The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-15
LIxCoLN's DIoTIoN.
How Two Chicago Editors Tried
Correct II, and what Came OF II


Correct II, and what Came OF II.
General Tracy. Before the Middlesex Club.
of Boston.
In February. 1850. three months before the
meeting of the Chicago convert ton. 1t was
determined by his friends that he should
visit the East aud make Il political address
in New York. This the famous Cooper
institute speech. II was a revelation TO the
people of the East of Lincoln's powers of
reasoning and oratory The Tribune de-
olared that no man ever before made such
an yo, lmppeSs,on % his first appeal to Nsw
speech and his later addresses in New Eng
LAND cities contributed largely TO his nomi-
nation for the presidency.
In connection with this speech there is a
story of Mr.. Lincoln touching Its prepara-
ton Mr.. Joseph Medill then the young as
friend of Lincoln and had been his COM
panion during the Douglas debates. shortly
brought his proposed speech 10 the Tribune
office and asked DIR. Ray. the editor. and
Mr.. Medtil. 10 read ii. Boys he said 1
nave prepared the speech that intend to
deliver in New York and have brought the
ma luscript along with me from Springfield.
| would like to have you examine it and
note down such changes of words as you
think will improve it, without materially al
tering the ideas or arguments. Lincoln left
the manuscript with them, promising TO call
for 1t the next day, and Ray and Medill laid
aside their work and devoted themselves to
the delicate task. One read slowly while the
other listened attentively. and the reading
was frequently interrupted to consider and
discuss suggested improvements of diction.
II was well past midnight before their work
was completed, and they returned to the
office early next morning to re-examine the
revised aad improved manuscript When
Mr.. Lincoln came in they handed him their
numerous notes with references carefully
marked on the margin, with the satisfied
feeling that by their efforts the speech had
been brought to a high degree of perfection.
He thanked them cordially for their trouble
and took his leave, carrying with him both
the manuscript and the notes.
"A few days later the news reached Chi
cago that Mr.. Lincoln had made his speech
and that it was 81 triumphant success In
due course the New York papers arrived in
Chicago with the text Of the address and
comments prasing its loftiness of tone, the
cogency of its reasoning and the vigor of
its expression. Ray and Medill seized copies
of the papers and plunged eagerly into the
report corgratulating themselves on the
successful effect of the polish they had APP
piled to the address, They had not read FAR
before Ray said: 'Medill, he does not seem
to have made much use of our notes Read
ing on further he said again: 'MedilI, be-
lieve old Abe must have mislaid our manu-
script Medill replied More likely he
threw it out of the car window Ray tried
to laugh and said: This must have been
meant for one Of his waggish jokes Per-
haps so,' replied Medill, but we must keep
this joke to ourselves, for IL the boys find
1t out they will never get through telling it
at expense The speech had been deliv-
cred as originally written. No aliusion was
ever made to the incident by Mr.. Lincoln.
and It is now told publicly for the first
time,