Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1881-05-26

mo. YOU don't intend TO do anything of
the sort" was the somewhat remarkable re-
sponse Of the President.
"Oh. YES. but do" replied Hamlin, not
quite understanding Mr. Lincoln.
NO" said the latter. "you do not intend
ANYTHING of the sort In short. Mr.. Vice
President YOU will not leave Washington at
present" This Mr. Lincoln said with a
words, and Mr. Hamlin, seeing that he had
something Of more than ordinary Importance
on his mind. replied:
..Of course, | will not think Of doing so
if YOU wish otherwise. You are the Com
mander- in Chief, and ! am under ORDERS
And order YOU" continued the Presl-
dent. laughing. "to sit in that chair, and
afterwsrd to ride with me to supper" Ham
lin did as he was desired. and shortly after
ward the two gentlemen. guarded by file
of soldiers. rode on horseback out to the
summer residence Of the President. There
they quietly partook of light supper. and
then the President invited his guest into the
library Here. having carefully closed the
door. he turned to his trusty adviser and
said
MIR Hamlin. YOU have been repeatedly
urging me TO issue a proclamation emancl
pating the slaves. have concluded to Weld
to vour advice in the matter. and that of
other friends. at the same time. As may say,
following my own Judgment nov listen 10
me while ! read this paper We will cor
rect It together a. | 20 on" Saving which
the President unrolled and read the famous
proclamation which gave liberty and man
hood to i.oOo.g0 human chattcs.
Still another important incident in the
same direction Mr. Stanton. Secretary Of
War. together with Nice-Presdcnt IIamlin.
had frequentl, urged upon President LIN
coin the advisabilitv Of organizing rrgi
ments Of colorcd troops The President.
however. did not at first look fa,orably
upon the proposition. and Mr.. Stanton had
almost given up hope OF bringing HIM 10
HI, VaN of thinking. One evening while
tins Was the situation a deputatlon of ten
army officers, all brave, well Informed. and
earnest men, though none Of them Of par
ucularlN high rank. went IA the VICE PrcSi
dents lodging and begged HIM to urge the
President to authorize the arning Of ne
grpcs.
If such thing can he done, said Mr.
iaInlln, aAer hearing them through. would
,ou and other men like YOU be willing 10
command the colored troops ?"
"ies sir. gladly" they replied almost IN
breath.
VERY we'll. vas the decisive reply Of Mr.
Hamlin, II YOU are willing To undertake
the task | will see to it that YOU have an op-
portunitv Of presenting Your yIew, 10 the
President" SAYING this. though It ~as ten
O'Clock al night, he sent a messenger 10 the
I T. =
,cnlcnt for Mr.. Lincoln to see hlm and hi,
army fricnd, The Prr.idcn,. without DELAY
fixed an interview for eight O'Clock the next
mnTning
Al that hour Mr Ilamlin. with the ten of-
fcer.. went To the White House he lat
ter fully presented their case to MIR Inn
coin. When they had done 50, he turned TO
Hamlln and asked. evidently much per
picked -
w hat is Your best Judgment about thI> ?"
Il think. Was the reply, that these gen
tlemcn are cniIrel, night. Ii they ready
To move; Il they and other good men Ike
them are ready To give up their present po-
s.tions and take places in negro regiments,
am sure It Is but right that YOU should
give them authority To do so"
YES. YES" repeated the President, three
or four times. and then with the exclamation
Il suppose the time has come" be turned
10 hi, desk and for few moments wrote
rapidly. Then turning to Hamln he sand
Here i all order TO Secretary Stanton au-
thorlzlng the arming Of coloreG troops"
MAY be- your messenger 10 the Secre-
tar> ?" eagerly asked Mr.. Hamlin.
Yes. ,es,' said the President, smiling in
his own quaint way: take il TO Stanton.
take II to Stanton; am glad 10 know that
YOU are both satisfied"
Without a moments delay the Vice Presl-
dent hurried TO the War Office. found the
Secretary in his private room, and hastily
told him what had occurred.
NO, no it cast be possible, exclaimed
Stanton, with suppressed excitement, and
hardly daring TO believe that one of his pet
schemes was about 10 20 into effect.
Here is the Presidents order" Was
Hamlin's simple response. Hastily the
Secretary took and read 1t, was silent for
moment, and then throwing aside his usual
grutfness Of manner. his real deep. earnest.
ImpulsVe feeling came to the surface, great
tears welled up into his eyes and flowed over
his careworn face. Then conyulsively throw
ing his arms about Hamlin he cried out with
all the earnestness of deep. strong nature
Thank God for this thank God for
tins ~