than those who came in silks and velvets.
No one was ever turned away from his
door on account of poverty. Ii he erred,
t was sure to be on the side Of mercy. 1t
was one of his most painful tasks to con-
firm sentence of death. I recollect the
case of somewhat noted rebel prisoner,
who had been condemned to death, be-
ieve. as a spy. A strong application had
been made to have his sentence commu-
ted. While this was pending, he attempt
ed to escape from confinement, and was
shot BY sentinel on guard. Although
he richly deserved death, Mr.. Lincoln told
Judge Holt. in my presence, "it was
great relief to him that the man took his
fate into his own hands"
If the slightest occasion existed for
showing clemency, he was sure to i'm
prove it.
Judge Bates. in the same conversation
referred TO above, said that he had often
told the President that "he was hardly fit
10 be intrusted with the pardoning pow
en-" Why" said the Judge, " he can
scarcely turn away from the application
(if it touches his feeling) of man, and
the tears Of q woman are sure to overcome
him."
A PARDON.
A touching instance of his kindness of
heart occurred quite recently, and was told
me incidentally by one of the servants. \
poor woman from Philadelphia Pennsyl-
vania had been waiting. with baby in
her arms, for three days to see the Pres
ident. Her husband had furnished sub
s,irute for the army, but some time after
ward was one day made intoxicated BY
some companions, and in this state in
duced TO enlist. Soon after he reached
the army he deserted, thinking that as he
had provided substitute, the Government
was not entitled to his services. Return
ing home, he was, of course, arrested,
tried, convicted and sentenced 10 be shot.
The sentence was 10 be executed on Sat-
urday. On Monday his wife left her home
with her baby, to endeavor to see the
President. Said old Daniel: "She had
been waiting here three days, and there
was no chance for her to get in. Late in
the afternoon of the third day, the Presi-
dent was going through the back passage
to his private rooms 20 get cup Of tea
and take some rest" This passage-way
has lately been constructed. and shuts the
person passing entirely out of the view of
the occupants Of the ante-room.) "On
his way through he heard little baby
cry. He instantly went back to his office
and rang the bell. Daniel" said he,
"is there a woman with baby in the
ante room: :" ! said there was, and if he
would allow me to say it. I thought it was
a 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
husband. 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: IL
wen, up TO her, and. pulling her shawl.
said. Madame, it was the baby that did
it,"
TOUCHING INCIDENT.
Another touching incident occurred, l
believe the same week. A woman in
faded shawl and hood, somewhat adj
yanced in life. at length was admitted, in
her turn, to the President. Her husband
had been killed, and she had come to ask
the President to release her Oldest son.
Being satisfied of the truthfulness Of her
story he said. Certainly, if her prop was
taken away, she was justly entitled to one
of her boys" He Immediately wrote an
order for the discharge of the young man.
The poor woman thanked him very CRATE
fully, and went away. On reaching the
army she found that this son had been in
a recent engagement, was wounded, and
taken to hospital. She found the hos
pital, but the boy was dead, or died while
she was there. The surgeon in charge