The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-12


name was then on every lip as that OF one who
would lead large of southern Illinois in
to rebellion
They tell me John is acting curious" said
mr.. Llneoln standing before the fire with his
coat-tatls apart. and his head bent . musiug
way. You are from Egypt. What do the peo-
pie there think of hint"
They think he will be against youH replied.
dreading TO add anything TO his burden but
being unable to avoid direct answer under the
penetrating glance of his honest eyes
II DON'T said Mr.. Lincoln, decisively. s'Lo-
gan has been on the surface anti Douglas
man, but know that in his heart he loves Doug
las as brother. l think understand John.
He ives IN section composed largely of old
Kentucky and Virginia stock These men have
sympathy for the South which opposition
would only intensity, but which an actual rebel
lion will almost entirely destroy. think Logan
is only going with his section now, and waiting
for the ball to open. I count him and most
of the fighting Democrats of Southern Illinois
to defend, not Lincoln, but their country"
In two subsequent visits to Springfield,
before the day Of Lincoln's departure Tor Wash,
ingron. Judge Gillespie found his ole friend
changing and variable in mood, with only now
and then fash of the old humor appearing
tighten the clouds which seemed to be lowering
about him. A look of settled dependency had
come upon his face.
1.-The historians saw that that look was natur-
al and habitual to him." said the Judges narra-
tive. Perhaps it after the historians came
to know him. but believe that it was during
those weary months of idle watching and wait
ing that the look of deep anxiety was fixed upon
few remaining years of his life. He was pre-
eminently resourceful man, and relied largely
upon the exigencies of a situation to suggest the
best possible line OF action.
AS a lawyer his greatest strength was In
meeting what his antagonists held In reserve AS
the strong points of their cases could see
that he was wearing himself out in his anxiety
to get into action and determine his course by
the policy of his enemies. / told him so.'
You right" said he "buu one but an
old friend like yourself would know it. When
you was here last you spoke of amending the
Constitution for the benefit of some man who
will be caught, in the future. IN the same fix
that am in I think it had better be let
alone, Joe. have thought good deal about
that since You spoke of it, and while it might
augural day too after the election might,
if the result was disputed. plunge the country
into civil war before party passion could cool,
means of settlement be adopted"
II could not the force of his reasoning
them adds the Judge, ''but since have lived
to see party conflict, such he described,
arise. which could only be settled by extra con-
stitutional means, after the struggle had been
protracted to the last day, and the last hour of
constitutional limitation, am moved to greater
reverence for bis memory"
About that time the Republican majority in
the two branches of Congress assumed the re-
markable attitude of organizing the two Terrific
preston upon or restriction of slavery. This
was not only in conflict with the avowed policy
of the Republican party. but it was virtual
abandonment of the position previously taken
in Congress such questions. by all the ele-
ments opposed to the extension of slavery which
the Republican party assumed to represent
This action upon the part of Republicans in
Congress aroused the resentment of the party
throughout the North. No was quicker to
its full significance than the President-s elect
1T seems to me-" said he to Judge Gillespie
at the time, and only day two before he
started for Washington, ''that Douglas got the
best of it at the election last fall / am left to
face an empty treasury and a great rebellion.
while my own party indorses his popular SOW
ereignty idea and applies il in legislation"
II ventured to ask him what his inaugural
message would recommend. and he replied, as
ahead of the hounds, being fully satisfied that
war was inevitable. and determined to do or say
nothing which could be tortured into RESPONSE
billty for it !" Il parted from him." saws Judge
Gillespie. ''only a very few days before his de-
parture He seemed to be in better spirits then
and told him that believed it would do him
good to get down to Washington"
1T know it will. he replied II only wish
could have got there to lock the door before the
horse stolen. But when get to the spot
can find the tracks,
He bid me good by said the last of these
notes taken before Judge Gillespie's death,
with hearty grasp of the hand and an earnest
request that should come to Washington. /
promised him to do so, ard I did"
could have left such interesting memoirs of the
great emancipation these of his bosom friend.
Had not death written omega" ere "Alpha"
had long been passed? Relating not so much to
his public and political acts as to the feelings
and motives which inspired them they would
have thrown food of light upon the deepest
and purest we'll springs of that great character.
The friends separated here reunited there,
and what is the worlds loss is their gain.