Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-05-26
The First Meeting of Lincoln and
Stanton,


stanton
In the summer of 1857 Mr.. Lincoln
made his first visit to Cincinnati. He
was original counsel for the defendant
IN patent reaper suit pending in the
United States circuit court for northern
Illinois. The argument of the case was
adjourned to Cincinnati, the home OF
Judge Mclean, at the suggestion and for
the accommodation of the Judge. Mr..
Lincoln came to the city a few days be-
fore the argument took place, and re-
manned during his stay here, at the
house of friend. The case was one of
large Importance pecuniarily, and in the
law questions involved. Reverdy John
son represented the plaintiff. Mr.. Lin
coin had prepared himself with the
greatest care ; his ambition was up to
speak in the case and to measure swords
with the renowned lawyer from Balti-
more. 1t was understood between his
clients and himself, before his coming,
that Mr.. Harding of Philadelphia, was
to be associated with him in the case.
and was to make the mechanical ar.
gument." Mr.. Lincoln was little sur.
prised and annoyed after reaching here
to learn that his client had also associa.
ted with him Mr.. Edwin M. Stanton OF
Pittsburg, and lawyer of our own bar
the reason assigned being that the
Importance of the case required a man
OF the experience and power of Mr..
Stanton to meet Mr. johnson. The
Cincinnati lawyer was appointed for his
=" local influence The reasons did not
remove the slight conveyed in the en-
ployment, without consultation with
him, Of this additional counsel. He
keenly felt it, but acquiesced. The trial
OF the case came on the counsel for
defense met each morning for consulta-
ton. On one of these occasions, one OF
the counsel moved that only two ofthem
should speak in the case. This motion
was acquiesced in. 1t had alwayo been
understood that Mr.. Harding was to
speak, to explain the mechanism of the
reapers. So this motion excluded either
Mr.. Lincoln or Mr.. Stanton from speak
ing-which ? BY the custom of the bar
as between counsel of equal standing,
and in the absence Of any action of the
client, the original counsel speaks. Mr..
Stanton suggested to Mr.. Lincoln to
make the speech, Mr.. Lincoln answered,
No; do you speak" Mr.. Stanton
promptly replied, " / WILL" and taking
up his hat, said he would 60 and make
preparation. Mr.. Lincoln acquiesced in
this, but was deeply grieved and morti-
fed he took but little more interest in
the case, though remaining until the con-
clusion of the trial. He seemed to be
greatly depressed, and gave evidence of
that tendency to melancholy which so
marked his character. His parting on
leaving the city cannot be forgotten /;
cordially shaking the hand of his hos.
tess, he said You have made my stay
here most agreeable, and | am a thou
sand times obliged to you but in reply
to your request to come again, and I
must say to you, never expect to be in
Cincinnati again. / have nothing against
the city, but things have so happened
here as to make it undesirable for me
ever to return here" Thus untowardly
met for the first time Mr.. Lincoln and
Mr.. Stanton. Little did either suspect
that they were to meet again on larger
theatre, to become the chief actors in
great historical epoch-to become inti-
mately associated personally and in
mighty work, whose final success is due
more to them than to any other two
men. Letter IN Cincinnati Commercial.