Evening journal., 1913-11-07
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Why Lincoln Nominated
Hiram Barney
By Holland.

The late Charles F. Briggs. who
was for many years before and also
for several years after the close Of the
Civil War, man OF great literary au-
thority in the United States, was a
near relative, ] believe, Of the late
James II. Briggs. Of New York, who
was for many years in confidential
relations with some Of the leaders Of
the Whig and afterwards OF the Re-
publican party
While chatting one afternoon with
Charles r. Briggs, told him the
story Of Lincoln's visit to the New
York Tribune office at midnight after
he had delivered his now historic
Cooper Union speech. Lincoln went
to the office of the Tribune to read
the proofs Of the Tribunes report of
his speech, and he was there until the
first edition Of the newspaper went TO
press. Nobody was with him. and he
went unaccompanied from the Tri-
bune Office to the Astor House, where
he lodged while upon that now me-
morable visit to New York.
81 can tell YOU" said Mr.. Briggs
"another anecdote associated with
Iinooln's visit TO New York in Febru-
airy. 1860. James II. Briggs, IN com
/ pany with Hiram Barnes, who after
wards gained great prominence in Ro-
! publican politics because he held the
office of the collector OF the port OF
New York in Lincoln's administration
and this was an office which COM
manded great patronage and was
probably the most influential political
/ office in the United State called
upon Mr.. lincoln at the Astor House
one afternoon in February. 1860. They
told Lincoln that they wanted TO show
him some of the sights Of New York
which they were sure would greatly
interest him, Lincoln was greatly
pleased to receive this attention Tie
said that he should remain in New
York over Sunday and would be very
glad II his friends would take him In
tow'-that is the way he expressed 1t
SO that he would be able 10 hear
Henry Ward Beecher and DR.. Chaplin
who who were then the most famous
pulpit orators IN New York. Mr..
Briggs was only too pleased to act as
Mr. Lincoln's escort, and went with
him to hear Beecher and Chapin.
'Mr. Barney was unable 10. 20, I
believe, 10 these Sunday services, but
he invited Lincoln tO visit the House
of Industry which had been establish
ed in the heart OF the then notorious
Five Points, in New York City.
"Mr. Barney was much Interested
in this great philanthropy, which at
last resulted in purifying what had
been for years the wiekedest spot in
New York City.
Lincoln was captlvated by what
he saw in the House OF Industry,
and at Barneys suggestion he made
little speech peculiarly appropriate
to the waits who had been gathered
into the great hall to see him.
After this visit was ended, Mr..
| Barney invited Lincoln to so home
with him and take supper. Lincolr
took to MM Barney from the first
Ifh was especially pleased with tn
cordial and simple manner In whicl
Mr. Barney and his family entertain
ed him that evening.
"Of course. neither Mr.. Barney no
Mr.. Briggs dreamed that this simple
hammered. homely man whom the!
were thus entertaining would a yea
later be inaueurated as President o
the United States.
soon after MT. Lincoln Was III
augurated he nominated Hiram Bar
ney for collector OF the port Of New
York The nomination annoyed th'
New York politicians and especially
the Secretary Of State, Mr.. Seward
and Thurlow Weed. They could no
find out who had recommended Hiram
Barney for this very important poll
tical post, but they at last learned
that It was a purely personal appoint
ment and was chiefly due to Mr.. Lin
coins recollections Of the eourtes'e'
he had received at the hands Of Mr.
Mr.. Barney and Of the profound i'm
preston which MIR. Barney's intel
lectual and moral characteristics ha'
made upon him.
Copyright, 1918, by 2. J. Edwards
All rights reserved)