New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-06
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
SOME OF HIS OWN STORIES.
Copyright, 1885.

SOME OF HIS OWN oAOniSS'
Copyright, 1885.
~. .,oot;on of Abraham Lincoln as President
,,orv acceptable to the older Washington cor
''asordents. They remembered him well IN inc
wyv.h Congress. when, as the Representative
-. tba sangammon district he was tne ohiy
:, the Illinois delegation, then but seven liz
number. A.. 1;rco,n fonnd
~. ,vav into the small room used as the post once
- .he Uouse where few jovial rdcontears used W
...t almost every morning, after the mall mad oeen
s;st,;bnted into the members boxes TO exchahgo
N.,oh new stories as any of them might nave ac-
oured since they had last met After moaeS',s
standing at the door for several days. Mr. LinoVln
yos reminded" of story, and by New iea,s ~
We .oornized az the champion story-teller OF the
Go, HIS favorite seat was at the lett OF tne
s,a a ran ,ace tilted back in his chair, with MS
long legs reaching over to the chimney Jatho' ho
never told story twice but appeared TO nave an
ordless repertoire of them. always ready IKE 'io
successive charges in magazine gun ana always
pertinently adapted to some passing event.
II was refreshing to us correspondents
os we were TO listen to so much tna' was Pr
.ad;o,s IN hear this bright specimen OF western
. -, he ;o;mitab,e stories especially ms
ssa,,;.cences of the Black Hawk War. in when ne
"a commanded a company, which was mustered
:.,, Tho limited States service by Jefferson Davis'
.ho, second lieutenant Of dragons. remcmper
his narrating his first experience IN driihhe us
.o,onanv He was marching with front OF over
twentv men across field when he desired 10 pass
,hrouoh n gateway into the next enclosure. 4
could not for the life of me-" said ne, remember
the proper word of command for getting my COM
INV endwIse 50 that il could get through the gate
90 as wa came near the gate, 1 shouted: inns
oo,,anv is dismissed for two minutes. when IL VIII
fall in again on the other side OF the Cate!' When
the laugh which the description OF these uo'ci
tactics caused had subsidized. Mr. Lincoln addeu'
/" And sometimes think here, that gentlemen IN
wonder who get into tight place IN debate "ouiu
like to dismiss the House unth the heA' Jay anu
then take fair start"
Mr. Lincoln used TO narrate his exploits IN wrest-
ling during this campaign. when he was regarded
os tho cbomnion of Northern Illinois. One day the
ehor,rion of the Southern companies in the expedl-
30, challenged him. "Ho was at least two inches
Taller than was" said Mr.. Lincoln, "and some
rrhat heavier. but Ireckoned that was the most
wirv and soon after had tackled BIN. gave MN
a hing lifted him off the ground. and threw Nun
Aat on his back That settled his hash"
Soon after the Presidential campaign OF ls4S
WAS onened. Alfred Iverson, Democratic Repre-
sentative from Georgia, made political Speech III
which he accused the Wings of having deserteu
their financial and tariff principles ana OF having
"taken shelter under the military coat-tails Oh
General TAYLOR then their Presidential candidate
This gave Mr. Lincoln n text for his reply
"military coat-tas." He had written the heans
of what he had intended TO say on few pages Oh
foolscap paper, which he placed on friends desk
bordering on an alley-way, which he had Obtained
nermiss,on TO sneak from At first he followed his
II ha laff desk
his notes to stride down the alley toward the
Sneakers chair, holding his left hand behind him
co that he could now and then shake the tails OF his
own rusty. black broadcloth dress-coat, while he
earnestly gesticulated with his long right arm,
shaking the benv index finger of the Democrats on
the other side of the chamber. Occasionally as he
would complete a sentence amid shouts OF
laughter he would return up the alley to his desk
consult his notes take sip of water, and start OIL
again.
Toward the close of his speech. Mr. Lincoln
ponred a torrent of rdcule upon the military
reputation of General Glass; and then alluded to
his own exploits as soldier in the Black HAWK
War "where.n he continued. I" / fought, bled and
came away. If General Cass saw any live, hghting
Indians at the battle of the Thames, where he
served as aide-de-camp to General Harrison, II was
more than did; but had a good many bloody
struggles with the mosquitoes, and although L
never tainted from the loss of blood, l can truly
say was often very hungry. Mr.. Speaker" added
Mr.. Lincoln. IF should ever conclude to doff
whatever our Democratic friends may suppose
there is of black-cock ade Federalism about me- ana
tbereupon they shall take me up their candidate
for the Presidency protest they shall not make
fun of me as they have of General Cass by attempt
ing to write me into a military hero"
Mr.. Lincoln received hearty congratulations at
the close. many Democrats joining the Wings IN
their complimentary comments. The speech was
pronounced by the older members of the House
almost co aal to the celebrated defence OF General
Harrison by Tom Corwin. in reply to an attack
made on him by Mr.. Crazy of Ohio The two
speeches are equally characterized by vigorous
argument mirth-provoking irony, and orginal wit
One Democrat, however, (who had been nicknamed
Sausage" Sawyer from having moved the expnl-
sion of "Richelieu' Robinson from the reporters
gallery for facetions account of his iuncning
behind the Speakers chair on bologna sausage
didn't enthuse at ALL Sawyer" asked an East
ern Representative, how did you like the Ianky
u,inoisan's speechs Very able. wasn't itP
"Wellr replied Sawyer, "the speech was pretty
good. but hope he won't charge mileage on ms
travels while delivering it."
Mr.. Lincoln boarded at Mira Spriggs's, on Capitol
Hill where he had as his ,nessmates tho veteran
Joshua r. Giddings, of Ohio. John Blanchard
John Dickey, A. r. McTlvaine, John strohm and
James Pollock of Pennsylvania, Elisha Embree OF
Indiana. and P. w. Tompkins of Mississippi-all
Wings. Daniel Webster, who was. then in. the
Senate used occasionally to have Mr. Lincoln al
one of his pleasant Saturday breakfasts. where the
Western Congressman's humorous illustrations OF
the events Of the day, sparkling with spontaneous
and unprcmeditated wit, would give, great delight
10 the solid men of Boston" assembled around the
festive board. At one time Mr.. Lincoln had
transacted some legal business for Mr. Webster
connected with an embryo city laid ont where
Rock River empties into the Mississippi. Mr..
Fletcher Webster had gone there for while, but
Rock Island City WAS not pecuniary success. and
,nncb of the land on which but one payment had