The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-03-01
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

"A correspondent recently had . converse.
tion with Mr.. Horndou, the law partner OF
Mr.. Lincoln, in reference TO our beloved
President, q part Of which conversation We
give: ..s... r.r,. .r......
The most remarkable episode Of Hsrndon's
conversation relates to Mr.. Lincoln's Pres
idential aspirations. In common with most
people, had concluded that this great hon.
or came to Mr.. Lincoln without paying, a.
unexpected as 10 was unsolicited, and to him
staggering piece Of luck, like lottery
prizo This estimate is q charming one, hut
II is not true one. When the Douglas and
Lincoln contest was ended, the defeated man
said 10 his partner. - ~- s.r
"Billy | knew I should miss tho place
when I competed for 1t. This defeat will
make me President"
IIereIused, in the interim, any proposition
looking To his scoptnnco Of q lesser Office.
and this with the concurrence Of his friends
and family. At the same time he took no
immediate means to prccipitate his opportu
nifty, rather, like o man destined, sat moro
closely to study and vigilance, road oil the
issues as they developed, and waited for bic
call, ......... 100.
Ii camo at last, in a special invitation TO
visit New York and speak 10 the Cooper In
sti,uts. lie ielt intuitively that this was
the Rubicon, and. with human thrill,
paused and hesitated. .........
Il Is possible that, at this moment, had
any Gloss friend whispered "stay," the Re'
public might DO dead and Abraham Lincoln
living, - 80 ..f,,.. ..,..,t :.
"Go, Mr.. Lincoln" said IIcrndon, 'mate
your best effort. Speak with your usual
lucidity and thorooghness. 'uHi -
Home said "G0'' also.prr ,Hnl ttr ..r
/ lie appeared in New York, rs all Of you
remember, and his success there drew the
attention Of the country to his name. The
West can originate men: the Fast must
pass them, and the firm Of Lincoln aud
| Herndon died, in reality, when the Conyen'
ton met at Chicago. lie had by this time
reached the highest usefulness In his Strte
Of which lbs nature was capable.
4 The best lawyer in Il, the hero OF de-
haic equivalent to a Scnatoship, with q
mind too broad and grave for mere gubcr
material place, and already by four ycars
destiny and preparation President OF The
United Staics he went mp 10 tho post with
n dignity and ease that male men stare, bc-
cause they had not seen the steps he took
l,ipon the road.
AZ last no came to his Office for tho lss'
time. 49,, ! a luH ~, f' 80
"Bilg," he said, 1--WE must say good
bye" .......--...,....., ..
both Of them cried. spccchlessly.
"You shalt keep ip the firm name, BILLY
10 II will Ne Of uss 10 yoa."
1 They shook hands upon il, with tears In
their eyes. .,,,....., .,,.,... -.,..,,rr... Odd.
"a love the people here, Billy, and owe
them all thar am. II God spares my lie
to the end, I shalt como hack among you
and spend the remnant Of my days.
He never returned to Springfield ill glo'
" brought him homo under her plumes
a corhplctcd life. and the prairie, like
lpeiRhlSor, opened its door 70 Jake him IN. N
When Mr.. hendoa saw him again O,
| Washington city he was fhuowed and iryt
ted with state cares. They talked awhile
OF the old office, the clients, and the town
and then the war rolled between them osset
u more. f,ll I.ri'nf 1I ,ni "slr' % al"H
i One sentence Mr.. Hcrndon recollects oi
the President before his departure for Wash
ington that 10 memorable, q showing hii
psrpose, 1irr'l7l17 y'rut r- s1IH sTI'f'7 1t.
i chilly >. 10 said "a hope there win b nc
trouble; but will make The South q grave.
ysri rather than see a slavery gospel ri
umph, or ssiecessfuI secession lose this gov
cnsmout % Inc causs OF tho people and
Representative institutions" 10 iiI. ,yslu d