The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-06
APRIL II, 1866, PRESIDENT LINC0LNs LAST SPEECH ON
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
THE GENIAL LINCOLN.
CoyasaI Recgbtzom by The President Elect Of a
Petition From Wezvsbabey Men.
copyright, 1899, by G. P. Button. ]

lCOpyrlght, 1859,
Soon after the presidential election
Of 1860 petitions were circulated among
prominent journalists and periodical
publishers in New York and other east
ern cities, regardless of their political
affiliations, recommending to the pres
ident elect Schuyler Colfax of Indiana
Tor postmaster general. Mr.. Colfax was
at the time member of congress and
as chairman of the house committee on
postofices and post roads introduced
measures commended by the press gen
orally. Moreover, he was an old news
paper man. and this, it was thought.
would predispose the craft" in his ia
vor With but few exceptions. the de
sired autographs signatures We're OBJ
tanned, Harper & Bros. heading the
list. Among these exceptions may be
mentioned Charles A. Dana, Henry S.
Raymond. who were absent from the
city at the time; Horace Greeley, and
James Gordon Bennett Messrs. Gree
ley and Bennett based their refusal up
on the same general idea--viz. that Mr..
Colfax was then in his proper sphere
and it would be folly to take him from
the congress and shelve him in the cab
met. When Mr.. Lincoln was told of
this later. he replied. II reckon they
are about right"
Mr.. Bennett, however, emphasized
his refusal by stating that it was an in
flexible rule with him not to sign peti.
tions recommending persons for pub.
lie Office. but he added: "We may be
able to serve MIR. Colfax in some other
way. He Is rising and deserving
young man. know him WELL" AS
the names Of Frederick Hudson. Alex
ander Hall and others connected with
The Herald Office were enrolled, it is
to be presumed there was an under
standing between Mr.. Bennett and Mr.
Hudson regarding the matter.
When the New York city list was
completed, the names received from
other cities were added and the whole
was elegantly bound and SO arranged as
to present fiat surface when unrolled.
I was delegated to present the petition
to Mr.. Lincoln, took it to Springfield.
and went directly to his residence In
front of it found two men who eyed
me and the roll carried. yet asked no
questions. | took them to be detect
ives and later found my surmise was
correct. AS stepped upon the portico
a messenger met me and asked MY
business. 81 am an acquaintance of
Mrs. Lincoln. Please hand her my
card" Mrs. Lincoln came out into the
hall. greeted me kindly, saying that
Mr.. Lincoln and friends were occupy
ing the parlor on private matters. and
asked me into the dining room en-
cused my intrusion upon her privacy,
told her my business and my desire to
present the petition privately. After
little desultory conversation. in
course of which she stated that she
! would be pleased to arrange for the
interview, as she was warm friend
of both Mr.. and Mrs. Colfax. she re-
quested me to call on her again that
evening. AS was leaving she said to
the man at the door. when this gen
tleman calls tonight. bring him again
into the dining room" made the
call about p. m. found Mrs. Lin
coin waiting for me. and very shortly
Mr.. Lincoln himself came in. He led
me to bedroom adjoining. gave me
a chair and sat down upon the bed to
unroll the petition. After a glance at
it he said: THAT is good showing
Does ColfaX know anything of it?" |
told him thought not. For few
~
musing, with half closed eyes, as |
had often seen him on the rostrum
during the great debate when Judge
Douglas would make some new point
Rousing himself from his reverie he
said: II hardly understood from Mrs
Lincoln the exact nature of your bust
ness, although she informed me it had
something to do with Mr.. Colfax. !
find this paper most interesting, as it
brings up pleasant recollections l
must go over the list one by one. For.
,tunately this is my public reception
night and 1t does not come off till 8
O'Clock, and ! have no private engage
ments for the evening. Mrs. Lincoln
also will be interested. We will return
10 tAe uiu'uS toouA WuSIe there Is d
better light"
Here he called to the messenger and
gave Instructions to avoid interruption.
I cannot hope after. this long interval
of time to give his exact words or re-
call incidents in chronological order,
but the substance herein given is cor
rect Seated at the long extension ia
BILE. with the petition before him. Mrs.
Lincoln at his right. he commenced the
work, reading the names and comment
ing thereon Harper & Bros" II
met the ex-mayar when last In New
York: fine man; good adviser. We
must have him in our kitchen cabinet"