Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-05-17

Ncw York Times
one tytu.u. Mr Hamuu went 90 The
White House and announced - President
Lincoln that ne intended Ia leave that
night for "a visit % his home.
''No YOU don't intend 10 DO anything OF
the sort. was the somewhat remarkable
response ofthe President.
ooh. YES. but do replied Hamlin,
not quite understanding Mr.. Lincoln.
NO" said the latter You do not in
tend ANYTHING OF the sort. In short. Mr.
ce-PrtSideut. YOU will not leave Wash
ington at present This Mr. Lincoln
said with q look that was far more signil-
icaut than his words, aud Mr.. Hamlin,
seeing that he had something OF more
than ordinary Importance on his mind,
replied.
"Or course, will not think OF doing so
You wish otherwise. You are Commau-
der-iu-chief. sud am under orders"
..Nud ! order You. continued the Pre>i-
dent. laughing. Ito =; 10 that chair, aud
afterward 70 ride with me 10 supper. "
Hamliu did a. he was desired. and shortly
afterward the two gentlemen, guarded by
a die of soldiers. rode on horseback out TO
the summer residence OF the President.
There they quietly partook OF i light sup
per. and then the President Invited his
guest into the library. Here, having
quietly closed the door. he turned 20 his
trusty adviser and said
Mr. Hamlin. YOU have been repeatedly
urging me 20 issue q proclamation cmsn
cipating the slaves. have concluded 20
Weld 10 your advice in the matter, and
that OF other friends. AZ the same time. a.
may say. following my own judgment.
Now listen 20 me while read this paper.
We will correct IL together ~ 20 on. ="
Saving which the President uur0lled and
read the famous proclamation which gave
liberty and manhood 10 1000, 600 human
cnattelS.
Still another important incident in the
same direction Mr.. stanton. Secretary
Of War, together with Nice-Presideut
Hamlin, had frequently urged upon PreSi.
dent Lincoln the advisability OF organiz-
inc regiments OF colOred troops. The
President, however. did not AZ inst look
fayorably upon the proposition, and Mr..
stanton had almost given up hope OF
bringing him 10 his way OF thinking. one
evening while this was the situation a
deputation OF ten army officers, all brave,
well informed. and earnest men, though
none of them OF particularly high rank,
went to the Nice-President's lodgings
and begged him 10 urge the President 10
authorize the aiming OF negroes.
III such a thing can be done, said Mr..
Hamlin. after hearing them through,
would YOU and other men like you be
willing 10 command the colored troops;"
Yes sir, gladly they replied almost
in breath.
VERY well" was the decisive reply of
Mr.. Hamlin, Iii you are willing 10 under
take the task | will see TO il that you have
an opportunity of presenting your views
10 the President. Saying this though it
was 10 o'clock at night, he sent messen-
ger TO the White House, asking when il
would be convenient for Mr.. Lincoln 10
see him and his army friends. The Presi-
dent without delsy, fixed an interview for
5 o'clock the next morning.
At that hour Mr.. Hamliu, with the ten
officers. went 10 the White House. The
latter fully presented their case 10 Mr..
Lincoln. When they had done so, he
turned to Hsmlin aud asked evidently
much perplexed;-
What is your best judgement about
this?'
Il think, was the reply. that these
gentlemen are entirely right. II they are
ready. TO move; if they and other good
men like them are ready 10 give up their
present positions and take places in negro
regiments, | am sure it is bat right that
you should give them authority TO do so.
Yes, yes" repeated the President three
or four times, aud then the exclamation
II suppose the time has come. :" he turned
TO his desk and for few moments wrote
rapidly. Then turning TO Hamlin he said 4:
Here is an order 10 Secretary Stanton
authorizing the armiug ofcolored troops.
MAY be your messenger 10 the Sec
retary:" eagerly asked Mr.. Hamlin.
Yes, yes" said the President smiling
/ in his own quaint way take it TO Stanton,
take it 10 Stanton; am glad to know
that you are both satisfied"
Without 4 moments delay the Vice
President hurried 10 the War Office, found
the Secretary in his private room, and
hastily told him what had occurred.
NO, no; it can't be possible" exclaim-
ed Stanton, with suppressed excitement,
and hardly daring 70 believe that one OF
his pet schemes was about 10 go into
effect.
Here is the Presidents order, was
Hamlin's simple response. Hastily the
Secretary took and read il, was silent for
moment, and then throwing aside his
usual grufness OF manner, his real deep,
earnest. impulsiye feeling came to the
surface, great tears welled up into his
careworn face. Then convulsiyely throw
ing his arms about Hamlin he cried out
with all the earnestness OF q deep, strong
nature THANK God for this thank God
for thisf"