Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-01-22
A REMINISCENCE OF MIR, LINCOLN
His Nomination for the Presidency
His Temperance.

n I
Chicago, which nominated Mr.. Linco
10 for the Presidency in 1850, respectful
ed gentleman of my acquaintance in Mass
@. chusetts-nOt of Mr. Lincoln's party-w
m induced to take the opportunity in con
pany with several delegates and others il
p terested in the objects of the convention
sr to go out to Chicago and spend few day
d in visiting that section of out country. i
n a very few minutes after thd final ballot
ing was had and Mr.. Lincoln was nomi
. mated, it happened that train of car
: started upon the Central Railroad, passin
g through Springfield, the place of Mr.. Lin
!. coins residence, and Mr.. r the gentle
man alluded to, took passage in the same
Arriving at Springfield he put up at {
public house, and lettering upon the from
door steps, had the curiosity to inquire o.
/ the landlord where Mr.. Lincoln lived
{ Whilst giving the necessary directions, the
landlord suddenly remarked, There is Mr.,
Lincoln now, coming down the sidewalk
that tall, crooked man, loosely walking
this way; if you wish to see him you will
in his track"
In a few moments the object of his
curiosity reached the point our friend oc-
cupled, who, advancing, ventured to ac-
cost him thus: is this Mr.. Lincoln p
That sir is my name MY name is R.,
from Plymouth county, Massachusetts,
and learning tnat you have to-day been
made the public property of the United
States, | have ventured to introduce nv
self with view to a brief acquaintance,
hoping you will pardon such q patriotic
curiosity in stranger Mr.. Lincoln re-
celVed his sslutations with cOrdiality, told
MN no apology was necessary for this in
production, and asked him to accompany
MIN to his residence. He had Just come
from the telegraph office where he had
learned the fact of his Nomination, and
was on his return home when our. friend
met and accompanied him thither.
Arriving at Mr.. Lincoln's residence he |
was introduced to Mrs. Lincoln and the |
two boys, and entered into conversation in |
relation to the Lincoln family of the old |
colony-the bingham General Lincoln of |
the Revolutionary army and the two
Worcester Lincolns, brothers, who were
Governors of Massachusetts and Maine at
one and the same time. In reply to Mr.
RS inquiry, whether Mr.. Lincoln could
trace his ancestry to either of those early
families of his own name, Mr.. Lincoln.
with characteristic facetiousness, replied
that he could not say that he ever had an
ancestor older than his father, and there
lore had 1t not in his power to trace his
genealogy to so patriotic a source as old
General Lincoln ofthe Revolution-though
ne wished he could. After some further
pleasant conversation, relating chiefly to
the early history of the Pilgrim Fathers.
with which he seemed familiar, Mr.. R.
desired the privilege of writing a letter to
be despatched by the next mail. Mr.. Lin
'oln very promptly and kindly provided
him with the necessary means. As he be-
gan to write, Mr.. Lincoln approached. and I
apping him on the shoulder, expressed
he hope that he was not a spy who had
'ome thus early to report his faults to the =
ouoilcl BY no means, sir protested Mr..
&, 4 am writing home to nv wife who
are say, will hardly credit the fact that I
iarIIga n he9E IF Your VIE Std doubts
our word, I will cheerfully endorse it, if n
ou will give me permission; : and taking q
be pen from Mr.. r., he wrote the follow
lg words in clear hand upon the. blank i
age of the letter =
al am happy to say that your husband
at the present time a guest in nv house, h
nd in due time trust you will greet his ri
ife return to the bosom of his family. Of
"tA L1NcoIN.' al
"This gave our friend an excellent h
of Mr. Lincoln, besides bearing D
fitness to his hospitable and cheerful
brit. +
"Whilst thus engaged in pleasant con- G
ersatlon the cars arrived that brought al
ON Chicago the committee of the con-
ention appointed to notify Mr.. Lincoln {
his nomination. He received them at A
le door, and conducted them to seats in D
is parlor. Our friend, who related the v
lterview to US, says that on the reception A
this committee Mr.. Lincoln appeared ds
embarrassed, but soon resumed q
is wonted tranquility and cheerfulness. ii
t the proper time Governor Morton, of Of
ew York, chairman of the committee co
'ose, and, with becoming dignity, in &C
rmed Mr.. Lincoln that he and his fell
ws appeared in behalf of the convention g
DIV in session at Chicago, to inform him y
at he had that day been unanimously du
to the Office of President of
le United States, and asked his
ermission to report to that body his al
,ceptance of the nomination. Mr.. Lin
In, with becoming modesty, but very
lndsomely, replied that he felt his insufi-
ency for the vast responsibilities which 'A
ust devolve upon that office under the
lpending circumstances of the times, but
God and his country called for his SER Ei
ces in that direction, he should shrink fe,
Om no duty that might be imposed upon Ell,
m, and therefore he should not decline es
e nomination.
"After this ceremony had passed, Mr.. nj
ncoln remarked to the company that as
appropriate conclusion to an interview
important and interesting as that which to
d just transpired, he supposed that good al,
anners would require that he should mt
Eat the committee with something to st
ink; and opening door that led into a Oh
ON in the rear, he called out Maryl
aryP A girl responded to the call
nom Mr.. Lincoln spoke few words to Co
an undertone; and, closing the door, FL
turned again to converse with his guests. se'
a few minutes the maiden entered, wi
airing a waiter containing several glass ei'
mblers and large pitcher in the naidst,
d placed it upon the center table, Mr. ~
ncoln arose, and gravely addressing the OF OF
mpany, said :-'Gentlemen, we must pt' l,l'
sdge our mutual healths in the most oD cn'
althy beverage which our God has given -,
man; it is the only beverage 1 have ~
er used or allowed in my family, and 1
mot conscientiously depart from it on
9 present occasion it is pure Adams =
, from the spring, and taking tumbler, for
touched it to his lips and pledged them Pu
] highest respects in cup of cold water.
course, all his guests were constrained ~
admire mis- consistency, and to join in Co
example. ~,
Mr.. R., when he went to Chicago, had Tb
t little political sympathy with the Re- Co,
blican Convention which nominated Mr.. Oft
neoln; but when he saw, as he did see sA,
himself, his sturdy adherence to a high srx
'ral principle, he returned an adnirer sss
the man, and a jealous advocate of his yea
ction." 4
juE
solutions of the Chamber of Com. me-
neres Of the State of New York Rel. G
tive to the Universal Exposition at for
'arts. is 1
The subjoined resolutions of the Cham eve
of Commerce of New York were, on PlS
18th inst, brought to the consideration rR,
Congress and referred to the House cor
mmittee on Foreign Affairs: Pol