Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1922-01-05
CHAPTER XIV.

4 \ y :
Being Brief Memoir by the Honor-
able and Venerable Man Known In
These Pages AZ Josiah Traylor, Who
Saw the Great Procession OF Events
Between Andrew jackson and Wood
row Wilson and Especially the Max
ing and the End Of Lincoln.
Now, as I have done often sitting
in the chimney. corner at the days
end, l look back at my youth and
manhood and tell, with one eye upon
the clock, of those yeays 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 I see only
the high places-one looming above
another like. steps IN stairwGS.
The years of building and sentiment
ended on the fourth Of November,
1912. when he and Mary Todd were
Joined 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. It was a difficult undertaking.
Often, as might have been expected,
she lost her patience. Mary was an
excellent girl, but rather Wholesome
and pragmatic. Like most Of the prai-
rie 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 indolent
and unbecoming. He enjoyed sprawl
ing on the floor in his shirt-sleeves
and slippers with pillow under his
head and a book in his hand. He had
a 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-,
ton in the house, but / 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 was at home.
Annabel and I, having just been
married, went with him to Washing
ton on our wedding tour In 1847. 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. It 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 manuscript
from his pocket. He had a narrow,
sloping forehead. a prominent nose.
grayteyes and a skin, Of singular trans
parency. His voice was rich and mel
low, but not strong. Lincoln listened
with rapt attention to his talk about
Democracy. It was a memorable
night. He spoke Of it often. Such
contact with the great spirits Of that
time, Of which he stldiously awaited
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 I have thought often of what he
said there, regarding Folks invasion
of Mexico. unauthorized by congress
as It was: .,a.%z5
s"The provision Of the Constitution
giving the war-making power to con-
gress was dictated, as understand It.
by the following reasons: Kings had
always been involving and impoverish-
ing their people in wars, pretending
generally that. the good. of the people
was the object. This our convention
understood to be the most oppressive
Of all kingly expressions and they pro-,
posed to SO frame the constitution
that no man should hold the power OF
bringing this oppression upon us."
The next year he stumped Massa-
chusetts for zach" Taylor and heard
Gov. Seward deliver his remarkable
speech on slavery, which contained
this striking utterance:
Congress has no power to inhibit
any duty commanded BY God On Mount
Sinai Or BY His Son on the Mount OK
Olives L 1, s1s
On hfs return home Lincoln con-
fessed that we had soon to deal with
TINT question. 3I., A s,5s
I was in his Office when Herndon
said .5a s&.s ,i34 q ,.y,
4 tell you that slavery must, Is
rooted out. s5i2
"What makes you think sol Mr..
Lincoln asked. ]. 81
r feel 1t il my bones, Il w,as Herrn,-
don's answer. :si .s'' Al '35 5...
After that he used to speak with
respect Of "Bill Herndon's bone phil
osobhy.. 6 \:
HIS term In congress having ended,
he came back to The law III partner
ship with William Fl. Herndbna man
OF character and sound Judgment.
Those days Lincoln wore black trou-t
sers. coat and stock, Ia waistcoast Of
satin and q wellington high hat. He