Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-11-08

wrn. ) X. Taylor. In The Century 10
November.

November.
The closing paragraphs Of tiis biography
Of Abrsfsm Lincoln 10 the August num-
her Of The Century Magazine recall a
memorable scene a, the White fIoa.e
which i. now given to the pu0lie and
makes 3 suitable appendix To the record 81
"Iineoln and the Charsi, he's II occurred
after an anniversary II the iiited states
the Capitol In the hail II the House of
Representative. sofn. time Ia the winter
Of 1858, in the presence ~ a great a--etn-
bly,, ia whlch the President wa- a silent
and deeply Interested auditor. with
Characteristic modesty he declined seat
upon the platform. aud the only public
demonstration that he made during the
evening was by a request. penciled on a
alp OF paper and handed to the presiding
officer, that Mr.. Philip Phillips, who was
one of the sweet singers Of the war time
would sing the hymn entitled ''i our
Mission" which was a favorite Of the
-ideDt. This request vas announced
and the piece was sung with wonderful
effect
After the anniversary, arrangements
were made for a private reception Of the
delegate by Mr. Lincoln at the Whit
House the next morning, with the distinct
understanding that nothing which took
place should lie made public. This put
all persons at their ease and the promise
~ privacy was well kept. 1t was time
of great anxiety aud OF long su-pense;
one OF those critical periods when decisive
battles were expected, and when news
coming.
At the appointed hour the delegates
we're u~hcred Into the i'restlent- office
soon afterwards Mr.. Lincoln came IN
slowly and locking carew"ru, sad, and
anxious. In brief remarks by men repre-
-cntipg the various works of the 'hri,tian
I commission, he was told that We bad no
requests to make. u" fivors 10 ask, no
offices TO scek that We we're there only to
a sure him OF our profoundest respect.
sympathy, aud loyalty To the Government
aud To himself rs it, head. and of our in
tcntion 10 carry on the philanthropic and
spiritual ministratiouS Of the Commission
In the army and navy. with the continued
sanction and help If himself and Of the
military nbd naval authorities. IL was
alao 4aid that "b.hind all the political and
patriotic forces OF the Union there was
yast thristlan constituency IN the homes
and churches Of the loyal States which
would never fail him with their PRAYERS
aui cons Grafton to the cause for which
the Government was conteudug against
armed rebellion in the ii I'D Of war. md
against d'sloyai opposition Ia the North.
To these sentiments and assurances Mr..
Lincoln listened with closest attention,
aud he replied a. my vivid recollection
serves me. chiefly in these very few
words
~ thank you, gentlentn, for this inter.
view. Such visits strengthen me. No
man who knows what We know here of
the state ot things can fail to see that a
greater than human hand ia controlling
the issues OF this war. II our great enemy
over there pointing his finger across the
Potomac. could have hid his way, he
would have had victory long ago. But
the Almighty has not thought as he
thought If could have had my way I
would have had victory long ago. But it
Is evident that the Almighty has not
Thought as ! thought know not how
nor when, nor by whom it shall be ae-
compliShed. hut have firm, mistaken
faith that in the end success will crown
our arms, and that the Union of these
States viii be restored and maintained
Then. alluding with kindly appreciation
speeding the loyalty of the Christian con
stituency in the churches of the land he
said:
Whatever differences of opinion may
exist concerning the management Of the
war. IL IL manifest that the Government
must he sustained by the people OF the
loyal States, For example, he said. with
a humorous smile and twinkle of the
eye that lighted up his grave face for the
moment. Iii man wishes to be elected
President OF the United States, he must