The Washington herald., 1909-02-15
"REMINISCENCES OF LINCOLN
b. HON JOHN B. HENDERSON. of Missouri.

rErtracss from bis interesting address delivered At
the Dis,ric oi Columbia ccseTstion o. the Lal''e-h
cztsns-y.l
Ny last interview with Mr.. Lincoln
was late IN March, 1855. He was killed
on April "A following. Cen Grant was
closely pressing down on Richmond.
and Gen. Sherman was about to meet
Johnson on the last stretch Of his won
! derful march through the seeded states.
/ The military prisons OF my state were
/ fun TO overhowing. and thousands OF
letters had come 10 me- between the
meeting OF Congress IN December, 1854,
and the adjournment OF the extra ses-
sion Of the Senate called by the Presi-
dent 10 act upon his nominations for the
/ Cabinet AT the beginning Of his second
term.
These men had been confined for al
most every conceivable offense connect
ed with the war-ranging from overt
treason down to the lowest grade OF po-
litical transgresSions.
had made out three lists o. these
men. which took first to Gen. Hoffman.
/ who had charge as commissioner OF
prisoners. He refused 70 act. and sent
me to the President On entering his
room I stated my business and unfolded
/ the list No /
He examined 1t. and said: 7 cannot
pardon these men al present I have no
tine to examine the evidence IN 50 many
cases. and I am abused and censured for
! leniency to the rebels"
. - =
I the evidence with abundant care. and
The act OF clemency now sought would
give peace 10 Missouri. 1 went on TO
/ say that in my opinion some Of these men
were really deserters from the rebel army.
| and while coming home TO stay were
/ captured and tried as spies
/ He picked up a pen lying before him
and signed list No. !, when my secretary
| opened up list No. 2
7 hope" he said. you don't want me
to sign that also?"
/ I answered Yes. do"
/ I then said Mr.. President. this re-
beilion is dead and peace is immediately
az our doors"
DO you really think so?" he said.
1 And are we to have no guerrilla VAR
Not unless We provoke It ourselves BY
] driving back the returning prOdigals-"
! I remarked that knew what I was
/ doing. and 7 only asked for the true
policy, al least in my own State
Then you say I must sign il
"yes; you must" ! said.
! Then III be burned II I don't" And
seizing the pen he signed t.
But" he remarked, '1f one Of these
! fellows shall return 70 the rebellion,
shall have 70 put you in the place from
which he IS now released
This was the only approach to pro
I family that I ever heard from the lips of
/ Mr. Lincoln. and. connected as Il was
with an act Of suprems mercy and for
/ giveness. Il may be said. as OF Uncle
! TObys only oath, that the accusing spirit
which few up 70 heavens chancery with
the oath blushed as he gave II IN, and the
recording angel dropped q tear which
( bIotted Il forever from the book OF re-
membrance-
! Delegations OF clergymen from every
section came to Washington in 1852 and
urged Mr.. Lincoln to issue a proclamation
10 abolish slavery throughout the United
States. He received them pleasantly, but
with great force and power Of argument
he demonstrated first the futility OF such
a proceeding as q means OF accomplish
ing the object sought. and. secondly. the
great danger OF driving more men from
the border States into the Confederate
( army. While the delegation was retiring
one Of the most active and pertinacious OF
/ the ministers. in bidding him adieu. once
more took occasion to assure the Press-
| dent that what they had urged upon him
IN their interview was the expressed viii
Of the Lord. and he hoped the President
would not feel az liberty to disregard Il.
Mr.. Lincoln kindly replied that he would
keep in mind the injunction
j But. doctor" he said, 'in :he next
/ revelation on the subject why not have
the communication made to me directly,
and not sent around by the way OF
/ ChicsgoZ"
4 short time before his preliminary
proclamation Of emancipation OF Septem-
Der p, 1852 having some business at the
White House. I called and was promptly
admitted by the dOorkeeper. I found Mr..
Lincoln sitting IN his customary armchair
with his elbow on his knee and his fore
head resting OF. the open hand knowing
that he was subject TO attacks OF head
ache. I at once suspected that my busi-
ness call was inoppOrtune. and I so
stated
He at once Strengthened UP, and. with
a look OF evident pleasure on his face.
said: "On the contrary. I an glad you
ihave come. wish to ask you some Ques-
ltions You ara a border State man and
the only one, I believe. except Fisher, Of
delaware. who gave me earnest and cor
dial support in my scheme for gradual
emancipation with compensation TO the
owners OF the slaves I am sorry that the
Border States did not at once take the
} same view Of the subject which you did
in your letter 10 me last spring: but never
mind that now. Did you meet Sumner
ss you came In7''
I answered: Yes; but I had no con-
versation with him." I then ventured 70
ask If anything Of special Importance was
on the tapis-
Nothing worse than usual" ne said
4 a mexpecting Wade or Chandler every
minute now. and II either one comes in
! you can find out for yourself
! Breaking OF suddenly, he asked me
? If 1 remembered the story OF the three
Hebrew children recorded in the Book of
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