The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-25
OF PUBLIC ACCOUNT.
LINCoLy ON AsIA'S TRADE.
Interesting "Reminiscences From n wan u"
Anpoinird Consul 10 uOng konx.

htfN'iH ~ ll'IU W NN''F 'l'' NJ
that they srrm events If yesterday, ! first knew
Mr. Lincoln in 1850, when he made his great
sp.ech against secession on the banks II the Ohio
River at Cincinnati, particularly addressed To
our Kentucky ncighhots. met him again IN
February, 1901, at Cincinnati, surrounded by
thousands, ~ he halted there IN the way 10 Wash
iugton 10 BE- iuHugufatod n, Pr"sld"nt dld not
meet him again I'll the autumn II 1903, ON the "c'
rasion II the dedication # The National t"mttty
on the battlefield Of Gettysburg. Invitations had
tecn issued requesting the attendance Of the Gov
ernors Of all N" loyal States with their several
stats. | went by invitation Il Gov Tod Of Ohio
a. one Il his suite. This gave me the privilege
of the speakers rln,furmL When there, | was
seated quito near Mr. Lincoln, with whom wero
seated members Of his Cabinet
The day was bright and calm, The audience
was immense. The proceedings were conducted
with Impressive solrmnity. Edward Everett was
the orator II the day. His polished address was
listened to atteuliyely, but not u STIR Of symrathetIc
emotion had been shown during its delivery,
At It's close the band rendered a solemn dirge.
Then MIR Lincoln rose, advanced 10 the reading
desk, put on his steel rimmcd spcc'nclcs, took from
his vest pocket n thin slip Of paper, placed it before
him, glanced at II n moment; then, apparently
unable to see It's writing very well, he crumpled il
III fF' lrNNl hhl 'HiA' - ~ 49, ''N t""Nf
removed his spectaclcs and proceeded to deliver
that ever memorable DedicGtory Address that
has become a classic in American eloquence Ito
smoke only seven minutes. Before he had spoken
Eve minutes u those seven sympathetic emotion
was svaying that asst audience, and at its close
tears were dimmiug all eyes; that
multitude was sobhing l~incoln's simple elo'
quenco Of heart in speaking Of the great achieve
nents Of our heroic dead" on that battlefield had
touched tho chords II feeling that Eyerett's pol
shed sentences had failed 10 reach.
At the November election Of 1864 Mr. Lincoln
had been almost unanimously reelected To tho
Presidency. The Proclamation Of Emancipation
had been issued and gone into effect. The civil
War was s,l' in progress. Gen. Grant was in
command of the Union armies, Gen, Sherman
was marching from Atlanta 10 tho sea" Grant,
commanding in person, Was driving Gen. Lee back
into his entertainments AT Richmond. The Con.
federate Government showed signs Of weakening.
The country now began TO see the beginning Of
the end.
One morning, early in 1866, there came to me
by mail a book package bearing the stamp Of
State Department Official Business" Think
ing it to be Public Documents, such as are usu-
ally distributed, laid il aside for future reference.
Recalling 1t a few days a~iterward ! opened il, and
IOunu lnerrn my appointment as inUe0 states
Consul at Hong Kong, with the "Consuls' Manual
Of Instructions" inclosed. ! was surprised, as I
bad not applied for the place, nor for any other.
Previous TO this Mr. Lincoln had protfered mo
three other appointments in the foreign service,
all Of which | had declined. And now had come
the fourth one, at Hong Kong. OF all others. this
would be 10 me most acceptable, because Of my
desire to know more Of that great Chinese Empire
and its very perulinr ppppla than hnnLs could
teach. But, after full consideration, / decided
that, for domestic reasons, | could not accept
But as all the previous profers had been declined
by letter, | considered it now my duty TO go to
Washington, present my thanks IN person 10 Mr.
Lincoln, ex plaln TO him the situation, and decline
the place.
With that purpose | went to- ashington. Icalled
at the White louise 10 SEQ the President. | VAS
met by Mr. John Hay. then President Lincoln's
private secretary, now Secretary Of State. My
card was sent IN, and very soon | was informed
that the President would see NE. As | entered
his room Mr.. Lincoln was standing near the
door. lie greeted mo with a cordial hand shake,
almost led me toward the open wood Ere burning
in a large fireplace; and, pointing me to a seat
seated himself at n corner Of n long cloth covered
table, on which were piled what seemed a bushel
Of letters, AT first our conversation was Of a
general nature. Presently, ! rendered some CON
CALCULATIONS on his recent reelection 10 the Presi.
dency; spoke OF the public sentiment and general
feeling 81 the people on that matter, and the feel
Ing Of our Ohio people in particular He replied,
t,r '''' ~ w.. H'lllAl'oN1il'uS ~
public sentiment as shown in the recent elections,
end then remarked that he had had some trouble
lately with certain II our Ohio people, especially
with one Mr. Nallandigham, whom he had
felt himself compelled 10 send beyond our Union
lines because Of his reasonable utterances in a
public speech expressed To him the assurance
that the sentiment Of all loyal people Of Ohio was
with him In that matter. iI0smiled, and said.
"lt is always gratifying to md the people with
his feelings publicly expressed, the country is Just
now better oil with Mr.. Nallandigham out Of IL
than in IT,"
This opened the way 70 speak Of my PURPOSE
in calling, and said
"Mr, President, speaking Of sending Nj Val.
Received your orders sending me abroad; and | am
curious To know what have done that you would
send me out Of the country
The suggested idea seemed to please him. 4
mlt,hiul t"inhlr came INTO his eye, q genial smile
lighted up his rugged features, and turning full
face u me, with a long bony finger threateninGly
uplifted. In tones Of mock solcnnity, he replied:
Il want you, sir, like Mr. Nsllandirham, u
leave your country for your country's good"
felt myself APPLY answered. laughed So
did he, Then, Speaking grnvely, | said: YES,
Mr.. President, duly received the papers conveying
your appointment Of me 10 the Consulate at Hong
fl thanks Toy previous fNvors Of like kind, and
particularly for this last appointment, and 10
beg your permission 10 decline it
Putting, a hand quickly ny, covering his ear,
MI. Lincoln said.
Il don't hear that it is 50 unusual for anybody
N decline anything thar I don't hear that"
then expressed 10 him the satisfaction this
particular appointment Woull afford me- because
OF my desire TO know personally something II
the distinctive features OF the Chinese Empire
as the seat OF the world : oldest surviving Ciyhiya-
ton, and briefly explained to him the personal
CONSIDERATIONS that hlndered my acceptance.
Then, after a moment II thoughtful silence, he
said
Suppose we talk together n little, And ! am
pot Nj President now, am Mr. Lincoln. SO
let us talk IN a kind 81 ueiehborly way"
lie then proceeded
Il I'm Informed at the Treasury Depa rtment
that from some cause our Chinese tr1dp ~ in a
demOrillLed, or perhaps ] had better say. in n
disorgauIzed condition. But from what cause
am not informed. And u is the policy nl the
Government as now administered the uniformly
IN that relation 80 promote by all proper and
praeticable means the growth NJ our thinese
trade, We want them for Our customers And
Hong Kong, though not exactly Chinese terri
tory now, Is nevertheless one ot he most imp0r.
Mnt ports in connection with Our Oriental trade
We are in some trouble Just now, YOU know with
our own domestic affairs. hut We are satisfied
mat the war cannot continue much longer II
will soon be over Giant has got Lea nv the
throat down there at Richmond ard II j. only
a question OF time how long Lee rAn struggle
but II cannot be long. Md should Grant Sue
coed, as We believe he viii, IN co pturIug " liz
perSlng Lees army, tho end must come speedily
For, as the Government Is now advised. the rebel
authorities cannot put another army in the field
The rebellion must Therefore perish rom "Nhnus
ton, and then the wor is over. And when that
IL accomplished and peace restored We shall have
large army Of men 10 dIsband."
" this remarked.
YES. Nj. President. and Won kUny that ON