The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-03-12
ABR aESANI LINCOLN.
\ ETdicrOus "Reminiscences OF thc
LATE Eanrented''
BY HENRY WARD BEECHER.

In recent trip to Washington, as /
walked past the White House, | looked
up at the window over the entrance door
with profound interest. 1t was there
saw Mr.. Lincoln for the last time Ii
was between 8 and 10 o'clock i'm the
evening | stood by him in the upper
hall and heard him make Il speech a
few sentences long to q crowd of men
who came to represent something or 9th
er--I forget what. | was the only one
with him, and he closed his few remarks
by announcing suddenly that ] would
make Il speech, of which ! had not the
remotest intention But he seemed to en-
JOY getting me into a scrape from which
there was no eXtrication except by ma
king a few remarks" 1t was near the
close Of the.war, but before the very last
campaign, if / remember rightly Blair,
Sr., had been south, with the Prcsi-
dents leave, as volunteer mediator,
hoping that, in their desperate fortunes,
the Southern managers might be induced
to bring matters 10 an end. Mr.. Alex
ander Stephens will well remember the
abortive, attempts at negotiation which
followed. Bot the movement gave no
inconsiderable uneesincss i'm the North
1t was feared that the auoui-hed longing
for peace might lead he President
to consent 10 terms which would make
the cost and suffering Of the war Jess
fruitful OF liberty and future security
than should be | was stirred up to seek
au interview with the President bv Mr.
Stanton.
Accordingly, on appointment 7 went
about > o'clock to the White House, and
was shown into the reception room at
once. The whole house was o. Still as it,
deserted One servant at the entrance
and one at or near the President room,
and both half asleep, were the only per
sons | saw. a wood fire bad burned
itself out Oh the hearth; only the brands
fallen over on either side yet gave any
signs Of activity.
Soon Mr.. Lincoln entered in dress
ing-gown of faded stuff. with his feet In
slippers, and his head flying wild with
hair, each particular hair asserting its
own individuality. His face was worn,
his air that of fatigue, and his greeting
that of one who hardly thought Of what
he was doing.
| apologized for adding another visitor,
explained the reason Of coming, and cN-
pressed the great uneasiness Of his friends
a. TO the meaning and possible results OF
the negotiations supposed TO be going ON.
Mr.. Lincoln was sitting with his feet t0
tie hearth, his hands clasped upon his
head, the very picture of man en- desha-
bile; and | was in doubt for a minute
whether he had heard me, or was not fall
iug asleep. But after a moments silence
hr dropped his hands from his head, and
turned a little toward me, yet looking in
to the ashes, as il hesitating to carry out
purpose. In moment he said:
well, I've half mind to show you
all the papers"
of you think it best, Mr.. President,
should be glad to see them"
He rose and shuffied to his desk, near
the door through which he first entered,
and took from pigeon-hole a small pack
age Of papers, and sitting down by me he
opened the mess, for they seemed to be
in confusion-a letter or two, a halfwrit-
ten sheet Of torn paper. and one or two
other things that looked like bills.
"I'm aanting for Blair's commission,
he said, which just then b. espied. Il
was the smallest -iZe of visiting card, say
three inches lOn- aud little over an inch
wide On il was written, as near as ]
remember:
Pass the bearer through our lines.
"a. LRcoLN.'
This ridiculous little strap, he assured
me, was all the commission which Mr.
Blair had received He said that Blair
thought that something might be done,
and so the President had no objection 10
letting him try IfanythiDg should come
Of it, why the Government could then
Judge what it would to do. A considera-
BILE conversation followed, in which he
pointed out the situation of affairs just
then, and it was while in the midst Of the
talk that a hand was heard approaching
and the tramp of feet.
He rose and said: 81 believe there's 10
be deputation or something coming, and
they expect me to say something. Come
along" He laid his hand in kindly
way on my shoulder, as if TO keep me
from ehirking, and went to the front win
dow, and addressed few kind and home
ly words to the crowd. babe him good
night, as 1t turned out, forever; never
again saw him.-New York Ledger.
Thought, not time, is the measure OF