The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-05-05
Anecdotes OF Lincoln.

Mr.. L. J. Cist has collected for Cincin-
natl paper some interesting anecdotes OF
the martyred president. In 1882, when %
years old, Lincoln was induced by his
friends to run as Wing candidate for the
legislature, and made his maiden speech,
as follows: Gentlemen, Fellow citizens:
presume you all know who I am. am
humble Abraham Lincoln. I have been
solicited by many friends to become can
didate for the legislature. Ny politics are
short and sweet, like an old woman's dance.
l am in favor Of national bank. I am in
favor of the internal improvement system
and a protective tariff. These are my SEN
timents and political principles. If elected,
he was not elected at that time.
There resided in springfield, in 1860, an
Irish laborer, John McCarty by name, . rcd
hot Democrat. Shortly after the presi-
dental election, Mr.. Lincoln was walking
past the Public Square, where John was et
work cleaning out the gutter. As the presi-
dent-elect drew near, McCarty, pausing in
his work and holding out his hand, said
bluntly: An SO yer elected president, are
ye? Faith, an it wasn't by my vote ye wur.
"Well, yes. john" replied Mr.. Lincoln,
shaking hands very cordially, ~the papers
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 glad you got it, afthar ALL
It's mighty little pace I've had wild Biddy
for votin' forninst ye, an if ye'd been bate
she'd hev druv me from the shanty as
shure's the wurruld." Give my compi-
ments to Biddy, John, and tell her I'll
think seriously of woman's suffrage" said
MIR. Lincoln with smile as he passed on
to his Office.
President Lincoln once said that the best
story he ever read in the papers about him
self was this: Two Quakeresses were trav-
cling on the railroad, and were heard dis
cussing the probable result Of the war. ''I
think, said one, that Jefferson will sue
ceed." "Why does thee think so?" asked
the other. Because Jefferson is praying
man." "And so is Abraham a praying man.
eyes, but the Lord will think Abraham is
only joking" doubtfully replied the first
After state election in New York in
which the republican party WAS defeated,
Mr.. Lincoln was asked how he felt after
having heard the news. He replied: Some
what like the boy in Kentucky who stubbed
his toe while running to see his sweetheart.
He said he was too big to cry and too badly
hurt to laugh"
During the spring Of 1854, fr1end, in
conversation with Mr.. Lincoln about the
approaching presidential election,
said that nothing could defeat him but
Grants capture of Richmond, followed by
his nomination and acceptance. We'll"
said the president. Il feel very much like
the man who said he didn't want to die par
ticularly, but if he had got to die that was
precisely the disease he would like to die
Of"
In the summer of 1862 Gen. Mcclellan
wrote from the Peninsula long letter to
the president giving him advice as to the
general politics Of the country and how to
carry on the affairs of the Nation. What
did you reply?" asked some one of Mr..
Lincoln. Nothing, but it made me think
of the Irishman whose horse kicked up and
caught his foot in the stirrup. 'Arrah!'
said he, If you are going TO get on I will
~Ac