The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-12


from George r. Lambs Lincolnia.-
Editor)
At the very outset of the war sundry
wise men from New York urged Mr..
Lincoln to draw away Confederate
armies from Washington by naval at
lacks upon southern seaports- 1t re-
minded him, he said, of a New Salem,
I'LL. girl who was troubled with
Singing in her head" for which there
seemed to be no remedy, but a neigh
Dor promised a cure if they would
make a plaster of psalm tunes and
apply to her feet and draw the singing
down."
At the time when General Burn
sides force was besieged in Knoxville,
Term, with an apparent danger of
being starved into surrender, tele-
gram came one day from Cumberland
Gap, announcing that Firing is heard
in the direction of Knoxville"
Glad Of iti' exclaimed Mr.. Lincoln.
'sWhy should you be glad of it?
asked d friend, who was present, in
some surprise.
why, you see," he explained, sit
reminds me of Mrs. Sallie Ward.
neighbor of mine. She had a very
large family. Occasionally one of her
numerous progeny would be heard
crying in some out-of-the-way place,
and she would exclaim, There's one
of my children that isn't dead YETI"
No doubt Mr.. Lincoln sufficiently
appreciated the good qualities of ex-
President Fillmore, then living. but a
mention of him one evening brought
out shot at the vice presidential sue
cession.
Just after Taylor's death. when
Fillmore succeeded hims Fillmore
needed TO buy carriage. Some gem
tleman was breaking u housekeeping
y, f<,- .Iae = Il l.
Edward tthe old doorkeeper of the
White House) with him when he went
to look at it. 1t seemed to be pretty
good turnout, but Fillmore looked it
carefully over and then asked Ed
ward: Do you think it will do for
thu president of the United States to
ride in a second hand carriage?
Sure, your excellency,' replied Ed
ward; you're only a secondhand pres
ident, you know.
Among the European soldiers who
from time to time came over and of
fered to serve in the Union armies was
one young man who. on receiving his
commission as lieutenant, assured the
president that he belonged to the old
est nobility of Germany "Oh," re-
piled Mr.. Lincoln, never mind that.
You will not find that to be an obstable
to your advancement"
How many men do you suppose the
CoDfederates have now in the field ?''
Twelve hundred thousand, ac-
cording to the best authority" was the
prompt reply.
Good heavens." exclaimed the in
quirer.
Yes. sir, twelve hundred thousand.
No doubt of it, You see. all our gem
erals. wnen they get whipped, say the
enemy outnumbers them three or five
70 one, and L must believe them. We
nave four hundred thousand in the
field, and three times four makes
twelve Don't you see it 2"
The result of the great conflict
seemed to be in more doubt than ever
just after the emancipation proclama-
ton. Mr.. Lincoln expressed his own
view of the situation with: I'VE are
a good deal like whalers who have
been long on a chase. At last we have
ster; but we must look out how we
steer, or with one flop of his tail he
will send US all into eternity"
not admiring ex-President Tyler, and a
mention of him on once occasion
brought an anecdote
"A year or two after Tyler's Access
sion to the presidency said Mr. Lin
coin, contemplating an excursion in
a special train of cars. 1t so happened
that the railroad superintendent was
a very strong Wing. On Bobs making
known his errand, that official
promptly informed him that his road
did not run special trains for the presi-
dent.
WHAT said Bob. Did you not
furnish special train for the funeral
of General Harrison
Yes said the superintendent.
stroking his whiskers: and IL you will
only bring your father here in that
shape. you shall haye the best train
on the road"
Once when a deputation visited him
and urged emancipation before he
! was ready. he argued that he could