The Wilmingtonian., 1885-06-20

this ground. The brave men who struggled |
here have consecrated it far above our poor
power to add or detract. The world will
little note or long remember what we say
here, but it can never forget what they
who fought there have thus far SO nobly
advanced. 1t is rather for us to be here
dedicated to the great task remaining before
us, that from these honored dead we take
increased devotion to that cause for which
they gave a last full measure of devotion; that
we here highly resolve that these dead shall
not have died in vain; that this nation under
God, shall have new birth of freedom,
and that government of the people, by the
people, for the people, shall not perish from
the earth.
He followed Edward Everett, whose
speech was worthy of his reputation as one
Of the most accomplished orators of the age
and when he concluded, it is said that
Mr.. Everett taking Mr.. Lincoln's hand,
remarked my speech will soon be for
gotten; yours never will be. How gladly
would exchange my hundred pages for
your twenty lines!'
LINCoLN's sToRP TELLING.
Mr. Lincoln excelled as story teller. The
habit of story telling was formed in his early
professional life, when, in company with a
few other prominent members of the bar,
he visited counties at long distance from
his own, to try important cases. The jour
neys from county to country were long and
protracted, and as there were no newspapers
or books in the cabins where they spent
the nights, these lawyer circuit-riders, as
they were called, killed the time as the
saying was by telling stories, IN which
invention as well as memory was brought
| into play.
In inventing stories and skill in telling
them Mr.. Lincoln was the acknowledged
leader. The habit of storytelling, thus
formed; became part of his nature, and he
gave free rein to it, even when the fate of
the nation seemed to be trembling in the
| balance.
Some eight or ten days after the first
battle of Bull Rum, when Washington was
utterly demoralized by its result, / called
upon him at the White House, in company
with few friends, and was amazed when.
referring to something which had been said
-by one of the company about the battle
which was so disastrous TO the Union forces
he remarked in his usual quiet manner:
'rhat iemiG DIS me of story" which he
told in a manner SO humorous as to Indicate
that he was free from care and apprehension.
This to me was surprising.
| could not then understand how the Pres
dent could feel like telling a story wher
Washington was iu danger of being captur-
ed, and the whole North was dismayed; and
left the White House with tile Telling tina;
had been mistaken in Mr. Lncon't
character, and that his election might rove
to have been fatal mistake. This feeling
was changed from day to day as the wal
went on; but twas not entirely overcome
until went to Washington in the Spring
OF 1868 and as an officer of the Government
was permitted to have free intercourse witt
him.
| then perceived that my estimate of hin
before bis election was well grounded, anC
that he possessed even higher qualities THAI
| had given him credit for that he was
man OF sound Judgment, great singlenes
and tenacity of purpose, and extramdinar,
sagacitv: that stnry. telling was atn hin
a satety-valve, and that he indulged in it
not only for the pleasure it afforded him
but for temporary relief from oppressin,
cares that the habit had been SO cultivate,
that lie could make story illustrate
sentiment and give point to an argument
/, Many Of his stories were as apt and instuc
tive as the best Of 4Esop's fables.
| HOW CRITICAL NIGHT PASSED.
The evening of the day on which til
. reports Of Sherdau's great victory in til
! Valley Of Virginia were received l spen
: with him in company with Mr.. Randall
5 postmaster general, and few of Mr.. Lin
, coins personal friends, at the Soldiers
Y Home. Mr.. Lincoln was in the best q
spirits and Randall was also a good stor
g teller. For two hours there was cor
t stant run of story y-telling-Lincoln leadin
and Randall following-a contest betwee
: them as to which should tell the best stor
t aud provoke the heartiest laughter Tn
0 stories were not such as would be listene
: to with pleasure by very refined ears, bu
c they were exceedingly funny. The verde
{ OF the listeners vas that, while the storit
wcle equally good, Mr.. Lincoln had display
ed the most humor and skill.
9 Mr., Lincoln was Severly denounced nc
II ouly by the out-aud-out Abolitionists, bu
# by men less pronounced in their anti-slaver
views, such as Mr. Wade and Mr.. Greele,
i, for his delay in emancipating the slave
l. under his war power, as it was called. Tn
was caused by his doubts as to whetht
"a the public sentiment of the North, wit
# which he always kept abreast, was prepare
g for measure SO momentous and far-reacl
+, ing by his profound respect for the Const
tuition which he had sworn to maintain
:, and especially by his fears that emancipatio
would retard, if it did not prevent, the re-
toration of the Union. In his letter to NJ
:, Greeley on the 22d of August, 1862, b
y said
Ny paramount object is to save the Uniol
!, and not either to save or destroy SLAYER,
! II could save the Union without freein
: any slave, | woul do it; if could save
by freeing all the Slaves, | would do it; an
-, il could save 1t by fleeing some and lettin
others alone | would do it.
> 1t must be admitted that this languan
was hardly consistent with the opinion b
had 50 frequently expressed, before h
= election, that the United States could nc