The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-12
L1NcoLN FACE TO FACE.

Colonel John II. I,ittlefield, who, when
a young man, studied law with Aora-
ham Lincoln, the anniversary of whose
birth this day is, tells some interest
ing stories of his intimate acquaintance
with the great emaneipator, in the
February Every Where. He says;
Il found myself studying Lincoln
more and more as the days went on;
The most unique man / ever Knew
was my verdict, over and over again
He has been called awkward ana un-
gainly-but this was not true. He was
simply odd and original, in his own IN
imitable way. All the powers OF ma
ture never could have made another
one. His clothes We're Of good ma ma
terial, but never looked 'stylish;' he
not only had, but was style OF ms
own. His tall silk hat was not always
exquiSitely groOmed, and generaily
came down close to his ears Hls oiu-
fashioned calfskin boots were not IN
variably up to the most exquisite pol
ish; but it was the man and not the
clothes that occupied your thought.
with all his apparent simplicity ana
Doric straightforwardness, shrewder
mortal than Lincoln has seldom If ever
lived. His cunning eXpedients We're con-
stantly in evidenee-not to the world
in general, but to those nearest him.
He had ways of bringing about what
ever he desired. His cunning fairly
enters the borders of inspiration,
EVarts said, not many years afterward,
terse, for Mr.. Evarts. But it might
better have been called the trinity OF
shrewdness, tact, and lightning quick
ness of expedient. He would have been
a dangerous character, but for the deep
seated and ineXorahle honesty Whlcn
was his most winsome characteristic.
" You have no case; better settle;
I have heard him tell Would-be clients.
again and again. He would not adVo-
cate a cause if he thought it was in the
wrong. I used to think he was losing
much business in that way; but found
that he was very likely to get the other
side of the case-thus having the in
calculable advantage of being in the
right.
4 never noticed that, outside of his
law tones, Lincoln was very much of
a reader. There were three books,
however, in which he could have been
thoroughly examined, and have come
out with honors, and those We're the
Bible. Shakespeare and Robert Burns
poems.
I frequently listened to him and
Herndon QincOln'S law partner) argu-
ing about the subject of slavery
Strange to say, the man who was des-
tined within five years to hberate mil
lions of negroes by a stroke OF his pen,
was not nearly as fervid an abolition
list as his partner. He wished the evil
abolished, but was willing to wait for
public sentiment and the force of law
in gradually bringing about that result
His wife was an intensely ambitious
incentive to effort. I doubt if with a
less aspiring women he would ever
have climbed into enough prominence
to be considered as president. He
might have been happier if he had
married his first love, whom he never
ceased to mourn; but the world would
maybe have never heard of him, and
some one else would have piloted the
nation through our civil WARMTH or
without success
Il have often been asked. Was Mr..
Lincoln religious mainland I con-
slider myself in a good position to an
field, never knew him to attend church
once; and. while his behavior was
moral and exemplary, he did not ex-
press his religious opinions to any one,
not even his partner Herndon. I tried
to get him to do so several times with
out success.
but when the terrible weight and
responsibility of government was so
suddenly thrown upon him, the Bible.
which he had read for it's literature.
became to him a help and an inspira-
ton. Cast they burden upon the Lord
was now his motto-and it was most
faithfully followed. Had he lived a
few months longer. he would have
united with and become a communi-
cant in one of the churches in Wash
ington.
During the great battle between the
Monitor and Merrimac, while many
feared, as telegram after telegram
came pouring IN, InaC the southern
craft would conquer and come up the
Potomac to Washington, he remained
tranquil. I have prayed over il, and
God has told me that the Monitor will
win,' he said, when they talked of NOV
ing the national archives to a safer
place.
when Sickles, slowly recovering from
his terrible wound at Gettysburg, en-
tertained the president in his little tenn
porary hospital room on f street, in
Washington. he inquired, How did you
feel here in Washington, Mr.. President,
during the three days of the great
Pennsylvania battle?'
8 There was a good deal of perturba-
ton for fear Lee would conquer. and
march upon Washington replied the
president But I went into my private
room, and prayed to God-talked to
Him as I would with any one knew
1 said, Now. God. this is your nation
your war. We can't stand another de-
feat-it will ruin US If it is right that
we win the victory, pray that you give
it to us" And | came out of the room
with a peace that I never felt before. L
was confident that Mead had God on
his side, and would conquer
This statement was characterized as
perfect rot by some whose interest it
was to do so; Lincoln was not that
kind of a man. they said. But General
Sickles reiterated it to me-, and said it
was Gods truth: and he still lives to
affirm it"