The Washington herald., 1907-06-16
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
AND JUSTICE MOTT.
by JOHN q. THOMPSON.

February q, 1850. with accompanying
notes by Charles c. Mott and Cephas
Brainard
There has recently been issued a new
edition Of the pamphlet, which is a fac
simile Of the original and, indeed. Is as
exact "a reproduction as can be made, Ia
style. topography, and even cover. Ac
companylng the facsimile edition is an
introduction by Justice Charles c. Mott,
retired. 10 which Is appended the corre-
spOndenCe between Mr.. Mott and Mr. Lin
coin in 1861. The introduction and cor
respondence form most valuable and
interesting addition 10 what may be
termed Lincoln literature"
On February Q. 1860. Mr. Mott, on be
half OF the Young Mems Central Repub-
llcan Union. OF New York. invited Mr.
Lincoln. by letter. to make an address
before the organization, the letter being
4 part Of the correspondence mentioned.
In compliance with this request Nj Lin
coin appeared at the Cooper Institute,
New York. on the evening Of February q.
lACo, and delivered what is commonly
'-h~A AstiANfitt NbfIfl AflNA4 4' 'F
Speech" William Cullen Bryant pre-
sided at the meeting.
As disclosed by the introduction ac-
companying the correspondence. after the
address Mr.. Lincoln was entertained at
a supper by two Of the officers Of the
Young Mems Central Republican Union.
and as the party was dispensing. some
one said 10 Mr.. Lincoln: "Mr Mott is go
ftfU InMn ~ L. g..ffT
the way 10 the Astor House"
Continuing. the introduction says.
Mr. Lincoln and Mr.. Mott started on
foot, but the latter. observing that Mr.
Lincoln was apparently walking with
some difficulty. said. Are you lame. Mr.
LincolnH Who replied that he had on
new boots, and they hurt him. The two
gentlemen then boarded q street car.
When they reached the place where Mr..
Mott would leave the car on his way
home. he shook Mr. Lincoln by the hand
and, bidding him good-by. told him that
this car would carry him 70 the side door
Of the Astor House. Mr. Lincoln went on
alone the only occupant Of the car The
next time he came % New York he rode
/ down Broadway 20 the Astor House.
standing erect in an open barouohe drawn
by four white horses He bowed 10 the
patriotic thousands in the street. on the
sidewalks IN the windows, on the house
I tops. and they cheered him as the law
fully elected President Of the United
States and bade him 20 on. and with
Gods help. save the Union"
Institute, the meeting, Mr. Llncoln's man
/ ner and appearance. and the introduction
continues.
What were this mans thoughts when
he was left alone? Did q faint shadow
Of the future rest upon his soula Did
ne feel tn some mysterious way that on
I that night he had crossed the Bubicou
of life-march-that care and trouble and
political discord, and slander and mis-
representation and ridicule and public re-
s0onsibilities. such as hardly ever before
bUrdeued conscientious soul coupled
with war and defeat and disaster. were
% be thenCefOTth his portion nearly 70
/ his life's end, and that his end was 20 be
bloody act which would appail the world
and send a thTill Of horror through the
hearts % friends and enemies alike. so
hravest of the Southern brave should
/ burst into tears and CRY aloud. On the
unhappy South, the unhappy South
The impression left on his companions
mind, as he gave a last glance az him IN
/ the street car was that he seemed sad
and lonely; and when it was too late.
when the car was beyond call. he blamed
himself for not accompanying Mr.. Lin
coin 70 the Astor House-not beca Use
he was a distinguished stranger. but be-
cause he seemed sad and lonely man.
President Lincoln appointed Mr. Mott
one Of the Judges Of the Court Of Claims.
7 February p. lS55. and he served as as
/ sociate Judge OF said court until Deem
her j., 1896, or which date he was appoint
ed Chief Justice by President Cleveland
and served in that capacity until Janu-
ary !, 1906, thus making a continuous
service on the bench of almost forty-one
/ years. At the time Of Justice Nott's re-
tiTement he was the oldest IN service
lharriug one Of the Federal judges. His
/ first reported opinion appears in the case
Of Deming VS.. The United States. 1st
I Court OF Claims Reports. .. 1e0 The opin-
/ ion is the first one 70 declare the distinct
responsibilities Of the government as a
contractor, and the government exercls-
/ ing its sovereign power 10 enac; laws.
During these years Of Justice Notrs
service, forty volumes Of the reports Of
the Court Of Claims have been published
and each volume is illumined by the learn
/ ing and legal aCumen OF this great iurist
His opinions show a remarkable power 10
define the issues and divest them from
irrelevant and immaterial matter His
scholarly attainmPnts. kindly nature. and
strict integrity endssr him 20 all who
come within the circle Of his delightful
/ personality.
Il IS fitting that Justice Mott, whom
President Lincoln so honored. should now
give 10 the world his introduction 20 the
reprint Of the pamphlet containing the
great Cooper Institute speech. together
with the correspondence and circum-
stances connected Herewith