The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1911-09-22
Lincoln Met Hamlin

ing term In that body and got ac-
Quainted with my duties as senator.
But though for many days we both
worked in the capitol, and for some
time sat In the legislative hall. MIR.
Lincoln and | never had a personal
meeting. | do not recall when first
had my attention called to Mr.. Lin
coin as a member of congress. but
know | was greatly impressed by q
speech which he made think IT was
in 1S48-in which he declared himself
earnestly In favor of the exclusion OF
slavery from the territories. His
views on that momentous subject were
the same as mine; and my views
expressed In one or two speeches
made at about the same time as the
Lincoln speech ! speak of. However.
through some freak Of fortune we did
not meet. Yet, after Mr.. Lincoln was
nominated for president and for vice
president, we both had a peculiar
sense of personal acquaintance, the
explanation of which was made mu-
tually on the occasion Of my visit to
Mr.. Lincoln at Springfield. III.
MANY of the leading Republicans
Of that time had never met Mr.. Lin
coin. and for that reason he was
called upon almost every day by Re-
publicans who had come from all
parts of the United States north OF
Mason and Dixons line. AS soon as
the presidential ticket was nominated.
determined that, at the first con-
venient moment would go to Spring
field and call upon Mr. Lincoln. al
though ! was sure knew something
of the ability and character of the
man which had led the Republican
convention to nominate his for presi-
dent My visit to him was to be
more one of courtesy than for the
sake Of getting a personal impression
OF him. ! had In my mind no doubt
of the wisdom of the Republican party
in nominating Mr.. Lincoln did not
agree with those who feared that be-
cause OF his inexperience In public
life. Mr.. Lincoln would be in danger
Of failure as president l was i'm
patient when heard anyone say that
Mr. Lincoln would bring prairie man
ners into the White House.
Five minutes after ! had met Mr..
Lincoln, It seemed to me that we had
been acquainted for years. He was
perfectly natural. unassuming. unpre-
tentious, AS we chatted, | saw that
he was measuring my height with his
eye. and ! thought that he was graft
fed to discover that. although ! was
tall, he was a little taller He always
seemed little proud of his great stat
ure throughout the years that ] knew
him
Pretty soon Mr. Lincoln left or
talking about general matters, and
asked me If We had ever met before
! replied that | had no recollection
of our having met previously; that il
we had ! was sure | should recall the
circumstances. But, Mr. Lincoln l
added. though this is our first meet
ing, | nevertheless feel well acquaint-
ed with you. for it has been one of
my most vivid recollections of public
men that you, when member of con-
remember In defense of free soil
Why. said Mr. Lincoln, that is .
curious circumstance. for while | do
not remember ever having met you
personally. ! have had constantly in
remembrance the speech you made in
the senate as a Free Soil Democrat.
and ! said at the time: Senator Ham
Inns views upon that subject and mine
are practically alike. 4"
That. sir. was feature Of my first
personal meeting with Abraham Lin
coln." continued MI. Hamlin. and
then began political and personal
association and friendship which was
maintained and constantly strength
ened until the day Of the death Of
that great MAJ"
Copyright. 1911. ny E. j. Edwards. Al
Rights Reserved