The Portland daily press., 1881-11-29
Recollections of Lincoln.
The Rev. DR.. Miner Sepaks OF His Old
Friend and Neighbor.
New York Times.l


The most interesting session which the
Baptist conference has held for M ny weeks
was that of yesterday which was principally
devoted to the reading of a lecture by the Rev.
Dr. N. W. Miner of Trenton, N. J., entitled
personal "Reminiscences of Abraham Lin
coin" DR.. Miner was near neighbor OF the
martyred President for a number of years
and was an intimate and personal friend from
1855 until the death OF the President. He an
nounced in the beginniDgof his lecture that
the "reminiscences were all at first hand and
had never been published In April, 1855, the
speaker rented house in Springfield near
Mr.. Lincoln. The two soon became intimate.
Mr.. Lipcola had great love for the common
people from whom be sprung. II have been
riding with him in his carriage at times during
the war" said DR.. Miner, 'when this trait OF
character was prominently brought out. We
have passed generals of the army aud other
functionaries when he would simply wave his
hand slightly, and say to inc That is General
so-and-so, or Congressman so-and-so," but
when we passed soldier he would take on his
hat, rise slightly from his seat, and make a low
bow to the common private. poor widow
once came to me in my study with the request
that should write to Mr.. Lincoln and ask him
for the discharge Of her sou George from the
army, her other son, Phiiip, being Rich
mond had fallen. and the President was in that
city. told her thought my writing would
do no good then, as he could not stop in the
midst Of his duties to attend 20 the discharge OF
a poor boy. But she insisted that l should
make the effort. and finally wrots to the
President Two days after the assassination
received letter containing the discharge OF
George. II was probably almost the last thing
the martyred President did. He WAS thorough
aud consistent temperance man throughout,
eontinued Mr.. Miner. He would neither
.onch liquor himself nor furnish it to others
After his nomination for the Presidency, he
vas Informed that committee, app lntod
by the national convention, was coming 10
springfield TO notify him formally OF his NOM
ination. The Illinois state committee went 70
him and requested that for once he shoulo
waive his tempera ce views and furnish liquor
on the occasion. They represented that iall-
ure to do this might make him unpopular hls
answer was: "Gentlemen. you are old ana VAN
I'd friends and neighbors and would 40 any
thing that was right to serve you, but cannot
furnish liquor to anybody in my honse, even II
/ lose the election by refusing TO do 3d.
AS lawyer, the speaker sait Mr.. Lincoln
showed that it was possible for one OF the pro-
ioctor that he had never undertaken case
unless he believed there was merit In 1t, and
40 always discouraged parties from golng To
law, advising them to make up their dlner-
ences or submit them to arbitration. "A
Democrat" continued DR.. Miner, "once said
20 me, an tell you Why voted for Lincoln.
[ had some trouble with neighbor, and de-
termined to go TO law with him. When got
TO Lincoln's office found my opponent was al
ready there aud had saved bis case. told
4t.~ nd T.inn al
You have a good case to go to court, but II
you do you will both lose all your money and
make yourselves lifelong enemies. why
don't you settle the matter right heref'' We
argued for some time without coming to an
agreement, aud finally Lincoln said, well,
I'm going TO dinner. Try and settle 1t before
get back, and in order thai you may not be
disturbed, I'll lock the door" He locked us
III and left US there all the afternoon, but when
ne returned. re had compromised our trouble
That's why voted for Lincoln, although | am
Democrat"
The cordial relations after the BEGINNING OF
the war between Lincoln aud Douglas, whom
ne had defeated for the presidency, were re-
she circumstances. The facts. he SAID, were
related TO him by Lincoln himself 1t is we'll
xnown that the President entered Washington
ia the disguise of a Highland Sco'chman, on
account OF the threats which had been freely
made to assasstnate him. He reached the city
inst at the break of day. "The first man
net" said Lincoln to the speaker, was Judge
Douglas, who had been apprsed OF my COM
ing He greeted ms warmlv graspng my
hand and saying i.od morning ,i Mr. = rrs5i TSs
eountry's. / have come 90 otfer my services 10
you. I know the rebel element and the meu
Won will have TO deal with here better than
vou do. and whatever ability or influence L
nave is at your DISPOSAL" He went With Lin
coin to tie White House, and from that day to
mis- death he was the intimate adviser OF the
President When the first call for 10000
troops wes issued, the proclamation was shown
10 Douglas before it was mnde public. he
said to the President, yes 5000 men will do
o tegin with, but it will take million to nut
slown this rebellion I" Dr.. Miner referred az
some length to the beief in certain quarters
that Llncoln was an intsiel. When elected TO
hs presidency, the speaker said, he was not
What is termed an experimental Christian, but
during his long acquaintance with him DR.
Miner never heard word which could give
color to the theory that he was an inhdel,
while he saw and heard much that gave evil
deace of Lincon's belief in au overruiing
Providsnce and IN the Divine Inspiration Of
the Bible. In 1852 just after the battle OF Sui
ton, DE- Miner had long conversation with
the President. He was sad and detected be
said that the frat day of the battle, April .,
1862, he had walked the room back and forth
ali night. DR.. Miner said to him, "You have
his consolation, Chris iaus are praying for you
IS man was never prayed for before Yes,
he answered, that is consolation. LII u we're
not for the prayers OF Gods people could
,sever stand this terrible pressure" On March
A. aH61--aud this inciGent was related TO me
oy Mrs. Lincoln" said DR.. Miner, Mr.. Lin-
coin resd his inaugural to his family IN the
morning, and then asked to be left alone for
iittle tune. His frisEds withdrew, but al
though they could not see bim, they could
hear thro. Ugh the half-closed door the petition
which n. W " sending up to heaven, commend
inc his conn, ", his family and himself TO the
projection of q. I'd. TINS does not look like the
,otion IN on i, 'fdel." DIR. Miner closed by