The herald., 1895-06-06
SKETCHES FROM THE LIFE OF LINCOLN


which some eminent lawyers possess of
explaining away the bad points of cause
by ingenious sophistry was denied him.
In order to bring into full activity his
great powers 1t was necessary that he
should be convinced of the right and JUS
tice of the matter which he advocated.
When so convinced, whether the cause
was great or small, he was usually sue
cessfui"
In the summer of 1857 Lincoln was en-
ployed by Mr.. NANNY of Rockford, Ills,
to defend him in an action brought by
Mccormick, who was one of the inventors
of the reaping machine, for infringement
of patent. Lincoln had been recommended
to Nanny by E. B. Washburn, then a
member Of congress from northern ILL
nois. The case was to be tried before
Judge Mclean at Cincinnati, in the cir
cult court of the United States Tho coun-
sci for Mccormick was Reverdy johnson.
Edwin NJ. Stanton and George Harding
of Philadelphia were associated on the
other sido with Lincoln. Tho latter came
to Cincinnati few days before the argu-
ment took place and stopped at the house
of friend. THE case was one of great
importance pecuniarily," relates a law
yer in Cincinnati. who was member of
the bar at the time, land in the law ques
tions involved. Reverdy johnson repre-
sented the plaintiff. Mr.. Lincoln had pre-
pared himself with the greatest care. His
ambition was up to speak in the case and
to measure swords with the renowned
lawyer from Baltimore. 1t was understood
between his client and himself before his
coming that Mr.. Harding of Philadelphia
was to be associated with him in the case
and was to mako the mechanical argu-
ment.'
He Meets Stanton.
After reaching Cincinnati Mr.. Lin
coin was a little surprised and annoyed to
learn that his client had also associated
with him Mr.. Edwin NJ. Stanton of Pitts
burg and a lawyer Of our own bar, the
reason assigned being that the Importance
of the case required a man of tho expert
ence and power Of Mr.. Stanton to meet
Mr.. johnson. The Cincinnati lawyer was
appointed for his local influence These
reasons did not remove the slight conveyed
in tho employment without consultation
with him of this additional counsel. He
keenly felt it, but acquiesced. The trial
of the case came on. The counsel for de-
fense met each morning for consultation.
'On one of these occasions one of the
should speak in the case. This matter
was also acquiesced in. II had always
been understood that Mr.. Harding was to
speak to explain the mechanism of the
reapers. So this motion excluded either
Mr. Lincoln or Mr.. Stanton-which' By
the custom of the bar, as between counsel
of equal standing and in the absence Of
any action of the client, the original coun-
sci speaks. By this rule Mr.. Lincoln had
precedence. Mr.. Stanton suggested to
Mr.. Lincoln to make the speech. Mr..
Lincoln answered, No, you speak. Mr..
Stanton replied, Il will, and taking up
his hat said he would go and make prep
aratlon. Mr.. Lincoln acquiesced in this,
but was greatly grieved and mortified.
He took but little more interest in the
case, though remaining until the conclu-
sion of the trial. He seemed to be greatly
depressed and gave evidence Of that tend
enoy to melancholy which SO marked his
character. His parting on leaving the
city cannot be forgotten. Cordially shak-
ing the hand of his hostess, he said: You
have made my stay here most agreeable,
and I am thousand times obliged to you,
but in reply to your request for me to
come again must say to you l never ex-
peot to bo in Cincinnati again. have
nothing against the city, but things have
SO happened here as to make it undesira-
bic for me ever to return Lincoln felt
that Stanton had not only been very dis
courteous to him, but had purposely ig-
nored him in the case, and that he had re-
ceived rather rude, if not unkind, treat
ment from all hands. Stanton, in his
brusque and abrupt way, it is said, de-
scribsd him as long, lank creature from
Illinois, wearing dirty linen duster for
coat, on the back of which the perspira-
tion had splotched wide stains that resem-
bled map Of the continent Mr.. Lin
coin, adds Mr. Dickson, remained in
Cincinnati about week, moving freely
around, yet not 90 men knew him person.
ally or knew he was there. Not hundred
would have known who he was had his
name heen given to them. He came with
the fond hope Of making fame in foren-
sic contest with Reverdy johnson. He
was pushed aside, humiliated and morti-
fed. He attached to the innocent city the
displeasure that filled his bosom and shook
It's dust from his feet.
On his return to Springfield he was
somewhat reticent regarding the trial, and,
contrary to his custom, communicated to
his associates at the bar but few of it's in
cdents He told me that be had been
roughly handled by that man Stanton;"
that he overheard the latter from an ad-
joining room while the door was slightly
ajar, referring to Lincoln, inquire of an
other, Where did that long armed crea-
ture come from, and what can he expect to
do in this case?" During the trial Lincoln
formed poor opinion Of Judge Mclean.
He characterized him as an "old granny"
with considerable vigor Of mind, but no
perception at ALL If you were to point
your finger at him." he put it, and
darning needle at tho same time, he mover
would know which was the sharpest.