Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-12
can I do; I am afraid Of Stanton myself
We'll, said Judge Casey, Just write on your


fairly pale. He saw the great danger that they
were In. He was satisfied that Curtin's influence
was sufficient to carry Pennsylvania whichever
way he chose, and he said to Judge Casey: my
God! l would lie down on that floor and let
Andrew Curtin dance hornppe on me. II
necessary, to save this country. What shall I
dO?' Casey said: Just send q telegram request
ing Gov. Curtin's immediate presence In Wash
ingtOn, saying that you wish to see him to con-
suit with him on important public business
stanton then lived In the War department. He
slept there. The nextmOrning. by the first train,
Curtin arrived in Washington and presented
himself at the War department. He was re-
ceived in such cordial and Gattering manner
that all wrath and malice disappeared and he
was as good a republican as ever He took the
next train to Philadelphia, and that night he adj
dressed 1000 people at Lincoln meeting in
Philadelphia, in mis- grandest strain Of eloquence.
He went on through the state and carried It by
an Overwhelming majority for Lincoln"
THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.
sit Is hard to believe now," said the speaker,
"that very nearly half of the republicans were
opposed to the issue Of Lincoln's proclamation
of freedom, and that half embraced the most
active politicians. An enormous effort was
made to induce Mr.. Lincoln to withdraw that
proclamation. 1t was issued In the summer of
1889. and was to take effect the 1st of January,
disappointed the rebels did not In the
L
more anxious during the war, than at that time,
for fear Mr.. Lincoln would be persuaded to
recall that proclamation. About Christmas time,
1862, week before the proclamation was to
take effect, If not recalled, called ON Private
Secretary NicOlay, in his room. adjoining the
Presidents ROOM We were sitting conversing
before the fire, when Mr.. Lincoln's door opened.
He walked into the room and took q seat before
the fire, at my right hand. He slapped me on
the shoulder and said: We'll, my friend, the
inv knwnH In~, a
and 1 hope there will be no backing out or
backing down. Well he says, 4 don't know
about that. Peter thought he would not deny
his master, but he did, replied. Il think you
will do better than Peter did, That was Satur-
day evening, l think.
DIR. SUNDERLAND AND THE PRESIDENT.
81 met DIR. Sunderland the next day and In
formed him Of what Mr.. Lincoln had said about
the proclamation. Well, the doctor said, re-
gard this as the most important crisis of the
war. have not called on Mr.. Lincoln because
1 know he has been overwhelmed with the cares
ana responsibilities Of his great Office but I
must call and see him. told him would 70
up with him that night and introduce him. We
accordingly went up and fortunately found Mr..
Lincoln alone In his office. When we entered I
introduced the doctor and he accOsted Mr.. Lin
coin In his enthusiastic manner. in this way:
We'll, MIR. President, knowing how you have
been overwhelmed with care and responsibility,
have not heretofore troubled you BY calling,
but, believing as do, that this Ia the most Inn
portant crisis OF the war. called to see II any
thing can say would strengthen you in the per-
formance OF what l regard to be your duty
Go ahead: doctor, said Mr.. Lincoln Every
8 very interesting conversation. remember
that Mr.. Lincoln said to the Doctor, Doctor, it
Is my most earnest prayer to know which way
Providence directs. But, Doctor, it is not an
easy matter to always know which way Provi-
dence does direct. Providence has a very diff
ferent way of doing business from what you and
have. If we had our way we would not have
this war. and more than that, We would not
have had the cause ofthe war. Now men and
women down south pray as earnestly as you and
l do, and believe their prayers are righteous
Yes, answered the doctor, but the lord has
given them over to believe lie After an
every way pleasant interview we left the White
House feeling confident that in the approaching
crisis Mr.. Lincoln would be true to himself and
to humanity,-that he would do better than
Peter did in his great crisis"
THE SECRET OF MR.. LINCOLN'S LITTLE STORIES
"Where and how" asked the reporter, Ibid
President Lincoln accumulate such store of
anecdotes and stories?" "'s's -
1.-The bar of Illinois" said Mr. Robbins, TAT
tended the courts in every county Of the state.
The lawyers generally stopped at the hotel or
tuSciu At tli0 equity seat, anu Cne1r evenings
were spent together in the public room of the
hotel, and there was competition among them
as to who could tell the most original story /
imagine that in such an experience man would
gather vast store of anecdotes and stories
There was a secret about the little stories Mr.
Lincoln told when President. You will readily
understand that every governor Of state, every
legislator, every man who came to Washington,
considered it necessary to give the President his
ideas as to how the war should be conducted
Overwhelmed as he was lie could not go into
particulars with every one who called on him.
and therefore he would tell one of his little
stories, which took only two OF three minutes
and would satisfy the caller that Mr. Lincoln
understood affairs better than he did; and in
this way he avoided woundfng the feelings Of
his most sensitive visitors
SOME OF MR. LISC0LN's CHARACTERISTICS
81 would like, said the reporter, to hear
something about Mr.. Lincolns manner and his
personal characteristics"
He was very cordial In manner" said Mr.
Robbins. His common greeting was, How
are you, my frend!' uttered in a hearty way,
that showed that he meant what he said. He
had splendid eyes-l never saw in any mans
head SO fine an'eye as he had. had many op-
pOrtunities to see how greatly he excelled all
that approached him in practical wisdom, sa-
gacity and craftsmanship. He knew the people
thoroughly, and also knew that when he came
10 washington the people na0 not had much
opportunity to knO,u him, and therefore it was
necessary that he should go slow at first until
the people understood him. / believe lust as
much that he was raised up by the Almighty to
do the great work that he was called upon to
do. as that Moses was called upon and endowed
with wisdom to do the work that he did
never have known of any human being that pos
sessed the qualities that he did-a most wonder
full astuteness sharpness Of intellect that might
sometimes be ca&ed cunning. combined with the
most transparent purity and honesty. He was
also one OF the shrewdest judges of human ma
ture, and Drawer man never lived; he never
knew what fear was"
AN ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE MR.. LINCOLN
she received cords Of letters threatening his
life." said Mr.. Robbins. During the first sum-
mer of the war he lived out at the Soldiers
Home, and was in the habit of riding out there
alone, about shutdown or a little after SHUTDOWN
Stanton demonstrated with him and insisted
upon his having guard. He told him how
dangerous 1t was, and that some assassin might
shoot him. But Mr. Lincoln could not be made
to see 1t, and refused until one evening I'm going
out as usual. while he was passing through a
little thicket, ball came out of the thicket and
nearly severed one Of his bride reins. He con-
sented then to have the cavalry guard that went
with him to the close Of the war. The affair
was not published tor the reason that have