The Washington herald., 1914-07-01
HISTORY BUILDERS.
Hearing Lincoln Speak. but No, See
ing Him.
twdttsn expressly for The HEald-l
ny DIR. Z. J. EDWARDS.


have sometimes thought that It was 8
rare experience. very likely an exclusive
one. which was my good fortune to have
had in the month Of March. 1850. So far
as have known. and have made many
Inquiries. no other person than myself
ever heard Abraham Lincoln deliver q
political address withing having Eeen him
even for an instant That was my Pc
euliar and probably unique experience.
Mr.. Lincoln had delivered IN the latter
part OF February the address at Cooper
Union. in New York, in response TO the
invitation OF the Young Republican or
ganization Of that State.
The State election in Connecticut took
place on the first Monday in April, and
that had been election day from the time
OF the adoption of the State constitution
In 1S1s
At the suggestion of Young Repubh-
cans OF New York, some OF whom were
natives Of Connecticut. those who were
managing the State campaign were urged
three speeches in Connecticut.
The belief was Widespread that the
spring elections in the States OF Connec-
ticut. Rhode Island. and New Hampshire
would fairly well forecast the results OF
the-Presidential election in the fall Of
1850 Therefore there was intense activ-
ity among the Republicans of Connect
cut. for they were determined to elect the
Republican candidate. William A. Buck
ingham. who afterward gained national
reputation as one OF the great war gov
ernors.
Having been told that were he to de-
liver two or three speeches in Conneeti-
cut he would greatly aid the Republican
90 Nar,4 H. a.
speak at New Haven. at Hartford, and
at Norwich. which was the home Of Gov.
Buckingham.
AS a boy heard many persons speak
OF Abraham Lincoln. / heard men say
that they were going to the great hall In
town to hear Abraham Lincoln speak.
Sometimes they coupled his name with
that of stephen A. Douglas. calling Doug
las the Little Giant. did not know what
that meant. but I did perceive that the
coming Of Abraham Lincoln was causing
excitement.
Therefore. l went TO the great hall
stimulated by a strong curiosity to see
the man Of whom / had heard so many
speaking. But when reached the hall
discovered It was crowded. Many per-
sons were standing up at the rear Of the
hall AS was then only a lad. was not
tall enough even to catch a glimpse Of
Lincoln. although l distinctly heard what
he was saying.
Gradually my attention was diverted
from the voice OF Lincoln TO the extra
ordinary attitude OF those who were near
me in the hall. Many Of them were plain
men. Some OF them / recognized as men
who were in humble employment. no
tced that not a man moved. could see
that every eye was fixed intentIy upon
the speaker. ! realized in a sort of boy
ish way that this Abraham Lincoln had
obtained complete mastery over that
great throng. I could not discern a move
ment OF any kind. There was no shuf-
fling Of feet. here was no applause. and
l had always thought that applause and
were an important part Of a Do
litical address. In this case. however.
there was absolute silence, 50 complete
that although II was not possible for me
to see Lincoln could hear his high
pitched voice and. as his enunciation was
very distinct and silence pervaded the
entire han, excepting as II was broken
by his voice. l could hear all that he
said.
As was going away from the hall.
overheard the Rev. DR.. John p. GuIliver,
who was afterward president OF Knox
College. Illinois. and later a president at
the Andover Theological Seminary. him