The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-01-30

shocking conflagration. But those
who expected John G. Breckenridge
to stultify his high Office by a con-
spiracy to overthrow the govern
ment did not know the man. Firm
ly believing the triumph of the Re-
publican party to be menace to
the South, he would shortly return
his commission as senator to his
constituents in Kentucky, forsaking
fame and fortune under the Stars
and Bars. But today he was presid-
ing officer of the federal senate, and
Jupiter never ruled a council of
Olympus with firmer hand.
A southern member arose. but the
chairman anticipated him. Eek
cept questions of order, no motions
can be entertained" he declared.
The senator stated that he wished
to raise a point of order. us the
count of the electoral vote to pro-
coed under menace?" he shouted.
"Shall members be required to per-
form a Constitutional duty before
the Janizaries of General Scott are
withdrawn from the hall?"
"The point Of order is not sus-
tained," ruled Breckenridge emphat-
ically, as he directed the count to
proceed.
Slowly, one after another, the long
sealed envelopes containing the votes
of the various states were opened.
Maine for Lincoln" was followed
by slight ripple of applause. South
Carolina for Breckenridge" was lost
in an outburst of hand-clapping,
quickly and sternly suppressed by
the presiding officer. Then, in a
breathless silence and with profound
attention on the part of all present.
John G. Breckenridge arose from his
seat, standing erect, the most digni-
fed and imposing person in that
presence.
Abraham Lincoln" he announced
with a distinctness that carried his
mellow voice to the most distant
corner of the gallery, Having re-
ceived a majority Of the whole
number of electoral votes, is duly
elected President of the United
States for the four years beginning
on the fourth Of March, 1861"
How the Civil war touched person
ally this southern family, the Lincolns.
who occupied the northern White
House during those four eventful
years, is shown in another incident
told by Mr.. Townsend. Mary Todd
had half-sister named Emile, and
Washington in 1S47 to take up his
duties as congressman, he accompa-
MED his wife to her home town. It
was the first time that Mary Todd's
stepmother and her small half-broth-
ers and half-sisters had ever seen her
husband. 1t was during this visit that
Lincoln nicknamed Emile Todd, "Lit-
tie Sister," and became especially fond
Of her. When Little Sister" grew up,
she married Ben Hardin Helm, a Lex
ington boy who was graduated from
West Point shortly before the open
ing of the Civil war. After Lincoln
and offered him a commission in the
United States army. Helm did not ac-
cept but told Lincoln that he would
give him a definite answer within a
few days.
During the remainder of the week,
Lincoln's young brother-in-law wres-
tied nightly with fate" writes Town
send. "He saw many of his old COM
rades of West Point days and had a
long talk with Col. Robert e. Lee, who
had just sent in his resignation to the
secretary of war. But he was still
undecided as he left the White House
for Kentucky.
"'Ben,' said Lincoln, handing Helm
an envelope which contained majors
here is something for
you Think it over for yourself and
let me know what you will do
'Good-by,' said Mary, sending a
kiss for Emile, we hope very soon to
see you both in Washington
1.-THE two men lingeringly clasped
hands, and then Helm walked slowly
down the stairs and out to meet the
Yankee shell that awaited him on the
distant CORY battlefield Of Chickamau-
ga while leading his brigade Of John
G. Breckenridge's division in furi-
Gus assault against Rosecrans. :"
The aftermath is told in these words
Of Judge David Davis:
II never saw Mr.. Lincoln more
moved than when he heard of the
death of his young brother-in-law, Ben
Hardin Helm, only thirty-two years
old, at Chickamauga. / called to see
him about four o'clock on the 22d of
September. I found him in the great
est grief. Davis said he, I feel as
David Of old did when he was told Of
the death Of Absalom. l saw how
grief-stricken he was, so I closed the
door and left him alone"
&c by Western Nswspapsg Unieaj