Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-09

. the Civil War, +. A. Hardin, who for
many years was connected with the
Pension department at Washington,
DR. Rurleigh FOR several years pTInci-
pal. OF the Hampden Academy who
aftcrward entered the service as sur
geon in the navy, and the writer Near
ly forty seven years have passed since
that time and Of this number none but
me survives to relate the incident OF d
call upon the President at the White
House during that visit.
On our arrival in Washington We
called in a body upon Vice Presi-
dent Hamlin at the old willard" He
met US cordially and proffered his per-
sonal services III making our stay
pleasant and profitable. At his sug-
gesticn the next morning at 10 O'Clock
was fixed upon as the time TO call up
on the President. Accordingly we met
Mr. Hamlin at the hotel He declined
a carriage saying that we all needed a
walk. Starting off with Mr. Hamln
in the lead, dressed in the well known
blue coat and brass buttons, we pro-
ceeded 10 the main entrance of the
White House where a jantor met US
ard informd us that he had received
NIT no one that morning as he was
busiy engaged in his private Office
Mr.. Hamlin replied: Inform Pres.
Lincoln that Vice President Hamlin Is
in waiting with company of his con-
stitucnts. They wish to take his hand
and will detain him but a few mo-
ments." The janitor disappeared and
in a very short time returned and With
| gracious bows ushered us in and con-
Quoted us to Mr.. Lncolns room. Upon
entering we met Mr.. Lincoln standing
in the middle of the room. He greeted
Mr.. Hamlin cordially and said: "Mr.
Hamlin who have we here?"
Mr.. HamlIn then introduced us in
| body as q number of his old friends
and constituents from Maine, not Of
| lice seekers, which remark seemed to
crafty the President. The then intro.
duccd each one individually to Mir. Lin
coin who took us warmly by the hand
and with a pleasant smile upon his
4, face turned to Mr.. Hamlin and said:
! MIR. Iamlin do / understand you that
this is an average body of your const!-
tuents?" Mr.. Hamln replied: Il re-
gard them as SUCH Then Mr. Lin
coin with a twinkle in his eye and
broad smile upon his rugged and plea
| SAINT face said: "Ah! Mr. Harnlin am
| afraid you are undertaking to deceive
me, think this must be above the av-
erage," Following the pleasantly he
| commented for a fcU- moments upon
the pleasant weather we We're having
| and the probable difference in the con-
! clifton OF vegetation in Washington ard
| Down East and after a few general
remarks we withdrew carrying with us
impressions and recullections which
| time has not impaired.
1t is unnecessary for me to attempt
a description of Mr.. Lincoln's personal
appearance, as everyone is SO familiar.
with such delineation both from
writing and portraiture. The charac
teristics of kindness and charity and
eood will toward men were manifest
! in his countenance and bearing, which
his future career amply demonstrated.
Tho man who uttered these words in
the closing days of the war; and but
| month previous to his untimely end:
With malice toward none with chart
~ for all with frmness in the right,
as God has given us to see the right,
| let us strive to finish the work We are
| in; to bind up the nations wounds; to
| care for him who shall have borne the
battle; for his wife, and his orphans
| TO do all which may achieve and cher
lsh lasting peace among ourselves
and with all nations" possessed a
great and noble heart full of the best
that human nature can bestow.
At this early stage Of the war when
our visit was made Mr.. Lincon's coun-
tenancc did not show the marks OF
care and anxiety which came to him
during the cOptir,napca of the long du
terrible struggle. He was. as we have
animated, genial and kindly IN his
manner and humor was a prominent
characteristic of his face and speech.
III the evening Of the same day we at
tended levee. where in the company
of great throng, we passed Mr. ana
MRS. Lincoln. The contrast between
the two, the one tall and angular, the
otner below the medium height anu
somewhat stoutly built was very
marked.
After visit to the "Green" ana
Red" rooms we took our last glance
AT Mr.. Lincoln and left the capitol.
The next morning. armed With pas
ses procured for us by Mr.. Hamlin. we
visited the army then encamped OH the
other side of the Potomac, spending
he day in visiting various Maine req.
iments and listening to the tales OF
the soldiers who had participated II.
the terrible battles at Manassas ana
Balls Bluff. We came in sight of the
portion of the rebel army then s;a-
Toned near Falls church, but happily
Tor us all was peaceful and war
alarms did not disturb us. The ohiy
important engagement in which We
TOOK part, was at q lavish dinner Ia
bic spread for us in the tent of COL
Roberts of the Second Maine.
Through the kindness and attentions
or Mr.. Hamlin we were permitted J"
see important places in washington,
and after two or three days of s'gns
seeing we left for home bringing Win
US recollections which have never IA
ded.
s. W. MATTHEW'S.