The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-20
Observation-Disclosures OF LINCOLN.
A Number of Incidents and Sayings of the
Greatest of American Presidents.

we cannot have too many gllmpses or the man
whn, OF all men in our history, may perhaps be
called especially Providential man. When Wash
ington was summoned to command the Revoiu-
tionary army he was already known by d:stln-
cuished service, and he was afterward MADE fres-
ident because of the greatest OF public services,
and of the universal affection and confidence OF
the country. But when Lincoln was elected PreSi-
dent, the eve of the greatest of civil contro-
versies, his capacity for the tremendous trust
had been unproved and that at such time such
man should have appeared at the head Of the
Nation equal to the issue, and able wisely 70
WELD the enormous authority that the occasion
demanded and should prove to be in every way
the man of all men FOR the emergency, is in the
highest sense of the word Providential
In every story however insignificant, which is
told of him, those who remember him personally
recall the impression that he made. He was
absolutely sincere. He never played a part.
And therefore whatever he said and did was
| marked by his strong individuality. A CORE
spondent in North Carolina says:
Il heard DIR. Lincoln's last two speeches.
One extemporaneous, on Monday evening, April
III. from the historic middle front window in the
second story of the White House. He had just
returned from City Point and the people throng-
ing around the White House would have a
speech. For good while he did not appear, and
seemed to be reluctant to speak without manu-
script, lest at that critical juncture some in
furious Impression should be made by an acct
dental word or sentence.
However, the crowd persisted to call till he
appeared. IL was my first sight of the man. He
appeared somewhat younger and more finland
and vigorous than I should have expected. His
bright, knowing somewhat humorous look re-
minded me VI we'll practiced country physi-
clan who had read zen through till he un-
derstood them we'll. There was the humorous
kindness of a good -natured doctor who had seen
his patients through most awful siege OF SICK
ness, till they were now fairly and fully conva-
lat hn no
whatever it had cost him or them, go by for the
time and have little cheerful congratulation.
His gestures and expression Of countenance had
something of the harmless satisfaction of a
young politician at ratification meeting after
his first election to the legislature. He was
happy, and glad to see others happy, and willing
to accept the congratulation of his friends for
his own part in the general victory.
His last speech, on Wednesday, April II.
1866, was read from separate Sheets by faring
light as he stood at the same window. He wore
glasses, and the successive pages were read
passed them to friend who stood near 1t was
perhaps o'clock in the evening; Mrs Lincoln
and several lady friends stood at a side window.
There was some talking and diversion during the
reading. The reading was in reading tone,
but business-like and good, and the paper not
long. 1t was intended TO show the disposition
of the administration toward the seeded States,
and foreshadow the principles proposed for re-
construction. His manner was unpretentious,
but dgnifed, manly kindly and vigorous"
The same friendly observer sends other Lin
colnana:
+" That rent said a soldier in the hospital at
City Point, pointing up to the torn tissue paper
an establishment which, believe, the ladies
of the Christian Commission had fixed on the
ceiling above-'that was torn by Dir. Lincolns
hat as he passed through here on his way from
Richmond, and shook hands with every man,
loyal OR rebel, in the whole hospital
He STOOD like Saul, above the people
from the shoulders upward and his hat made
havoc with decorations overhead. Stepping out
side and seeing an Ak by log, his old rail
splitter spirit came over him. In moment his
long arms were putting home that ak toward the
heart of the fallen tree. The boys in blue gath
cred those chips to take home as mementoes Of
the backwoodsman who became President and
the emancipation of race.
An old soldier at the Soldiers Home, near
Washington, said: HE used to walk all about
in these paths; he was very kind and familiar
with us all.
To poor woman who desired his signature to
paper he said, MY name will do you no more
good than q pigs tracks in the mud"
A soldier stopped him in the road, against the
Columbia Hospital, and presented some letters,
desiring a furlough. He obtained it.
In the senatorial contest between Mr. Lincoln
and Mr.. Douglas. when they spoke at Freeport.
ILL.,, Mr.. Douglas appeared in an elegant ba-
rouche, drawn by four white horses, and was
received with great applause. But when Mr..
Lincoln came up in prairie schooner" viz,
an old fashioned, canvas covered pioneer wagon,
the enthusiasm of that vast throng was I'M
bounded.
When travelling about the quiet country towns
on his law business, it was his custom. at the
tavern or boarding house where he stopped, after
tea to get candle. and 60 to his room and read
awhile. He was not loafer.
At a political meeting in a grove, long,
shambling figure was seen sitting on the fence
and whiting thoughtfully, clothed in the slight
est of summer attire. After others had spoken,
"Lincoln! Lncoln!" was called, ard the whittier,
pocketing his knife and slipping from the fence,
made a characteristic speech. This was before
his great prominence.
At the same place, when the lady who enter
tanned him and some others at dinner made some
apology, he said he guessed it was better than
they would have got at home, anyhow.
To Bishop Simpson. after lecture on Ameri-
can progress, in which he did not speak of pc
troleum, Mr.. Lincoln said, as they came out,
''You did not strike lie"
The sheets and clothes stained with the blood
of Lincoln were literally torn in strips, as An
tony said of Caesar, and preserved as mementos
The assassination of Caesar and of William of
Orange were brought wildly to tho minds of
those who were in Washington.
Only day or two before the assassination
the Morning Chronicle, the Washington organ
Of the administration, said that a single life was
seldom indispensable to a country, but that just
then that of Abraham Lincoln seemed to be so.
1t seemed to be so indeed Yet he served his
country by his death as by his life. Not only
did his death at once prevent what might have
been the dangerous consequences of frenzy Of
exulration, but it taught us the most important
of truths. that no man, however great, and able,
and patriotic, and devoted, and beloved, is in
dispensabe to the welfare of the country There
are extreme eXigencies in which the natural cry
is, ooh, for an hour of Dundee!' But in the
great development of liberty no one man is
essential AS Charles Sumner said in beginning
his eulogy upon Lincoln SIN the Providence of
God there are accidents"
No Wonder 1t Died.
Little Falls, New York, Journal.
cd In hako of Columbus Nav II 1919