Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-15
LincOIn's Kindness,
From the Boltim ore Americ

From the Baltimore American.
abraham Lincoln" said Judge Kelley, of
Pennsylvania, " no is the father of the House
of Representatives, twas the most patient
man in the details of life I ever saw He was
the only President we have ever had and
probably ever will have. who knew nothing
was the only man we ever had at the White
House who would go back of the wishes of
persons and examine their real wants. re-
member an incident in connection with the
war which illustrates what / am trying to
say. 1t is not proper for me to use ames
but the story goes: 1t " as at that early period
In the war when suspects and consprato
were being arrested and imprisoned by the
wholesale. A letter written upon printed
sheet OF paper, givlngthe business OF proml-
nent firm of merchants In New York, and
containing incendiary language toward the
Union. found Its way into the hands OF a gov
eminent Official in the South. The deelara-
tons were penned by a travelling man, who
represented the firm mentioned in the letter
head. The result was the arrest OF the prin-
cipal member of the firm on the charge II
conspiracy against the government. The let
ter was signed in such way as to not make
it perfectly clear as to who the author was.
aud, Of course. suspicion bore heavily upon
the firm mentioned. He Is a man well known
in New York to day. Men were held in
pr son at that time on the slightest suspicion
suspicion, in fact, more slight than this one.
The wife OF the merchant came to friend Of
mine in New York Immediately after the ar
rest of the husband, and requested him to
co ann uncate to President Lincoln the fact
that her husband had been arrested for some-
thing for which he was in no way responsible
My friend addressed note TO the President
telling him that the man under arrest was
not guilty of the misdemeanOr Q zen in a COL
lateral or the most remote way. The wife
came here; It was II O'Clock at night when
she arrived. At the depot she told the Dab
man to drive TO the White House. The driver
eXpost ulated with her, and told her that 1t
was Of no use to call at the White House az
oh a Lott n ma hn AMI 10
made no difference she wanted 60 see Mr..
Lincoln, and that no must drive her immedi-
ately TO the executive mansion. When she
presented herself at the entrance to the
White House IL was midnight. Everything
was quiet. The Gordon OF police very stormy
at that time, turned out in full force. They
would not listen at first TO her entreaties to
be admitted to the White House. Finally,
she prevailed upon one of tho officers to take
the letter OF introduction she had TO Presi-
dent Lincoln, who was then asleep. A minute
after the President had been awakened his
voice was heard in the corridor on the upper
floor. He held the letter in his hand. and the
tIanor upon 1t Indicated his feeling.
MRS. -. this case demands immediate
action" said Mr. Lincoln. "if you Will take
my arm wo will 20 Immediately to Secretary
Stanton Across the lots at rapid pace
went the President and the lady. stanton
was aroused from his slumbers, shown the
letter by the President and requested to re-
lease the prisoner. He wrote dispatch and
handed it 20 MIR. Lincoln, and said he would
attend to.the matter further in the morning.
Like lacky boy, the President, with the
lady, started toward The downtown hotels.
1t was o'clock in the morning Washing
ton was filed with revolutionists and would
be Rssassins. yet MIR. Lincoln never faltered
and seemed not to comprehend his danger,
Whom he arrived at the hotel, with the lady
on his arm. be told her 10 go 10 her room,
sleep soundly, return to New YORK In the
morning, and that her husband would meet
her on the dock. The lady could not believe
IL, but Mr.. lincoln assured her that such
would be the case. The President then went
to the telegraph office, nled the message,
which demanded the unconditional release OF
the prisoner, and returned TO the White
House alone. Sure enough, when the lady
alighted frTn the ferry at New York the next
am Inclined 10 believe the millennium with
come before we shall have another President
who would do such an act 40 this"