The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-02-18
LIBELL1NG THE DEAD.
GENERAL DUFF GREEN'S GRAND.
son SPEAKS IN HIS DEFENSE.

GENERAL DUFF GREEN'S GRAND.
son SPEAKS IN HIS DEFENSE.
Pat Calhoun Denies Slandcrous
Story Told by Admiral Porter Con
corning His Grandfather, General
Dun Grccn-Vintlicating Him or the
SIandcrous Charger, Etc.
The following article, from the pen of
Admiral Porter. appeared recently in the
New York Tribune and the Philadelphia
Press, and is now given place in our
columns. 1t describes meeting between
President Lincoln and General Duff
Green when ! lincoln was at Richmond,
just after the fall Of the confedcracy.
A man appeared at the landing drcsssd
in gray homcspun with a somewhat de-
caycd appearance and with staff
about six feet long i'll his hands. 1t was,
in fact, nothing more than stick taken
from n woodpile. 1t was two and n
half inches in diameter, and was not even
smoothed at the knots. 1t was just such
a weapon as man would pick up to kill
mad dog with.
'Who are you and what do you want?'
asked the officer Of the dock. "You can
not come on board unless you have i'm
pertant husincss.''
81 am Duff Green" said the man. '"I
want to see Abraham Lincoln, and nv
husincss..conccrns mysclfalone. You tell
Abraham Lincoln Duff Green wants to
scc him."
The officer came down into the cabin
and delivered the message. arose and
said: II will go up and send him away"
but the President said: "Lct him come
on board. Duff is an old friend Of mine,
and I would like to talk with him."
then went on deck to have a boat
sent for him, and to see what kind Of q
man this was who sent off such arrogant
messages to the President Of the United
States. He stepped into the boat rs j;
it belonged to him instead Of sitting
down, he stood up. leaning on his long
staff. When he came over the side, he
stood OH the deck drfantly, look ed I'D
Mt the flag and sc"wlcd, and then, turn
ing to mo. (whom he knew very wcll).
he said: Il want to see Abraham lin
coin" He paid no courtesy to me or to
the quarterback.
1t had been very long time since he
had shaved or cnt his hair, and he might
have come under the head Of "unkcmpt
and not canny."
'When you come" said, lin re-
Spectful manner, the President will see
you, but throw away that cord Of wood
you have in your hand before entering
the Presidents presence"
"How long is it," said he, ''sincc Abra-
ham Lincoln took to aping royalty ?
Nan, dressed in brief authority, cuts
fantastic capcrs before high heaven that
it makes the angels weep. c,n expect
airs from naval officer, but don't ex-
poet to find them in man with Abraham
I.incoln's horse sense"
thought the man crazy, and think so
still. II can't permit, you to see the
President" I said, until receive fur.
ther instructions; but you can't see him
ut all until you throw that wood pile
overheard"
He turned on his heel and tried to
throw the stick on shore, but il fell shor,
and went floating down the current.
"Ah !" he said, 'has it come to that :
Is he afraid Of assassination? Tyrants
general get ;ato that condition"
went down and reported this quce,
customer to the President and told him
I thought the man crazy, but he said
''Let him come down; he always was &
little queer. ] shan't mind him." Mr.
Duff Green was shown into the cabin
The President got up from his chair tt
receive him, and approaching him, offsrct
| him his hand. "No," said Green, with
tragic air, "it is rcd with blood; | cane
touch it. When knew it, it was NJ
honest hand. 1t has cut the throats O
thousands Of my people, and their bloot
which now lies soaking in the grount
cries aloud to heaven for vengeance.
came to see you, not for old remcm
brancc's sake, but to give you piece o
my opinion. You won't like it, but dom
care, for people don't generally like t.
have the truth told them. You are
second Nero. and had you lived in hi
day You would have fiddled while Rom
was burning!"
When The fanatic commenced thi
trade Of abuse, Mr.. Lincoln was stand
ing with his hand outstrctchod, hi
mouth wrcsthcd with the pleasant smil
he almost always wore, and his eye
lighted up as when anything please,
him. He was pleased because he wa
about TO meet All old friend, and bette
pleased to see him Of his own accord.
Mr.. Lincoln gradually withdrew hi