River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-06-09
HISTORICAL INCIDENTS.
How Lincoln Wrote the Pr0clama-
tion of Emancipation. and Ordered
the Organization of COIored Troops

II0n OF Emancipation ana ordered
the Organization of COIored Troops.
The New York Times publishes
long sketch of the life of Hannibal
Hamlin, of Maine, which contains
many interesting "reminiscences of the
war. The following concerning the
emancipation act and the employment
of negroes in the army are interesting
from an historical standpoint
When the war commenced, the vice
president, in advance of many of his
associates, foresaw that its ultimate re-
suit must be the liberation of the
slaves. 1t is not claimed, certainly not
by him, the most modest of men, that
he had any accurate idea as to the ex-
act manner in which such liberation
was to occur, still he was convinced that,
sooner or later, and IN some way, the
slaves would be set free Holding these
views, as the war progressed he repeat
edly pressed upon the president the
ACCESSIBILITY of issuing an emancipation
proclamation. To all the arguments in
favor of such course Mr.. Lincoln
gave the most thoughtful and earnest
attention, but still let drop no hint as
to what his action in the matter would
be. This was the situation when one
evening Mr.. Hamlin went to the white
house and announced to the president
that he intended to leave that night for
a visit to his home.
"No, you don't intend 10 do anything
Of the sort, was the somewhat re-
markable response of the 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.. Vice President, you will not leave
Washington at present This Mr..
Lincoln said with a look that was far
more significant than his words, and
Mr.. Hamlin, seeing that he had some
thing of more than ordinary import
ance on his mind, replied
"Of course, viii not think Of doing
so If you wish otherwise. You are the
commander-in-chief, and / am under
orders"
"And | order you" continued the
president, laughing, ito sit III that
chair, and afterwards to ride with me
to supper" Hamlin did as he was di-
rected, and shortly afterward the two
gentlemen, guarded by file of sol
diers, rode on horseback out to the
sum ner residence Of the president.
There they quietly partook of light
supper, and then the president invited
his guest into the library. Here, hav-
ing carefully closed the door, he turned
20 his trusty adviser and said:
"Mr. Hamlin, you have been repeat
edly urging me to issue a proclamation
hn I
Guided to yield to your advice in the
matter, and that of other friends at the
same time, as may say, following my
own judgment. Now, listen to me while
| read this paper. We viii correct it
together as go on" Saying which the
president unrolled and read the famous
proclamation which gave liberty and
manhood to 100000 human chattels.
Still another important incident in
the same direction: Mr.. Stanton, the
secretary of war, together with Vice
President Hamlin, had frequently
urged upon President Lincoln the ad-
visibility of organizing regiments of
colored troops. The president, howev
er, did not at first look favorably upon
the proposition, and Mr.. Stanton had
almost given up hope of bringing him
to his way of thinking One evening
while this was the situation, a deputa-
ton of ten army officers, all brave, we'll
informed and earnest men, though none
o. them of particularly high rank, went
to the vice presidents lodgings and
begged him to urge the president to
authorize the arming of negroes.
'lf such thing can be done," said
Mr.. Hamlin, after hearing them
through, "would YOU and other men
like you be willing to command the col.
ored troops?"
eyes, sir, gladly" they replied, al
most in a breath
VERY well," was the decisive re-
spouse of Mr. Hamlin, "if you are will
ling to undertake the task, | will see to
it that you have an opportunity of pre-
senting your views to the president"
Saying this, though it was 10 o'clock at
night, he sent messenger to the white
house asking when it would be con-
venent for Mr.. Lincoln to see him and
his army friends. The president, with
out delay, fixed an interview for s
o'clock the next morning.
At that hour Mr.. Hamlin, with the
ten officers, went to the white house.
The latter fully presented the case to
Mr.. Lincoln. When they had done SO,
he turned to Hamlin and said, evident
ly much pelplexed:
"What is your best judgment about
this ?"
II think, was the reply, chat these
gentlemen are entirely right. If they
are ready to move; if they and other
good men like them are ready to give
up their present positions and take
places in negro regiments, | am sure 1t
is but right that you should give them
authority to do So"
eyes. yes" repeated the president,
three or four times, and then with the
exclamation, ~ suppose the time has
come p he turned to his desk and for a
few moments wrote rapidly. Then
turning to Hamlin, he said: "Here is
an order to Secretary Stanton author
izing the arming of colored troops"
"May | be your messenger to the
secretary?' eagerly asked Mr.. Hamlin.
Eyes, yes, " said the president, smiling
in ais own quaint way; take it to
Stanton, take it to Stanton; | am glad
W hION thde yOu tlC DOOh odtiShCO'
Without a nom ent's delay the vice
president hurried to the war office,
found the secretary in his private room,
and hastily told him what had occurred.
mo, no; it can't be possible" ex
claimed Stanton, with suppressed ex-
element, and hardly daring to believe
that one Of his pet schemes was about
to go into effect
"Here is the presidents order" was
Hamlin's simple response. Hastily the
secretary took and read it, was sil9nt
for moment, and then throwing aside
his usual gruffness of manner, his real,
deep, earnest, impulsive feeling came
to the surface, great tears welled up
into his eyes, and flowed over his care
worn face. Then convulsively throw
ing his arms about Hamlin, he cried
out with all the earnestness of a deep,
strong nature:
"Thank God for this thank God for
this !"
EmperOr Wilhelm Fond of American