The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-06-02
"REMINISCENCES or LINCOLN.
How Governor Prxtf sesured Hh s~as
Releass From Peri Msaro~-


Former Congressman Henry @.
worthington of Nevada tells the
following story of President Lin
coin:
Former Governor Thomas @. |
Pratt OF Maryland was the first Whig |
governor ever elected by the people |
Of that state During the war he
was arrested by order Of Secretary
Stanton and imprisoned at Fort
Monroe.
During Pratt's confinement at
Fort Monroe Lincoln and Secretary
Seward paid visit to the fort on
important business one day. While
there Seward saw Pratt. They had
served in the United States senate
together. There was q feeling of
personal friendship between them,
and Seward interceded TO have him
released.
Just at the close Of the war
Pratt's only son was wounded and
captured and held prisoner at Fort
Monroe. Pratt applied TO Stanton
and Mr.. Dana. his assistant for the
release of his son. IL was very
promptly and without ceremony TO-
fused by both.
Governor Pratt then appealed TO
me for an introduction 70 President
Lincoln. I complied with the re-
quest and went with him TO the
White House and introduced him to
Lincoln. Lincoln grasped his hand
cordially and expressed great de-
light in meeting him, as be was the
first whig governor elected In Mary
land. You know Lincoln was orig
inally whig and a strong partisan
What can ! do for your the
president asked.
Pratt told him about the confine-
msnt of his wounded son and ap-
pealed TO the president for his re-
lease.
THE president became very re-
fective, and after q few moments of
silence and thought he asked Pratt
if he would exercise proper control
; over the boy and try to effect a
: change in his mind and conduct
, Pratt gave him every assurance,
: and after another long silence the
) president said:
Pratt, do you know what ] was
thinking aboutf'
Pratt did not.
"'I was thinking how / could
comply with your request and re
: lease this boy without setting dan
. gerous precedent or being a detri
ment to the public service. I an
glad that it is in my power to dc
d you this favor, but shall hold yoJ
: responsible for the return of you
Z son when called for, you becoming
bail for his good conduct.
Upon which Mr.. Lincoln vrot'
an order to the officer in command
v at Fort Monroe to deliver TO Gov
ernor Pratt his son, Thomas Pratt
to be returned TO the president whel
), called for. He handed the card 4
Is Governor Pratt with the remark:
} Governor. teach your son TO sil
&c no more
Governor Pratt was very mucl
-. affected, and IS he arose to bid tn
~ president goodby he said;
= Would to God, Mr.. President
that the southern people might se
and know you as i have seen an
Z known you. today
ID "As we left the White House tear
gushed into the eyes Of Governo
Pratt. Trembling with emotion, b
grasped hold of my arm to stead
II himself and keep from falling.
y This was the most interestin
le and affecting incident Of all my II
a la;ions with the dead president.
YES, remember well the hr'
time met Lincoln II was durin
a. the war that / was sent to Washing
ton as the first representative frol
the new state of Nevada When
ba b called to pay my respects at u
II White House. the president 90
ly daily thrust out one hand and, pla
n, ing the other ON my shoulder In
w friendly way, said;
81 am glad to meet the represen
ative from Nevada, and ] am glI
that we have such q state as Neva'
- Just now, a state that is aiding as
- much in paying Of the boys WI
'or are protecting our flag and country
AT that time silver was wor
en- more than at the present
|