The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-02-24
OF EMANCIPATION.
A Good Story Relating to a Great
Historic Event.

| An indianapolis correspondent OF the
st. Louis Globe Democrat writes: Ex-
Congressman Ralph Hill tells the fol-
lowing story about Lincoln and Thad
Stevens, which was narrated by Mr..
Stevens to him, and which has never
yet got into print:
Towards the close of the special SEES
sion of Congress, in August, 1861, Mr.
Stevens advocated the con6scation of
slave property and the armiDg of con
fiscated slaves. In the evening, after be
had expressed these sentiments on the
| floor of the house, he received note
| from President Lincoln. requesting him
to call at the Whit House, to which he
Immediately responded. He was met
| by President Lincoln, who treated him
| coolly. ana to use the language of Mi
Stevens, in speaking of the interview,
The scolded me like thief" Mr.. Lin
| coin said that the proposition advocated
by Mr.. Stevens would stop enlistmen,s,
would cause assertions. would break
down the army, and would result in IN
told disaster to the Union cause. Mr..
Stevens replied to Mr.. Lincoln that he
thought that he had overestimated the
Importance of his remarks on the floor
of the House, because he expressly
stated that the sentiments which he
avowed were his own alone, and he b &
distinctly affirmed trat nobody but
himself was responsib for tn utter
ance. President Lincoln answered that
he (Stevens) held too prominent posi-
ton in the Republican party to isola'e
himself from the party on matter of
that character; that the party would be
responsible, and the administration as
well, for his language, aud the charge
made by Democrats that the war Was
being waged solely for the abolition of
slavely would receive support from the
course he had pursued. A lengthy
conversation followed, of no pleasant
character throughout. and when they
parted, Mr.. Stevens remarked to Mr..
Lincoln: "Mr. President, l ask only
two years. time for the loyal people OF
the United States to come to the posi-
ton l have taken to-day" ano. he
added, I'VE parted in no peasant
humor."
Congress soon adjourned and did not
reassemble until December following
Mr.. Stevens told Mr.. Hill that he han
no further communication with the
White House except of purely Official
character, for about year, when he
celVeu another note from the President
requesting him to call. To this he I'M
mediately responded and when he
reached the White House, he found the
President III his private Office. appar-
eptlv Waiting for him. When Mr.. Lin
| coin saw him. he rushed to him,
grasped him 0y the hand, and said:
Mr.. Stevens. l owe you au apology T."
Mr.. Stevens disclained any such obli-
cation. bnt iHr. Lincoln persisted.
Yes, - Do you remember when
you we uere one year ago?''
"Ye- said Mr.. Stevens.
do You remember now l talked to
you, Low l abused you, and how
roughly | treated your" continued the
President.
Il remember we had some pretty
warm words "a Mr.. Stevens, but
| entertain 10 uuklnu feelings in conSe-
quence of what then occurred"
do you remeIn er," said Mr.. Lii
coin, that when you Left you asked TO-
only two years time, wIihin which VI u
believed ire loyal people of the United
States would approve of the position
you then advocated, of conhscating
slave property and enlisting the slaves
il the armv-with which [ found so
much fault?''
Yes" said Mr.. Stevens, 81 remem-
Der thai"
"Well," continued Mr.. Lincoln, Il
| have come to the position you then ad
vocated. | believe the loyal people Of
he United states have come to that po
sition. and l am LOW preparing an
emancipation proclamation. Since /
bave been constantly reminded of
what occurred to me. and l could not
rest until l had sent for you and apollo
| gizeT :" -ou for my conduct towards
you theu.n
NJ, ,ons said he could not but ap
preciate his position in receiving an
| apology from the President of the
United States; that this magnanimity
| of Mr.. Lincoln raised him very greatly
in his opinion, which had always be en- q
very favor able one. and he added that
they had some pleasant words about
the affairs of the country. in the course
of which Mr.. Lincoln made use of an
expression that he thought was the
| toughest be had ever heard coming
from man in high official pos. tor.
The President sat with his long legs
crossed, huggrg his knee, and talking
OF the War, and The state OF the couu-
tr , and he said:
Well, Mr.. Stevens, this is prett,
og hog TO hold, and it's pretty hard tt
make all things g,he."