The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-06-09
CousIn's hld shoss-es b. prOck, 500 7th St.
LincOln's First Injecting with
Stanton.

Harper, for june
In tho summer of 1857 Mr.. Lincoln mado
his first visit to Cincinnati. Ho was original
counsel for the defendant in patent reaper
suit pending in the United States Circuit Court
for Northern Illinois. The argument of the
caeo was adjourned TO Cincinnati, the homo of
Judge Mclean, at his suggestion and for his
accommodation.
Mr.. Lincoln came to the city few days be.
fore the argument took place, and remained
during his stay at the house of a friend. Tho
case was ono OF large Importance pecuniarlly,
and In the law questions involved. Reverdy
johnson represented tho plaintiff. Mr.. Lin.
coin had prepared himself with tho greatest
care; his ambition was up TO speak In tho case
and to measure swords with the renowned
between his client and himself before his com.
ing that Mr.. Harding, OF Philadelphia, was to
be associated with him in tho case, and was to
make tho "mechanical argument" MIR. Lin
coin was little surprised and annoyed, after
reaching horc, 10 learn that his client had also
associated with him Mr.. Edwin NJ. Stanton, of
Pittsburgh, and Il lawyer OF our own bar the
reason assigned being that the importance of
the case required man VI the experience and
powerof Mr.. Stanton TO meet Mr.. johnson. The
Cincinnati lawyer was appointed "for his local
influence" These reasons did not remove the
slight conveyed In tho employment, without
consultation with him Of this additional coun-
sell He keenly feltit but acquicsced. The trial OF
the case came oni the counsel for defense met
each morning for consultation. on one OF those
occasions ono Of the counsel moved that only
two OF them should speak In the case. This
understood that Mr.. Harding was to speak 10
explain tho mechanism Of tho reapers. SO this
motion excluded either MIR. Lincoln or Mr..
Stanton from speaklng-which, by the
custom OF tho bar, as between counsel OF
equal standing, and in tho absence of
any action Of tho client, the original counsel
spe8ks. by this rule Mr.. Lincoln had prece-
dence. Mr.. Stanton suggested 10 Mr.. Lincoln
TO make the speech. Mr.. Lincoln answered,
'No; do you speak," Mr.. stanton promptly
replied, ~ WILL" and, taking up his nat, said
no would go and make preparation. Mr.. Lin.
coin acqulesced In this, but was deeply grieYed
and mortified; no took but little more interest
Ia the case, though remaining until tho cOu.
cluslon Of tho trial. He seemed to be greatly
depressed, and gave evidence of that tendency
10 melancholy which so marked his character.
His parting on leaving the city cannot DO for.
gotten. Cordially shaking the hand OF his
hostess, he said "YOu have made my stay
here most agreeable, aud l am thousand
times obliged 70 YOU but In reply 70 your re-
quest for me TO come again must say to you
never expect to be In Cincinnati again. have
nothing against tho city, but things have 80
happened here as TO make It undesirable for
me ever 10 return here"
Thus untowardly met the first time Mr.. Lin
coin and Mr.. Stanton, Little did either then
suspect that they were TO meet again on
larger theatre, to become the chief actors in q
great historical epoch,