The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-03-05

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Early In 1866 1, became painfully
apparent 10 Mr. Lincoln that he must
take decisive stand upon the aues
tions Of the day and bccome a Know
Nothing. a Democrat, Republican or
an Abolitionisf. Mere AMT. Nehras
ka" would answer no longer The
members OF that ephcmcrnl coalition
were seeking more permanent organ,
ixations, II interroeated concerning
bis position he would probably have
answered stlll. Il think am WhIge
With the Abolition or Liberty PARTY
he had thus far shown not n particle
OF sympathy. In 1910, 1874, isis aud
1852 the Aboliticnist. Liberty men. or
Free Sellers, ran candidates OF their
own for the presidency and made no
little noise and stir In the politics OF
the country, but they were as yet too
Insignificant In number 10 claim the
adhesion OF practical man like Mr..
Lincoln. In fact. his partner one OF
the most earnest OF them all, had not
up TO this time desired his fellowship
But now Mr. Herndon thought the
hour had arrived when his hero should
declare himself In unmlstakable terms
He found, however, one little difficulty
In the way, He was not precisely
certain OF his hero. Mr.. Lincoln might
go that way, and he might go the 9th.
or way, His mind was not altogether
made up, and there was no telling on
which side the decision would fall.
He was buttonholed by three IDEAS |
and by men belonging TO each class.
First, be was urged TO remain a WhIg;
second, he was urged TO become
Know Nothing. Say Nothing, DO Moth.
|ng, and, third, he was urged TO he bap.
lied In Abolltionism. and In my imag-
nation | can see Lincoln strung out
.hree ways. At last two cords were
mapped. he nying to freedom"
And this Is the way the cords were
mapped Mr. Herndon drew up a pa.
,er TO be signed by men OF his class
n politics calling a county convention
o elect delegates TO the state conven-
ion at Bloomington. "Mr. t.incoln
vas then backward" says Mr. IIern-
lon, "dodge-y-so and so. was de
ermlned TO make him take stand II
e would not do II Willingly, which he
night have done, as he was naturally
Inclined Abolitionward. Lincoln was
bsent when the call was signed and
lrculated here. signed Mr. Lin
oln's name without authority: had Il
IN the Journal. John r.
tuart was keeping his eye on Lin.
oln with the view OF keeping him on
Is side-the totally dead conservative
lde. Mr.. Stuart saw the published
MI and grew mad, rushed into my Of
ce, seemed mad, horrIaed and said
, me, Sir did Mr.. Lincoln sign that =
.bolltIon cali which Is published this u
lorningr answered, MIR Lincoln
Va not sign TINT cnii.' 'Diu i.incoin y
uthOrlze you 10 sign itT said Mr.. Stu d
rt. No; he never authorized me 10 n
gn It, Then do you know that you j
ave ruined Mr.. LincolnY I did not !,
now that had ruined Mr.. Lincoln; |,
Id not intend TO do 80; thought he .
as a made man by It; that the time U
nd come when conservatism was
lime and a blunder' You, then take h
le responsibility OF your acts, do your q
do, most emphatically'
However, ! instantly sat down and 81
rote to Mr.. Lincoln, who was then A
Pekin or fremont. possibly al court !
q received my letter and instantly
piled, either by letter or telegraph "
0st likely by letter-that he adopted '
toto what had done and promised
meet the radicals Loyejoy and such b,
70 len-amOng "s." ca