New-York tribune., 1896-11-29
UNWRITTEN WAR HISIOh I.
HOW STEWART L. wooDFoRD NET JOHN
c. BRECKENRIDGE.
-,,,,. .,.rrp.s PROPHETIC REMARK ON REcE1v-
ING NETWORKS ELECTORAL VOTE WHICH

-.,, ,..rrrR.s PROPHETIC REMARK ON RECElV-
,,,c xrw-yoRK.s ELECTORAL VOTE WHICH
MADE LINCOLN PRESIDENT
Their. ,s one part Of the history OF the CV ar anu
the affairs which led up to 1t thar possesses ~ '
fosc,na,,on for most people. because so Ht'le Is
-, % :, This ia the series OF events between
tho election and Inauguration Of Abraham Lincoln
! Magazines and newspapers have rahsacKeo al '"e
fields of the war itself. until II seems as IL '"e'e
were nothing left to tell. and most readers arc
familiar with II. But the restless months Oh "
trigue in which the Nation stood on tho verge o'
yoIcano have been little touched upon except III
some features such as the Presidents oahsaio"'
tourney TO Washington. which has been desc''peu
by Allan Plnkerton
| Ore Of those who saw something OF the actors IN
| the strange drama that was played In 'hoso ioui
months was General Stewart L. Woodiord' oi
Rrooklvn He was then only twenty-five years DID,
but he was already beginning 10 be known IN
politics. and when the electoral vote or New-h orK
cast for Abraham Lincoln was SEM 10 Washington
| General Woodford was selected the messenger
Some OF the INCIDENTS and conversations IN WHICH
the young took part during that Journey sheo
an interesting light on the attitude OF the leaders OF
the political world at that time. and last night 'he
General was Induced to relate some OF them 10
| Tribune reportef
"Ar tie meeting Of the Electoral College at Al
|
| of 1860 Governor John A. King proposed me. young
man as was to be the messenger of tho college 70
tako the vote OF New-York TO Washington. Nhen
| reached Washington called upon Governor Sew
ard who was then tho senior Senator from New
York and shall never forget tho cordial kindness
and thoughtful courtesy with which he received me-
remember attending service with him the next
day. which was Sunday. at ST. Johns Episcopai
Church. On our way back from the chuTch 10 MS
rooms as we walking on Est. he called my
attention TO a man coming toward va, ana asked
me 10 note him carefully as we passed AS they
CANA together each raised his hat very ceremoni-
ouslv to the other and Senator Seward remarked
that that was Senator Davis. Of Mississippi ana
added: 49,,
"1f any trouble should come out OF this election.
that man would be the central figure OF the South
| In the light Of subsequent events. MT seward
| estimate of Mr. Davis was accurate and prophetic
| "Uhen I came TO deliver the vote. Mr. seward IN
troduced me TO his colleague. Preston kns VINO TOOK
me INTO Vice President Brecknrdges room ana pre-
senec me to the vice-presdent. into whose hands II
was nv duty 10 deliver the package containing me
| electoral vote OF New-York Mr.. BreckinridGe was
an erect soldiery looking man. with olive complex
| .on long dark hair and s'ngularly fu ana ihte'-
| lectual forehead. He was courtly and dignined IN
manner and the interview which followed. although
brief is as vivid in memory as though It occurred
yesterday.
| BRECKINRIDGE'S PROPHECY
1
merry twinkle In his eye. and an almost constant
laugh In his voice and manner. He presented mo TO
the ce-president the messenger OF the NewioTK
! Electoral College and handed 10 Mr.. Brecknrdge
the long envelope containing the certified vote OF our
| State. Mr. Breckinridge took II without word.
stepped over TO a window. balanced 1t on his hand
as upon a scale and stood for several seconds hold
Ing and looking at IT, He then said. as II speaking
to himself:
| This Is a very little thng-and yet am afraid
| eal .ta c.iiy yh
| Il stood silent Senator King paused for a moment
and then said. rather cheerfuly: On no. Nh Wee.
President; not SO bad as that, There Will be no war
then, turning toward Senator King and myself. re-
:" Senator King. you people at the North don't
understand this; and If war came: 1t could not mean
home is in border State. can look across the OHIO
River into the State Of Ohio II trouble comes me
| little package which makes Mr.. Lincoln President
may mean struggle that will cost more lives than
| dare TO think OF to-day
Senator King was hushed into silence. and the
ePresident. turning 10 me. excused himself for
having given way to his anticipation and after a
few moments OF courteous conversation. ne closed
| the interview.
HOW THE VIRGINIA WOMAN FELT.
when the time for the Inauguration came" con-
| tnued the General Il went to Washington and was
fortunate in getting a good place directly to the
| front OF the platform where Mr.. Lincoln delivered
his inaugural and took his oath Of Office. While
the words OF that marvellous speech ms aud
ible In memory though had heard them yester-
day. Il little incident that occurred by my side has
always formed very sweet companion piece to the
great spectacle Of the President pleading for peace.
| There stood beside tall. eaunt Vrgnian
| farmer, clothed in brown homespun who had evil
IDENTIFY come some distance to see and hear Mr. Lin
coin. With him was his wife. In simple farm dress.
wearing an old-fashoned sun-bonnct They
watched and heard Mr.. Lincoln without saying n
word to each other, and were SO intent as to seem
oblivious Of everything about them. When he
closed the silence so deep In all the great
throng that you could literally hear draw their
long breaths. Then the woman. reaching her hand
up TO the shoulder Of her tail companion. said:
John, that mans honest. and you must stand by
the old flag
Il did not catch his reply. but he was drawing his
rough hand ac' )ss his eyes. can that woman $
honest face now, and somewhere am that she
is glad that the old flag mas come back TO Virginia
10 stay"
General Woodford paused for moment. and then.
looking at the reporter with smile, added:
Il suppose that II | got talking / could tell you
stories about Lincoln and the times that would
tire even a stenographer. but guess that have
talked enough"
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