Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1885 — Reminiscences of Lincoln. [ARTICLE]

Reminiscences of Lincoln.

A correspondent in North Carolina says: “I heard Mr. Lincoln’s last two speeches. One, extemporaneous, on Monday evening, April 10, from the historic middle front window in the second story of the White House., He had just returned from City Point, and the people thronging around the White House would have a speech. For a good while he did not appear, and seemed to be reluctant to speak without a manuscript, lest at that critical juncture some injurious impression should be made by an accidental word or sentence. “However, the crowd persisted to call till he appeared. It was my first sight of the man. He appeared somewhat younger and more off-hand and vigorous than I should have expected. His bright, knowing, somewhat humorous look reminded me of a well practiced country physician who had read men through till he understood them well. There was the humorous kindness of a good-natured doctor who had seen his patients through a most awful siege of sickness, till they were now fairly and fully convalescent, and who was disposed to let the past, whatever it had cost him or them, go by for the time, and have a little cheerful congratulation. His gestures and expression of countenance had something of the harmless satisfaction of a young politician at a ratification meeting after his first election to the Legislature. He was happy, and glad to see others happy, and willing to accept the congratulation of his friends for his own part in the general victory. “His last speech, on Wednesday, April 12, 1865, was read from separate sheets, by a flaring light, as he stood at the same window. He wore glasses, and as the successive pages were read passed them to a friend who stood near. It was perhaps eight o’clock in the evening; Mrs. Lincoln and several lady friends stood at a side window. There was some talking and diversion during the reading. The reading was in a reading tone, but business-like and good, and the paper not long. It was intended to show the disposition of the administration toward the seceded States, and forshadow the principles proposed for reconstruction. His manner was unpretentious but dignified, manly, kindly, and vigorous.” The same friendly observer sends other Lineolniana.: “‘That rent,’ said a soldier in the hospital at City Point, pointing up to the torn tissue-paper—an embellishment which, I believe, the ladies of the Christian Commission had fixed on the aeiling above—‘that was torn by Mr. Lincoln’s hat as he passed through here ■on his way from Richmond, and shook hands with every man, loyal or rebel, imthe whole hospital.’ He stood, like Saul, above the people from the shoulders upward, and his hat made havoc with decorations overhead. Stepping outside, .and seeing an ax by a log, bis old rail-splitter spirit came over him. In a moment his long arms were putting home that ax toward the heart of the fallen tree. The boys in blue gathered those chips to take home as mementos of the backwoodsman who •beeame President and the emancipator of a race. ” An old soldier at the Soldiers’ Home near Washington said, “He used to walk all about in these paths; he was very kind and familiar with us all.” To a poor woman who desired his signature to a paper, he said, “My name will do you aao more good than pigs’ tracks in the mud.” A soldier stopped him in the road, against the Columbia Hospital, and presented some letters, desiring a furlong. He obtained it.—HarperMagazine.