Morning journal and courier., 1884-05-23
aLlnco,n'. First Meeting With Stanton.

9LIneoln's First Meeting With Stanton. | [w. M Dickson, in Hsrpers Magazine for June.l In the summer of 1857 Mir. Lincoln made his first visit to Cincinnati He was original counsel for the defendant in 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 accommodation.
 MT. Lin coin came to this city few days before the argument took place, and remained during his stay at the house of friend The case was one of large importance pecuniarily and in the law. questions involved. Reverdy Johnson represented the plaintiff. MT. Lin coin had prepared himself with the greatest care; his ambition was up to speak in the ease, and to measure swords with the re nowned lawyer from Baltimore It was un- derstood between his client and himself be- fore bis coming that MT. Harding of Phila- delphia to be associated with him in the case, and was to make the mechanical argu- ment." Mr Lincoln was 8 little surprised and annoyed, after reaching here, to learn that his client had also associated with him Mir. Edwin M. Stanton of Pittsburg, and a member of our own bar, the reason assigned being that the importance of the case re- quired man of the experience and power of MT. Stanton to meet MT. Johnson. The Gin cinnati lawyer was appointed flor his local influence" These reasons did not remove the slight conveyed in the employment, with out consultation with him, of this additional counsel. He keenly felt it, but acquiesoed The trial of the case came on; the counsel for defense met each morning for consulta- ton. On one of these occasions one of the counsel moved that only two of them should speak in the case. This motion was &C., quiesced in. It had always been understood that Mir. Harding was to speak to explain the mechanism of the reapers. So this mo- tion excluded either Mir. Lincoln or MT. Stan ton-whieh? By the custom of the bar, as between counsel of equal standing, and in the abserce of any action of the client, the original counsel speaks. By this rule Nr Lincoln had precedence. MT. Stanton sug gested to MT. Lincoln to make the speech Mir. Lincoln answered, s.No; do you speak. Mir. Stanton promptly replied, "I will :" and taking up his hat, said he would go and make preparation. MT. Lincoln acquiesced in this but was deeply grieved and mortified; he took but little more interest in the case. though remaining until the conclusion of the trial. He seemed to be greatly depressed. and gave evidence of that tendency to melan choly which so marked his character. His parting on leaving the city cannot be forgot ten. Cordially shaking the hand of his hest he said: "fou have made my stay here most agreeable, and am thousand times obliged to you; but in your request for me to come again, must say to you never expect 70 be in Cincinnati again. have nothing against the city, but things have so happened here as to make 1t undesirable for me ever to return here"
 Thus untowardly met the first lime MT. Lincoln and Mir. Stanton. Little did either then suspect that they were to meet again on 8 larger theater, to become the chief actors in a great historical epoch.