St. Paul daily globe., 1893-02-15

1t would be in the power of man to
give. The government of the peo-
pie, for the people and by the people,
While in Paris short time since it was
my fortune to enter into discussion of
the government of the United States
with some of the representatives OF
other governments. | happened to
make use of the immortal expression of
Lincoln in regard to the government of
the people, and, although it was not the
first time, probably, that it had been
used in the city of Paris, 1t was pub
lished in the papers of the city Oh the
following day, and since then 1t has
travelled all over the continent of
Europe.
ga prominent Russian general once
said to me that he had often wondered
where all of the great men WHO made
such distinction for the United States
during the civil war had come from. He
said that itwas Impossible for any of the
European countries to gather together
such an assemblage of great men, aud
he thought that it must be strictly
American product"
The archbishop concluded his el0-
quent address by pleading that all
should make of themselves pure Ameri-
cans, and to try and be as like Abraham
Lincoln as was possible.
The quartette then rendered the song
"Old Shady" after'whlch the chairman
introduced Gov. Ramsey. who had been
persuaded to make few remarks. They
were as as follows:
Ev-GOV. Ramsey.
"Certainly there is appropriateness in
the Minnesota commandery of the
Loyal Legion celebrating the recent an :
nlversary of the birth of Abraham LIN
coin, who, by virtue of his office as
president of the United States was com
mander-in-chief of the army aud navy.
which prevented the dissolution of the
Union. 1t is not quite so clear why l
should prepare paper for this evening
however, at the request of the recorder,
l have jot.ed down some "reminiscences
Uf the administration of him who will,
undoubtedly, 10y future generations be
considered the savior, as Washington is
designated the lounder, OF the republic.
Toward the close of my last term as a
member of the United States house of
representatives from one of the districts
of Pennsylvania l boarded at the house
of widow, who lived in what was then
known as the Duff Green row. OH
East First street, south of B street. fac
Ing the east front of the capitol, now
pulled down to make way for the mag
nificent library building ordered by
congress.
duff Green, after whom the row was
named, had been a fiery editor and
ardent admirer Of President Jackson,
and the fierceness OF his sentences had
involved him in more than one duel.
One day at my boarding house a
stranger appeared, and l was told that
lie was Abraham Lincoln. the only
Whig member of Illinois, who had been
elected to the next, which was the Thir-
teenth congress.
''He seemed to be on visit of o5ser-
vation before taking his seat, but he
made no distinct impression upon Inc.
and think. during his term as mem-
Der of congress no occasion arose to
call forth any display of that force of
character of which he afterwards proved
himself go amply possessed.
His ability was brought out in his
debates with Stephen A. Douglas. BY
his clear logic, quick repartee and good
humor, his fellow citizens were con-
vlnced that he was more of man than
they had hitherto supposed him to be.
During the second week of April.
1861, was in Washington cn some bust
ness as the governor of Minnesota, and
Abraham Lincoln, who had been
steadily rising in the estimation of til
county since first L saw him, some
fourteen years before, had the month
before been inaugurated as president of
the United States of America. q
''On Saturday. the 18th of April, news
was received that the Insurgents at
Charleston had opened fire on Fort
Sumter. That night the lobbieS of the
hotels were full of excited men, anxious
to obtain additional news. After break
fast Sunday morning went to rhe war
department, and when ushered into
Secretary Camer0n's room, found him
standing, with hat on and a bundle of
papers in his hand. 30
1--WE had been fellow townsmen and
friends for many years, and he quickly
SAID: Il have no time to stop; am on
my way to see the president; what
do you want?' When told that
l came to offer 1000 men in
behalf of Minnesota to meet the
emergency that had arisen. he contin-
ued. Hurry, write 1t in official form,
and | will take it over to the executive
mansion"
Messrs. Nicolay and Hay, l am in
formed, mention that the president
was much encouraged by the proffer of
regiment so soon from state SO new.
and which then was so remote from the
capital. Returning to ST. Paul about
ten days after, found there had been
the fullest response to my pledge. The
greatest enthusiasm prevailed, not only
in the city. but throughout the state.
and on the I'd of May telegraphed the
secretary of war that a regiment was
organized and awaiting orders.
''t'rom May, 1861. until my election as
United States senator in 1868. was
wholly occupied in raising regiments
not only for the preservation of the
Union but for the protection of the
frontiers Of Minnesota from the inroads
of the Sioux Indians, who had suddenly
arisen and scalped hundreds Of men,
women and children in SparSely settled
districts. The departure of so many
able-Dodied men to Subdue the rebellion
had quickened the desire to raise the
War-WhoOp.
"When | again returned TO Washing
ton to reside, everything was changed.
The deep green foliage, with birds fit
ting among the branches, which had
surrounded the city in summer, fringe
of beauty, had disappeared and the hills
OH every side frowned with fortifica-
tons, bristiing with cannon. The board
ing house in which l bad met so many
pleasant people had become military
prison, known as Carroll prison. and
not far distant, the building which had
been erected as temporary capitol was
also designated the old Capitol prison.
and here many captured officers of the
insurgent armies. and reasonable women
during the war were accommodated,
and charged neither for board nor lodg-
ingS.
president Lincoln, by his simplicity
of manner, comprehensive views. ab-
Sence of partisanShip and great common
sense. commanded admiration and con-
fidence. On the 5th of July, 1864, with
Senator Chandler and wife, Senator
Wade and wife, Senator Sprague, OF
Rhode Island, and Wilkinson, of Min
nesoLa, left Washington, and about
O'Clock the next afternoon the steam
boat in which we had embarked had
reached City Point, the headquarters of
Gen. Grant, upon whom we called. 70
1.-The next day, the 7th, under the es-
hn -, =