The Glenwood post., 1922-04-20
CHAPTER XIV.

able and Venerable Man Known In
These Pases ~ Josiah Traylor, Who
Saw the Great Procession Of Events
Between Andrew jackson and Wood.
row Wilson and Especially the Max
lna and the End Of Lincoln.
Now, as I 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 fulhllment
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 l see only
the high places-one looming above
another like steps in 4 stairwa$
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. 1t was a difficult undertaking.
Often, as might have been expected
she lost her patience. Mary was an
excellent girl, but rather kindiesome
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
Inc fhA Annr In h(c chiy.% Clo
and slippers with a pillow under his
head and 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 lrrita-
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
milked the COW and took care of the
horse when he was at home.
Annabel and l. 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 ascended the platform, took on
his top-coat and drew manuscript
from his pocket. He had a narrow,
sloping forehead. prominent nose,
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
Democracy. 1t was memorable
night He spoke of 1t often. Such
contact with the great spirits of that
time, of which he studiously availed
himself in Washington, was Of great
value to the statesman from Illinois.
His experiences on the floor we're 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 1t was:
1.-THE provision Of the Constitution
giving the war-making power to con-
gress was dictated, as understand 1t,
by the following reasons: Kings had
always been involving and lmpoverish-
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 U.S."
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 Of
Olives"
On his return home Lincoln con-
fessed that we had soon to deal with
that question.
was in his office when Herndon
said:
II tell you that slavery must be
rooted out"
what makes you think sor' Mr..
Lincoln asked.
~ feel 1t In my bones" was Hern-
don's answer.
After that he used to speak with
respect Of "Bill Herndon's bone phil
osophy."
His term In congress having ended,
he came back to the law In partner
ship with William n. Herndon-a man
Of character and sound judgment.
Those days Lincoln wore black trou-
sers, coat and stock, a waistcoast Of
satin and Wellington high hat. he
was wont to carry his papers In his
hat. Mary had wrought 4 great
change In his external appearance.