The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-12

M @ . Il

The return of Lincoln Day brings with
it for those who lived through the $ ir-
ring times of Lincoln's administration, and
martyrdom vivid recollecttons of the great
president and emphasizes the, growing
value and Importance of all those things
which serve to preserve a clear knowl-
edge of the man and his work. Mime
apolis is fortunate in having men. who
knew president Lincoln personally and in
having one of the best portraits ever
painted Of him. ia ~ IL.
THE best portrait Of my father in ex
istence-the only portrait that | would
| care to have was the opinion expressed
a short time ago by Robert Lincoln on re-
ceiNing photograph Of the Lincoln por-
trait owned by former Senator w. d.
| Washburn of this city. The statement
was made in a letter addressed to Sen
ator Washburn.
Robert Lincoln's wish had already been
gratiied. although Senator Washburn had
| not parted from his historical treasure.
The men have duplicate portraits of
President Lincoln. Whether one is a
copy OF the other, was never revealed by
|, the artist, G. P. A. Healey This We'll
known portrait painter died in 1894 He
| took elaborate sketches Of Abraham Lin
| coin toward the close of the war at City
Point, Va, where the president was then
in consultation with Generals Grant and
| commissioned by Elihu Washburn and his
brother: the former. senator, to paint
| for them a life-size portrait from the
sketches the brothers being personal
friends of Mr.. Lincoln. The portrait was
| painted shortly after the president was
assassinated. At the same time a dupli-
! cate portrait was executed for Robert
/ Lincoln. Some years later w. D. Wash
| burn purchased his brothers interest in
q work which. because Of its subject and
| it's accuracy. will be classed among the
most valuable in any gallery of the great
| Americans. ~
Heard inaugural Address.
| Former United States Senator w. D.
Washburn saw Lincoln frequently al
Washington.
II heard him deliver his first Inaugural
[ address, /. said the senator yesterday y
The national capitol was then a verita BILE
| volcano. 1t was southern city and filled
with southern sympathizers. with men bit;
terly hostile to the new president. 1t was
known that they had planned to assassin.
ate him as he passed through Baltimore
General Stone, who was in command o.
the federal detectives guarding the presi:
dent, had unearthed several plots agains
him. Every second that Lincoln stood GU
upon the portico of the capitol that day hi:
friends, expected him to be shot by some
one in the great crowd that gathered close
around him. w., -. s....... . ..sa... ....... T..
/ 1T was a bitterly cold day-bright ant
sunny, but with a strong wind from thu
northwest l stood down in the crowd
I was amazed to observe the perfect in
d difference Of Lincoln to the inclemen
weather and his own personal danger
| which he must have realized. He wore hi
usual long black coat but no overcoat
He gazed as confidently out upon, thu
crowd. he talked to them as confdingly
as if he were addressing the old neighbour
from whom he had lately parted away bacl
In Illinois. r.,- -. =. ~
| His speech was concliatory and power
full Not that he was an orator in tn
usual sense. There was nothing .allurin,
about him personally nothing captivatin,
in his method of speaking. He was un