The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1873-08-07

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: dy, carpet-bag in his hand, and hi
own genial smile on his angula
countenancc. Mr.. Lincoln wore n
gloves, and | have forgotten til
color of his coat, but he stretche,
out a big bawny hand, and appeared
as he SAID, right glad to see us.-
There was no formality. Some o
our party had endured imprison
ment and privatlon in the cause O
Free Kansas, and Mr.. Lincoln greet
ed them with especial triendlincss.
Il was arranged that he should spcal
at the principal hall In L. the next af
lternoon.
M ss,,s fzsss<s - ~ /, 81 x....
We. had still among us the oId
leaven of the Border Raffian De
mocracy. This element was in an
insignificant minority in the State
but in . majority in l.. by amalga.
nation with its old enemies, the
Douglass men. They were Ken.
tuckians and Missourians, with fair
sprlnkling of hottest blood in the
Union. These men SAID Mr.. Lincoln
should not speak, and that they
would prevent it. l will do them
the justice to say that they were
vicious enough to attempt to per-
form anything they threatened.
As the time of tho meeting ap.
preached our friends began to be
teverish, though not dlsmayed. We
had already passed through many
similar experiences, but always with
mlsgiyings as to the final result. /
am not sure that Mr.. Lincoln was in.
formed of the storm gathering
around him; but l think at a late
hour he was offered the alternative
OF withdrawing from his engagement
and declined to do so.
The hall was crowded, both par
ties appearing in force Every man
was armed, and there wero many
pale, resolute faces. In the whole
assembly Mr. Lincoln appeared to
bo the only person unconscious of
any unusual agitation. The pro-
slavery gang posted themselves at
the head OF the stairs in body, thus
taking. nosessinn- of tho antranee.-
This they were allowed to do with.
out opposition, but some of our
"Old Guardn watched their every
movement.
The chairman, in fow remarks,
introduced the distinguished guest
and then Mr.. Lincoln arose. Old
Abe was not graceful, and it was
some moments before he had planted
his tall figure solidly on his feet.
To me the hush was painful, but we
could only wait; it was never our
cue to begin an affray. Lincoln be-
gan to speak with a power I have
never heard cqualed except by Mr..
Webster, though have listened to
many . more eloquent speaker. He
did not declaim, nor gesticulate
much, but he made every point tell
clinched every proposition. lie was
very quiet, his voice raised but little
above the tone Of ordinary conycrsa-
ton, but there was such an air OF
sincerity, OF kindness, and such
downright charm in what he sad,
that for my own part, I declare to
you Mr.. Editor, | forget all about
The expected outbreak, and thought
Mr.. Lincoln handsome man-which
you know he was not.
What were the adverse factions
about? At'first they fidgeted little
and exchanged glanccs. Now and
then ono would interest an insolcnt
remark or denial of some statement
made by tho speaker. But Lincoln
met these attempted to carry out
their programme with such perfect
bonhomn,e and self possession, that
they give UP the game and allowed
him TO proceed without further in
corruption. Mr.. Lincoln was the first
man before whom these ruflians had
quailed. They had laughed at Gree
ley. snecrcd at Seward, and as for
Burlingame, why with one Of his car.
tridge.box speeches, he had set the
whole swarm buzzing about our ears,
and had seen knives drawn, aye, and
used, too, at no great distance from
his own apartments.
From beginning to end I do not
Lhink knew moro quiet political
meeting. The mob element became |
and were respectful, and
It length withdrew in an orderly |
manner. ! say nothing OF Mr.. Lin
soln's magnetism over his friends, for
hat was quickly established; but to
nave successfully exerted it upon his
snemies was equally source Of as
to them and to ". let