The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-07-16
MIR. LINCOLN.
A ReminIOcence Of Hin,

| assert that MIR. Lincoln was lair rep
resentatiVe Of his section, as much 30 as
Mr.. Douglas or Mr.. Benton. We never
hear Mr.. DouglRs-Rnother unsuccessful
presidential candidate-depreCisted. And
vet, II the intellectual contest between
Douglas and Lincoln did not prove the
superiority of the latter, the Republican
party at the west was strangely infatuated
and Is 80 TO this day. There were lew
men in the Senate who cared TO break a
lance with the "little giant" On the
stump he was in his element An obscure
country lawyer attacks the champion Of
Democracy and literally shreds squatter
sovereignty into pulp. This was the Is
sue before the country: With all his per
sonal populArity--Rnd you have only 70
recall Mr.. Webster's hold on the people
Of Massachusetts 10 find Q parallel
Douglas was near losing his election.
Mi. Lincoln's fame in this contest
accommodating as 1t rolled on, at last
reached Us on the banks Of the Missouri.
Much to oH surprise he accepted an IN
yitation 10 make some speeches IN Kan
sOs. On the day he was to arrive .
gentleman sent in quest Of him iouno
him TRANQUILITY seated on the bank Of inc
Big Muddy, q Carpet.bsg In his ha1or
and his own genial smile on his angular
Countenance. Mr.. Lincoln wore no
gloves, and have forgotten the color Of
lis coat, but he stretched out q Dig
brawny hand, and appeared, as he said,
right glad to see us. There was no
fnPmality. Some Of our party had en-
dnred Imprisonment and privation In the
cause Of Free Kansas, and Mr.. Lincoln
erected them with especial friendlineas.
L was arranged that he should speak at
the principal hall in L. the next after
noon.
We had still among us the old leaven
Of the Border. Ruff1an Democracy. This
element was in an Insignificant minority
In the State, but In q majority In L. by
amaIgamatl0n with its old enemies, the
Douglas men. They were Kentuckisns
and Missourians, with fair sprinkling Of
the hottest blood in the Union. These
said Mr.. Lincoln should not speak, and
that they would prevent 1t. / will do
them the justice to say that they were
vicious enough 10 attempt to perform any.
thing they threatened.
As the time for the meeting approach.
ed our friends began to be ieverish, though
not dIsmsyed. We had already passed
through many similar experiences, but al.
ways with misgivings as 70 the final re.
suit. l am not sure that Mr.. Lincoln was
informed of the storm gathering around
him; but l think at late hour he was
offered the alternative of Withdrawing
from his engagement, and declined to do 80.
The hall was crowded, both parties ap.
pearing In force. Every man was armed,
and there were many pale, resolute faces.
In the whole assembly Mr.. Lincoln ap.
peared to be the only person unconscious
otany unusual agitation. The pro.slGvery
gang posted themselves at the head Of the
stairs in body, thus taking possession Of
the entrance. This they were allowed Ia
do without opposition, but some Of our
"Old Guard" watched their every move
ment. .'.--.r.
The Chairman, in a few remarks, intro.
duced the distinguished guest, and then
Mr.: Lincoln arose. Old Abe was not
graceful, and it was some moments before
10 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
10 begin m ARRAY. Lincoln began to
speak with a power I have never heard
Gqusled except by BIr. Webster, though I
have listened TO many q more eloquent
speaker. He did not declaim, not gesticu.
late much, but he made every point tell,
and clinChed every proposition. He was
very quiet, his voice raised but little above
the tone OF ordinary conversation, but
there was such an afr oil sincerity, Of kind
ness, and such a downright charm in
what he said, that Tor my own part, I de-
clare to you, Mr.. Editor, I forgot all about
the expected outbreak, and thought Mr..
Lincoln q handsome man-Which you
know he was not.
/ What were the adverse factions about ?
At first they figited little and exchanged
glRnces. Row and then one would in.
terject an insolent remark or denial oil
some statement made by the speaker.
But Lincoln met these attempts 10 carry
out their programme with such perfect
bOrlltOmmI6 and selE.possession, that they
gave up the game and allowed him TO pro-
coed without further interruption. Mr..
Lincoln was the first man before whom
these ruflans had quailed. They had
laughed at Greeley, sneered at Seward, and
as for Burlingame, why, with one Of his
Cartriuge.box speeches, he had get the
whole swarm buzzing about our ears, and
had seen knives drawn, aye, and used,
too, at no great distance from his own
apartments. s-..
From beginning to end l do not think l
ever saw q more quiet political meeting.
The mob element became attentive, and
were respectful, and at length withdrew
in an orderly manner. l say nothing Of
Mr.. Lincoln's magnetism over his friends,
for that was quickly established; but to
have successfully exerted 1t upon his enc.
mics was equally source Of establishment
to them as TO US. Let not the reader sup.
pose there was any fear on their part; they
were, rs I have said, in the majority, and
a desDerBte. lAWlea9 gang.