The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-26


coin. but there were serious objections
none OF them were willing TO lead OF
In the charge.
One said: 1t is not for us TO begin
that sort of q thing. Another pro
tested that woman could not climl
up and kiss a man Of Linooln's greaI
height At last 1t was agreed that
the Princess Salm.Sslm, the youthful
and attractive wife of commander
of Union regiment, should give the
President the first salute. to be quickly
followed by other ladies Of the party.
Lincoln. II is needless to say, enjoyed
the fun and when l escorted the Pres.
.dent back to the headquarters Of the
army l was glad to see that his pro-
found depression, so visible earlier In
the morning. had disappeared.
The following day l was informed
that Mrs Lincolu. who had joined the
President in his visit to the army, was
very angry with me, having heard from
Master Tad full and particular &C.
count Of the kissing sceDe An hour
later ] received orders directing me to
escort the President back 10 Washing
ton. Here was q deiemma knew
Mrs. Lincoln would prefer another es-
cors. But there was no help for it; the
order must be obeyed Joined the
President and his family on the steam.
boat, at Aqua Greek. All went well
enough until supper was announced
Seated at the table in q private cabin
face TO face with Mrs. Lincoln, 1 at
once saw how much was out Of favor
was not recognized. The President
tried his best TO put his good wife In
better temper. but in vain; she avsded
every overture, even the amnsiug aneo-
dotes he related with characteristic tact
and humor. Not a smile softened her
stern features. At last Lincoln turned
to me. exolaiminR:
'Sickles l never knew you we're such
pious man. until came down this
week to see the army.
am quite sure, Mr.. President,
replied, do not merit that reputation,
II have gained it.
oh, yes, rejoined the President.
they tell me you are the greatest
psslmist in the army. They say you
are more than psAlmist-they say you
are salm salmist.
This was more than Mrs. Lincoln
could resist She joined in the hearty
laugh provoked by her husbands last
sally and peace was restored.
History records the name Of no ruler
upon whom was imposed the conduct Of
great war, who displayed more mag
namity or less Of the asperities Of con-
fiiot than was shown by Lincoln. No
word Of his can be recalled that reveal
ed animosity toward the South. His
first inaugural address, which l heard
delivered on the steps Of the Capitol on
the fourth of March, 1861, deserved the
comment made npon 1t by bis pred
ecessor, Mr.. Buchanan, who said 10 me
after she address was delivered. Thank
God, that speech means peace, and
Mr.. Lincoln Is q statesman. From
that hour, through four years of
carnage, down to the moment when he
psrished, Lincoln never spoke an un-
generous word Of his enemies. The
counterpart Of Lincoln, In this respect,
is found In Robert E. Lee. the bril-.
liant leader of the Army Of Northern
Virginia. From the day when Lee re.
signed his commission in the army to
accept o command In the Southern
forces, until he died. there is no re-
corded word Of bis that alienated him
from the respect and esteem OF the
Northern armies. And from the mo-
ment when peace was proclaimed, Lee
gave to all his countrymen an illussri-
ous and commanding example Of 10y
al American. These two great charac-
ters, fit representatives Of the South
and the North-these two typical
Americans clasp hands today, rejoicing
In the universal reconciliation Of their
countrymen rejoicing in the multi
piled proofs Of a restored nationality !;
rejoicing In the unchallenged perpetu.
ity Of our Union. Where Lincoln and
Lee lead. hand In hand, all Americans
may follow.
THE CONCLUSION.
Before long the vast foreign commerce
of the United States will be carried
over all seas in American ships. We
shall make the Pacific Ocean the great
highway Of trade with Asia. We shall
uuite the Atlantic with the Pacific by
a ship canal, although we are as slow
about this work Of obvious necessity as