The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1878-12-19
Meeting BetweeA aec.s Men.

History records many iiistances Of memorable
meetings betwecnagrrat nisn. 1t has preserve ed
the meeting between Richard CGnr de Lion and
salsdin on tho plains of Palestine; Napoleon
Bonaparte and the Emperor Alexander of Rus
sia on raft in the river Niemen, a: Tiisit; and
Generals Grant and Lee under the apple-tree at
Apponatfox Court House; bot perhaps none Of
them are moro Of them are more worthy to be
preserved than the memorable interview be-
tween W. w. Guthrie, Attorney General Of Kan
sas, and Abraham Lincoln, President Of the
United States, which we herewith proceed to
embalm.
Among the early appointments made by Presi
dent Lincoln, was that of Mark W. Delahay as
United States District Judge for Kansas. Lin
coin and Delahay were old friends in Illinois, in
the humble days Of the former. Bat Delahay
had an unfortunate habit, which made him unac-
ceptable to the people of Kansas. Many pro-
tests were sent to the President, against the ap-
pointmsnt; and it will be remembered that. for
some reason, tho nomination was kept in sus-
pense for a long time, before being confirmed by
the Senate. 1t was in this condition when
Guthrie, for some inscrntable reason, never yet
explained, was permitted to become Attorney
General of Kansas. Among the multitude of
things in Kansas that had got started all wrong,
and which Guthrie felt it incumbent upon him
self to set right, was this appointment of District
Judge. He conceived it to be one of his special
missions to visit President Lincoln, and induce
him to withdraw the nomination of Delahay
Therefore, in the early days of his reign, Guth-
rie hied him to Washington. He proceeded to
the White House, gained admittance to the
presence of Lincoln, and introduced himself
We here let them do their own talking.
"Mr. Lincoln" said the great self made, 81 am
General Guthrie, of Kansas. 1 have felt it my
duty to call npon you
"Ah, General" broke in the President, 81 am
glad to meet yon. The brave defenders of the
Union are always welcome, and need offer no
apologies for calling. l presume you are re-
turning to your command in the field, General 2"
mo, you misapprehend. am Attorney Gen
eral of Kansas l was chosen to that Office, at
| the recent election, by AIT majority. My resi-
dence is in Brown County, where / have two
farms. My post-office address is Hamlin-named,
by the way, in honor of the Vice President of
the United States. have worked my way up
from poor boy, by my own exertions. now
own two farms on Walnut Greek, and the past
season raised about two thousand bushels of
corn, fifty fat hogs, and have about sixty head
Of cattle, some of which are now ready for the
market. aud the balance soon will be. Between
| times, 1 have studied aud practicrd law and at
the last election, was chosen Attorney General
of the State, by III majority. As the legal ad-
wiser of the State Government, l have felt it to
be my duty to come here in person, to protest,
in the name of the people of Kansas, against
the appointment of Mark W. Delahay as United
States District Judge for that State. He lacks
the necessary qualifications; and, besides, his
| personal habits such as to unfit him for the
| Office. His appointment is an insult to the ell
tire people of that State, aud as their legal rep
| resentative, ask you to withdraw it."
"You say your name is Guthrie r.
"Yes sir; Warren W. Guthrie. a native of
Connecticut, where my fathers family now re.
side, and which State furnished your Secretary
of the Navy. The second W. in my name stands
for
| 81 believe You said you were farmer, Mr..
| Guthriei
''Yes, sir. own two farms in Brown County,
on Walnut Creek, about five miles west of Hia-
watha. l raised, the past season, two thou
sand"-
sand the people of Kansas have elected you
Attorney General ."
"Yes, sir; by ALT majority
"Well, Mr.. Guthrie" said Lincoln, crossing
one long leg over the other, aud giving COM
ical wink with his off eye. 'if the people of Kan
sas can stand you for Attorney General, don't
you think they onght to sland Delahay for Dis
trct Judger
Guthrie took his departure; Delahay's nomi-
nation was confirmed, and for more than ten
years he occupied the Office. When he left it,
Guthrie again tried to interfere in the appoint
ment of his successor, with about the same effect
hpfore