Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1912 — Lincoln’s “Way To Do It” [ARTICLE]

Lincoln’s “Way To Do It”

A new story on Lincoln emanates from the navy department; but the great emancipator’s “way to do it” in this case would be rather dangerous for general adoption. Early in the war a naval captain decided to enter the Confederate service. His wife pleaded with him to remain with the Union, not only because of loyalty but because It meant the support of his family. But the resignation was dispatched to the department at Washington, and the wife, left alone with her little family, decMed that she would go to the capital and would herself see if something could not be done. . • ' ■„ At the navy department she, told her story, but the officials said that

she was quite too late, because the resignation had been accepted. Finally the secretary, touched by her appeal, suggested that there was one person In the country who might do something for her—that was President Lincoln. With her luncheon basket on her arm and with her little tots tugging at her skirts, she made her way to the White House. She found the president, and he, having heard her story, at once sent over for the secretary of the navy, that he might see the papers case. The secretary, who washimself won to the cause, presented the facts. As Lincoln looked at the anxious little wife, he asked: “Mr. Secretary, is there no way that

this can be arranged?” “I know of no possible ,way, Mr. President.” “Let me see the resignation.” It was handed to him. He examined the document carefully and then deliberately tore It across and into shreds. ‘This,” he said, turning to the secretary and to the little mother, “this Is one way to do IL” Thus the officer remained with the Union because of his wife and the president, and .the service-record of this southern captain Is among the brightest in the annals of our naval history.—“ Affairs at Washington,” by Joe Mitchell Chapple, in National Magazine..