The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1865-04-27
TFrom the Cincinnati Commercial.
AVNraIac. TTsa T1orlr, 81


Raymond, of the New York Times,
says, in the opening chapter of bis bis
tory of Mr.. Lincoln's Administration,
which is the best constructed of the
many volumes written, of Mr.. Lincoln's
life and labors:
ellis early life, like that Of most of
the great men whom our country has
produced, was spent in poverty and
toll. At seven years of age he was sent
to school to a Mr.. Hazel, carrying with
him an old copy Of Dilworth's spelling
book, one of the three books that
formed the family library. His father
kocnly felt the disadvantages arising
from his own lack of education, and
determined, in spite Of difficulties al
most inconceivable, to give his son bet
ter facilities for study than he had him
self enjoyed. Ills mother was a Christ
ian woman, and desired earnestly that
he should learn to read the Bible"
When Abraham Lincoln was eight
years old his father moved to Spencer
county, Indiana. lie learned to read
the Bible before his mother died, which
event occurred when he was ten years
of age. Mr.. Raymond says:
"Afrer a while he learned to write.
This was an accomplishment which
most of the friendly neighbors thought
unnecessary, but his father quietly
persisted, and the boy was set down as
prodigy when he wrote to an old
friend of his mothers, a travelling g
preacher, and begged him to come and
preach a sermon over his IN others
grave. Three months after Parson Ell
kins came, and the friends ass mblcd,
year after her death, to pay last
tribute Of respect to one universally y
loved and respected. Her sons share
in securing ths presence of the clergy
man was not unmentioncd, and Abra
ham soou found himself called upon to
write lettcrs for his neighborJ.
"The father married a second time,
Miss Sally Johnston, who proved an
excellent mother to the step son, and
who now survives, to take her share Of
the credit to which she is entitled for
her faithful care. In the course of a
year or two, a Mr.. Crawford, one of the
settlers, opened a school in his own
cabin, and Abraham's father improved
the opportunity to send him, in order
that he might add some knowledge Of
arithmetic to his reading and writing
With buckskin clothes, raccoon skin
cap, and an old arithmetic, which had
been found somewhere for him, he
com menced his studies in the "higher
branches. ,"
These particulars of the life of the
President in his boyhood are Of great
interest, as they were undoubtedly dc.
rived from himself. ...
The history of Mr. Lincoln's public
life is so f.miliar to all men, that VIZ
need not repeat its points, though i,
may not now be superAious to say
that he owed his national reputation tc
his debates with Senator Douglas in tn,
memorable canvass of the State Of Iii
nois in 1858. Douglas was recognized
as the most formidable debater in &
stump conflict, 10 the country, anC
the incompatible temper, clear-sighteC
views of public policy, audIexccediugl
closely knit arguments with which th'
Republican champion met the Demo
cratic giant, warmed his friends to enthu
siasm, and they focked to Chicago wher
tho Presidential Convention assem- bl &c
there in 1860, animated by spirit il
bis behalf that ovcrcame all opposi
ton.
MIR. Lincoln has been accused of being
wanting in personal dignity, and in ar
adequate sense of the responsibilities
attaching to his position. But We may
challenge the records of the lives o
our public men for any thing in better
taste than his words of informal ac
ceptance of the nomination for thu
Presidency, addressed TO the committee
sent from Chicago, to wait upon him a
bis home in Springfield, Illinois. Hei
said to have listened to the address o
the Committee "with degree of grav
dignity, that almost wore the appear
ance of sadness" lie replied:
"Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen o
the Committee
al tender to you, aud, through you
to the Republican National Convention
and all the people represented in it, IN.
I profoundest thanks for the high homo
done me, which you now formally an