The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-07-25

above the lire. lie SAID to the man: Il
am looking up some lands that | think
belong to my father and inquired of the
man in what section he lived. Without
having ascertained the section, Mr.. Lewis
proceeded to exhibit his title papers in
evidence, and, having established good
title, as he thought, said to the man:
Now, that is my title. What is yours?
The pioneer, who had by this time be-
come somewhat interested in the proceed
ing, pointed his long finger toward the
rifle. Said he: Young man, do you see
that gun?' Mr.. Lewis frankly admitted
that he did. We'll, said he, that is my
title, and if you don't get out of here
pretty damned quick, you will feel the
force of it.
"Mr. Lewis very hurriedly put his title
papers in his saddle bags, mounted his
pony and galloped down the road, and,
as Bob says, the old pioneer snapped his
gun twice at him before he could turn
the corner. Lewis said that he had never
been back to disturb that mans title
since. Now" said MI. Lincoln, 'the
military authorities have the same title
against the civil authorities that closed
out Bob's Mormon title in Missouri. You
may judge what may be the result in
this case" When l returned to the hotel
l told the story to the anxious cotton
spectators, and they all understood what
would be the policy Of the Administra-
ton as we'll as if proclamation had been
issued.
A sERIOUS-MINDED MAN.
With all the jollty of his everyday
life, in all but the surface indications of
his character he was sad and serious. The
poem which he SO often quoted, ooh !!
why should the spirit of mortal be
proud?' was reflex in poetic form of
the deep melancholy of his soul. have
heard him as he sat by the decaying en-
bers of an old. fashioned fireplace, when
the days merriment and business were
over and the nights stiffness had assum-
ed dominion, quote at length his favorite
poem.
Another story is told illustrative of Mr..
Lincoln's ability to relieve the embar-
rassment of his situation as President by
master stroke Of wit. In 1862 the peo-
pie of New York city were apprehensive
of bombardment by some of the Con-
federate cruisers; public meetings were
held to express the gravity of the situa-
ton, and to induce the Government to
do something by way of permanently
protecting the city. In contamination of
that purpose delegation of fifty gentle
men, representing in their own right
500, 600, 900, was selected to visit Wash
ington and have an interview with the
President, and induce him to detail
gunboat to protect the city. The COM
mittee requested gentleman then stay
ing in Washington to arrange with the
President time whom he could see them.
Mr.. Lincoln seemed to be much puz-
zled what to say or do, and remarked to
the gentleman who was arranging as to
the interview: 81 have no gunboats or
ships of war that can be spared from &C.
tive service, but, inasmuch as they have
come to see me, shall have to see them
and get along as best l can" The COM
mittee called at the appointed time, and
we're introduced as gentlemen ''repre.
senting 100000 900 in their own right. -
The chairman of the delegation made a
very earnest appeal to the President for
protection and remarked that they rep
resented the wealth of the city, lone
hundred millions in their own right"
Mr.. Lincoln heard them attentively, evil
IDENTIFY impressed with the "huntlred mil
lions," and replied as follows:
Gentlemen. am by the Constitution
comlnander-in-chief of the army and navy
Of the United States; and, as matter of
law. eau order anything done that is
practicable to be done; but, as matter
of fact, l am not in command of the gun.
boats or ships of war; as matter of fact
| do not know exactly where they are,
but presume they are actively engaged.
1t is impossible for me in the condition
of things to furnish you gunboat. The
credit of the government is at very low
ebb. Greenbacks are not worth more
than forty or fifty cents on the dollar,
and in this condition of things, if 1 was
worth half as much as you, gentlemen,
are represented to be, and as badly fright
ened as you seem to be, l would build a
gunboat and give it to the Government"
The gentleman who accompanied the
delegation says he never saw one hun
dred millions sink in such Insignificant
proportions as the committee recrossed
the threshold of the White House sadder
but wiser men. They had learned that
money, as we'll as muscle, was factor
of war. But, Mr.. Editor, this paper has
already gone beyond its intended limits
and must close.
LAWRENCE WELDON.