Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1865-12-01
DECEMBER |. 1868.
Abraham Lincoln.

between the President and Robert Dali
Osen.
Psnctual 70 the appointnen,. the houl
found Mr.. O~en st the White House. A
rcpested Summons AZ the bell brought nc
Response. and BE- At length pasbed open The
dor ani walked leisurvly up the stairs q
the recePuon-room. Neitber servant nor
secretary vas TO be seen. Presently. Mr..
Lincoln passed through the ball % Ii. otiec,
and al -as s;ili again. Looking yainlv for
servant 10 announce bis name. Mr.. O-en
finally vent TO uie offce door. and Knocked
Really said be. - Mr. President. I
owe yoa sn apology for coming in upon you
IN this unceremoniOas ~ay; bat have Tor
some time been vAhiug tie appearance o.
a servant
" Oh." vas the eood-naiured rrpiy. e. the
boys are all oa ih's morning. have been
expecting YOU; come in and sii down.-
Proceeding directly 70 The ssbject be- bad
on hand. a. the same tine unfolding a man.
uscript % large proportions. Mr.. O-en aid
" ! have paper here. Mr. President. I
have prepared With some care. -hich wish
10 read % you
Mr. Lincoln glanced At TIE formidable doc
umeni. (rcally much less volaminous than
a. appeared. being very coaisely written. ,
and then. bali uncorsciou.iy relapsins INTO
an attitude and expression Of resisuation 90
What b evidently considered an inhictiou
which could rot well be svoided, signi6ed
bis readiness 70 listen.
The article ~as a very carefully prepared
digest OF historical Precedents in relation &c
the subject of amnesty. 10 connection uitL
treason and rebellion. Il analyzed Eng
hsh and continental history. and reviewed
eaboriiely also the action Of President
Washington in reference 70 Shay's and the
suaseqacn; whisk~y' rebellion.
had read bat two or three pages. "
said Mr. Owen. " when Mr.. Lincoln a.sun.
81 an erect posture. leaning slightly for.
ward. and. hxing his eyes intenily upon uae.
seemed wholly absorbed IN the content. Of
tie manuscript. Frequently l. would break
Ia upon me With. Was that so?' Please
read tha; paragraph ssain.' &c. When az
length came 70 Washington. Proclama-
sion % those engaged in the vhisEey rebel.
hon. be interrupted m- With What. did
Warrington issue proclaDation Of Amnes-
ty2-
Here II i. sir vas the reply - vel
never knew that be rrjoined and 80 or
ibrou-h.
Upon The con~lu-ion Of the manuscript,
NJ Lincoln said. - Mr.. O-en !. that for
me-
Certainly. sir said Mr. O.. handing
ban the roll. 90 understood that YOU we're
considering the subject and thought a re-.
vicw q this kind might be interesting %
you.
% There Is a good deal % hard york ~
that docsmeni. oonun0ed Mr. Lincoln
Nay AZ bow long you -ere prepaT.
ing is-
o. Abou; three months; bai then have
more leisurc for such ~ork than you. Mr..
President
Alr Lincoln took The manuscripts. and
folded ii up carefully. arose. and lad II
away 81 ;Lc '' piEeoa-hoie'' marked 90 %. =
IN lis desk. Reforming 20 his chair. b,
sad " Mr Owen q : doe 70 you that
should say that you have conferred an e.
seutial sersice. both upon me and upon ths
country. By the preparation Of this paper
u contains thai ~bich it vas exoeedingl j.
important thar ! should kno~. bot which. i
leit io myself. ] should have never kuowr,
because have rot the time necessary fci
such an examination Of astboriiies a. a o.
siev oi that kind isvoi,e.. And want "a
say. secondly. i bad ihe tine. I could noD
have done thc woFk 90 yell a. you hav,
done fT
The frank and generous svoval--so IN
lie vhst might have been expected. uude
siuilar circamsfanres. from most pabiu
m-n-~as exceedingly charac;eriric o
NJ Lincoln