The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-10-09
LINCOLN AND HIS LAW OFFICE

the Algh rank and reputation OF EvartS,
Brady, Seward. Carpenter and Webster.
He never had their kind of practice, nor
did he have fifty thousand dollars as q
retainer, or a great city press to report
his speeches to the million. His largest
fee was five thousand dollars in Rail-
road case. Although notably success
full, his peculiar strength lay in reason
ing of facts, more than the law he cited.
Few men ever lived with a broader
grasp Of human nature and clearer way
of explaining things. This came to
him by his genius and intuition, and
that early battle with poverty of re-
sources, to gain wisdom, gave him o
marvellous memory of all he learned.
A large, ungraceful frame, that to
others would have been hindrance,
was to him in Illinois, an element of
greatness. AS a trial lawyer, his grasp
of the merits and mastery of the right
theory to win with, made him o power.
full advocate before o jury. His manner
was so plain that it enforced attention
his eyes were piercing, his look so
earnest, his words so apt while speaking
that even an adversary became con-
yinced by his reasoning. One who
heard him in Leavenworth, during the
early Kansas trouble, said Although
his audience was largely of enemies,
fifteen minutes later they were cheer
ing him like friends" He put clear
reason in all that he said, and clenched
it by an incident that carried conviction
straight to the hearts of his hearers.
His keen, quaint, crisp stories were
only side lights to bring out his word
painting in holder relief. Like the
brilliant Carpenter, whose style was
somewhat similar, he held his audience
by flower or q tear, as best suited his
purpose even without seeming to be
eloquent.
His modest Office in Springfield was
in the second story of plain red brick
block, reached by narrow dingy stairs;
large and poorly furnished, supplied
with numerous odd looking chairs and
tables, and not very inviting in appear
ance. Such conveniences as type
writer's flc-cases, letter-fles, and book
racks were then unknown in Springfield.
A few old briefs remained in his plain
handwriting, and very many law, books
lined the walls, in cases, but neither
rich carpets nor fine ceilings adorned
the firms office. The windows were Of
small glass and not attractive. The
days of good law-offices had not arrived,
and the solid comforts of the average
city lawyer were all unknown to Mr..
his favorite counsel, Leonard Sweet, in
Chicago
Born and reared in poverty, he in
herited by it both fund of humor and
vein of sadness that never left him.
In his struggle with the world in youth,
and with war in manhood called to
high stations before he was fully known
to the people, it is doubtful if he ever
fully realized the tame he had won as
an advocate, or the genius he possessed
as man. He was born of his time, q
creature of the age of giants, genius
from the people, all the greater for his
struggles, for he really did more than
any man of his day to destroy caste and
give courage to the lowly, and therein
he wrote the very brightest pages of
human progress.
With Lincoln, prompted labor be-
came honorable, and men no longer de-
MED their humble beginning Lincoln,
the lowly, the exalted, the pure man in
rude marble, the plain cover to IA gentle
nature, the giant fame and noble in
tellect! The shaft that marks his silent
rest ng-place. the books he read, the
office he used, the strong body that
covered his warm heart and wise pur-
poses were only the outer symbols to
the higher gifts or his Creator! All
gifts and graces are never found in one
person. He is great if the good pre-
dominates. All are not born equal.
Gifts are diversified; but if ever a man
had the genius of greatness it was Lin
coin. AS all are eloquent in that which
they know. he was eloquent in the
affairs of life.
peoDjo with very IorOo noses NAV he