Norwich bulletin., 1911-03-07
LETTERS 10 TIE EDITOR
LineoIn's Nomination in Nsrwi6hs

MT. Editor: Inasm6ch as the fair reputation of our. scify has suffered somewhat of late, on account of our unhappy experience. in re aqua pura, ourselves a little by presenting fur ,ther testimony to the asserted fact that Abraham Lincoln was first nOm- mated for the presidency of the United States, at a campaign meeting held in the Town hall, in the old courthouse. located on the hillside of Jail hill, in March, 1860.
 I think Mir. Blackmar's statement in his letter in the Windham County Transcript, quoted in The Bulletin this morning, is essentially correct.
 It requires quite mental strain to call to mind the details of events which occurred fifty years ago, but the occasion of MT. Lincoln's visit to Norwich, and his powerful speech, made an impression upon those who saw and heard him not easily effaced.
 MT. Lincoln came here under the auspices of the Buckingham Campaign club during our state pQ!-tcal cam paign in 1860. His masterful debates with stephen A. Douglas were fresh in mind and a hearty welcome awaited him. Hon. Fl. H. Starkweather was president of the club. but was unavoid- because of sickness, and MT, Joseph G. Lamb, vice president of the club, called the meeting to order, after which Mayor Amos NV. Prentice was made chairman.
 It was my privilege to sit immedi- ately in front, and quite near the plat form. on which were seated jovial Dan Tyler, witty John F. Trumbull of Stonington, the mayor of our city, and other representative men from both Windham and New London counties, together with the speaker of the eve ming. The hall was packed and the enthusiasm ran high. l may be in error, but I am strongly impressed that 1t was Mayor Prentice who first named Mir. Lincoln as the next presi- dent of the United States amid vocff- erous cheering, and Mir. Tyler. amid that he should preside over little Dug" He may have been nominated twelve days before at the Cooper, in- stitute meeting, but that he was nomi- mated here there ean be no doubt
 I can see. with great clearness, even after the lapse of half a century, the picture of MT. Lincoln as he came forward to the front of the stage, in the midst of long continued cheering. He was tall. gaunt, angular. with hair unkempt, shoes unpublished, a wide, loose, down collar. black tie, awry, and loose fitting garments that were never made by "a Fifth avenue
 
 taken for Beau Brummel-he was a diamond in the rough. I have often wished that I had verbatim report of his speech on that evening. I can remember only that it made pro- found impression by the speakers ev- ident fairness, sincerity and honesty of purpose in his treatment of that all important question of the day the edisenthronement of the slave power which threatened the very life of the na ton.
 I would like, also, small volume or. folio, copyrighted, containing the sto- ries that were swapped by Lincoln and Trpmbull at the Wauregan after the close of the meeting. It is a pity that stenographers in those days were not as plentiful as now.
 called on Mr. Lincoln at the White housedn 1862, and after as- surfing him that I was not seeking an office, I casually remarked that I re- membered hearing him speak in Con- necticut- He instantly said. "Yes, it was in Hartford, New Haven, or Nor ter city. He said, 70 yes. it was in a little building on a side-hill, and they had a funny man there by the name of Trumbull." The care-worn ex- pression and burdened bearing ofS the dear man in. those days has often been described. No one could look upon him without being moved with sym pathy and pity. Slain at the last. he lived until he could say with Him who loved humanity more, and did a great CT work: Tt is finished"
 w. R. BURNHAM.
 Norwich, March 6, 1911.