Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-21
ANECDOTES OF LINCOLN.
His Maiden Speech - Several
New Jokes.


Mill. Cist has collected for a Gin
cinnati paper some interesting anecdotes
OF the aartyred President. In 1882,
when % years old, Lincoln was induced
by his friends to run as a Whig can
didate for the Legislature, and made his
maiden speech, as follows: "Gentlemen,
Fellow Citizens: l presume you all
know who | am. am humble Abraham
Lincoln i have been solicited by my
friends 10 become a candidate for the
Legislature. Ny politics are short and
sweet, like an old woman's dance. 1
am in favor OF a national bank. L am
in favor OF the internal improvement
system and a protective tariff. These
are nv sentiments and political princl-
PIES. II elected, will be thankful. Ii
not, it's all the same" he was not
elected at that time
There resided in Springfield, In 1861,
an Irish laborer, John Mccarthy oy
name, a red.hot Democrat. Shortly
after the Pr, sidental election, Mr.. Lin
coin was walking past the Public Square,
where John was at work cleaning out
the gutter. AS the President-elect drew
near, Mccarthy, paused in his work
and holding out his hand, said bluntly:
can so yer elected President, are yeY
Faith, an it wasn't by my vote We wur.
"Well, yes, John,' replied Mr.. Lincoln,
shaking hands very cordially, the
papers saw I'm elected, but it seems odd
should be when you went against me.
"Well, Mister Lincoln" said John,
a -, Loot hr0t her
Democrat should hear him, I'm glad
you got it, afther all. It's mighty little
pace I've had with Biddy for votln,
iorninst We, an il ye'd been bate she'd
hev druv me from the shanty as shure's
the wurruld." "Give my compliments
to Biddy, John, aud tell her III think
seriously OF woman's suffrage" said Mr..
Lincoln with a smile as he passed on to
Office.
President Lincoln once said that the
best story he ever read in the papers
about himself was this: Two Quakeresses
were travelling on the railroad, and were
heard discussing the probable result OF
the war. 81 think" said one, "that JET
terson will succeed" "Why does thee
think so?" asked the other. because
Jefferson is praying man" And so
is Abraham praying man." eyes, but
the Lord will think Abraham is only
Joking" doubtfully replied the first.
After a State election in New York
in which the Republican party was de-
feated, Mr.. Lincoln was asked how he
felt after having heard the news. He
replied: Somewhat like the boy in
Kentucky who studded 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 1864, friend, 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.
"Well," said the President, 81 feel very
much like the man who said he didn't
want to die particularly, but ii he had
got to die that was precisely the disease
he would like TO de OF"
In the summer of 1852 General Me-
Clellan wrote from the Peninsula long
letter to the President, giving him adj
vice as to the politics OF the country and
how TO carry on the affairs OF the nation.
"What did you replyP" 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
stlrrup. 'Arrah! said he, If you are
going TO get on will get otf.'