The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-17


The raid made by the Confederate Gen.
eraI, J. K. B. Stuart, in June, 1862,
around the Union army commanded by
General Mcclellan, caused great anxiety In
Washington. One OF It's results was the
interruption of Communications between
the capital and the army of the Potomac.
What this portended no one could affirm.
That it suggested the gravsst possibilities
was felt by all.
While this feeling a. dominating all
circles several gentlemen. myself among
them. called on President Lincoln in order
to be definitely nd vised about tho coudi-
tion of affairs - understood by him.
10 our question: "Mr. President, have
you any news from the army?'' he sadly
replied: "Not one word; We can get no
communication with II. do not know
that We have an army; 1t may have been
destroyed or captured. though cannot 90
believe, fer IL was . splendid army. But
the most 1 can do now is to hope that
serious disaster has not befalIen it,"
This led 10 a somewh hat protracted con-
versation relative to the general eendi-
tion OF our affairs. 1t was useless to talk
about the army of tue Potomac; for we
knew nothing concerning its condition
or position at that moment. The con-
versstion therefore took q wide range
and.touohed upon the subject o.. slavery,
about which much was said.
The President die not participate In
this conversation. He was an attentive
listener, but gave no sign OF approval or
disapproval of the views which were ex-
pressed. At lsngth one of tho active par
ticipants remarked:
"5lavery must be stricken down vbsr-
ever 1t exists in this country. 1t 10
right that 1t should be. 1t 10 a crime
against justice and humanity. We have
tolerated IL too long. 1t brought this war
upon Us. believe that Providence 10 not
unmindful OF the struggle In which this
nation Is engaged. II We do not do right
believe God will let us 60 our own way
to our ruin. But IL wa do right, be-
lieve lie will lead u, safely out of this
wilderness, crown our arms with victory,
and restors our now discovered Union"
observed President Lincoln closely
while this earnest opinion and expression
OF religious faith was being uttered.
saw that 1t affected him deeply, and an
from the play of his features
and the sparkle OF his eyes, that he would
not let the occasion pass without making
some definite response to 1t. / was not
mistaken, Mr.. Lincoln had been sitting
in his chair, in a kind of weary and de-
spondent attitude while the conversation
At the conclusion of the re-
marks have quoted, he at once arose
and stood at his extreme height. Paus-
ing a moment, his right arm outstretched
toward the gentleman who had Just
cessed speaking, his face aglow like the
face Of . prophet, Mr.. Lincoln gsvc de-
liberate snd emphatic utterance to the re.
ligious faith which sustained him in the
great trial to which he and the country
were subjected. He said:
"My faith 10 greater than yours. not
only believe that Providence is not un-
mindful Of tho struggle in which this |
nation Is en- gagged; that IL we do not do |
right God will let Us 60 our own way to |
our ruin; and that IL we do right He will |
lead US safely on of this wilderness, crown |
our arms with victory and restore our
discovered union, 80 you have expressed
your belief; but also believe thar He will |
,ompel us to do right In order that He
nay do these things, not so much be-
,suss We desire them as that they accord
With His plans of dealing with this
,stion, in the midst Of which He means
% establish justice. I think He means
bat We shall do nor, than We have yet
lone In turthorance Of His plans, and He
will open the way for our doing Il.
rave left His hand upon me In great trials
md submitted TO His guidance, and 1
rust that 40 Ho shall further open the
way will be ready to walk therein, rely
nc on His Lelp and trusting in his good
less and wisdom" From "Some Mem
rics OF Lincoln" by Ex-senator James
;. Wilson, In North American Review for
jecsin Der.