The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-02-12
THIS is LINCOLN DAY
"reminiscences of Great Man
Given by Col, J. G. Mccoy
HE KNEW HIM WELL
Was Born and Reared on Farm
Near LincOIn'S Home.

This is Lincoln day. Colonel J. G. Nc
Coy Of this city, knew Lincoln and yes
terday he gave to a reporter for the
Eagle some interesting "reminiscences. He
said:
Surely no man WHO has figured in pub
lie affairs, in the United States in the
nineteenth century. has 50 impressed his
exalted pure character and kindly genious
on the minds Of al Americans as Abra-
ham Lincoln VINO like Lincoln has come
to be adored, reverenced and loved, not
only by the so-called first citizens. but
also by the common people, the lowly and
the poor; all feel that in him the brother
hood Of man is exempIhed; friend and
foe. great and obscure alike, feel that
they have q Titled interest in Abraham
Lincoln, his character, his history, his
fame. therefore. every shred of informa-
ton concerning his hfe all the mlnuita
Of incidents. environments that went at
al tines to M Ike up events or influence
him at any period of his life, are read
with absorbing interest by everybody.
Hence it is held TO be the duty OF any
one who may know Of or may have wit
messed events even trivial in character
with which Mr.. Lincoln was connected,
or that in the least gees to make up the
history Of that notable man, should rec
ord them, so as TO aid his mite TO the
great whole of information.
Il was born and reared on a farm near
Springfield, Illinois. and as a country boy
came often to see ana know AIr. Lincoln
in the years when ne was regarded only
as a cspable country lawyer, and came
for the first time to take active part in
politics in the campaign that gave Mr..
Lincoln semi-national Teputauon-the
famous campaign for the United States
senate Of 1858. So I was led to closely
note very many small events relative to
both the contestants and 10 watch what
each said and did-not only in that cam
paign. but in the sin more momenuous
one for the presidency in 1867 as well as
private moves upon the political chess
board prior and leading UP to that mem
orabe campaign; some at least of which
have never been published.
LAS is wen known, the slavery ques-
ton was the warm political issue Of the
decade Of the ffties, and that President
foolishly. made the admission OF Kansas
into the Union with a constitution toler-
ating slavery, an administration Measure.
but was opposed and defeated by Senator
Stephen A. Douglas Of Illinois, which so
enraged President Buchanan that he 1e-
solved TO defeat Douglas reelection 10
the senate. The open and pronounced
determination OF the president attracted
country. So the campaign in Illinois. Of
1855. became in a large sense national in
interest if not in character. and Mr. Lin
colin being selected 10y the Republicans to
oppose Douglass, it gave him certain
negative national reputation or position
not attained before. Illinois never wit
nessed-what may be stvled-a hotter
campaign and it was therein Mr.. Lincoln
disclosed a master'u, ability and shrewd-
ness in debate uncredfted to him before
il became patent that he possessed a pro-
found knowledge Of The institution Of
slavery. and was quite familiar with the
prevalent sentiments regarding its char
acter and what was expected to become
Of it, by the trainers of the Federal Con-
Fttution How it was then believed 10
be I'M the course of ultimate extinction.
I'm the senatorial campaign of 1855
Douglass very often declared from ros-
trum That the triumph of the RenubIi-
can party would result in disuni0n and
war but De was ridiculed as an slarmist
and his prediction denounced and denied,
Mr.. Line in his speech at Alton. ILL.,.
declared THAT there would bee mo dis
union there would be no war. T. the Re-
publican party triumphed nationally Tt