The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-04-09
THINGS ABOUT ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Recalled by His Old Friend, Senator Palm
er of Illinois.
(From the Washington Post. !

Speaking oflLincoln's birthday" said
very last case Lincoln ever tried was one
in which I, too, was engaged. I was In
Springfield in June, 1860. after Mr.. Lin
ooln had ceived the presidential no:ni-
nation. Old David Baker, who had been
senator in the early days, had sued the
trustees of Shurtleff college, my alma
mater, for expell1ng his grandson, lad
named Will Gilbert. Mr.. lincoln ap-
peared for the prosecution. l was the
college attorney. Mr.. Lincoln came into
curt, and the judge said to him: Mr..
Lincoln, Pill argue this case for you.
You have too niue on your hands al
ready You haven't any CASE And he
explained the law and application.
" WELL said Lincoln, with smile,
don't you want to hear a speech from
me?'
9 No. said the judge, and the last case
Mr.. Lincoln tried Newell, he didn't try
it at all.
1.-THE first time met Mr.. Lincoln was
in 1889 when went to Springfield to be
admitted to the bar. He was alread rec
ognized as whig leader. He wore,
| remember, suit Of linsey woolsey that
could not have besn worth more than So
even in those days. The last time saw
him was in February 1861 had come
TO Washington at the request OF the gov
ernor to complain that Illinois had been
credited with Is, 600 too few troops.
saw Mr.. Lincoln one afternoon and he
| asked me to come again in the morning.
3 Next morn ng | sat in the ante
room while severa officers were received.
At leng 9Th 1 was told to enter. the PIES
ident's room. Mr.. Lincoln was the
hands of the barber.
Come in, Palmer he called out,
come in. You're home folks. | csn
shave before you. / couldn't before those
others, and have to do it some time.'
eve ohatted about various matters,
and at length I said:
:" Well. Mr.. Lincoln, if anybody had
told me that in a great crisis like this
the people were going out to little one
horse town and pick out a ope-horse law
yer for president 1 wouldn't have be-
lieVed it,
"Mr. Lincoln whirled about in his
chair, his face white with lather, towel
under his chin. At first 1 thought he
was angry. Sweeping the barber away,
he leaned forward, and, placing one hand
on my knee, said:
!" Neither would I. But it was time
when man with policy would have
been fatal to the country. ! have never
had policy. I have simply tried to do
what seemed best each day, as each day
came
"Lirooln was not an eloquent man.
He was a strong lawyer, and an ingenious
one. His strong hold was his ability to
reason logically and clearly. He was a
very self contained man, and not easily
excited. / remember the night when the
news of his election was received in
Springfield The patriotic ladies of the
town were serving lunch in an upper
| room opposite the capitol. Mr.. Lincoln
was there and read the returns as they
were brought to him. The returns from
| New York decided the day. Mr.. LINCOLN
stood up and read the telegram. He was
| the calmsSU man in the room. When he
had finished, he said, simply, well,
| must go andItell my wife.
mir. Lincoln never told story except
| for purpose. / remember one that he
| told in my presence. A certain Judge
| Krum, lawyer, had been complaining
of the treatment he had received from
| local judges. He swore he meant to carry
his case to the supreme court and humili-
ate the upstart judge who had decided
against him: -
| &c That makes me think of a story
| There was certain man who dreamed
| that treasure was buried, and that to
| find it he had but to dig in certain spot
| His labors were to be crowned with sue
cess only on condition that he keep silent
while he was digging. He began to dig.
A terrific battle was waged near him. A
naval encounter was fought near by.
Innumerable people tried to engage him
| In conversation. Still he kept silent. A
great giant passed. walking very rapidly.
After a while dwarf came prancing
along, walking as if he were nlne feet
high.
q "Say." he said to the digger, 'did
giant pass here2"
| q The digger did not answer. The
dwarf repeated his inquiry. No answer.
| Z" Cant you answer civil cues.
| tion?" asked the dwarf. No answer.
q "Oh, well," said the dwarf, cpl
| Just walk along and overtake him."
g ''rhen the digger broke his silence.
| 90 { 1.-THE HI you will % he said.
n.