The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-03-13
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w SSeAN ANNV NsbVt1Pt7N IA oANtSAS'
with the Secretary, for there was then (
great deal OF diplomatic correspondence
being carried on. The attitude Of Eng
gland was very much feared, and on one
Of those letters might have depended the
fate OF the Nation. We spoke to Mr.
Seward, however, and told him the obisCI
Of our visit,
He replied: Gentlemen, It is matter
Of the highest moment, and | should be
very glad to talk it over with you, but, as
you see, nay foreign mail Is Just in, 1t ID
Of the greatest importance and must be
attended to at once. shall, therefore,
not have time to consult with you al
present.
"said 1; 'Mr, Seward, can you tell US
whether or not you are ou our sideY
GAS | have just said, | cannot talk the
matter over just now, he replied; 1T used
to be when was in Congress, that when
anyone interested in the passage OF q bill
approached me to see how would vote
on II, II j was opposed to 1t l listened to
all he had 10 say; on the other hand, II
favored 1t, declined to hear any argu-
ment in Its favor as l was always pushed
for time. Gentlemen, you see my foreign
mail is waiting, and l have no time now
TO hear you.
"We left Mr.. Seward feeling much en-
Couraged by the roundabout assurance he
had given us that he favored the bill. We
found Mr.. Chase, Secretary OF the Treas
ury, in our favor, but We received cold
comfort from Welles and Bates, while We
struck q Bnag when we called tosee Mont
gomery Blair. He told us that he would
not 'tamely submit to sit calmly by and
see the grand old Commonwealth OF Vir.
ginia, Mother Of Presidents, thus dismem
bered to crafty the inClinStions OF q small
proportion OF her citizens, and great
deal Of other heroic stuff | do not now re-
member. Senator Wiley, generally the
most quiet and modest OF men, became
Justly incensed at the uncalled for vohe-
msnGe OF Mr., Dlair's opposition, and he
entered into a heated argument with him,
in which, let ME assume, my colleague
had by far the best Of it.
"Alter our vsitI had influential Repub.
liCans see the various members OF the
Cabinet daily, and urge upon them the
necessity Of the new State. l IRlso called
on the President, but with rs little appsr-
eut success as before. On this occasion,
he asked me this question:
is this bill constitutional
"'Why, Mr.. President Ireplled, that
is no longer de6atable question. Our
Senators and our Representatives have
been admitted to Congress from the State,
and the Executive Department OF the
United states na9 recognized the restored
Government ot West Virginia, as the true
Government.
10 this ne made no reply, but he ,ap::
peared as though nut nall convinced oil
the expediency Of the desired approval.
THE PREsIDRST's ATTITUDE,
mOn Dscember a, the last dav in which
A.. n.aatJoat 80 - 49,, A. -, - 100
Tue iFeS'uen' n"u 70 siEn 'no Dill, fe'
member coming out OF the National Hotel
where | boarded, and looking at my
watch, was surprised to tiud that 1t was
four o'clock. The thought struck me that
must SEQ the President at once, or, per.
haps, II would be too late. | iumped on
the cars and soon found myaeli at the
White House. The doors OF the mansion
were closed and locked, and 1t seemed
impossible to get 10 see tho President
The entire force OF attaches we're working
for the next mornings New Years recep.
ton, and would admit no one. was In
despair. 30 impressed was with the i'm.
portanCe OF my mission, that went to q
window on the left side OF the portico,
threw up the sash, and lesplng in found
myself In what 10 used as the gen.
eral reception room. went out
into the hall, and upstairs, where
| found all the doors open but no one in
sight. went to the room used by the
President as an office, but found 1t tlnoc.
Cupied. / determined to see Mr.. Lincoln
at all hazards, even II | had. to wait In the
hall until he came to retire for tho night.
1 became excited and walked back and
forth along the great hall in front Of the
office door. Finally as | turned in my
walk at the rear Of the hall, / saw Mr.
Lincoln come up the stairs walking slowly
In an abstraCted manner and entered hts
room. walked at once TO the door, and
saw him sitting by small table, his head
resting In one hand, while with the other
he held an open book, apparently read
Ing. ! stepped just over the threshold
and said
"'Mr' President, l would like 70 ask
Soonoa YOU Oao ques'''n' Anu W"''eu '0f hiS re-
SHe replied slowly, ina weary manner.
without raising his eyes from the book |:
I'D rather you would not.
" said: 'Mr. President, this Is the last
day you have In which TO sign the bill for
the admission Of tho new State into the
Union
"He looked up quickly, saying: blair,
is that your
"Aiter q few more words In regard to
the matter, he continued:
"'I would like to see your delegation
this evening at 7 O'Clock. | want 70 talk
to you about signing that BILL
II returned to the hotel, and immedi.
ately informed my colleagues, Senator
Wiley and Congressman Brown, OF our
appointment With the President. Promptly
at o'clock we were on hand. After the
usual Balutations, Mr.. Lincoln remarked !:
"'I-hRVe asked aud received the written
opinions Of my Cabinet, as To the pro.
priety Of approving this bill. These will
read to you, but as read them will not
inform YOU whose opinions they are.'