The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-05-10
ANECDOTES OF LINCOLN.
A Collection of Stories About the
Martyrcd President.

Mr.. L j. Cist has collected for Gin
cinnati paper some interesting anecdotes
OF the martyred President. In 1882,
when % years old, Lincoln was induced
by his friends TO run as Wing candi-
date for the Legislature, and made his
maiden speech, as follows: Gentlemen,
fellow-citizens:: ! presume you all know
who / am. ] am humble Abraham Lin
coin. have been solicited by many
friends to become a candidate for the
Legislature My politics are short and
sweet, like an old woman's dance.
am in favor of q National bank. !. am
in favor of Che internal improvement
system and protective tariff. These
are my sentiments and political princi-
pies. II eiaesed / will be thankful. II
not, it's all the same" He was not
elected at that time.
There resided in Springfield, in 1860,
an Irish laborer, John McCarty by
name, red-hot Democrat. Shortly af-
ter the Presidential election Mr.. Lincoln
was walking past the public square,
where John was at work cleaning out
the gutter. AS the President elect drew
near, McCarty, pausing in his work and
holding out his hand, said bluntly: San
80 yer elected President, are ye2 Faith
an it wasn't by my vote We wur."-
"Well, yes, John," replied Mr.. Lincoln
shaking hands very cordially, 'the pa
pers say I'm elected, but it seems odd
should be when you went against me-
"Well, Misther Lincoln" said John
dropping his voice; lest some brother
Democrat should hear him, "I'm glaG
you got it afther all. It's mighty littl,
pace I've had wild Biddy for votin' for
ninst ye, an if ye'd been bate she'd he,
druv me from the shanty as shure's tn,
wurruld." "Give my compliments tt
Biddy, John, and tell her Pll think Sc
riously of woman's suffrage" said Mr.
Lincoln with smile as he passed on t
his office.
President Lincoln once said that tn,
best story he ever read in the papers
about himself was. this: Two Quaker
esses were travelling on the railroad, snt
were heard discussing the probable re
suit Of the war; Il think" said one
"that Jefferson will succeed" '.Wh,
does thee think so ?" asked the other.-
Because Jefferson is praying man.
"And 80 is Abraham praying man.
"Yes, but the Lord will think Abrahan
is only joking" doubtfully replied th
first.
After State election in New York il
which the Republican party was defeat
ed, Mr.. Lincoln was asked how lie fel
after having heard the news. He re
piled: ..Som ewhat like the boy in Ken
lucky who stubbed his toe while runnin,
to see his sweetheart. He said he wa
too big to cry and too badly hurt t.
laugh" s s..sssr
During the spring OF 1854 friend
in conversation with Mr.. Lincoln abou
the approaching Presidential election
said that nothing could defeat him bu
Grants capture of Richmond, followed
by his nomination and acceptance
"Well," said the President, 81 feel very
much like the man who said he didn'
want to die particularly, but if he hat
got to die that was precisely the diseas,
he would like 10 die Of"
In the summer OF 1862 General Nc
Clellan wrote from the Peninsula lons
letter to the President, giving him ad
vice as to the general politics of th'
country and how to carry on the affairs
of the nation. "What did you reply T
asked some one Of Mr.. Lincoln. "Noth
ing, but it made me think of the Irish
man whose horse kicked up and caugh
his foot in the stirrup. 'Arrah, said he
If you are going to get on / will ge
off,"