The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-04-30
OUR LATE PRESIDENT,
Tribute OF an Old Associate and Friend
Touching Instances OF Mr. Lincoln's
Character, &c.


Character, &c.
Mr. o. f. Lnder ono Of the leading democrats Of I'LL
nois delivered eloquent tribute to the memory Of the
departed President at meeting Of the bar of Chicago,
held on the 17th to take appropriate action with regard
to the national afnicten Mr.. Under had known Mr..
Lincoln intimately from boyhood Both were born
the same place in Kentucky they had removed to ILL.,
nois at nearly the time had practced law toge-
ther and for many years warm hearted friends
The "reminiscences Of Mr. Lincoln, which Mr..
Lnder narrated in his remarks were affecting
beyond account and than one he listened to the
tremulous tones OF the speaker visbly moved to
tears. Mr. Linder's voice, usually clear and low,
toned down by the emotion which he exhibited in his
countenance and by the recolections Of which In his
speech he gave the record. He said:-
feel that cannot let this occasion 20 by without
laying a tribute-a humble tribute-of mine upon the
grave Of him whom so long since learned to love- II
is but little say of Abraham Lincoln because all Of
his life and character has become household
words and was, perhaps, better known than any
to know Abraham Lincoln before he was known TO
the nation. knew him, or became acquainted with
his career as lawyer and public was in
roduced to him at the hotel in Charleston in this State
In the year 1885 He dressed in plain suit Of jean
and looked like quiet, unassuming farmer. There
struck me then than anything else in the man.
expression OF goodness and kindness which cleaned
In his eyes, and which sat there all the days of his life
and 1t has seemed to hundred times since heard
Of his assassination that could have looked in
his face and assassnated him. There much that
commanded respect and too much of mercy for any
man facing him to do him harm. Others have ex
than could anS DISLIKE nRa''c. to as%nt better
should fall short Of doing him justice /; there
fore l shall not attempt it. The outlines Of his
themselves distinguishing him from all other men, that
1t would take historian of ordinary character to
portraiture of the Wherever he came he brought
sunshine. All men hailed him addition to their
circle. He was genial; he was humorous; he clear
in the expression Of his sentiments; he honest
But in all his career in all his humor there nothing
that ever came from him that planted thorn or dag
ger in any mans heart l am one Of those who
stand very great distance from the sublime cha
raoter Of Lincoln; but feel it an honor here to-day
to have been born within ten miles from where he
saw first the light of day. and TO have made my
appearance in the world about month from the day
ON which he did have known him intimately since
came to the State of Illinois knew his father and his
relatives in Kentucky. They good family They
the middle classes, but they were true No man who
has known Lincoln as friend, as / have known him,
was ever afraid to call upon him for his aid was ever
afraid to ask OF him a kindness The speaker, much
moved with emotion then referred to incident of his
acquaintance with Mr.. Lincoln, when, son Of his being
occasion to test the friendship OF the late Pre-
sident. He said On that occasion many
to wreak vengeance upon me In the death of my
wrote to Mr. Lincoln was In quarter OF tho country
name raised up friends where his arguments at law had
more power than the instructions Of the court feared,
many Of his political friends being united against my
son. that his services and his talents might be enlisted
against him. wrote to him giving him all the circum-
stances telling him OF my wifes grief and my own and
soliciting that he would and assist defend
my son; that thought he had been employed against
him. preserved his letter for long time I wish
had it now. / should rejoice in its possession I
would work hard TO obtain the means TO frame IL
in gold. The sum OF 1t THISTLE condoled with me
and my wife In our misfortune, and assured that
matter what business he might be engaged in no would
come, and he truly sorry that had supposed that
he would take part in the prosecution Of the Of
friend Of his had offered him fee, and In that letter
be also said he know OF no act Of his life that would
justify me In supposing that he would take money from
dear friend for assisting in the defence Of the
life OF child. give this as proof OF his friendship,
and that friendship has been cherished by through
all mutations of life In politics we have boon OPP
posed, but thank God to-day that he always my
friend, and that cannot refer any natured remark
or reflection upon Abraham Lincoln that
made have frequently criticised his political senti
ments, but / have taken observation-disclosures among
those who did not relish II very welto do full justice
TO his character as man, citizen, and friend
wish To cay that his friendship 70 me has continued up
TO a recent period II tho fortune OF the same son
TO move South before this rebellion broke BY some
means he enlisted In the service Of the rebel army
MY friends here know az you judges who sit upon the
bench know, that called upon them 20 unite with
IN adding your influence 70 mine to prevail upon Pres
idcnt lincoln to induce him 10 release my boy from
prison. He was captured year and a half ago Mr.
Lincoln did so without any hesitation, and he
took the painsit the day before Christmas year
ago. and IL made my homo happy-to telegraph me Of
the fact which he stated he always said things short
he sad believe things better than anybody esc) in his
usual manner He said TO 'sYour son has Just left
with my order TO the Secretary OF War TO administer
the oath Of allegiance send him home 10 you and his
mother" wish had his telegram here. The mother
Of my boy still preserves IT, and left today TO DO
framed in the most gorgeous style my means will af-
ford. . Let US, now that the great strug
gle is over-the struggle that has resulted in the
overthrow OF this rebellion and the emancipation OF
four millions OF slaves-let US forget all our old
party Issues all party pride, and bring thcm up 70
lay upon the grave Of the best that lived,
suitable offering for the occasion Let them be buried
with him, and let us, united people, press In
marched to accomplish the proudest Of his ambitions,
and we shall crafty his spirit in tho world above
Let us pursue this course for another than that DO
taken IL would be reflection on HIM Let US not fear
70 do justcehat justice tempered by the mercy
that Abraham Lincoln would have shown-and we will
add the finishing touch 10 his work. We will have done
that which his spirit will look down upon with APP
proving smile and with the words upon his kindly and
loving lips 1T finished now Lord receive me and my