The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-12

We may all be quite familiar
with w. Cogswell's standing Lin
coin portrait in the Green Room
at the White House. where the
Emancipation is represented with
Proclamation scroll in hand. as
on the south portico of the
White House. Winnie Hoxie's
statue of Lincoln in white mar
bic abthe Capitol we know well,
and also Gutzon Borglum's re-
cent colossal Lincoln head. a
fragment of marble which will
be priced in America with the
passing years. as its brilliant
and artistic Interpretation Of
great character comes to be
more fully appreciated.
RUT there are other Lincoln
portraits not so well known to
us, and decidedly worthy of study.
Lincoln is described as a homely
man, so homely indeed that he
liked to tell this story Of himself.
A man Of forbidding countenance
one day drew a revolver and thrust
the weapon almost in Lincoln's
face.
What seems to be the natter"
Lincoln inquired with all the calm
ness and self-possession he could
muster.
"Well," replied the stranger. not
at all excited, some years ago
swore an oath that il ever came
across an uglier man than myself,
I'd shoot him on the spot"
A feeling of relief evidently took
possession Of Lincoln.
"Shoot me-" he said to the
stranger, "for If I am an uglier
man than you l don't 1cGht to
Hve"
ONE of the most interesting of
Lincoln portraits is in huge
framed canvas, hanging on the
stairway of the House corridor at
the Capitol: THE Proclamation of
Emancipation" Lincoln and his
War Cabinet are at the dramatic
moment when the President Of
fers them the first draft Of his
Emancipation Proclamation. 1t is
a scene recently acted in Wash
ington by Frank McGlynn in
Drinkwater's Abraham Lincoln"
Our large picture in the Capitol
has a rather entertaining story. 1t
was painted at the White House
from life by Frank Carpenter, so
Smith d. Fry, historian Of the
Capitol, tells us, and according to
Mr.. Fry, 1t was the only portrait
of Lincoln which received his APP
proval. This large portrait group,
which measures yards each way,
the artist tried in vain to sell to
Congress after Lincoln's assassina-
ton. He could not get a fair
hearing. so at length in despair he
took the work back to his fathers
home in New York, where 1t was
hidden away for nearly fifteen
years. Meanwhile. through a
chance newspaper item about the
lost Lincoln" portrait, a gener-
ous-hearted woman, Mrs, Elizabeth
Thompson Of Hartford, Connecti-
Ont. became interested and sought
out the artist. Frank Carpenter.
To her view the work was an i'm
portant record Of an immortal mo-
ment in history-the recognition OF
human rights OF equality. With
that characteristic New England
enthusiasm for a cause. Mrs.
Thompson bought the large pic
ture, actually paying $4,000 for
the canvas, and framed 1t in mas
sivo black walnut. But not being
quite satisfied even then. she had
the black walnut frame gilded.
and having spent something like
1000 for the work, she present
I'D II TO Congress on Lincoln's
Birthday. February ~, 1878. and
received official thanks. There
It hangs to this day. No doubt
zach one OF our pictures and art
works has behind It history,
often Of effort and sacrifice. TO
Give 20 the nation ",..-,uIng of