The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-06-03
Lincolnania.


every tribe in evidence pro andcon. Hay
ing my mite TO offer in proof that he wa
NOT an unbeliever in Christianity, TAX
this opportunity Of doing so, though, a
will bc seen. it is only mite.
Soon aftcr the war began, while calllni
on Mrs. Speed. of Louisville ky., mothe
of Mr.. James Speed. ex-Attorney General
/ noticed cabinet sized photograph o
Mr.. Lincoln hanging in the parlor. BE
meath the photograph was written, IL
Mrs. Martha Speed. from whom receives
an Oxford Bible thirty years ago. 1t wa
signed Abraham Lincoln, President o
United States and on inquiry, Mrs. Spec,
told me il was sent to her almost immcd
lately after his Inauguration. This show
that Mr.. Lincoln not only considered tn
present one of value, but one deserving o
being suitably acknowledged mt tim,
when his mind was deeply disturbed b,
the distracted condition OF the country fol
lowing his first election, and when his re
mcmbcring gin bestowed so many year.
back was in itself n remarkable circum
stance. Writing Of this suggests many
little anecdotes concerned with the grca
and good man which heard at the tim,
of their occurance some ifnot all of which
rs far rs | can learn, have never beer
published. One of Mr.. Lincoln's Ken.
tucky friends. for whom he cherished /;
warm attachmcnt, used frequently to give
notes of introduction TO deserving person.
who wished to sec the President, whether
on business or simply to pay their respects
TO him in visit of courtesy. To notes
from this friend he always paid special at
tention. On one occasion two ladies were
thus introduced. so you know B,
said the President, after shaking hand:
with them; did he ever tell you help,
ed him to his wifep The ladies knew
nothing of it, so the matchmaker proceed
ell to give detailed account of the affair
in his liveliest manner. You see,' he
said 'B-never could get n chance tc
pop the question, because the lady's father
was always in the room; SO at last told
him I'd manage it for him, and the next
time he called went with him. / knew
the old man well and often talked politics
with him, but rs both of us were wings
the talk was never very lively. That
time, to help B, l turned democrat,
and the old man got SO excited that b
and the daughter managed to slip out OH
the back porch and do the thing up ut
once This story. relating IN occurrence
dating back some twenty odd years, the
teller seemed to enjoy rs much rs at the
time when his temporary change of poll
ties fastened, what has proved, IN exceed
ingly happy marriage.
Once during the second year OF the war
ii was said that certain foreign minister
complained to the president ofa man with
u hand-organ who disturbed him at all
hours by grinding music in front of his
residence. IN tell you what to do said
Mr.. Lincoln, speak to Stanton about it
and tell him to send Baker after that man.
Baker will steal the organ and throw its
owner into the Old Capitol and you'll
never be troubled with his noise again.
This referred iestingly TO the many COM
plants ofarbitrary arrests being made In
this city and the Baker mentioned was
the well-known chief of the corps of do
tectives.
Mr.. Lincoln gave the following account
Of q first announcement of the emanci-
patton proclamation in cabinet meeting.
lie said he read Il through and there was
a dead silence. Presently Mr.. Chase spoke.
He said he liked all but so and SO, instanc-
ing clause. and then some one else
made an objection, and then another, un-
ill all had said something. Then the
president said. Gentlemen, this reminds
me of the story ofthc man who had been
away from home, and when he was COM
ing back was met by one of his farm hands
who greeted him after this fashion: Mas
ter, the little pigs are dead. and the old
sow's dead too. but don't like to tell You
all ut once In answer to some remarks
which were made to him when Mr.. Chase
was proposed rs candidate for the prcsi-
dency in opposition to himself, he obsery-
cd jocoscly, oh it don't disturb me in
the least. Think shall run the better
for il. Incver knock horseily oifone of
my horses; l find he goes faster for tho
bite
The kindness of heart of Mr.. Lincoln is
well known and his intense abhorrance of
approyinga death has been frequently dis
cilssed. His Kentucky friend who has
been mentioned above rs "B," q man OF
undoubted loyalty throughout the war
used frequently to come To Washington to
make representations to the president in
regard to courts-martial or other decisions
where mercy for the condemned man
could be obtained only from the chief
magistrate and where he thought such
clemency deserved. He rarely failed to
obtain rcprievc, and the following gives
an outline of one of the cases where he in
terfered successfully. A very young man
living in one of the southern counties OF
Kentucky was enticed into the rebel army.
After remaining with it in Tennessee q
fow months he became disguised or weary
and managed 10 make his way back to his
home. Soon after his arrival, some oI
the military stationed in thetown heard
of his return and arrested him rs rebel
spy. and after military trial he was con.
demned TO be hung. His family were
overwhelmed by distress and horror. A
sister of the young man knew Mrs. B. and
concluded 10 90 to her with the sad story
and ask that her husband should make q
representation of the case to his powerful
friend in Washington. Mrs. B. promised
to do all she could. convinced that the aw,
full death decreed the young man was un
deserved. When her husband came hom,
from his business she told him he must e
to Washington Mt once TO attend to thi,
case. He said II was impossible, rs hi.
business required his immediate and con
slant attendance. "Yes." she answered
"but not when life is to be saved" ant
in the next train Mr.. II. started. Wher
he saw Mr.. Lincoln and explained his er
rand. the latter said, "Oh yes, i understand
some one has been crying to your goo,
wife and worked upon her feelings anC
you have come here 10 work on mine.
Mr.. b. then went more into detail and rs
sured the President of his belief in tn,
truth of the story. Afler some dclibera
ton Mr.. Lincoln evidently scarcely NOR,
than half convinced, but still preferring u
err on the side of mercy. replied. "1f ,
man had more than one life think lit
tie hanging would not hurt this one, bu
after he is once dead we cannot bring hin
L..