The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-17
Lincoln's First Meeting with Stanton.

w. NJ. DICKSON, III June harper.
In the summer of 1857 Mr.. Lincoln made his
first visit to Cincinnati. He was original coun-
sci for the defendant in a patent reaper suit
pending in the United States Circuit Court for
Northern Illinois. The argument of the case
was adjourned to Cincinnati the home of Judge
Mclean, at his suggestion and for his accomo-
dation.
Mr. Lincoln came to the city few days be-
fore the argument took place, and remained dur
ing his stay at the house of friend. The case
was one of large importance pecunarily. and
in the law questions involved. Reverdy John
son represented the plaintiff. Mr.. Lincoln had
prepared himself with the greatest care; his
ambition was up to speak in the case, and to
measure swords with the renowned lawyer from
Baltimore. 1t was understood between his
client and himself before his coming that Mr.
Harding, of Philadelphia, was to be associated
with him in the case, and was to make the
mechanical argument" Mr.. Lincoln was a
little surprised and annoyed. after reaching here
to learn that his client had also associated with
him Mr.. Edward NJ. Stanton, of Pittsburg and
a lawyer of our own bar the reason assigned
being that the Importance of the case required a
man of the experience and power of MIR. Stanton
to meet Mr. johnson. The Cincinnati lawyer
was appointed for his local influence" These
reasons did not remove the slight conveyed in
the employment, without consultation with
him. of this additional counsel He keenly felt
it, but acquiesced. The trial of the case came
on; the counsel for defense met each morning
for consultation. On one of these occasions one
of the counsel moved that only two of them
should speak in the case. This motion was ac-
guessed in. 1t had always been understood
that Mr. Harding was to speak to explain the
mechanism of the reapers. So this motion eX-
cluded either Mr.. Lincoln or Mr.. Stanton from
speaking-whichl By the custom of the bar, as
between counsel of equal standing and in the
absence of any action of the client, the original
counsel speaks. By the rule Mr.. Lincoln had
precedence. Mr.. Stanton suggested to Mr.
Lincoln to mako speech Mr. Lincoln
answered, mo; do you speak" Mr. Stanton
promptly replied. II will" and, taking up his
hat said he would go and make preparation
Mr. Lincoln acquiesced in this, but was deeply
slieved and mortified; he took but little more
interest in the case, though remaining until the
conclusion of the trial. He seemed to be deeply
depressed and gave evidence Of that tendency
to melancholy which so marked his character
His parting on leaving the city cannot be for
gotten. Cordially shaking the hand of his
hostess he said You have made my stay here
most agreeable, and | am a thousand times
obliged to you; but in reply to your request for
me to come again. must say to you, never ex-
pect to be in Cincinnati again. / have nothing
against the city. but things have so happened
here as to make it undesirable for me ever to
return here"
Thus untowardly met the first time Mr.. Lincoln
and Mr.. Stanton Little did either then suspect
that they were to meet again on larger theatre,
to become the chief actors in great historical
epoch.