Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-04
Valts aud Skftfhts.
"reminiscences Of Lincoln.

may perhaps he called especially Provi-
dental man. When Washington was
summoned to command the Revolutionary
army he was already known by distin-
guished service, and he was afterward
made President because of the greatest OF
public services, and of the universal af-
lection and confidence of the country.
But when Lincoln was elected President.
On the eve of the greatest of civil con-
troversies, his capacity tor the tremendous
trust had been improved: and that at such
a time such man should have appeared
at the head of the nation equal to the issue
and able wisely to WELD the enormous au-
thoritv that the occasion demanded. and
should prove to be in every way the man
of all men tor 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 part. And therefore what
ever he said and did was marked by his
strong individuality. A correspondent in
North Carolina says:
IL heard MIR. Lincoln's last two speech
es. One. extemporaneous, on Monday
evening, April 10. from the historic middle
front window in the second story of the
White House. He had just returned from
City Point, and the people thronging
around the White House would have q
speech. For good while he did not APP
pear. and seemed to be reluctant to speak
without manuscript. lest at that critical
Juncture some injurious impression should
be made by an accidental word or SEN
tence.
However. the crowd persisted to call
till he appeared. 1t was my first sight of
the man. He appeared somewhat young
er and more off hand and vigorous than |
should have expected. His bright. know
ing. somewhat humorous look reminded
me of we'll practiced country physician,
who had read men through until he I'M
derstood them well. There was the hui
morous kindness of good natured doctor
who had seen his patients through a most
awful siege OF sickness, till they were now
fairly and fully convalescent, and who
was disposed to let the past. whatever it
had cost him or them, 90 by for the time,
and have little cheerful congratulation.
HIS gestures and expression of cOunte
nance had something of the harmless sat
isfaction of a young politician at a rat;fica-
ton meeting, after his first election to the
legislature. He was happy, and glad to
see others happy, and willing to receive
the congratulations of his friends for his
own part in the general victory.
His last speech on Wednesday, April
~. 1865. was read from separate sheets,
by a flaring light. as he stood at the same
window. He wore glasses. and as the
successive pages were read, passed them
to friend that stood near. 1t was per-
haps eight 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 bust
ness 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 pro-
posed tor reconstruction. His manner
was unpretentious but dgnfied, manly,
kindly and vigorous
The same friendly observer sends other
Lincolniana
THAT rent. said a soldier IN the hospi-
tai at City Point. pointing up to the torn
tissue paper-and establishment which. |
believe. the ladies of the Christian Com
mission had fixed on the ceiling above
that was torn by Mr.. Lincoln's hat as he
passed through here on his wav 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. Step
ping outside, and seeing an axe by log,
his old rail-splitter spirit came over him.
In a moment his long arms were putting
home that axe toward the heart of the
fallen tree. The Toys in blue gathered
those chips to take home as mementOs of
the backwoodsman who became President
and the emancipation of a 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 sig
nature to paper. he said MY name will
do you no more good than pigs tracks in
the mud"
A soldier stopped him in the road,
against the Columbia Hospital, and pre-
scented some letters, desiring a furlough
He obtained it.
Lincoln and Mr.. Douglas, when they spok e
at Freeport, Illinois, Mr.. Douglas appeared
in an elegant barouche 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 the vast throng was I'M
bounded.
When travelling about the quiet country
towns on his law business it was his Gus
tom. st the tavern or boarding house
where he stopped. after tea to get a candle
and 90 to his room and read awhile. He
was not loafer.
At a political meeting in grove, a
long. stumbling figure was seen sitting on
the fence and whiting thoughtfullv.
clothed in the slightest of summer attire
After others had spoken, Lincoln! Lin
coin ~ was called. and 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
entertained 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
American progress. in which he did not
speak of petroleum. Mr.. Lincoln said, as
they came out, "You did not strike lie :"