The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-07-03

washington star.
ln December, 1Si7, Abraham Lincoln
look his seat In congress as a representative
from The state Of Illinois. 1t was not long
before no became general favorte with the
oincers and members of the house, for his
genial manners, pleasant voice and ready
Wit gave him magnetic influence on all who
came within his social sphere. He possessed
Out low personal attractions, his figure being
tall and ungsinly but these deficiencies
were amply compensated for by his MANY
shining qualities of mind and heart. He WAS
fluent and ready speaker, and his speeches
were remarkable for their directness and
precision, although lacking in rhetorical
grace and finish. He possessed
rich and inexhaustible fund of wi,
AMI humor, to which he gave expression
in anecdotes and quaint obserysti ,ps. which
1t was pleasant to listen 10. Whonever bo
obtained tho floor to speak, the house gave
MIN its undivided attention, and never
failed to greet his salles of wit and Quick
'--Sarseo with laughter and applause. One
'=NCs remarkable speeches during his
3 'v , term in cc ,ssFss., was as,,;.
" ), hoiS, in reply to one made
lays before by Mr.. Iverson. of Georgia.
The subject of Mr.. Lincoln's speech was
'military coattails" In the speech of Mr..
Iverson, that gentleman accused the whir
party of having deserted all their PRINCIPLES
and taken shelter under tho military coat,
tail OF General Zachary Taylor, the cSndi
date OF the party for the presidency. In
the course of his remarks, MIR. Lincoln pro-
ceeded to show that tho democratic party
were amenable to similar charge having for
twenty-five years relied upon the military
reputation of General Jackson for success.
having been made president out of il for eight
years, while enough Of 1t remained TO make
presidents of several other compsratiyely
small men who succeeded him, and still re,
lying upon It for the success OF General Oass.
tho nomisee OF the party at that time, their
campaign papers everywhere declaring that
Cass aud Butler we're of the "true hickory"
stripe, Toward the close Of his speech, MIR.
Lnco!n poured torrent Of rid,cule upon
tho military reputation Of General Cass, and
then alluded TO his own exploits as a soldier
In the Black Hawk war, "where," he con,
tinusd, ~ fought, bled and came away.
II General Csss saw any live fighting Indians
at the battle Of the Thames, where
he served as aid>de camp 70 General
Harrison, 1t was moro than did But had
agood many bloody struggles with the mos
quitoes, and although l never tainted from
toe loss OF blood, ! can truly say l was often
very hungry" "Mr. Speaker" added Mr..
Lincoln, 'it ever | should conclude 10 doir
whatever our democratic friends may suppose
there Is of blsck'cocksde federalism about
me-, and thorcupon they shall tsle me up as
their candidate Tor tho presidency, | pro,e,,
they shall not make fun of us ss thew haye of
General Cass by attempting to write mo into
amili,ary hero"
Toe notes of Mr.. Lincoln's speech on thi.
&C aNon were written on sheets of foolscap
paper and lay on the desk before him. IL
was not many minutes after he had begun In
speak before he abandoned his manusorin,
and walked slowly down the narrow asia
leading to the area In front of the clerk. de.k
apa speakers chair. He carried his left arm
behind him, and with II slightly lifted ,be
skirls OF a black swsllow-,ail coat worn
nearly threadbare, which hunp loosely
from bis shoulders, while his right arm was
extended, and his long, bony fore0noa
pointed toward his auditors on Tho onnos;,a
aide OF the hall. AZ no walked be snoIo
with great earnestness, until be had crossed
the area and stood face TO face with Tho aon,
ocratc representatives, when he would on,cL
~ turn and hurry back 10 his desk, look n,
HE manuscript for y moment and them m.
sumo bis walk. When tho speakers ham.
mer Iell DO returned TO bis seat amid peals q
Laughter and applause which continued 70,
several minutes before order was restored
AND tee rrgula. business Of the house 70.
sumed. Mr.. Llncolns's seat In Tho ala Nall Ia y