The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1921-11-18

90" knc 6fcdt rToCcSeioH ot ENcheo
Between Andrew jackson and Wood
row Wilson and Especially the Max
ing and the End of Lincoln.
Now, as / have done often sitting
In the chimney corner at the days
end, ! look back at my youth and
manhood and tell, with one eye upon
the clock, OF those years of fulfillment
In the progress of our beloved pilgrim
There are four and twenty of Them
that shall try to review In as many
minutes. At this distance / see only
the high pIaces-one looming above
another like steps In stairway.
The years of building and sentiment
ended on the fourth Of November,
1912, when he and Mary Todd were
1ned In marriage. Now, like one hav-
ing taken note of the storm clouds, he
strengthens the structure.
Mary tried to teach him fine man.
ners. II was difficult undertaking..
Often, as might have been expected,
she lost her patience. Mary was an
excellent girl, but rather kindlesome
and pragmatic. Like most of the prai-
RE folk, for instance, Abe Lincoln had
been accustomed to reach for the but
ter with his own knife, and to find
rest In attitudes extremely indoleBt
and unbecoming. He enjoyed sprawl
ing on the floor In his shirt-sleeves
and slippers with a pillow under hts
head and q book in his hand. He had
liking for ample accommodation, not
fully satisfied by a bed or lounge.
Mary undertook to turn him into new
ways and naturally there was irrita-
tion In the house, but l think they got
along very well together for all that.
Mary grew fond of him and proud
of his great talents and was devoted
wife. For years she did the work OF
the house and bore him children. He
MIXED the COW and took care Of the
horse when he wos at home.
Annabel and ], having just been
married, went with him to Washing
ton on our wedding tour in 1S47. He
was taking his seat in congress that
year. We were with him there when
he met Webster. Lincoln was deeply
impressed by the quiet dignity of the
great man. We went together to hear
Emerson lecture. 1t was a motley au-
dience-business men, fashionable
ladies and gentlemen, statesmen, politi-
clans, women with their knitting and
lion-hunters. The tall. awkward ora
tor assembled the platform. took or
his top-coat and drew a manuscript
from his pocket. He had a narrow,
sloping forehead, prominent hose,
gray eyes and skin Of singular trans
parency. His voice was rich and mel
low, but not strong. Lincoln listened
with rapt attention to his talk about
1t was a memorable
night. He spoke of II often. Such
contact with the great spirits of that
time. Of which he studiously avalled
himself in Washington, was of great
value to the statesman from Illinois.
His experiences on the floor were In
no way important to him, but since
1914 / have thought often of what he
said there, regarding Folks invasion
If Mexico. unauthorized by congress |
Is II was:
THE provision of the Constitution |
diving the war-making power to con-
,ress was dictated, as I understand IT, |
" the following reasons: Kings had
lways been involving and Impoverish-
ng their people In wars, pretending
that the good of the people
vas the object. This our convention
to be the most oppressive
( all kingly expressions and they pro
'osed TO so frame the constitution
hat no man should hold the power OF
ringing this oppression upon us"
The next year he stumped Massa-
husetts for zach" Taylor and heard
ov. Seward deliver his remarkable
peech on slavery, which contained
bis striking utterance:
Congress has no power to inhibit
ny duty commanded by God on MoEnt
mai or by His Son Oh the Mount Ut
lives"