Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-24
Abraham Lincoln in Congress.
HIS SPEECH rroN MILITARY CoAr-rAits. -
AN AMUSING "REMINISCENCES.

In December, ls47, Abraham Lincoln took
his seat in Congress as a Representative
from the State of Illinois. Ii was not long
before he became a great favoritc with the
members and officers of the House, for by his
genial manners, pleasant voice, and ready
wit gave him magnetic influence on all
who came within his social sphere. He pos
sessed but few personal attractions, his fig
ure being tall and ungainly: but these de-
ticiepcies were amply compensated for his
many shining qualities of mind and heart.
He was n fluent and ready speaker. and his
speeches were remarkable for their dircctness
and precision, although lacking in rhetorical
grace and finish. lie. possessed rich and
inexhaustible fund of wit and humor, tn
which he gave expression in anecdotes and
quaint observations, which IL was pleasant
to listen To. Whenever he obtained the floor
to speak, the House gave him its undivid
attention, and never failed to greet his sal
lies of wit and quick repartees with laughter
and applause. One of the most re-
markable of his speeches during his
first and only term in Congress
delivered In July, lSis, in reply to one made
few DAYS before by Mr.. Iverson, of Georgia,
The subject of Mr.. Lincoln's speech was
Military Coat-tails.' In the speech of Mr..
Iverson, that gentleman accused the Whig
party of having deserted all their principles
| and taken shelter under the military coat
tail of Gen. Iachariah Taylor. the candidate
of the party for the Presidency. In the
course of his remarks Mr. Lincoln proceed, Il
To show that the democratic party were amen
able to similar charge having for % years
relied upon Il military reputation of Gen,
Jackson for success, he having been made
President out of it for eight years, while
enough of il remained to make Presidents Of
| several comparatively small men who succeed
ed him. and-still relying upon it for the
cess of Gen. Cass. the nominee of the party
at that time, their campaign papers ever,
where declaring that Cass and Butler were
the ''true hickory stripe" Toward the close
of his speech. Mr. Lincoln poured torrent
of ridicule upon the military reputation OF
Gen Casss and then alluded To his own ex-
ploits as soldier in the Black Hawk war.
"wi ere" he continued. ''I tonight. bled, and
came away. If Gen. Cass saw any live fight
ing Indians at the battle of the Thames,
where he served Aidc-de-C Camp to Gen
Harrison, it was more than Gid; but had
| n good many bloody struggles with mosqu-
toes, and although never tainted
from the loss of blood, can truly
say was often very hungry. Mr.. Speak
er." added Mr.. Lincoln, '.if should ever
conclude to doff whatever our democratic
friends may suppose there is Of black-cock-
aue feherall IA ABOUT me. ana thereupon
they shall take me up their candidate for
the Presidency, ] protest they shall not
make fun Of us "a they have Of Gen. Cass BY
attempting to write me into military hero"
The notes of Mr.. Lincolns speech on this
occasion were written on sheets Of foolscap
paper, and Law the desk before him. II
was not many minutes after he had begun 10
speak before he abandoned his manuscript,
and walked slowly down the narrow aisle
leading 10 the area in front Of the Clerks
desk and Speakers chair. lie carried hs
left arm behind him. and with il slightly
lifted the skirts Of black swallow-tai coat,
worn nearly threadbare. which hung loosely
from his shoulders, while his right arm
extended and his long bony forefuger point
ed toward his auditors on the opposite side
OF the hall As he walked he spoke with
grea. farnestness, until he had crossed the
area and stood face to face with the demo
cratic representative. when he would Gdick-
/, turn, and 'hurrying back to his desk.
look at his manuscript for n moment.
and then resume his walk. When the
Speakers hammer fell he returned to his
seat amid peals Of laughter and applause.
which continued for several minutes before
order restored and the regular business
Of the House resumed. Mr.. Lincolns seat
in the old Hall of Representatives was on the
outer row, and near the western entrance
The marble statue erected to his memory
stands within six feet Of the spot formerly
occupied bv his chair and desk.