The Globe-republican., 1899-02-09

grandeur of association that Is accord
81 to the most noted personages in his
tory, still he has never been. In any
public act of his life, elevated above
the understandings and affections OF
the masses of the people. Kind-hearted
and overlooking with sympathy by ma
ture, yet he was controlled by an hon
esty Of purpose that kept him unyield-
ing where principle was concerned.
making him self-pOised amid opposi-
ton, and perfectly self-reliant when
the hour Of action arrived. yet In small
% well as in great matters the inner
emit humor of his mental composition
prevailed. It is easy, therefore. to
Imagine. that If Mr.. Lincoln deemed It
necessary to appear as principal in a
duel. he would naturally attract to
himself such surroundings as might
turn al the intentions of tragedy in
to the realities of farce. The year
/ isl1 was one of great political excite
Vment In tho state Of Illinois, and con-
spicuous among the master spirits
were Mr.. Lincoln and Gen. Shields.
Both at the time were practicing law
yers at the Springfield bar, both held
PROMINENT official positions, and both
We're accepted leaders in their respec-
tive PARTIES. These gentlemen were
warm personal friends, though opposed
In politics, and differing as much In
their mental qualities as they did in
their personal appearance. Gen. Shields
being Of medium height, Mr.. Lincoln
o. unusual altitude.
What eventually brought about q
disagreement between these gentle
men. that made Gen. Shields feel It
necessary to send a challenge to Mr..
Lincoln. was never certainly known.
When 1t is recollected, however, that
these gentlemen. as party leaders fire.
Quently came together on "the stump"
Il Is not difficult to imagine that Mr..
Lincoln may have got OF one of his
telling stories at the expense of his
friend that might have been at the
moment construed into a personal at
front. Whatever was the cause, It Is
certain that the cartel" was seriously
written and solemnly borne to Mr..
Lincoln by Gen. Whitesides. a gentle
man then holding a prominent place at
the bar and an important command In
the Illinois militia.
Up to the time Of which we write
there lad been but one duel fought
within the limits Of Illinois. and that
occurred in her territorial condition.
One Of the combatants was shot dead
- the field. and the survivor was in
sanity hanged to the limb Of a neigh
boring tree by the friends of the slain.
UoeA summary punishment made the
co1e Of honor" unpopular. and . pro-
lHisloa was consequently engrafted up
On the state constitution rendering
principals and seconds engaged in .
a. Ineligible for any political ONCE.
THIS made affairs of honor" impolitic
end Questionable, and all personal
dl0culties were deemed honorably set
tied BY . rough and tumble fight. or
By IN appeal for justice to the good
sense OF the community.
In society, therefore. where dueling
had been for years morally and legally
offensive. 1t was not easy to find .
friend" possessed of the requisite
knowledge to conduct such a proven
biAlly delicate affair; in fact, at this
time there was but one person Ia or
about Springfield who was supposed to
have the required experience, and the
reputation was founded upon vague
tradition rather than from any abso-
lutte knowledge. The gentleman al
luded 20 as this expert was DR.. Merry
man. Z popular physician. distinguish
- for his good nature. professional
G1kill and varied literary and scientific
aftninments In his youth he ran on
- sea Trained in this rough school,
he naturally, in his maturer years. ant
6<oetaining his diploma as surgeon.
1ood q professional position on
100 Of q South American privateer
ooetor was fond OF joke. and not
osed, while attending to his bust
ln1ls. to tighten the gloom Of the
rem BY detailing to his patients
jsible experiences on the Span
!" al Of which the honest In
oopler received With due ave