The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-08
ABLE LECTURE BY
COL. WATTERSON.
The Brilliant Kentuckian Discusses
Abraham Lincoln.
A LARGE AUDIENCE HEAR HIM.
Mr.. LincoIn's Career From His Cradle
less Infancy. Through His Toll
some Youth to His Struggling
Manhood Reviewed.

The third Of the Lyceum Course lectures
at the Academy last night was most
interesting one delivered by a distin-
guished speaker before a brilliant audi
encc.
Abraham Lincoln" was the subject and
Colonel henry NdttersCn was The lee
turer.
No more appropriate speaker could have
been selected TO handle the subject. ana
no one could have handled his subject bet
ter than did Colonel WattcIsOn
toiOnel WattersOn Is conversations
alislic orator. Ills words h0w as gently
and as muslcaly as mountain brook
unklirg Ou its way 10 The turbulent
stream. there 10 proceed calmly ana earn
estly on toward The ocean OF public inter-
est and popular sentiment
II seemed strange TO see and hear a
southern man OF such prominence. and
such intellect, and such instincts as COL
Onel WattersOn arise % lauo and place in
generation and esteem tho memory Of
Abraham Lincoln But he did IT, and
did n as no other man. nOr,herner or
s0uthcTncr. could have done
CRADLE TO THE GRAVE.
Lincoln was placed before that audi
ence in his every stage-fr0m his cradle
less infancy through bis tO.lsomo youth
10 his struggling manhood. The speaker
ia beautiful language, earnestly presented
Hest years to his trasic dcaiA. and the
audience perhaps for the nrst time. I'M
der-toOd the man or destiny
They understood from facts presented
by the lecturer that Lincoln was saunt
notwithstanding Individual. ile was over
six feet IN his stockings. and had a per-
s1nll appearance that would attract att
tentiOn In any place. lie worked while
sweat ran from him in streams during the
day, and he studied by his candie-lisht at
night. and through IL an came the man Of
destiny. the man inspired of God, the
leader OF his people.
lie was the master of his administra-
ton, said Colonel WattersOn. and was the
truest friend OF the South during that
turbulent period lie kept back the hun
cry wolves who We're frettng and gnaw-
ing at the chains which the master held,
and the fact that Doe was master was All
that kept back those who sought plum
der and blood.
Beneath his eaunt exterior there was
heart filed with tho milk Of human kind
ness. that indicated its presence always
when the distressed and oppressed sought
sucCOr.
Lincoln himself was southerner his
parents coming from Virginia. and his
heart hled when the necessities Of the
occasion demanded the tearing asunder
or bonds that were most dear
PARTY DIVIDED.
In referring TO the memorable debates
between Douglass and Lincoln. which De
characterized as "A most wonderful spcc-
tacular demonstration OF oratory, Mr..
Watterson said that Douglass boat rode
an ebbiug tide. while LiuCOlns rode
flowing tide. and that then, as now. the
Democratic party was hOpelessly divided.
IT. regarded Lincoin's defeat in that CAM
paicn as his ultimate gain. as II made
him the logical candidate of his party for
the Presidency. lie quoted Lincoln as
once saying: Nobody expects me TO be
President Nobody has ever seen
IN my poor. lean lank face any cabbage
sprouting' At the time OF his nomina-
ton for the Presidency be was not the
equal OF any of his distinguished cOntem-
pOrarIes yet DE was dNinely inspired.
and was the man of the times I'm which
he lived. Ills inspiration was Of the Kind
OF Shakespeare Mozart and Burns
Lincoln was warm friend and great
admircr of Alexander stephens. and once
wrote his law partner that Doe had just
listened TO the best hours speech py
Stephens that be had ever heard. and that
the tears were not yet dry I'm his eyes.
The speaker said De ala not purpose dis
closing any secrets. but that the often
referred 90 story about Lincoln having
plan and purpose 90 purchase the slaves
from the South was correct. as he had
been told so personally by Mr.. stephens,
and that the plan consisted Of two alter
natives. one was TO have a joint resolu-
ton passed by Congress, carrying AN app
preparation for that purpose: the other
was 10 Bee In the shape OF proclamation
10 be issued hy The President.
END OF TIE WAR.
Mr. Watterson said he thought IT was
the mercy or God that war oid not end
with the conference at Fortress Monroe,
and that % was most WOvldential That
The result was just what il vas. and that
Mr. Lincoln was the one friend 90 the
South iu power having the will 90 save o..
lu speaking OF the capture Of President
Davis DE quoted MI Lincoln as havins
told Grant when asked by him if le
really wanted Nh Davis taken. that story
about the Irlsnmau. VINO having made
temperance resolution. was ON one OcCa-
sion ordering % lemonade made ard lean
ing over the counter. said: Mike, II ye
cam slim LITTLE rum mf1 chat lemonade
unbeknowns 20 me | shan't object"
Lincoln Wa- iH every -euse tne cuniroii-
ing and dominating spirit Of his Cabinet.
and when MI Seward made certain su2-
gestiOns 20 him as 90 necessary lines OF
policy In dealing with foreign powers, and
iutimated that IL might be best for the
President 20 turn over such matters 20
him, Mr.. LincOln's reply was dignined.
though firm and decided. He said: III
any general lines OF policy with regard TO
anything concerning my administration
is 10 be adopted ] must do H.
His amendments and revisions OF Sc
wards letters showed the difference be-
tween the seer and the mere scholar IN
public affairs. Chase and stanton alike
met with Stewards fate whenever they at
tempted 20 run counter 20 Mr Lincoln 8
we'll defined and carefully planned pur-
poses.
STRONG POWERS.
on one occasion some one reported 20
him that Stanton had said he was fool
10 which he dryly replied: III stanton
SAYS | am fool ! suppose 81 must be
one, but I'll step over ana see stanton
and talk the matter over with him. /
may not have much influence over TINS
administration, but ] hope 10 have more
over the next Lincoln was loyal ana
just. and though be was strongly urged
~ one time TO dismiss Montgomery Blair
from his Cabinet he persistently declined
TO do so upon any such fimsy grounds
as he regarded those presented. and he
greatly Gcpl0red the spirit manifested by
those who sought 10 elevate themselves
by seeking 10 bring into disfavor other
members Of his Cabinet.
Colonel WattersOn Compimented the
strong powers OF Lincoln. as he had OBJ
served them while watching him deliver
his inaugural address. and said that one
would have thought that Lincoln had
been delivering inaugural addresses all
his life His letter 90 MS brother. who
wrote 10 him for money, after having
been frequently aided by Lincoln in the
past. and offered 90 sell his place in
Heaven 10 him for $50. was q model OF
kindheartedness. favored with the tender,
hrOtherly affection ana the essence OF
sound uhnosonhic advice
THE word pictures OF the last days Of
Lincoln. I'D 10 his death were splendidly
executed and demonstrated wen the
power OF the great master OF English
NJ. W9iterson drew forth much ap-
pIause from the audience. ana az the