Abraham Lincoln's Habits

Temperance

Excerpts from newspapers and other sources

From the files of the

Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection

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An Appeal tothe Women d* the United papers to States. I would ask your exchange | following petition, Rive immediate publicity to the spirited and to urge tbnt one or more public take it women in each community should at once it, in overwhelm- in hRDd to obtain signatures to expression of ing numbers, so that it may be the of the a national sentiment. All the women give in their Un iled States are cordially invited to names. Signatures may be sent to the Post petition Office, box 2733, Boston, Mass., and 33 papers have been placed at Hovey & Co.'s, signa- Summer street, and other large stores for N> tures. . .

Statet tho To the President of the United : We undorsignod, women of the United States, who have to fight freely given our brothers, sons and husbands country in this deadly Btmgglo, and who mil for their them seek every opportunity to aid, cheer and uphold and hope ot to the end—peeing our army, the flower the land, exposed to needless danger and sufferings- do hereby ask of you, Abraham Lincoln, that you, that the strength as chief ruler of this nation, seo to it not wasted by which is needed against the enemy be negligent, incom- a foo within—and that you cause all the Bret petent, drunken or knavish men, who, in weighty hurry of selection, obtained for themselvos and posts of responsibility, to he at once charges our sought out and dismissod-and that you rive B h precious soldiors in keeping to the m° * and„T£.ii™«>»£pus most capable, tho most faithful, trusty can be found officers, both civil and military, that ' within our land. . So that we, waiting at home that issuo which the of Battle* alone can give, need fear for our sol- God need no evils but those inseparable from war— diers no fear no inefficient or untrusty quartermasters, unskilful, careless, ignorant or drunken officers, no unfeeling or drunken surgeons. believe that a just seventy to such offenders We and would greatly increase the efficiency of our army, would strengthen tho hands of government by securing the confidence of the people. officers and offi- It would be welcome to all those It would bo cials who aro now working faithfully. prone to welcome to every one; for though men are is, «g£t. float on the frail platform of "Whatever " in frag- they rejoice when some bold hand breaks it ments under them...... i _i„„ have entrusted to yon all that we most value— We and con- we believe that you will care for it tenderly scientiously—remembering that of this host when ono willing man suffers many hearts bleed. We suffer y humanity, and to in the cause of civilization and willing- maintain our national self-respect—we suffer that we do ly—but we look to you, our chosen ruler, not suffer in vain.

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Lincoln on Temperance. from LINCOLN'S TEMPERANCE ADDRESS. nn nrtdrews to n delegation of the "Sons of Temperance," September 2!), Igg3; By S. R. Rf.no. PRESIDENT LINCOLN AS A TEM- If I Were better known thnn I am roil would n6t need to So far PERANCE MAN be told that In (he ad- as I know the authenticity of vocacy of the cause of temperance you this address of Mr. Lincoln before the Washingtonian have a friend and sympathizer In me. Temperance Society has Lincoln When I wns a young man, long not been Leonard Swett tells us that before the called in question. I have a Sons of Temperance as nn organization copy of this told not more than a year before address and the title is: him had nn existence, I, In a humble way, made temperance speeches; he was elected President, that he had and I think 1 "AN ADDRESS. j IL hiny sny that to this day I hnve never, by f tasted liquor in his life, never my example, belled what I then snld. Deliverer! Reforo "What," said Swett, "do you mean • • •• I think the reasonable men of the the Washington Un T„ lu - world have long since agreed that Intem- perance Society at Springfield, m., tasted il?'' to say that you never perance Is one of the grentest, If not the on the 22d Day of Feb., 1842. very greatest, "Yes," replied Lincoln, I never evils among mankind < *7- • 'tof tasted it." / f Q ^ By ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Esq.," When we take into consideration

First. I the habits of the times, this is a most am just a little curious to in- LINCOLN'S HABITS. quire if there is a remarkable testimony to Lincoln's living person who heard this memorable address. Almost temperance principles, the stability of Col. John Hay.in the Century. seventy-four years since it was The President rose early, as his sleep was delivered' character, and the iron quality of his light and capricious. In the summer, when There is probably no such person living! he lived at the Soldiers' his will power. Home, he would Second. It was a memorable address. take his frugal breakfast and ride into It is far in advance Mr. C. C. Coffin, a most distin-J town in time to be at his desk ateb'ht of the average think- o clock. He began to receive ing of that day journalist of the day, who ac- visits nom- upon the question of tem- guished inally at ten o'clock, but long before that perance. It was delivered on the one companied the notification committee hour struck the doors were besieged by j hundred and anxious crowds, through whom the people tenth birthday anniversary the Chicago convention to] of importance, from senators and members of of George Washing-ton. It was delivered congress, elbowed their way after Springfield at the time of Lincoln's! the by a young man just entered upon his fashion which still survives. On days when the thirty-fourth first nomination lor the presidency of Cabinet met, Tuesdays and Fridays year, little known outside of the hour of noon closed the interviews of his own town and perhaps the United States, related in his news- the morninp. little known j On other days it was the President's in Sangamon County, though he was a paper an incident that occurred on custom, at about that hour to j order the member of the doors to be opened and all who legislature three succes- says that, after the were that occasion. He | waiting to be admitted. sive terms, 1835-7-9. At luncheun Lincoln said: time lie had literally to run exchange ol formalities, Third. It is a high commendation of tbegauntletthrough thecrowds who filled "Mrs. Lincoln will be pleased to the corridors between his office and the the Washingtonian Temperance Society rooms at the west end of the house with You will find occupied many quite original ways of putting see you, gentlemen. by the family. The afternoon wore away in much the same the truth in favor of temperance, and her in the other room. You must be manner as the mornintr- late in the day he usually drove out for au without one single expression from^vich ride. You will hour's after ycur long ainuR ; at thirsty six o'clock he diued. a pronounced temperance advocate would He was one of the most abstemious find a pitcher^of water in the library." of dissent today! men; the pleasures of the table had few attractions The newspaper men crossed the for him. His breakfast was an Fourth. The closing- sentence of this egg and a cup of coffee; at luncheon he memorable address is a deathless eulogy hall and entered the rarely took more than a biscuit and a glass library. There upon the name of of milk, a plate of fruit in its season; at Washing-ton, and is a were miscellaneous dinner books on the he ate sparingly of one or two supremely fitting eulogy to place upon the courses. He drank little or no wine; not shelves, two globes, celestial and man himself, who uttered it: that he remained always on principle a "in solemn terrestrial, in the corners of the total abstainer, as he was a part of his early awe pronounce the name. j room, life in the fervor of the "Washlngtouian" and in its naked deathless and a plain table, with writing splendor leave mate- reform ; but he never cared for wine or it shining on!" liquors of any rials upon it, a pitcher of cold water sort, and never used tobacoo. and glasses, and no wines or liquors. r*so There wis humor in the invitation to take a glass of water, which was explained to Mr. Coffin by a citizen of HABITS OF LINCOLN. Springfield, . Cisco, m.. April is. isao. who i,aid that, when it , n,, XI , 1. Diet A. Lincoln use tobacco in any form'' 2. was Known that the committee Give the middle name of S. A. Douglas, the "Little was Omnt. i. B. Irwin. coming several citizens called upon Answer.—1. No. He was very temperate In all his habits, and never used tobacco or Mr. Lincoln and informed him that liquors of any kind. 2. Arnold. / f^f-0 some entertainment must be provided. "Yes, that is so. What ought to

bedont? Just let me know and I will attend to it," he said.

"Oh, we will supply the needed liquors," said his friends. "Gentlemen," said Mr. Lincoln, "I thank you for your kind attention, but must respectfully decline your offer. I have no liquors in my house, and have never been in the habit of enter-

taining my friends in that way. I cannot permit my friends to do for me

what I will not myself do. I shall provide cold water—nothing else." Ex.

J WR I Lr ii T

nONOR TO WHOM IIOROR. Abraham Lincoln never drank, The article in Tiie Interior of April 19, head- tobacco nor swore. And yet ho ed, "Water Good Enough," is rot strictly cor- used rect. The true version is as follows: When had tho advantage of no Sunday the committee of five hundred, headed and ap- school, there being none iu his youth, pointed by George Ashman, of Massachusetts, at least in the part of the country he officer presidential conven- the presiding of the lived in. Ho was not noted as an es- tion of 1800, reached Springfield, Norman B. pecial ly pious lad, and iu after years, Judd of this city, who was one of the delegates, some friend asking him how it was hastened by a more direct route than that taken that ho escaped practices which in his by the remainder of the delegates to the home of Mr. Lincoln. He passed hurriedly through day were nearly universal among men the parlor where Mr. Lincoln was waiting to and boys, he simply replied: "I just receive the delegation and entered the dining thought It mean to indulge in them, room, where he found Mrs. Lincoln. On the and having got in the habit of leaving table were two baskets of champagne, and them alone, I never broke the habit others under the table. Mr. Judd said, "Does in all my later life." The career of Mr. Lincoln know these are here?" "No," was Abraham Lincoln is the best comment Mrs. Lincoln's reply, "they have just been of this undoubtedly true story. /fT3 sent in by neighbors." "Take them away, out of sight before a delegate arrives. The issues are too momentous, too pregnant with the destiny of a nation to be celebrated by wine drinking," and calling a servant he helped with his own hands to remove them from the room. When the delegates arrived only cold water was found on the table. "Honor to whom honor is due." A t? t Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2013

http://archive.org/details/abrahamlincolnshalhlinc NO WINE AT HIS TABLE.

It was a trrent day In Springfield when; f mind. He then asked what was expected, Lincoln was nominated for the Presidency, of him during the visit of the committee! The bells rang till day. and when a ttele-t I advised him to be wilting et the hov.-J gram was received from Chicago that a and to h» mucn surprised when tho lom- committee from tHo convention would ar- mlttee called. He answered that that would rive In Springfield the next afternoon for- be a He, for, while he might be excited by mally to notify Mr. Lincoln of his nomina- the visit of the committee, he would not bo tion, to put It mildly, the town went wild. surprised. A great many Springfield people had been The plans of the committee inn carried at Chicago during the convention, and when out, and there was a big dinner at the Chen- they began to arrive each one added to the ery House before the visit to the Lincoln excitement by telling his story of the great homestead. I still cun see in my mind how contest. I was then a clerk In my brother's pleased Mr. Lincoln was when lie found out store and was alone when Mr. Lincoln came that he need not have wine that night. In. His face was long and he wore an air Mr. Lincoln had a remarkable power of of extreme depression. He dropped Into attracting people to him. Our Springfield a chair and looked like a man who had not society in the early days was, perhaps, the a friend on earth. gayest in the State. There were many Ken- " Can I do anything for you?" I asked. tucky people In the city, and there was much " I don't know," Mr. Lincoln replied. wealth and fashion with us. Only the oilier "Do you want anything?" day I met a gentleman from St. Louis " who I don't know." was still enthusiastic over a party he " at- What Is the trouble, anyway, Mr. Lin- tended at the home of Nlnlan \V. Edwards, coln?" I asked anxiously. brolher-in-Iaw of Mrs. Lincoln, before the I recall that Mr. Lincoln went on to un- war. We then had a population of only fold the difficulty he was In. It seemed 7,000 or 8,000, and It required all the good peo- that Mrs. Lincoln had cdnsidered It the ple In the town for these events. There were proper thing to prepare a supper at their generally card tables up-stairs, while the house for the notification committee, and young people danced In the parlors below. that she Insisted had there should be wine Euchre was the great game at the card ta- at the table. In that I suppose Mrs. Lin- bles, and Lincoln was not long at the par- coln was entirely correct, Judging from the ties before ho was at the card tables, play- U9ual custom of the times, but Mr. Lincoln ing euchre. He kept at this until the young objected to the wine. people pathered around him and " demanded Do you want to have It?" I remember some stories. I still recall how vexed the asking him. young men were because the young wuiren " I have never had wine In my house and preferred hearing Mr. Lincoln tell his stories I don't want to commence now If I can to dancing. As late as 1S00 I recall that a help It." beautu'iil young woman from the South wno Mr. Lincoln added that he realized there was visiting Spring-field attended one of theso were many things he had never done and parties where Mr. Lincoln wns. She had did not want to do which his new position come from the South with the idea that would require of him, but he did not want Mr. Lincoln was a full-fledged devil with wine the first thing. horns. She had not been long at the party I told him that he need not and ought not before she sought an Introduction to him. to have a supper at his house anyway that and for the rest of tho evening she remained night. The committee of Springfield clti- near lvm. I don't know whether her opin- «ens already had prepared an elaborate din- ion of him was changed or not, but her experience shows in the most striking way then the leading his hotel of Springfield; we power of attraction. He had a happy facul- were going to have wine and brandy and ty of winning people. whisky and water, and the committee ought During the campaign of lfiCO I saw a good I to be well enough entertained at the dinner deal of Mr. Lincoln. He kept himself well I before going to call on him to require any- posted on what was going on throughout thing to eat or drink at his house. the country, and was had affairs well gaused He much pleased at this arrange- before the time for- ment, which seemed election came. to take a load off bis John W. Bunn.

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The Classmate, Jtine 21 , 1902.

Lincoln's Temperance. WHEN tho committee appointed by the Republican National Con- vention called to inform Lin- coln of his nomination for the Presidency, a number of citizens of Springfield, knowing that he did not keep intoxicating liquors in the house, sent a case of wine with which to entertain his guests. He returned it, thanking them for their kindly interest, and said, "I cannot allow you to do what I would not do myself." After the committee had formally notified him of the honor conferred upon him, Mr. Lincoln called a maid, and asked her to bring a pitcher of water and several glass turn- biers. He then gravely addressed the dis-

tinguished gentlemen present. saying: • "Gentlemen, we must pledge our mutual healths in the most healthy beverage God j has given to man. It is the only beverage I have ever allowed or used in my family. and I cannot conscientiously depart from

it on the present occasion : it is pure Adam's ale from the spring."' Mr. Lincoln often preached what he

called a sermon to his boys. It was : "Don't

drink, don't gamble, don't smoke, don't lie, don't cheat. Love your fellow-men. love God, love truth, love virtue, and be happy." He taught temperance by example and by precept, and on several occasions suggested to young men not to "put this enemy into their mouths to steal away their brains." While visiting General Grant's army on the Potomac an officer asked Mr. Lincoln to drink a glass of champagne, saying. "Mr. President, that is a certain cure for seasickness." Mr. Lin- coln replied that he "had seen many fellows seasick ashore from drinking that vile stuff." Xorthirrstrni Christian Advocate.

Lincoln's Promise

HILE a member of Congress, Abraham Lin- w coln was once criticised by a friend for his "seeming rudeness in declining to test the rare wines provided by their host." The friend said of to him: "There is certainly no danger of a man your years and habits becoming addicted to the use of wine." "I mean no disrespect, John," answered Lincoln; but I promised my precious mother only a few days before she died that I would never use anything intoxicating as a beverage, and I consider that promise as binding today as it was the day I gave it." "But," the friend continued, "there is a great difference between a child surrounded by a rough class of drinkers and a man in a home of refinement." "A promise is a promise forever," answered Lin- coln; "and when made to a mother, it is doubly binding."— Selected.

15 cJ ^, ^ ^

! — D-HEKAL^

HOLDS LINCOLN TO ilA VE BEEh

. FOE OF LIQUOR.

CHICAGO, Aug. 22.^To the Editor: One nwiewmiuws goodT'Judgment by hc-T of the resolutions In the platform of the repeating again the fabricated messagv party recommends the. national Republican against prohibition^ that has been so widely of Abraham: celebration of . the centennial circulated by the liquor papers, but never Lincoln's birthday 6n the !2tH of next Feb-, found in any authorized publication of Mr. ruary. During the 'doming year 1 It Is cer- Lincoln's speeches! tain the life of our great President will be The best thing: in 'Mr. Mlchels' pamphlet studied as never before. His character grows is the !6ng Pxi-rAot from Lincoln's noted brighter and his Influence grows greater Speech made^befoVe the Springfield WaSh- as time goes by. Consldering^the time 111 iSS.taala.n.^SocletK.-pti Feb.,. 22, 1842. He opposed the 'tiTfir- which he lived and the circumstances of his denunciation of dram sellers dram drinkers as Impolitic arid In his early life. It Is amazing how unstained Is his usual catholic and generous way gave some personal record and , how. little there Is for explanation or apology. of the reasons why men would sell and drink "universal public opin- The defenders of llquorjS'ollIng and liquor liquor because ion only tolerated, but recognized and drinking persist In their. efforts to make not adopted Its use." It appear that Mr. Lincoln favored the use and sale of Intoxlcatlng-Hrruor- Recently Mr. Mlchels ought to have quoted still Lincoln not only a Chicago paper that poses as a national further and found that Mr. was opposed to liquor selling,' but foresaw organ of the liquor dealers had an article 3 the time when the traffic would be annihi- In which It Is claimed that Mr. Lincoln- not lated. In that address he made a powerful only drank but sold liquor, and the writer picture of the evils of drink. He said: has the Impudence to declare that he has "The demon of Intemperance seems to have. evidence to show "that Lincoln once worked 1 delighted In sucking the blood of genius and In a moonshine stlllhouse, that ho bought generosity." He made a powerful com- and sold whisky, wine, rum and brandy, parison between the political revolution of and that he held a saldon-keeper's license, 177(1 and the coming moral revolution as to Iri no wise to his discredit." / Intemperance, and said: , In the days when Mr. Lincoln was in a Turn now to the temperance revolu- grocery store, where whisky was sold, such ' tton. In It shall find . a man as a saloon-keeper or moonshiner we a stronger bondage broken, a viler slavery manu- was not known, neither was sruch a thing as, mitted, a greater tyrant deposed In it a saloon-keeper's license, as now under-' — more of want supplied, more disease stood. In existence. It is simply a piece of healed, more sorrow assuaged. By it, I shameful misrepresentation to try to identify] no orphans starving, no widows weep- the great name and fame of Mr. Lincoln . lng; by It. none wounded In feeling, none with the licensed saloon of our day. In J Injured In Interest. Even the dram this same article the following letter from maker and dram seller will have glided Secretary Hay If quoted: Into other occupations so gradually as i DEAR SIR: Mr. Lincoln was a man of ' never to have felt the change, and will extremely temperate\habits; | he made no stand ready to join all others in the i use of either whisky or tabaeco during universal song of gladness. j ', all '^liAlkaajcs^thAt M knew-Wmr-JCotrrs . ' refers also ' very, truly, He to the conflict with slavery . ..{ John Hat. The" liquor and adds: ! correspondent refers to this And when the victory shall be com- as "most cunningly worded" and doubts its plete— when there shall be neither genuineness and says: "The lmpartlat a slave nor a drunkard on the earth reader" Will observe that this letter is un- how proud the title of that land which dated and that the name of the person to may truly claim to be the birthplace whom it Is Sent is carefully omitted." and the cradle of both those revolu- The letter was sent to me from Cleveland tions that shall have ended in that and was dated Nov.. 54, 1894, and was a i victory! How nobly distinguished that reply to ftn Inquiry in connection with the people who shall have planted and nur- claim of some man who said he drank With tured to maturity Mr. Lincoln. both the political and The moral freedom of their species! evidence is cumulative that Mr. Lin- , " • "• • • • coin's' lifelong habit was that of total atr- stlnence;. that he was a member of total It Is a fact of very striking interest that j abstinence societies,''* nd that he made pub- Gerferal George Pickett, who led the famous ] lie speeches advocating the pledge of total confederate charge at Gettysburg, received' abstinence. While president he addressed his appointment to West Point through a committee of the Sons of Temperance and Abraham Lincoln, then member of Con- referred to his former work as an advo- gress. The widow of General Pickett, }n cate of temperance while a "oung man, and McClure's for March, gives a quotation said:, '"I think I may say that to this day from a letter of Mr. Lincoln to his pro- I have never by my example belled what tege written about the time of his famous I then said." This statement by Mr. Lin- Washlngtonlan speech: "I have Just told' coln ought to be counted conclusive. Ihe folks here In Springfield, on this one hundred and eleventh anniversary of the birth of him whose name, mightiest In the The latest attempt to array the-^ame of cause of civil liberty, still mightiest In the Lincoln on, the side of liquor is in a pam- cause of moral reformation, we mention phlet by Nicholas Mlchels of Chicago. It In solemn awe. In nalced deathless splendor, 16 entitled, "The. Rise and Fall of Prohi- that the one Victory" we can ever call bition 1830-1855; com- In Illinois; a , Crushing plete will be that one which proclaims Defeat Concealed by Prohibitionists; Lin- that there Is not one slave or one drunkard coln as Legislator,, Orator and President; on the face of God's green earth. Recruit for Never a Prohibitionist"; and it Is dedi- this victory!" _^_ cated to ''All Lovers, of -Truth." A careful In the destruction of the legalized liquor reading of this pretentious pamphlet shows traffic now on the programme of civiliza- that in connection with proposed prohibitory tion, there can be no proper use of Abraham legislation ln> the. Illinois legislature Mr. Lincoln in Its defense. Lincoln voted against It. There is not, DUNCAN C. MlLNER. however, one wotftf from Mr, Lincoln expressing his opposl'tlon to prohibition. There seems to have beeh a careful sifting Of the

: newspaper reports ) of the time, but not a sentenee^wiW-foutScl In any speech, .of Mr.j

Northwestern Christian Advocate

February 3, 1909.

LINCOLN AND TEMPERANCE.

Just as we pro to press the following is presented for publication. The matter is one of urgency and should be taken up by all our people at once: Whereas, the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln will be celebrated on the twelfth day of this month by a banquet in Springfield, our capital city, which will be of state-wide interest and influence, and at which, it is reported, intoxicating liquors are to be served; and, Whereas, this great and foremost American was a total abstainer and an ardent advocate of prohibition: Resolved, by the ministers of the Chicago Methodist Preachers' Meeting that we express our sincere regret at the introduction of such an inconsistent and incompatible feature of a banquet in memory of this man whose prohibition habits and utterances were among the most pronounced, features of

I his life: and be it further, Resolved, that we respectfully request the committee in charge to omit all intoxicating liquors for the sake of consistency, and a proper respect for his strong .and pronounced prohibition habits and principles, and also for the sake of the hundreds of thousands of citizens who have since become adherents of these same righteous and sane principles. Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the committee and also to the city press.

S. Tl. Wirschixc. Chairman. J. W. Mohwey. Secretarv. i

The Interior, Feoruary 11, 1909.

Lincoln at a Saloon Door BY JOHN TALMADGE BERGEN, D.D. years ago at a Lincoln meeting among the old sol- veterans SOMEdiers of a Michigan city, one of the battle-worn have heard what gave the following testimony: "We what he did for Lincoln has done for all of us; I want to tell the Western regiments that ar- me I was a private in one of call for 75,000. We were rived first in Washington after the peo- marching through the city amid great crowds of cheering were given leave to see the ple, and then after going into camp town. tavern was the "Like many other of our boys, the saloon or I was just about to go into first thing we hit. With my comrade hand was laid upon my the door of one of these places, when a Lincoln from his great arm, and looking up, there was President with those kindly height above me, a mere lad, regarding me eyes and pleasant smile. but he held "I almost dropped with surprise and bashfulness, hands in strong Western out his hand, and as I took it he shook uniform going into fashion and said: 'I don't like to see our turned immediately these places.' That was all he said. He have gone and walked away; and we passed on. We would not Washington City. into that tavern for all the wealth of then and there for "And this is what Abraham Lincoln did a saloon and in any me. He fixed me so that whenever I go near come back to me. way think of entering, his words and face To- That experience has been a means of salvation to my life. hated it ever since I heard those day I hate the saloon, and have words from that great man." =1 ! .,

McjKntTyT |Who Killed Lincoln and murderer t teton • Tt was the common

on ?*',° - 2:° ran.™«•? «SSniB*iJ««5r«, » " „„„th of Washington City drank the liquor $5 there the Ssassins

out «OT **g2,JS licenwa ..loom

1 the hoy <_7.oi . lrl „ rear room,. eopz, where, in n. -nor-r-h-

Mnwik's Government wcenseu o< ssssrffiiS& — inccntive ,o . '«. - crime is ALCOHOL. x 1 1 1 X. i — . -- -- r — — ~r-~ a JLULdl UpuuilllSir about rj y - 9 - u»i2- Lincoln in His Debate With Douj»" *

"Let us be diverted by none of What does the record show? It By WM. FORST CRISPIN. things, these sophistical contrivances where- shows that, among other Lin- so industriously plied coln said: "Mr. Douglas contends that Abraham Lincoln be- ! with we are To say that whatever community wants and belabored—contrivances such as .i<>ved !j local option for any great groping for some middle ground be- slaves has a right to have them." jvil, such as the liquor traffic, would tween the right and the wrong." "So they have," said Lincoln, "IF be to assail his knowledge of law, SLAVERY IS NOT WRONG. BUT both human and divine. It would Now see how aptly that fits the IF IT IS WRONG HE CAN NOT SAY be to say that he lacked reverence case today. See how "industriously" THAT A PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT for the laws of both God and man. the license-party people "belabor" TO DO A WRONG." This places our It would be to say he was sadly de- "8 today with now this and now that martyred President squarely against ficient in his knowledge of constitu- "contrivance" to turn us from the local ontion or community option pos- plain path of duty contrivances tional law and to deny that he — for AjyjY greatevil. And since he re sessed a clear perception of what is such as tax and license laws, regula garded the/ liquor traffic as "a can- segregation. right and what is wrong. tion and And when cer in society, eating out its vitals, these fail them they have ready discern- and all attempts to REGULATE the But he had remarkable other subterfuges such as "give ment, he had a clear preception of cancer must prove abortive," (see us pure liquors," or (from a Jlev. Dr. Crispin's "Lincoln the First ereat moral Questions. He was a t class) "give us wines and malt liq- surely is most conscientious man. For to American.'" p. 23) there him uors, instead of strong drinks," or grant right, a not the shade nor the shadow of a an option, a legal to "allow no treating," or "compel the wrong, would prove that his con- shade of doubt that he would have drinker to take ou,t a license," or local this science was not robust. But his con- K ,r repudiated option for "le- ."gi^us a~ve7y"high license," ~or "ra- duct occasions shows that galized outlaw." on many Rtrict the sale to certain hours," or - his conscience highly developed. . was then ING MORALLY WRONG CAN BE Lincoln local optionist would was a they clamor for that old> old shuttle- POLITICALLY RIGHT." Thus as- be flatly history. to deny the facts of rock device of the devll> local or surance is made doubly sure. And Let us see. History, where did Lin county option; and the Anti-Saloon to rivet and clinch and solder and coin stand evils, with on the treat League will exploit this old, worn- weld the whole matter into such an which he was called to deal? Did out fraud as a brand new invention impregnable and self-evident truth, he favor local option for nee-ro discovered by them! so there can be no loophole for any slavorv? Or for the liquor traffic? And when the bottom drops out of fair-minded person to escape the> Or for any other great evil? Does that rotton old local-option scheme, conclusion that Lincoln was unalter- history anywhere record any evi- then they begin to ring the changes ably opposed to granting a legal dence that he believpd in granting on another scheme, a 60-year-old right to any great evil, let us quote an option or community right to anv fallacy non-partisan State Prohibi- just one more of his noted utter- creat wrong? Examine the records — tion thus they will accept any old ances. He said: of his debates with Douglas and what — "sophistical contrivance" to save do you find? Why. you find that "Whoever desires the prevention them from the real thing Prohibi- he'flatlv rejected the idea that the — and spread of slavery and the nation' with a Prohibition Party in people had any right to legalize a tionalization of that institution, power that wants the law enforced. YIELDS ALL when he yields to ANY wrong in any community. . All these non-partisan schemes are policy that either recognizes slavery because they are such Lincoln Rejected "Squatter Sover- hell born, as BEING RIGHT or being an in- lying half truths that they deceive different thing. Nothing will make eignty." the very elect, and they form the you SUCCESSFUL but setting up a "aa Btay the That is. he relected local ontion or °* policy which shall treat the thing traffic.S? They are un-American"T^LJ^n*and community option for negro slavery; as BEING WRONG." And since- they are devices of the liquor devil. and many of his speeches show that "local option" concedes a legal right And all enemies of the liquor traffic he could not be true to his own teach to a great evil, under certain condi- , . . ,. 2. < * ., - .. and all other great evils should avoid *"" b ' tions, this latter no- ing and bold to local option for the .. statement leaves . ,„„,,. „ j , :„, TT „ t or lm- them as they would avoid an room to doubt that Lincoln would

. , . , . placable foe; for none of them are U „ „ ,. have been unalterably opposed to Prohibition nor do they lead up to t?}™\™tlatter often *-?L^}™entrusted -^?™J}*with his most granting an option to -the liquor Prohibition, but instead they are each Important messages during the civil traffic as well as to the slave traffic. war, says that he first met Lincoln We "YIELD ALL" when we rec- Their object and effect , g t0 keep in in the Illinois legislature when he ognize an evil thing as having any power the two old rum-party hacks went before that body in 1R54 to ex- legal right, anywhere. So says Abra- the Republican and Democratic nlain the working of the Maine Pro- ham Lincoln, the foremost American. years spawned i which for fifty have Akron, Ohio. hibitory law. And Mr. Merwin, who '| the license liquor traffic and its is still living, says that he and Lin- curses all over our loved retinue of | coln campaigned together in that country. Is it not time our people! state for State Prohibition, and should hurl from power these parties I Merwin testifies that he made record which form the bulwark of this liq-| of of Lincoln's notable utter- many uor power infernal? -And now that ancpg which he made in the. speeches all these satanic measures have so during the aforesaid camnaien. clearly wherein, among much else, Lincoln avowed himself a "political prohibi- Aided and Abetted this "Legalized tionist." In fact, the burden of Lin- coln's speeches was PROHIBITION Outlaw." and an outcrv AGAINST LTCENRTNO will our people be hoodooed and gold-' THE BEVERAGE LIQUOR TRAF- bricked any longer? Surely we are ~ FIC. i nearing the end of these fake cures for our Government's Licensed Various "Sophistical Contrivances." Drunkard Factories and Crime- There are always neonle who ex- Breeders. I cannot believe j the -parlniia "cnphlaHi- rnn ploit fll tr 1- enemies of this vile traffic can be vances" and subterfuges to defend I deceived much longer. the wrong and to excuse themselves for doing what their own conscience Many of the churches, which here- condemns. And Lincoln, in his fight tofore affiliated with them, are now against slavery, met that class then turning their backs upon the League. as we meet them in our fight against And some Good Templars have re- the liquor traffic. Their purpose then pudiated the League. And every

as now was two-fold: first , to de- student of the -drink curse must ceive the people; and second, to know that, outside of the liquor save their own quilty consciences. traffic itself, there is no enemy of But Lincoln said to his co-workers: the Prohibition Party that equals the

False Charges on Lincoln. ' •-' 2. -v« 1 (SSZo— v °—n 1 9 It Is often charged by the liquor men that Lincoln, while young, kept a "pro- eery," or what was then called a "doggery," which meant a saloon. These charges are false and Invented by liquor men to slander the name of the great responslhleN emancipator. The one v for starting the charges and putting them In circulation was Senator Douglas, with .whom Lincoln held his memorable debates. Douglas charged that Lincoln was a heavy drinker while he was young, which charge seems to have not been denied at tbe time, so palpably false was it. Doug- las also charged that Lincoln kept a "doggery," or a saloon, which charge Lincoln immediately denied in the following emphatic language: "The Judge (meaning Judge Douglast Is woefully at fault about his friend Lin- coln having been a grocery keeper, mean-

ing- -a. saloon keeper. lie Is mistaken : Lincoln never kept a grocery anywhere in the world." To be sure Lincoln did confess to the "little folly," as he expressed it. of working for a few months in a still house. Of course, Lincoln did engage in the mercantile business, and as was the custom of almost every merchant then, did keep liquors for sale. But that was away hack in 183", long before the awful sin- fulness of the liquor traffic was looked •upon as it is today. If Lincoln is to be •condemned and classed as a llquorite because his firm sold liquors in the ordinary course of business, many of the best men that generation furnished must be nut in the same class.

could; f,ny slave I would, do It; if I slaves, I Bave it by freeing all the it by free- would do it; if I could save ing some and leaving others alone, I do that. Above all else. I would .would power, save the union/ But a greater soul. The union of the i swept over his issue; istates was purely a human tfreedom was a divine issue, and God It was not until the Amoved in that. saw Lgreat battle of Antietam that he The mighty sweep of God's purpose, and Abraham Lincoln's vow carried him through the turbulent seas of. suggested compromise. This is a message today. We are waging a blood- needed slavery— less battle against human line, nor Ifllavery that knows no color Message of Great battle Perpetual 'nationality, nor age. It is the enslavement of men by In- Subject of Dr, (against the we Emancipator toxicating drink. Now and then that some, of the great Sermon , fhear.it ,said W, H.Geistweit's favor of in- imen of the past were in toxicating liquors. '"Not long ago a large sa16on in advertisement TIME IDEALIZES CHARACTER Ithls city sent out an &Sd that George Washington manufacturer of liquor; that he [was a came willed a distillery to others who It Washing- is Settled Until ratfer him. Whether George No Question drinking or tton was in favor of liquor Says for the honor Is Settled Right, not. it argues no more of Abraham iof it than the willingness ' con- Baptist Pastor [Lincoln at one time in the great the expense rflict to save the union at of slavery. Iof slavery argued the honor .is set- Message of Abra 'Nothing is ever settled until it "The Perpetual that the It has been stated Lincoln" was the subject In Uled right. ham Lincoln could not be quoted on last evening. j.Mr; First Baptist church; total abstinence It is ig- pastor. Dr. vv [the side of The of history that puts.Mr. Lin- GelStweit, took norance great , H; coln on the wrong side of this ' occasion of of his the '/moral issue. On the occasion birthday of ptesi- the '.notification of nomination to the the great emanci- called to a girl In out idency. he arose and pator to point the house and engaged lessons ! another part of some some conversation not heard by his seemed to tin came In which guests. Presidents the girl of abiding some him with a pitcher of water and^ value to theworld. gravely addressed , Mr. Lincoln Intimating the glasses. 'We must the company, and said: striking conditons in the most nledsre our mutual healths that brought which God has given Lincoln Shy beverage Abraham beverage 1.have man-it is the only the front, he to farailj to ever used or allowed in my declared that conscientiously depart seems to arid I cannot time the present «&&*££**, the char- from it on Idealize pure Adams* ale from the n>ring. acter of the man; which is now Ming years The. great issue that in the never be settled until it to ques- fought will ,, to come the what that settled right—and we know „J/ tion of the reality , •right' mearis. ••Arsenal of Argument" third message is appealing: "The his realizes himself until No man & moral nature Is stirred L ncolMiUA feaid, were these: He the worldi—a-m ofn r long career as a small politician. -The first message to great value. nothing can mn- did little, said, little, of: voune men Is: that debate trans- rising to the highest The Lincoln-Douglass der anyman from moral issue swept his character and service if his formed, him. A heights of to the depths of the clean, is pure. Abraham soul. He went Wood is red. is that As another has Said declares to the world •slavery question. Lincoln a 'complete arsenal of only one re*l aristocracy-the he became there is argument' and he swept the field clean aristocracy of character Jhwejno God came into speaking of hi low^Je of his opponents; for heed here of He would rather tell the glnnings; every school boy is »»™* his soul His mes- ir his than win an election them. The greatest' thing Suth de- with other. every man is: Moral issues the beginning was his ™ sage to are life at ^character human destiny. There manhood tribute to her termine so His home about us, living aimlessly, should be written over every men ail concerned. sainted as moral Issues are •in that I am I owe to my 'far import, usually had gathering of gold is more mother/ Great men have .The character.- -goodness hon- than, the making of great mothers. Piety ant until God tenderness, love You cannot know yourself or uprightness/P speaks to you. belong to the aristocracy comes in and ?hese thfngs eternal principles upon character—and there Is no other. "These are 'of which human charactei:1s huildedL Lincoln's Second Message Lincoln lives; his Hfe, his per- Abraham second message which Is his fairness, his unselfishness, -The question honestv, prophet- in its teaching is: no greatness of soul, the petual right his "v«! ever settled until it is settled the liberator—he is learn President the Wen Abraham Lincoln had to Long as the world stands, wh e great career. all men this in the midst of his stars move in their courses, There was a time when he was willing inspiration from his life, his the draw path riosave the u n!oH &t-*Wexp«nse.Qf shall call them back to the precip- name "great moral issue, which' really duty of love, of self-surrender to human slavery. of itated the civil war— good of others—which is the path It the Horacejli<-" «"-*-" Greeley:-- '» - -- 1 of- God, He.He wrote tolo — — of Jesua Christ, the* pa±h Icould save the union without_freeing

Or ^ 1 1 I

—

LINCOLN DRANK "ADAM'S ALE'' Drank a Toast. How Lincoln Immediately after Mr. Lincoln's nomina- the forefront conven- Lincoln would be in tion ior President at the Chicago liquor traffic. Mor- of the warfare on the tion a«roininUtee, of which Governor a little He promised his mother when gan 'of New York, was chairman, visited him touch intox- officially bov that he would never fn Springfield, 111., where he was sacredly icants, and he kept that vow informed of his nomination. death. He told one to the dav of his \fter this ceremony had passed, Mr. Lin- friends that a of his most intimate remarked to the company that as an passed down coln drop of liquor had never appropriate conclusion to an interview so and that he did not know his throat as that which had kinds of drink tasted Important arid interesting what the various supposed good manners addresses can be found Just 'transpired, he like. Few should treat the com- of his tem- would require that he more eloquent than some to drink; and friends in mittee with something good perance lectures. His the rear he drink opening the door that led into Springfield knew he never kept gal responded box of called out, "Mary! Mary!" A at house and sent over a spoke a his to the call, 'to whom Mr. Lincoln for the reception of the com- the liquors few words in an undertone, and, closing of the republican party who with mittee door, returned again and conversed notifv him of his nomination en- were to guests. In a few minutes the maiden the first time. his for the presidency bearing a large waiter, containing wife and calling her tered, Looking at his glass tumblers, and a large pitcher did, he said: several "Mother," as he always placed it upon the cen- such In the midst, and "We have never used or served Lincoln arose, and gravely and ter-table. Mr. drinks and will not begin now,' company, said: "Gentlemen, matter addressing the sent the box back. And it is a must pledge sur mutual health in the moral giant had we of historv that this most healthy beverage that God has given officially to drink to the^ have oyer the courage to man-it is the only beverage I party and the nation in use, ana l health of the | used or allowed my family to from the well, it on cold, sparkling water cannot conscientiously depart from it as he s making a beautiful tribute to the present occasion. It is pure Adam Christian Herald. the tum- proposed the toast.— ale from the spring;" and, taking pledged bler, he touched it to his lips, and cold them his highest respects in a cup- of guests were con- /~* »'/» water. Of course, all his C/*7 P^fR/Am^"^ to strained to admire his consistency, and in his example. join / 9 -> , 3y Z. Arwf-J-/* e TfeT*'*"?*; / *r" /*A T>o»"K ft, -'v* <'C*. Lincoln Refused Champaign. Though there are many remedies, was not working for , when Lincoln so-called for sea sickness, yet medical science, we believe, refuses to put forth any of them either as preven- tives or as cures. Prominent among the remedies which keep their prom- known ise neither to the ear nor to the hope out Lincoln was never W revels spirits. anecdote of in these social are wine and An to participate for inntnnlv because he had a distaste President Lincoln, related in the Cen- abstainer from whisky but was an tury, shows that he knew the useless- ness of these remedies. When he visited Gen. Grant at City su saftssraSB Point, in 1864, he was met on his ar- Bi House. rival by the General and his staff. and on to the White * * * When asked how he was, .the Presi- dent replied: "I am not feeling very well. I got pretty badly shaken up on the bay coming down, and I am not altogether over yet." "Let me send for a bottle of champagne for you, Mr. President." said a staff officer; "that is the best remedy I know of for sea sickness." "No, no, my young friend," repied the President; "I've seen many a man in my time sea sick ashore from drinking that very article.' That was the last time any one screwed up sufficient courage to offer him wine—Youth's Companion. 3-12-86.

J WRIGHT 3 :

Lincoln and Temperance /

Editor Northwestern Christian AdrocsU.] 2-/ % . ( 7 / fi article Abel M. I was much interested in reading the by White regarding Lincoln, and the following incident may be ot your people interest to some of .... . interested in In 1911, I was in Springfield for quite a while (which securing the passage of the injunction and abatement the Leland Hotel a became a law July 1, 1915), and I met at haver gentleman by the name of Thayer, at the head of the I Dry Goods Company. He had been in a continuous business was about in Springfield at that time for seventy years, and ninety-four years of age, and died about two years later. 1 asked Mr. Thayer about the stories that had been circulated about Abraham Lincoln selling liquor or drinking liquor. He came to said "I do not know what Mr. Lincoln did before he total Springfield, but after he came to Springfield he was a militia com- abstainer." He also said, "I was a member of a on tem- pany in 1832, and Mr. Lincoln addressed our company of the Billy perance." I had the pleasure of attending several Sunday meetings held that year in Springfield, and sitting in asked front of me was a woman wearing a white ribbon, and 1 and her a similar question to the one asked of Mr. Thayer years of age she said- "When my husband was about twelve he heard Mr. Lincoln speak on temperance, and he desired to and Mr. Lin- sign the pledge, but he could not write his name, for him coln held the boy's hand and wrote the boy's name first man in his My father was born in 1800, and was the intoxicating liquor town to raise a building without the aid of liquor served was one of the first to refuse to have intoxicating was about 1820, and 1 in the harvest field on the farm. That addressed a militia think you will appreciate that when Lincoln it was certainly a company in 1832 against intoxicating liquor radical "step to take in those days. twenty-three people In 1910 I went with a partv of about visiting St. Paul. starting from Chicago on September 30 and Victoria. Minneapolis, Winnipeg. Regina, Calgary, Vancouver Tacoma, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles Hous- Seattle, were ton New Orleans. Memphis, and back to Chicago. We Orleans I visited agitating against the social evil, and in New the auction block the basement of the .old state house and saw (block) was where slaves were sold, and back of this platform before they were sold, and a room where the slaves were kept prayer, that as Lincoln helped I said to myself, and uttered a this great contest against to free the black race, I would help in inspiration to me the social evil, and it has always been an incident and have thought ot whenever I have thought of that slaves sold in ^ew Lincoln, because he in an earlier day saw from the same auction block (I suppose). Orleans Abraham r What an inspiration to the world is the life of his love by his love Lincoln, a man who loved God and showed J

1 to his fellow man. \ Arthur Burrage Farwell, ^ President Chicago Law and Order League.

~~ \-i<^o.lc{ j/ ^ W~-o March 13> 19n Abraham Lincoln, Total Abstainer ^ ^/ REV. FREDERICK B. ALLEN ruary, 1842, -which arraigned the liquor traffic demanded the support of all good citizens Protestant Episcopal Rector and Secretary and for temperance reform. of the General Theological Library, Bos- Arter he became a member or Congress, ton in the Boston Evening Transcript he conducted a temperance meeting nt Sanga- pleaded with old and T this time when the subject of national mon County, at which he following total abstinence prohibition is forced upon our consid- young to sign the recall "Whereas the use of Intoxicating eration, it mav be worth while to pledge: beverage, is productive of pau- the devotion of Abraham Lincoln to the liquors, as a crime: believing it tempcrance cause. perism, degradation, and discourage that which produces A recent biography, called "The Latest j s our duty to we therefore pledge Light on Abraham Lincoln," gives very sig- more evil than good, from the use of mtoxi- nilicant quotations from his writings. The ourselves to abstain beverage." public has not realized the depth and in- eating liquors as a German-American Alliance, a tensity of his devotion to the cause of total In 1908 the organization, desiring to con- abstinence. He more than once assured liquor-favoring Lincoln with the liquor others that In all his life "he never drank nect the name of facsimile of a liquor or tasted a drop of alcoholic liquor of any traffic, published a the j;.- license issued many years before in name k j nt keep a tavern in New In 1817, while a member of Congress, when of Berry & Lincoln, to Lincoln declining'™ partake of some rare wine pro- Salem. They omitted to state that this license, and vided by a host, he said that he meant no refused to approve getting partnership with Berry disrespect, but he had made a solemn promise immediately left the account. to his mother, only a few days before her on this very Mr. Lincoln strongly death that he would never use, as a beverage, During his presidency, the internal revenue anything intoxicating, "and I consider that objected to a section of taxed alcoholic liquors, t)lcd"e " said he, "as binding today as It was measure, which -TT»i tax," said he, {he clay I gave it." 'will tend to perpetu- In his early life he made temperance liquor traffic, speeches throughout Illinois, and especially ate the cannot consent made a famous address on the 22d of Feb- and 1 to aid in doing that. "But," said Secretary Chase, the author of that revenue law, "Mr. Pre'sidcnt, this is a war measure. It is only a temporary measure, for a present emergency, and cannot fasten the liquor traffic upon the nation, for it will be repealed as soon as the war Is ended." The President yielded to the entreat- ies of Mr. Chase and signed the bill, saying as he did so, "I •would rather lose my right hand than to sign a document that will tend to perpetuate tile liqu._u —llaJHc, and as soon as the exigencies pass away I will turn my whole attention to the repeal of that document." On the last day of Lincoln's life. Major

M e r w I n, a dlstin- guished temperance advocate, dined with the President at the White House, to con- fer with him respect- ing an important business matter. As he was about to depart, President Lincoln said to him, "Mcrwin, we have cleaned up with the help of the people a colossal job. Slavery is abolished. After reconstruction, the next great question will be the overthrow and the abolition of the liquor traffic, and you know, Mcrwin, that my head and heart and hand and purse will go into that work. In 1812— less than a quarter of a century ago— I predicted, under the influences of God's Spirit, that the time would come ' when there would be neither a slave nor a drunkard in the land. Thank prophe- God, I have lived to see one of those cies fulfilled. I hope to see the other realized."

I I

After this address Lincoln kept up great privilege of having seen it a of total j his campaigning in the cause few weeks ago. addressing many temper- In 1863, addressing a delegation of abstinence, many ABRAHAMTuNCOUf ance meetings and persuading the Sons of Temperance, which organ- pledge people to sign the pledge. The ization he had joined as a young man, PROHIBITION meetings was TEMPERANCE AND he used in most of his Lincoln said: "When I was a young CRUSADER one he wrote himself and was as fol- man—long ago, before the Sons of intoxicat- lows- "Whereas, the use of Temperance as an organization had 5 as a beverage is produc- an existence I in an humble way If 'ito' Chester' A.' Smlt^M* -^-*/ ing liquors — degradation and speeches and I U tive of pauperism, made temperance ' in the two great duty to LicoW\iaA^svt crime, and believing it is our think I may say that to this day I American history:. more moral reforms ph discourage that which produces have never by my .example belled abolition of slavery and the abol- therefore pledge The evil than good, we what I then said." traffic. His part in use^ of itionof the liquor ourselves to abstain from the And as an evidence that the success- slavery, however, . the crusade against intoxicating liquors as a beverage ful conclusion of the war had not over- was so outstanding that it has next step in the temperance caused Lincoln to forget his promise crusade The shadowed his- part in the movement-was the enactment of state to have that part of the revenue law against the liquor traffic. But it is a Maine began in the sale of liquor repealed, prohibition . laws. licensing to recall the fact that Massachusetts fitting time now 1846 Connecticut and he said to Merwin on the afternoon Emancipator was not only James B. the Great following in 1852 add 1854 of April 14, 1865: "Merwin. we have an open and ac- in the a 'total abstainer, but Merwin. who had been active cleaned up, with the help of the peo- I temperance and pro- laws, tive crusader for campaigns which brought those ple, a collosal job. Slavery is abol- the tem- hibition. conducted, at the request of ished. After reconstruction, the next the liquor traf- similar The crusade against, perance people of Illinois, a great question will be the overthrow the 18th Amende that^cam- fic which resulted in Spaign in that state. -In and abolition of the liquor traffic and recent origin. It goes helped ment is not of paign Lincoln took part. He you know. Merwin, that my head and the beginning of the Republic, the prohibi- purse back to raise money for it, drew my heart and my hand and my Benjamin Rush. Chairman of voted on at the when I>r. tion law which was will go into that work. In 1842—less Committee on Independence in the in its behalf, the election, made speeches than a quarter of a century ago— Congress, published his Merwin, the Continental and' was, according to predicted, under the influence of God's Evil Effects of Alcohol" the cam- book on "The most effective speaker of spirit, that the time would come when in 1785.- paign. That was in 1,855. there would be neither a slave nor a years after that there suggest Lin- But for many The first newspaper to drunkard in the land. I have lived to organized movement for total of the new Re- those prophe- was no coln as the nominee see, thank God, one of • Liquor Presidency, abstinence or prohibition. partv for the cies fulfilled. I hope to see the other West nublican and drinking was common. In the was The Central Illinois Gazette, realized." serving of liquor was one of the paper. William O. the fte editor of the .But Lincoln was not spared to live of expressing *js be- most common methods has said that, it see that other prophecy realized or Stoddard, to v frontier hospitality. A whiskey jug well known tem- cause of Lincoln's to labor again to help bring it to pass. almost every home. Good suggestion was was kept in perance views that the For on the night of that very day an could be purchased for fifteen '' whiskey 'made. • assasin—a liquor drinker and a fre- cents a gallon. It was sold in grocery Chicago After his nomination by the quenter of saloons-—took his life. stores as well as' in saloons. And. from convention, when the committee While Lincoln and the men in Blue, drunkenness was very prevalent. Springfield to the convention came to with the help, of the patriotic people It was in such an atmosphere that Lincoln notifv him of his nomination. of the North, had been winning the the boy Lincoln grew up. Yet from the served to permit liquor to be Civil War, the liquor dealers had been he was a total abstainer. So refused beginning ceremonies. organizing to perpetuate their traffic. was he by the harm he saw at the impressed became 'President, The United States Brewers' Associa- liquor drinking that pe- Later, when he resulting from the White tion was formed in 1862. After the years old he he banished liquor from fore he was nineteen social prevent the re- an act which created a war they were able to wrote a paper upon the evils of in- House, the capitol. Deal of the law licensing the sale of temperance which a Baptist preacher revolution in great reluctance that, liquor. All the temperance work done well that he had it published It was with liked so signed the Rev- in the days before the war had to be newspaper. That was the as President, Lincoln in an Ohio which put a federal done over again. The 18th Amend- published utterance Lincoln gave enue Bill of 1862, first for the ment is no happen-so; it is the result tax upon the sale of liquor to the world. government, for of another generation of temperance temperance benefit of the Federal When the Washingtonian of giv- work. he realized the grave danger movement was organized in 1840. Lin- of of the tem- liquor traffic the protection Now with the spread supported it. On February 22, ing the coln only did so, however, perance movement throughout the in the Presbyterian federal law. He 1842, he delivered for more world it would seem that as the world because of the pressing need Church in Springfield before the local war and upon has followed the leadership of Amer- tem- revenue to conduct the branch of the Society his famous of government, so it of the leading members ica in matters of address. It was printed in the promise perance of Representa- will follow her leadership on this County Weekly the Senate and House full in the Sangamon war was over that great question. Lloyd George, for in- Nicholay tives that when the and is to be found in & be repealed^ stance, speaking upon this subject a books. part »of the law would Hay's Life and several other few months ago said: "If America 1861. he had appointed Merwin. . of liquor In i In it he tells the harm prohibition program. worked for prohibition sticks to her , - of the with whom he drinking, relates the history England will be dry in ten years." Illinois in 1855, to lecture on tem- temperance movement, pleads for its in right. It was do temperance work Yes. Lincoln was and after comparing perance and to early triumph, the Union nothing less than the influence of with that among the soldiers in the temperance revolution a God's spirit which prompted him. armies, and in 1862 he gave him political revolution which resulted in hundred years aso. to proph- pass to facilitate his work. nearly a independence, concludes personal shall be American tbe prized possession esy the time when there which, like so many This -pass is now the with these words, Brooklyn, to neither a slave nor a drunkard on prophetic: of Charles T. White, of of his utterances, were earth. I am indebted for the "And when the victory shall be com- whose courtesy plete—when there shall be neither a slave nor a drunakrd on earth—how proud the title of that land which may and truly claim to be the birthplace the cradle of both those revolutions that shall have ended in that victory."

for law and order it we truly Honor nun.

dent T/incoIn said to him, ''I owe more to you is the cause of education. We . there EDITORIAL ; THEN than to almost any one of whom I can think. V early stages of a great cam- are. only in the If I had not signed the pledge with you in IS a cheering sign of patriotism that we. popular education. paign for thorough-going, the days of my youthful temptations, I should still celebrating the birthday of Abra- children aright ITare How important it is to train probably have gone the way of the majority Lincoln, and we may take pmtriotism this Was il- ham Abraham Lincoln well knew, for of my early companions, who lived drunk- in its broadest meaning thus. When we exalt case. Lincoln was lustrated in his own When ards' lives and are p<">jv filling drunkards' exalt almost everything this great man we a boy there were only a few scattering tem- graves." that is great and good in a human life. country, and rarely perance people in this What Uncle John did for Lincoln, Lincoln our schools, public and private and it Through was a temperance worker seen. But hap- tried to do for many other hoys. Seventy-six the attention of the major part of Illinois called churchly, pened that there was a man in years ago Lincoln rode on horseback to South our youthful population is directed in a spe- to travel about "Old Uncle John," who used Fork Schoolhouse, in Sangamon County, Illi- cial manner to the life and character of this meetings in the country holding temperance nois, made a temperance speech, and invited great leader. This is in itself a mighty asset sparsely settled the log schoolhouscs of those everybody present to sign a total abstinence of both patriotism and religion. communities. Most of the people came out pledge. This pledge, signed, and advocated of curiosity, and but few showed any sym- by Abraham Lincoln, has become the pledge shall we best celebrate Lincoln's night when he made his HOW pathy with him. One of the Lincoln Legion to-day: birthday? plea for temperance and closed with an in- clew to this answer may be found in A vitation to come forward and sign the pledge, "Whereas, the use of intoxicating Lincoln's immortal Gettysburg address. only one who moved—a ball, un- there was liquors as a beverage is productive of best honor Lincoln's memory by We shall gainly boy who got to his feet and walked poverty, degradation and crime, and be- which dedicating ourselves to the causes to aisle. His clothes were poor and down the lieving that it is our duty to destroy that he dedicated himself. the sadiy outgrown; but when boy stooped which produces more evil than good, we Lincoln was conspicuous in his Abraham down and wrote the name, "Abraham Lin- therefore pledge ourselves to abstain devotion to his country. He forgot himself coln," on the pledge, a hush fell upon the from the use of intoxicating liquors as o interests, utterly, in and his own personal rough men who were present. beverage." becoming the grand champion of the Union It has been affirmed that the work of that in the dark days when misguided men sought night lives in history, for Lincoln always Two boys, Cleopas Breekenridge and Moses to rend it asunder. attributed much of his success in life to his Martin, signed this pledge. They never for- The spirit of human fellowship and co- temperance principles. At that time almost got when Abraham Lincoln, with the pledge operation we find expressed to-day in the whisky, and there were few in hand, placed lovingly on j everybody drank one the other League of Nations, the Disarmament Con- who saw anything wrong in it. . Years after- each lad's head as if in consecration, and sol- ference, and in many other efforts for realiz- ward "Old Uncle John" was entertained in emnly pledged them to total abstinence. ing international peace and progress, was _the_White House in Washington, and Presi- "Now, sonny," he said, "keep that pledge only national in its scope sixty years ago. It and it will be the l>est act of your life." is easy for us to imagine how enthusiastic Lincoln's personal desire for an education Abraham Lincoln would be to-day, if he amounted to a passion. There was an edu- were alive, for the promotion of the best cational awakening in this country in his things in the relations of the nations. It was day. The numbers of city superintendents his great task to resist, and triumphantly to of schools were increased from seventeen to prevent, the dismembering of the United fifty-three from 1850 to 1859. This shows States of America. Most peaceable and not only the beginning of a great movement, tender in disposition, it became his dread but indicates the educational poverty of this duty to go down into the depths of the hor- country as well. Very few schools were civil war. In the discharge of this rors* of graded. There were only sixty-four public duty he did not flinch, but went straight for- high schools in the country, prior to 1850, ward, calling upon the name of God. It was and only one hundred and eight in 1859. In perfectly clear to him in those dark days that 1850 there were only eighty-two colleges there should be but one nation, one govern- and universities; but between that time and ment, One flag, within our territory. He could the outbreak of the Civil War, one hundred see in the existence of two nations only and five more institutions of this rank were rivalries and jealousies and antagonisms

1 established. through all the years. The peace of God How Lincoln would have rejoiced in the prevailing within our vast territory could educational progress thus far accomplished only be secured by preserving the Union as we can only imagine. But it is clear that he it was; and for this he counted all things but would have been in the fore-front of the loss, counting not even his life dear unto champions of the American public school. himself. He would be against all those who would Our, assemblies, our orations, our flags, divide and destroy it, as he was against those dmBum' to very little unless wo keep the spirit who sought to divide and destroy the Union. of Lincoln's patriotism and allow its impulses'' full play as we assume some personal share in we exalt Abraham Lincoln we are the momentous national and international WHEN exalting patriotism, sobriety, education. problems of our day. We are making nation-wide acknowledgment of the excellence of honor and purity and LINCOLN was an advocate ABRAHAM fidelity and brotherly love. Of law and order. Tohonor the laws was h Is General Grant said of Abraham Lincoln: political religion, and he urged this upon us "He was incontestable- the greatest man I as a part of our religion. We are to-day in ever knew." the' midst of what may well prove to be the Edwin M. Stanton said: "He was the final struggle with the drink evil. The most perfect rider of men the world has ever promoters of this nefarious business know seen." neither God nor man, nor laws nor rights General Sherman said: "Of all the men nor justice. The whole abominable traffic is I ever met, he seemed to possess more of the now under ban of the laws, national and elements of greatness, combined with good- state; and yet its promoters are making the ness, than any other." most desperate efforts to nullify these laws It is with no reservations or misgiving-- and to trample them under foot. that we join in the celebration of the life and There can be no doubt as to what Abraham work of Abraham Lincoln, a man whom our Lincoln would say and do to-day. There is nation and the world delight to honor. no doubt as to the stand that we shall take

Evanwton, Illinois, February IS, 1922

Abraham Lincoln's "First Tem- perance Lecture" J Stories of Abraham Lincoln's young manhood are numerous but one not often related is found in a new book, "Lincoln and Prohibition" by Charles T. White. He credits it to Robert H. Browne, who knew the Great Emancipator in Spring- field. The incident happened about 1836 at a gathering of the neighborhood and village, where they were building a new bridge. When the hard work was over there was a feast, merry-making, trials of strength, and other sports, including much liquor drinking, raw whisky was sold at fifteen cents a gallon, and on this it. occasion there was a barrel of In , the feats of strength a large man named "Sam", the champion heavy-weight lifter, with difficulty raised six inches off a w platform a pile of wood weighing one "J thousand pounds. The spectators, know- X ing Abraham Lincoln's prowess as an athlete, at once demanded that he also try lifting the pile of wood. Lincoln was O reluctant to enter the exhibition, but finally assented, and lifted the load clear a foot from the platform "without any N straining." Some of Sam's friends shout- ^ Mr. ed, "Do it again; we didn't see it!" x Lincoln, to satisfy these, stepped on the \ platform again, saying as he did so, \A v*\ "Sam, sit down on the top of the pile." With Sam on top of the pile, Lincoln \y raised the big load almost as easily as he did the first time. Then the bung was knocked out of the barrel of whisky. Lincoln, being challenged again, took hold of it by the chimes, raised it from the ground, took a mouthful of liquor from the open bunghole, turned his head to the right, his and spat it out on the ground over shoulder. On releasing the barrel, he said in substance, just as he related it /ears afterward when invited to drink, as he often was: "My friends, you will do well and the best you can with it, to empty this barrel of liquor on the ground, as I threw the little part of it out of my mouth. It is not on moral grounds alone that I am giving you this advice; but you are a strong, healthy and rugged people. It is as true as that you are so now, that you cannot remain so if you indulge your appetites in alcoholic drinks. You cannot retain your health and strength if you continue the habit, and when you lose them, neither you nor your children are likely to regain them. As a good friend, without counting the distress and wreck- age of mind, let me advise that if you wish to remain healthy and strong, you will turn liquor away from your lips."

of giaaness. And In the universal sOng the cause of '-"" AND LIQUOR, what a noble ally this to I LINCOLN political freedom; with such an aid purported to be a quo- be on and Recently what Its march can^ not fall to I Lincoln's earth/Shall drink tation from one of Abraham on, till every son of by the fruition the sorrow-quenching speeches has been circulated In rich draughts of perfect liberty. Happy through this alleged liquor Interests, day when mind, all conquering I attempted to quotation they have mind, shall live and move, the mon- consum- ] prohibition Glorious | show that he was a foe of arch of the world. John G. matlon! Hall, fall of furyl Reign of a friend of intoxicants. and reason, all hall! And when such vic- In their "Ad- Nlcolay and John Hay tory shall be complete — when there Lin- nor a drunk- dresses and Letters of Abraham shall be neither a slave present all ard on the earth — how proud the ti- coln" made an effort to of that land which may truly and letters. The "wet" tle of his speeches claim to be the birthplace and the are sentiments attributed to Lincoln cradle of both these revolutions that victory! How found In these volumes, but shall have ended In that nowhere distinguished that people who sentiments In opposi- nobly unmistakable shall have planted and nurtured to are found tion to the liquor traffic maturity both the political and mor- of their species! there. al freedom 22, 1842, Lincoln made On February In. the course of the civil war the the Washlngtonlan an address before Sons of Temperance addressed a let- Society at Springfield. Temperance ter to Lincoln regarding Intemper- the days when signing That was in ance In the army. In his reply, Lincoln a popular method of the pledge was said: "If I were better known than recruits for the temperance to be told enlisting I am, you would not need to who signed agreed V cause. Those that In the advocacy of temperance forms of Intoxicants. abstain from all you have a friend and sympathizer in long speech then, out- Lincoln made a me. When I was a young man — long failures In temperance lining the ag — before the Sons of Temperance These, he thought, were campaigns. as an organization. had an existence — Ignorant methods used. His due to I, In a humble way, made temperance the tem- theory, and he complimented speeches, and I think I may say to society for 'using the same perance I this day I have never, by example, expressed In the method, was briefly belled what I then said." It may be catches mbre quotation that honey argued that there Is a difference be- that the flies than gall. His Idea was prohibition, I tween temperance and should not be drunkards and tipplers Lincoln was" for tem- 1 and that while with a club da an argu- lived, approached perance he would not had he that those who saved them This ment, but favored federal prohibition. hearts and have should appeal to their conjecture, how- I Is a mere matter of better natures. In this connec- doubt that their jever, and there can be no tion Lincoln said: the use of liquor. 1 Lincoln deplored that Turn now to the temperance revo- He advocated signing* the pledge find a stronger ab- lution In it we shall signer would become a total viler slavery man- the bondage broken, a views It is deposed, in stainer. If such were his umitted, a greater tyrant dis- any one can more of want supplied, more hard to understand how It assuaged. now. ease healed, more sorrow twist them into another meaning starving, no widows By It no orphans in feel- weeping. By it, none wounded even the ing none injured in Interest; drammaker and dramseller will have grad- Kllded Into other occupations so change. ually as never to have felt the „a will stand ready to Jo in al l others JTOYJ^g; THE INDIANAPOLIS NETVS, MONDAY;

" I

Governor Nestos briefly reviewed way, made temperance speeches, and the crises in Lincoln's life, and then I think that to this day I have never, asked the question: "What lessons DRY TALK, WET DRINK by my example, belled what I then may we, who are public officials to- labors said." day, learn from the life and of Lincoln and from the "If our public officials today could Abraham FLAYED BY NESTOS ideals which actuated him in his said ' but truly say the same thing," private and public life? the North. Dakota governor by way "As we view the record of tho of our Spirit of Lincoln Would Enforce of comment, "how much better would executives and legislators not the conditions bo In the public cities, states and nation," Governor find that Law, North Dakota Governor life of our states and of ou- nation! Nestos continued, "do we If public officials assumed that at- they see or try to see the goal to be Tells Republican Club. titude, and In their private lives cached or, if they do see it, do they I sought at all tlmos to honor and up- always labor \v.lh fidelity and single- hold the constitution and to obey ness of purpMj.se for its attainment laws cf the states and nation, we and the realization of the highest By George N. Briggs. would, not, as now Is so frequently ideals of public service? Are we not Drawing inspiration from the life the case In these days* of the Vol- rather constrained to confess that al- of Lincoln to say that there are too stead Act, find public servants who together too frequently they fail " goal fo be reached many public offiiclals who talk "dry" talk 'dry* and 'drink wet* cither to see the line of thought, Gov- else are too weak, indifferent or and "drink wet," Governor R. A. Pursuing this or ernor Nestos asserted that "even the selfish to pursue the course that Nestos of North Dakota, principal conscientious public official who is leads straight toward the attain- speaker at the twenty-ninth annual guided by principle, who Hvps his life ment of that goal? who honestly tries banquet of the Lincoln Republican consistently and Swayed Expediency. to serve the people, will very often by club, held Monday night in The Saint feel his inability to solve the problems "How prone the public official at vaccina- Paul, took a verbal poke of life as he feels they ought to be sometimes is to steer by the weather- ting servants of the people whose solved, and, with Lincoln, he will fre- vane rather than by the compass, not square with practices, he said, do ouently have occasion to petition the to be controlled by expediency rather their professions of principle. Supreme Being for the strength and than by principle, to let the desire This slap at law enforcement fol- j wisdom for the task and say. as Lin- for momentary victory deflect him bouquets that ! lowed a barrage of coln did, 'without the assistance of from the purposes he knows are Governor Nestos, ppassed between God I cannot succeed—with it I can- right and that ultimately Nelson, morally I Governor Preus, Mayor not fail.* must prevail!" and 250 mem- Speaker "W. I. Nolan Governor Nestos deplored the fact bers of the Lincoln club and their Urged to Enforce Law. that "politics is the first considera- friends. In this language. Governor Nestos tion in so many cases and the thought its officials Verbal Bouquets for All. i called on the public and ff victory at the polls, of service of to enforce the law: "May we not to- friends, and the reward of i self or The banqueters took time out to or public day, as private citizens political henchmen seem to claim the cheer Mavor Nelson, to applaud wild- solemnly resolve that in our Nolan congratulated servants, greater share of their energy and ad- ly when Speaker work we shall ever seek to analyze having found such a good ministrative or legislative activity." St. Paul on. carefully the problems before us, as- rather fot* Governor Preus "Being controlled by policy mayor, to* shout purposes to be attained address with certain the than by principle," said Governor who concluded a brief with unswerving fidelity and to and then, Nestos, "such an official, ever seek- a plea for President Harding courage hold true to the "the man and moral ing to serve his selfish Interest will hail Governor Nestos as goal, no mat- course that leads to the appeal to .passion, prejudice, class who brought North Dakota back be'that seek ter what the forces may hatred and the Innate selfishness of from chaos to common sense." us from our course! Governor Preus and Speaker to deflect man In the effort to serve his ends. Both "May we be willing at all times spoke words of cheer for the No respect for constitution, no Nolan to subordinate expediency to prin- Republican party, each in his way av- obedience to laws and ordinances Is ciples, the temporary to the perma- that "despite recent reverses" permitted to stand in his way. In- erring nent, and to be ever guided by what party which onco had Lincoln stead of saying with Lincoln that *to the just and right! When those who loader will survive and point is the support of the constitution and for its hold public office are governed by the way. laws let every American pledge his these principles, it will mean in- the speakers' table were the life, his property and his sacred hon- At creased efficiency and the elimination Governor and Mrs. Preus, Speaker or' and that 'in a democracy there of waste in every department of gov- and Mrs. Nolan, Mayor Nel- is no successful appeal from the bal- Nolan ernment, because only by such a son and Mrs. Nelson, Governor Nes- lot to the bullet,' these self-serving course can the administrative work Associate Justice Oscar Hallam, disciples of expediency will not hes- tos, square with the ideals of public serv- Judge John B. Sanborn, Senator itate to use any argument or resort ' James D. Denegre, Rev. John W. Hol- ice." to any means that will serve their land, and Dr. George O. Orr, president Able to See End of Road. personal, factional or party pur- Lincoln club. pose, even though it be subversive of the After calling attention to the things of the constitution Itself and destruc- Volstead Ghost Paraded. that Lincoln was not, Governor Nes- tive of th« happiness and prosperity tos said: "If we were to ask what Governor Nestos found excuse for of the peopis." chief characteristic of Lin- in the Volstead amendment was the dragging contributed those ele- quoting from a statement made by coln which Renew Allegiance to Ideal. by mind, character and official Lincoln to a delegation representing ments of Concluding Ms address, Governor that determined his place in the Sons of Temperance: "When I action Xestos said: "If you, the members of I believe we would be con- was a young man. I, in my humble history, this and of the Republican say that his chief claim club strained to party, followers of tho beloved and consisted in his ability to to fame immortal Lincoln, will resolve today of the road; the goal to see the end that not only individually but as a attained; the ultimate object to be be vany you will renew your allegiance accomplished, and to make all the to the ideals of Lincoln and seek In intermediate acts and Incidents con- private life and public service tribute to the desired achievement. t. vj»r to be guided by the honest and unselfish purpose, an An rrincioles that ruled his life, then to see and think clearly, a ability this day shall have been of great determination to avoid any act by vrlue to you and through you, to selfish, personal or factional which ail the citizens of your state and served other than the ends might be courtrv." public good, with courage to resist deflect all forces that threatened to him from his course— that was Lin- " coln." . " 1W00 t \ c*C C^r^sWw^Sc-v«a?*£«£. l^S v Lincoln and Liquor By William E. Barton, Author of The Life of Abraham Lincoln," etc. sun and the e\ec- low descending the nomination . COUNT that day lost whose done his best to secure bo h of the Whig 1 arty Abraham Lincoln's Taylor, the strength > ; brings to me no inquiry as to tion of Zachary part, and a Chicago man, I opinions with regard to the use of Uquor. lay in the northern habits and in Illinois backing some of them, have wanted the place and had the The opponents of the Volstead Law, or Justin Rutlerfield, is which Lincoln . created out of whole cloth a declaration of Daniel Webster. , dangers of prolubi- was on his way cast on this errand-travel- alleged to have made concerning the While Lincoln hand, Indianapolis, be rode with -two rights of personal liberty. On the other ing by stagecoach toward ibu M»«l me whisky, smoking prohibition have attributed U, him who offered him, in succession, ,„m, of the friends of men they have uttered. He declined them all, and when sentiments which he is not known to St)acco and a chew. " talkative of his compan- total abstainer, and now a prohibuion- out at Indianapolis the more I being a lifelong got who had attempt on the part of that he had discovered that a man Ut,' regret deeply to discover any ions told him to . in agreement in these matteis, seldom had any virtues. those with whom I am no vices went Lincoln on this or any nominated and the committee exaggerate or invent utterances of When Lincoln was conveyto him offi- accept as genuine any except those from Chicago to Washington to other subject, or to down ueigb leave all inven- nomination, his Sprmgfield^ certainly be proved. We ought to cial information of his that can the occasion to those who oppose our supply h.m w,th wine for tion and approach to falsehood bors offered to and the liquid portion of the refresh- U Lincoln declined, rigid tests, ought of water. truth, as established by the most ments consisted simply The Now to. his I any sympathy with for Lincoln's personal habits. to be good enough for us. Nor have So much Lincoln as genuine utterances of C S the effort to establish, eX bearing have no moral right ant and authenticated utterance the merely possibly genuine ones. We HiTh itt°impo?t said in its nature, was his oppose us, "We think Lincoln this subject, though general to say to those who on Mens it. l before . the Young not prove that he did not say in Springfield, 111, this and you can address public two and two are It was his first important cannot prove that he did not say that Lvceurn Jan. 27, 1837. ™ prepared it with great care, ' • hi that city, and he but I doubt it. ,, add five, of the Sangamo mail has been unusually it through the press Within the past few weeks my And doubtless saw it well Simeon Francis. Speaking requests of this character, and I deem Journal, edited by his friend, filled with said: general article on Lincoln s of American institutions, he to go somewhat into detail in a of the perpetuity lover of liberty, every wellr toward liquor. » T Pt everv American, every attitude the blood orthe Revolutton, $$•$ to his ptserity, swear by wisher of the in the least particular, the laws in which he was born was never to violate Fir-^t then the community Practically everybody a whisky-drinking community. part of Creek, where he spent the major drank. Knob ffi SK3SS « emptied a little way below .his S?&*£ffi SSM his boyhood in Kentucky, tork, which even then father's house, into the Rolling for its liberty. and which later became famous of his own and his children's had distilleries, tear the charter by every Amer- Amendment made the Rolling Let reverence for the laws be breathed whi-ky The Eighteenth that prattles on her lap distilleries are ican mother to the lisping babe place, and the ruins. of the and in colleges e Fork a wailing eMt be taught in schools, in seminaries there. spelling-books and in atajMW still landmarks . , fbe written in primers, in Kentucky pulpit, proclaimed in legulatl\eJ« Lincoln sold his properly 1* preached from the When Thomas be in shor let it whisky, in courts of justice. And t. of exchange he took ha lLs andI enforced and converted it into medium the Nation; an let e old Dork, become The political religion of tlatboat, floated it down the Rolling poor, the grave and the loaded it onto a and the young the rich and the River and a little way and colors and conditions. and down the main stream of Salt gay of aH sexes and tongues Anderson s Creek which unceasingly upon its altars. down the Ohio to the mouth of sacrifice Indiana. Whisky * new home in ' was the landing for the * i ihere currency of inaccurately quoted; but as fluctuating value than the wildcat This is sometimes had a less Nicolay and Hay approved given its text is that which 1 was organ- Works of Abraham Lincoln, Gettys- 'Furthermore, when the little Pigeon church for their Complete and 43. I have no doubt that, and Thomas Lincoln pined by letter, burg edition, Volume 1, page ized in Indiana, in the hbrary stepmother, "by experience, compared' withthe files of the. Journal his wife, Abraham Lincoln's if will in Society, his secretaries church building were receivable of the Illinois State Historical subscriptions for the strict even ot a followed Lincoln's own copy with ''manufactured corn." No raising of a. house, be found to have house, was attempted without liquor. Ut meeting speaking particularly of nor a was not , Thomas Lincoln was neither a total abstainer To bT'sure, Lincoln drinker can doubt what he would have said He was, for his time, a very moderate liquor, but,no one drankard. passed which one doe, and even relatives, el who hold that if a law is 1 could easily name neighbors, to those disobey it said. For instance, approve, one is at liberty to Lincoln of whom this could not be not like or in the Fugitive Slave Law is in eldest brother, Mordecai, perished Lincoln's own attitude on Thomas Lincoln's that so ong exposure and it, but he believed of 1830-31, partly from point- he did not like "the deep snow" fugitive slave the weather out And Constitution recognized slavery a partly from what he drank to keep as the legislation to make, the Thomas, brother of Capt, Abra- law was a necessary part of the Thomas Lincoln's uncle was enMed had a tragic domestic effective, and. that the South ham Lincoln, the Kentucky pioneer, Constitution time, for which he hoped, when out of his ownership of a still. to such legislation till the experience growing did not approve ' Lincoln be made illegal He it can be proved that Abraham slavery itself should 1 do not "think he dis- appears never to the Fugitive Slave Law, much as lifelong total abstainer, but he the violation of was a was and he came to believe that its use have liked liquor, an address to temperate man years later Lincoln delivered ; productive of great harm. He was a > ^Buffive He ne-ther which he definitely did speak ot the sale who became practically a total abstainer. SDringfield in lliat was was Ins address before the Wad*; chewed nor smoked tobacco, a d use <»f hquor. This drank liquor nor again wc have Society, Feb. 22, 1842. Here his established personal habit. ingtonian of his speech: > •> o- Lincoln's own printing '76 are all justly proud. story about himself. After our political revolution of we was accustomed to tell a Of far exceeding He given us a degree of political freedom he made an earnest and unsuc- it' has his one term in Congress, other nation of the earth ... as that of anv find a secure a position in Washington the temperance evolution. In It we cessful attempt to Turn"ow to manumitted, a Office, and, having returned to bondage broken, a vUer slavery Commissioner of the Land stronger supplied, more back deposed; in it, more .of want Washington, made a special journey greater tyrant no orphan, Springfield from healed, more sorrow assuaged. By it secure the appointment disease in \eel- the futile attempt to widows weeping. By it. none wounded again in Parting m, and the while he aJWhie. and had In interest; even tne dram-maker But he lost it. because, wm ing none injured

8 e «"' h Ve gIided int0 other occupations £2E« S ![ . t , « vember. y ei',° ha ve f elt lhe chanse and He had no time for such a - win campaign - ^»' ralleaay to joini,iVnall others in the, universal song Fourthly; of gladness the question of the prohibition" of the 1j1 - to lhe oauee of liquor ° p oii^icai sssss W an 'issue S?SVm^ "Wald k Mf in the senatorial campaign march cannot fail t0 l3e on and on «7- %. of tintill every2*v» V son of* earth2 ISoS in Illinois, and shall drink in rich fruition thi Lincoln believed that the moral CnChi, ' KdraUt htS 0f 1,elfect lih^y- Happy da' aspects of the slavery question were : then paramount whe'rTa a J e t>"eii He ». l P controlled, all poisons subdued, had too good mattein, f n7 subjected— aU sense to confuse the issues. mind, all-conquering mind, shall liv. ' Fifthly, Lincoln l , m a, C Ule rld Glorious made some fifty political speeches ir ^ ' 'conaumml! that lion-Hon H^iJIail fallf. ,n off°?fury! Reign?/ ofr year, besides. his debates reason, all hail' with Douglas, and many of them And when the victory shall be are complete,—when thera in print in local papers. If he had been shall be neither a slave nor a drunkard stumping lhe on earth -how btate on prohibition, he Proud the title of that land which may truly could hardly have failed to sav claim to be Z something h adle 0t bolh those revolutions about it in some of these speeches. shallh- "»have,? ""'Iended ,° ?j; thai in that victory. How nobly distinguished Sixthly, Abraham Lincoln needed every that people who shall vote he could have nurtured to maturity both the get, and especially | needed the political and moral freedom of their German vote. The Irish species. vole was Democratic, > almost to a man; and the Irish were O < engaged This m railroad building and were capable is uncompromising. Lincoln had been speaking of being of. loaded into wagons and transported the sacrifices which had secured the to two or three polling political freedom of places op the same America, and he day. As an actual fact, this was done counted those sacrifices worth while. But lhe Germans were naturally Democratic, he believed that two achievements remained—one except that to make they did not love slavery. Their all men politically free, and the having left Germany as other to liberate humanity a result from of the revolution of 184S was Lincoln's the bondage of strong drink. That deliverance basis of he hope for their vote, and mainly maintained, could be accomplished he got it. He left no without bloodshed and stone unturned even the to secure that vote. He secretly liquor dealers would be the better for bought it' He and owned a German newspaper, wanted America to lead in that revolution and personally sent which should copies of -our new banish both slaveryand German newspaper," with letters in drunkenness. , his own hand, to prominent Germans in Inasmuch as Lincoln indubitably said such Illinois. I have things rt myself seen the contract, seems a pity to invent others in his own handwriting, under which can add no weight to winch he these utterances. made this purchase, and he owned the And that is why I do not like such stories paper till alter his election as as are told of his having President. I have also seen and delivered prohibition speeches in handled some of those letters. ISoS with the Rev. James B. Merwin. That Mr. Merwin Now the himself delivered Germans were not as a rule drunkards, such addresses is beyond doubt; but that they were almost to a Lincoln joined him in a man beer drinkers, and Lincoln prohibition crusade in that year is could have driven that whole vote • not only from him by unproved but wholly opposiyl to all one prohi- probability bition speech in it ought not to be necessary 1848, that would have .accomplished noth- for me to give reasons for ing for prohibition and have lost this opinion, but I must do so. This him his largest single is the part of "my block of article which votes. Lincoln was an honest man, but will bring protesting letters, demanding* he was an astute politician. He held the whether I mean to imply that that German vote good and pious man, But there the Rev. is one thing that' ought to be remembered James B. Merwin, was a deliberate falsifier. and I do 1 think it significant, not mean to perhaps, in part, because, like imply anything except what I say, but this I am story ot the German neivspaper, saying what 1 mean. I discovered it On Jan. .First, 23, 1863, while the Illinois Legislature the local newspapers in the towns which Mr was in session, the Rev James Smith, Lincoln's Merwm visited in that year tell pastor, delivered of his lectures, and not a sermon on one of "The Bottle, Its Evils and them tells of Lincoln's being with him and making Its Remedy." The text was Habakkuk 2:15. Dr. addresses on the same theme. Lincoln was Smith took the ground then, next to that it was not Stephen A. fair to condemn the saloon keeper Douglas, the most prominent man in for Illinois, making men drunkards so he could not visit even the long as the State accepted his city of Chicago without the license daily money and derived a profit from his papers noticing it, and his coming to sales He any down-state called on the Legislature, town was an event of then in session, to pass a law note. Had he delivered a temper- forbidding ance a 1 sale of intoxicating liquor address m Smithville, in company with Mr. Merwin, excepting for medical, mechanical and sacramental the Smithville Bugle would by no means have use. failed to Such sermons were common enough blow a blast that all Smithville forty years later would have heard, and all but rare Illinois, enough m 1S53. That sermon lor that matter. . • was heard with ; profound Secondly, mterest and thirty-nine men who the watch which was presented to Mr. Merwin heard the sermon and called themselves "Friends that lull, and in, which 'someone, at some of Temperance" time, caused to joined in a letter be engraved the thanking Dr. Smith and requesting statement that it was presented by Abra- a copy of hus sermon for publication. ham Lincoln could have been engraved It was published, with by any jeweler Abraham .Lincoln to whom Air. s name in the list of those Merwin took it, then or who asked later. A good friend tor its printing. of mine who has written a book on this subject affirms Now let it be said and that the watch is good admitted that not all of those evidence, because the newspaper th.rty-nme men may confirms the account have approved of every position of the presentation, except for the by participation [)r.. Smith. But they certainly l were in the exercises of Abraham Lincoln in hearty Pre- accordt with his main position, cisely, and the and Abraham Lincoln exception is the one thing that interests waa and us, one ot those men. exactly the thing that could not by any possibility So I do not spend much time have been omitted if it had occurred arguing about the possible and the improbable in *" •> < the utterances of Abraham Lincoln Thirdly, Lincoln on the liquor question. The in 1S5S was wholly concerned with indubitable truth is his good enough for me, debates with Douglas and the and ought to be good enough getting of his court work tnends for all into shape, to be of temperance and righteousness and gone from his office from July to No- the sanctity

. t^XZ CA^sWs Scie*A*- AW\W

"Lincoln and Liquor" Science Monitor: To the Editor of The Chkistiax collection of .'•Lincoln and Referring to the interesting published m the Mom- . LiQUor" correspondence recently the letter o Trohibition- tor permit me to supplement the Lincoln-Grant- K"' with some direct data, regarding will remember, tins story whiskv story? As your readers asked some temperance people, to the effect that Lincoln Grant s alleged fond- who remonstrated because of General whisky he drank and nes foTnquor, what brand of it to each of In, added that he would send a supply of 8e that Lincoln in his The testimony of D. Homer Bates is made such a statement. presence Zied that he ever Where and how did the story originate to run this yarn to the. 1922 it was my privilege In rt the works oifa popuar humor „est of its incubation in Miles O'Reilly" (Charles G. of the sixties: "Private better than to quote he Hal nne) Perhaps I cannot do the Congressional Library: following memorandum from

Memorandum , ; Room^^ From the Supt. of .the Reading ^ ^ the Librarian of Congress: .' _ To -Samuel Wilson, WltorEditor, "Th*in. Referring" to letter from Mr. e^K,^ X , African W2 Market 3tree^ e a C f ?T Îtiles O'Reilly (Charles Se ^ces^d s p e^he°s of î^ | ^ÎSSnSSSSS aSn\°^ g&M "the Miles CVReilly

SûsTon ânîXg^l^S^rê^t | 8 Wh I ^Coirermf;ieaL t'u ch the bell," said Mr Lincoln send us up the decanter, "andPS BuSf mv messenger,

wSSssfSt-tS was have If you prefer~«3whiskey, I resident Jf Parta many years.

n country will indorse the Genera HaUeC k gaiht "1 think the,

1M river-horse of the Mississippi! £p. -W Respectfully submitted, .".-''

',-.- I Asniey,: . (Signed) P, W. Superintendent of. the Reading Room. instead Apparently, this Lincoln-Grant-whisky story, has not even the of being based on a serious remark, the' whole business basis of an original quip by Lincoln, burlesque sentiment and bein

J. . .-. N. . Newark, ,

.<^Wc /la** c^w^~ Letters the Editor /?r;V/ communications are welcomed, hut the editor must re main sole judge of their suitability, and he does not undertake to hold himself or this newspaper responsible for the facts or opinions presented. Anonymous letters are destroyed unread.

n '"' "'' r ' W ' ' ' - ' ' ~^^ < ' **•* * -* ( A J^- "Lincoln and Liquor" Lincoln, apparently determined to install Merwin as a temperance worker in the army, with his To the Editor of The (Christian Science Monitor; own hands made him a pass, reading: The extended article in the Monitor by Dr. William Surceon General will send Mr. Merwin E. Barton on "Lincoln- and Liquor,'' supplemented later wherever he may- think the public service may require. A. LINCOLN. by letters from Samuel. Wilson and some others', eovers the. subject under discussion adequately with the excep- The pass had to be written to fit a daugerreotype case, tion of the credibility of the Rev. James B. Merwin. indicating that it must have had Lincoln's personal attention. Merwin As pointed out by Mr. Wilson, Dr. Barton erred, in made a fine record as a worker among the that he ascribed to Mr. Merwin certain leading statements wounded troops on transports and irirfhe hospitals. Latrr he became editor connecting; Lincoln with a temperance campaign in 1858. of the American Journal of Education, in St. Louis. Merwin confines himself to the 1855 campaign, not the He received a pension as an army chaplain. • Merwin's famous Lincoln-Douglas' debate campaign of 1858. documents speak powerfully for themselves. He was, and remains, I would not have written my little book, "Lincoln and a -credible witness. Prohibition!" in the absence of the Merwin documents, _ Brooklyn, N. Y. ChArleS T. White. which he reviewed with me the year preceding his' passing on and which I purchased from his estate. Merwin was secretary of the Illinois' State Maine Law Alliance, organized in 1854. A temperance wave extended from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi Valley that year. Myron Holley Clarke was elected Governor of New, York as a prohibitionist, supported by Horace Greeley and the emerging Republican Party. Prohibition as such was not a political issue in Illinois that year. \ William B. Ogden, called "the first citizen, of Chicago," president of the Chicago k Northwestern Railroad, an ardent dry, with a horror of whisky-drinking locomotive engineers, was one of the leaders of. the dry movement, and raised much of the money for the campaign. Merwin went to Springfield for the express purpose of seeing Lincoln, who thereafter for six months furnished the intelligence for and directed the strategy of the drive. A drastic prohibition law was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on Lincoln's birthdav, 1855. Mer- win, the one man above all others in a position to know, says that Lincoln, as counsel for the drys; wrote the law; that on Lincoln's suggestion he took it to Lincoln's lawyer friends for their perusal; and that Benjamin S. Edwards, a, prominent Democrat, and Judge Stephen Logan, formerly Lincoln's law partner, went over it and made minor changes, after which it was passed, after pro-

longed and exciting debate.' • The law carried a '.referendum clause, Under which it went to Ihe voters at a special election in June of the same year, when it was rejected bv about 14,000 votes Merwin says the wets stole the election. John Locke Scripps' newspaper, the Chicago Press,, virtually says the same thing. Scripps was one of Lincoln's closest friend' his biographer in 1S60, and postmaster of Chicago in the Lincoln Administration.

Henry B. 1 Rankin, Lincoln historian; still living in Springfield; says that Lincoln wrote -the dry law of 1855 collaborating '' with Edwards arid Logan. ! al r bnnk of' Paris, £• ' ". 111.,, not, a rjrv, wrote Johnt & 1?r T, G. Woolley in 1914 that Lincoln, in the early summer of 1855, walked from Paris six miles .'into the countrv to a schoolhouse to make a temperance speech. He adds": Politics never entered the question until Stephen A 51 c ." me t !n ereat speech P-. *? i ,? „.°V ? in the northwestern"

mostly for prohibition Merwin retained the confidence: of Lincoln. Soon after Lincoln became President, Merwin, Who had been or- dained a Congregational minister in Adrian, Mich , went to Washington. Merwin says that at Lincoln's suggestion he tried to obtain appointment as a major of volunteers In Ins effort he had the support of Lincoln, Gen. Win- held Scott, commander of the army; Maj.-Gen Benjaamin Butler, Maj.-Gen. *, John A. Dix, all of whom w rote indorsements; which indorsements are iii my rJctesesSlbli Secretary Stanton objected to the appointment of a man who was a preacher, and who was also phvsicallv handicapped, as major, Merwin was sponsored by Sena- tors bumner and Wilson of Massachusetts, Senator Brown- ing of Illinois, Senator Chandler of Michigan, Senator primes of Iowa, Governor Buckingham of Connecticut, Governor Yates of Illinois, Postmaster John Locke Scripps

1 _1 £&Aftto**< £4k+#4*r AWW~ ;3a^ Letters to the Editor

confutations arc welcome*, outtke Brief «^^^ opinions n<- « responsible for the facts 01 undertake to Hold himself or this newspaper

destroyed unread. , _' n and Liquor 1 "Lincoln / / was confirmed bv Lincoln himselt m a letter writ- of Christian Science Monitor: This To,the Editor The a facsimile of ten June 11, I860, to J. Mason Haight, with' great interest the recent article I have just read in which he said: 'Hav- which is in my possession, and Monitor bv William E. Barton, entitled, "Lincoln in the kept house sixteen years, and never having put the subject that I have studied for ing and Liquor." This is a friends then, my judgment was upon one or two 'cup' to the lips "of my manv years, and I be* leave to comment change habit that I should not, in my new position, my appear to need correc- I of Mr. Barton's /statements that in this respect." , ;, instance: . for . ; tion— , Hon. John Hay and William 0. Stoddard, President s association with The t question of Lincoln In discussing v he j Crook, ex- Lincoln's private secretaries, and William H. Illinois, Mr.. Barton bases his the Maine law campaign in House, have given like testi- assumption ecutive clerk at the White argument from firstly to sixthly Upon an to Lincoln's total abstinence practice and ideals. campaign-was -to-the-year 1858,- when-Lmeoln mony thatr-.the the enlightened constituency of the against Douglas I think it is due to was in the heat of his political campaign that the above faets be printed to supplement not and would not,, under the»cir- Monitor and of course, could Barton. Samuel Wilson. prohibition the very fine paper of Mr. cumstances, have taken an active part to the the premise New York, N. Y. law campaign; and the logic is good, were ____

;

' correct. • . • Science Monitor: '•,.,., » To the Editor of The Christian Unfortunatelv, however, for this historian s conclusion, • last' sixty-five years the friends of the saloon his date, for the campaign was For the he is astray three veavs in circulated a story about Abraham Lincoln, to the 1858, which fact is fatal to all of have in the year 1855, 'not people having called on of Mr. effect that, certain temperance for repudiating the direct testimony his reasons General Grant's being in command the Illinois Legisla- him and objected to Maine law bill passed. ; Mcrwin The whisky, Lincoln is 1S55 and was of Union troops because he drank Feb. -9, 1S55, was signed" Feb. 12, i ture and defeated June 4, would tell me submitted to a referendum vote laid'to have replied? "I wish somebody 93,102 to 79,010. There was no drinks; I should like to send 1S55 the vote being the brand of whisky Grant embarrass Mr. Lincoln political or other reason in 1S55 to to some of my other generals. several barrels has_ preventing him from making the campaign 'truth of this story, but there in making or I never doubted the was corresponding secretary of the book, entitled "Lincoln's Stones that Mr. Merwin; who just come off the press a says he made, and for War Depart- Illinois State Maine Law Alliance, in the Military Office of the ' Told by Him : Homer Bates, proof. • David Which there is corroborative \ ment by One of the Listeners, evidence that Lincoln in the Telegraph Indeed, there is well-authenticated Operator and Author of 'Lincoln completed in cESr- _the War draft of the law, which was ' ^atele^r^ratorjor wrote the first Office "Mr. Bates Logan and B. S. Edwards, War, where Mr. Lincoln collaboration with Judge S. T. Department during the Civil : '.'! and heard the stones frW all Springfield lawyers. Jpent a good deal'of time, "I do not think it can be prov«rl that Mr Barton says, Li S abstainer/ but he b stated that one day Abraham Lincoln was a lifelong total . On pag7Mtv of this book it is statement, whereas office somebodv made gives no legitimate reason for such a was in the telegraph when Lncoln Lincoln .evidence to prove the fact of Lincoln a about Grant's, drinking history is full- of reference to this remark and prohi- lifelong and serious devotion to abstinence bition. ;,'"• r art essay on At the age of seventeen, he prepared , H. temperance, which, according to his biographer, W. j in an Ohio newspaper. On Sept. other Herndon, was printed W„,fe would bite some of his P™*^^^ received a delegation of- the 29 "1863, he, as President, | Chicago, 111. . reported as saying: Sons of Temperance, to whom he is long before' the^Sons of "When I' was a voting man— -T*mpwa»co-as an organization had an existence—;I,. m, and I think 1 a humble wav, made temperance speeches,' example, may say that to this day I have never, by my

I then said." . • belied what , . . , , Leonard Swett, a Chicago lawyer and intimate friend of Abraham of Lincoln's, says in hfs "Reminiscences before he Lincoln": "He .told me ndt more than a year in was elected President that he had never tasted liquor you mean to say. you his* life" "What!" I said, "do Lamon, -never tasted it?" "Yes, I never tasted- it." Ward as Lincoln's old law partner, gives interesting testimony "For many to Lincoln's total abstinence ideas, saying: intoxi- years he was an ardent agitator against the^iise of near in cating beverages, and made speeches. far and

' - total abstinence." • favor of :,*.-''„. , T ,,- United States Senator Shelby M, Cullom of Illinois, who knew him intimately, as reported in the Chicago says: "Lincoln never Record Herald of May . 16, ;190S, a man drank, smoked, chewed tobacco or swore. He was distinctly when the of the most simple habits. I recall Lincoln s Committee of Citizens, including myself, called at talk over house, after he was nominated for President, to Committee with him the arrangements for receiving the never hada of Notification, Lincoln said: 'Boys, I have to begin now. drop of liquor in my life, and I don't want

XM^ f (j

Veteran's Story of How v Lincoln Stopped "Spree'

An old Michigan veteran told this incident of how, when he and his com- rades were given leave to see the city of Washington, they made a bee line for the saloon. But just as they were entering the door a hand was laid on his arm and, looking up, he saw Presi- dent Lincoln from his great height regarding him with kindly eyes and pleasant smile. He said: "I almost dropped with surprise and bashfulness, but he held out his hand and, as I took it, he shook hands in strong

western fashion and said: !I don't like to see our uniform going Into these places.' That was all he said. He turned Immediately and walked away; and we passed on. We would not have gone Into that saloon for all the wealth of Washington city." L 1

TWO REVOLTS, SOUGHT

Prayed That Slavery and Liquor Be Outlawed, Gen. Miles Said.

ASKED LAW OBSERVANCE

Chicago, Feb. 12 (By A. P.).— America might be the scene of two revolutions — one against slavery, and one against drunkenness—has Miles been fulfilled, Gen. Nelson A. In- retired, civil war veteran and dian fighter, told the Press Club of Chicago today. "In his speech at Springfield Lincoln Ills., February 22, 1843, said the 'grandest revolutions the world has ever seen' would be those 'neither a slave that would leave " nor a drunkard on the earth,' Gen. Miles declared. "Lincoln added, 'How proud will be the title of that land which may truly claim to be the cradle of both revolutions!' "At the age of 28 years Lincoln added a wiBe political philosophy in the following language: 'Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well-wisher of his posterity, swear by the blood of the revolution' never to violate in the least particular the laws of the country and never to'tolerate their violation " by others.' Springfield, 111., Feb. 12 (By A. P.). — Irritation over words he couldn't understand was the driving impulse that gave Abraham Lin- coln an education, Dr. John H. Fin- ley, of New York city, declared today at a Lincoln commemoration in the Sangamon county crcuit court room which houses the legislature in which Lincoln served as a member. Dr. Finley, in recounting an interview which Lincoln gave Dr. J. C. Gulliver, former president of Knox college, in Galesburg, 111., stated that Lincoln was quoted as

"As to education the newspapers are correct—I never went to school more than twelve months in my life. But I can say this, that among my earliest recollections I remember how, when a child, I used to get irritated when anybody talked to me in a way I could not understand. at I don't think I ever got angry anything else in my life. I can remember going to my little bed- room, after hearing the neighbors talk of an evening with my father, and spending no small part of the and down, and i night walking up trying to make out the exact meaning of some of their, to me, dark

sayings." 1

QUOTES LINCOLN ON DRINK.

General Miles Says Eriiancipaw Prayed for Revolt Against Abuse. CHICAGO. Feb. 12 (Associated Press).—Abraham Lincoln's prayei* that America might be the scene of two revolutions, one against slavery and one against drunkenness, has been fulfilled General Nelson A. Miles, retired, Civii War veteran and Indian fighter, told the Press Club of Chicago today. "In his speech at Springfield 111.. Feb. 22, 1S4.1. Lincoln said 'the grandest revolutions the world has ever seen' would be those that would leave 'neither a slave nor a drunkard on the earth.' " General Miles declared. "Lincoln added, 'how proud will be the. title of that land which may truly claim to be the cradle of both revolutions !' "At the age of 28 years Lincoln added a wise political philosophy in the following language: " 'Let every American, everr lover of liberty, every well-wisher of his posterity swear by the blood of the Revolu- tion never to violate in the least particular the laws of the country and never to tolerate ' " their violation by others.'

Seek Lincoln's Stand on Rum

Drys and Wets Both Claim Great Emancipator Favored Their Cause.

Cofyvig-ht, 1926'. 'by the United Pies*. WASHINGTON, Feb. 11—With George Washington more or less firmly established as a convivial soul, prohibitionists and ariti-prohibitionigts now have turned their attention to determining where Abraham Lincoln stood on the Great - 7^ American question. * — * — —Show T*T*rn Mcrnt«. "Lincoln was an abstainer and a \ But as Exhibit. A, the prohibitionist." the bo&rd of tem- ajitiprohibi-| tionists present a facsimile copy of an perance, prohibition and public mor- official document purporting- to show als of that the Methodist Episcopal Church on MaPdi 6, 1833, Abraham Lin=i coin, announces in observation of the 117th William F. Berry and John Bowl- ing Green were duly licensed to anniversary of the birth of the lib- con- duct a tavern In New Salem, Sanga-< ' erator of slaves. . mon county. 111., and to Sell intoxicat-i "The fact that Lincoln fought the ing liquors in accordance with the scale of prices ' Murphy Statewide prohibition bill in fixed by the State. ! Apparently undisturbed, the Illinois Legislature In 1840 ant! the Metho-' dint organization again quotes Lincoln that he Is on reOord as voting against^ as saying, according to Merwin: 4t indicates that he was not a pro- .1 "The real issue in this controvert i fhe one p'resslng hibitlonist," G. C. Hinkley, secretary! ' upon every mind that! ivM the of the association against the pro- subject careful consideration,! ls that teffalizing the manufacture.: hibition amendment, replied. j sa,e and The Methodist board has quoted l,ee of intoxicating beverages, Lincoln as saying t

' ywrong.'': * • V "Merwin. with the help of the, peo- I pie * we ha.ve cleaned up_a, colossal- job.<" " Snlrt ffe AVnn RxrfVnd^r Slavery is ".abolished. -After .recon- In reply to 'this, .those struction the next, great question tfritij who believe! be the overthrow and abolition of the! Lincoln w'as a "wet" declared that dur-l traffic, ing one.of the famous j liquor and you know. Merwin,'' Lincoln-Dougla liutt debates .Douglas chided his . my head and my heart and my, oppohen Ivud and my purse will go Into that upon the "fact that during ins earlietj

1 I work. Less than a. quarter of a cen-, years he had worked in ^.distillery and r tiny ago I predicted that the timej had sold liquor over the bar?*~ --'^i.aJl >.

Youth today is as good as it ever was, according to William Mather Lewis, president of George "Wash- ington university, "and we are fac- LIQUOR WAR AFTER ing an adult problem, not one of vouth," he said. President Coolldge s message, read bv Representative J. "W. Sum- mers, stated that "Lincoln was the hope of our country fulfilled." Cites Immigration Qnestlon. Assistant Secretary of Labor W. W. Husband expressed belief that the liquor problem might be. solved in time as was the Immigration qnoBtion and Rear Admiral Fred- Tells What John R. Mahoney erick C. Billard. coast guard com- smuggl- Emancipator Prophesied mandant, said that liquor ing on the north Atlantic seaboard a fifth of to Him in 1864. had been cut down to what it was. Andrew Wilson suggested that ships, with liquor on board bo dealt with under piracy CITIZENS' COMMITTEE laws as vessels such as formerly ENFORCEMENT^FETE carried slaves. HAS Among other speakers were Col- in H. Livingstone, toastmaster; Mrs. Emma S. Shelton. William Dr. Andrews, Bishop Freeman, Tyler Page. Mrs. Anthony Wayne Stevens. Assistant Admiral Cook, Mrs. Cabot Lewis and Rear Secretary of Agriculture R. W. Dunlap. Assistant Attorney Gener- Billard Other Speakers. al John Marshall. Representative A. W. Barkley. of Kentucky; Dr. Frank Ballou, Gratz Dunkum, Dr. saw that the liquor light Lincoln Thomas A. Groover and John B. contest, would follow the slavery Larner. Letters from Senator W. at Mrs. according to John R. Mahoney, L. James, of Washington, and celebra- John D. Sherman, were read and the Citizens' committee's 117th regrets of Secretary of War Davis, tion of the emancipator's Secretary of the Navy" Wilbur and, anniversary with a law enforcement of State Kellogg an- observance dinner at City club Secretary and nounced. night. last Mrs. Wayne B. Wheeler sang a Mr Mahoney, 7 8 years old, a song, dedicated to her, called "The of the oldest temperance member the Colors." She was ac- country, the Order Call to society in the by Mrs. Chester W. organized in 1849, companied of Rechabites. piano. The Rev. Earlc 1864 and told him Adair at the met Lincoln in pronounced the invocation. elimination of ! Wilfley of the society's aim, was read and : American's Creed Lincoln patted Ma- The the saloon. sung at the close of the \ "America" honey's head and told him to stick said Mr. I celebration. to his pledge. "Then." "Lin- Mahoney, to the 4 00 diners, question coln added 'the next great decision in our country will be for " the liquor question.' Speech by Andrews. Brig Gen. Lincoln C. Andrews, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury read his speech, announcing that government must maintain respect follow for its laws, but he did not entirety, his prepared address In Its neglecting to mention that "Beating sport the law is almost a national stating in America." Later, after that citizens can help, law enforcement by developing a public opinion will popularize it, he omitted j which need no to add "so the hostess longer feel apologetic for not serv- | ing cocktails." ' _ The Rt Re1& James E. Freeman, Episcopal bishop of Washington, Lincoln's Bible in his hand, I holding reaffirmed the official stand of the Episcopal Church for law observ-

' ance. '

pictorial Review

February, 1927

What Lincoln Really Said TUST what was Lincoln's attitude on the subject of J liquor? Was he in favor of its use? Or was he against it? These questions are so frequently asked that Dr. William R. Barton, the well-known biographer of Abraham Lincoln, in an article recently published in the Christian Science Monitor settles the matter once and for all by quoting as follows from a speech made by Lincoln on February 22, 1842, and afterward printed by him:

us a decree of Of our political revolution of '76 we arc all justly proud. It has given political freedom far exceeding that of any other nation of the earth. . . . Turn now to the temperance revolution. In it we find a stronger bondage broken, a supplied, more disease viler slavery manumitted, a greater tyrant deposed; in it, more of want healed, more sorrow assuaged. By it, no orphans starving, no widows weeping. By it, the dram- none wounded in feeling, none injured in interest; even the dram-maker and felt the change, seller will have glided into other occupations so gradually as never to have join all others in the universal song of gladness. and will stand readv to _ _ aid its And what a noble ally this to the cause of political freedom! And with such an rich fruition the sorrow- march can not fail to be on and on till every son of earth shall drink in poisons quenching drafts of perfect liberty. Happy day when— all appetites controlled, all shall live and move, the monarch subdued, all matter subjected—mind, all-conquerine mind, all hail! of the world. Glorious consummation! Hail, fall of fury! Reicn of reason, And when the victory shall be complete—when there shall be neither a slave "nor a drunkard on earth—how proud the title of that land which may truly claim to be the birthplace and the cradle of both those revolutions that shall have ended in that victory! How political and nobly distinguished that people who shall have nurtured to maturity both the moral freedom of their species!

Like most of Lincoln's utterances, this speech admits of little mis- construcon, and, as Dr. Barton said in his article, it "is uncompromising."

ines

, 1927

LINCOLN'S DRY VIEWS To the Rattw u/ 'flu -V( a loiA Timta: Some of your readers who did, and some who did not. read in your yesterday's issue ^the letter from Mr. King on "Lincoln and Prohibition" may be interested to read what La mo i said on this subject in his Life of Lincoln, published in 1872. On page 480 Lamon says: "For many years he was an ardent agitator against the use of lntoxicat ing beverages, and made speeches, far and near, in favor of total ab stinence. Some of them unprinted. and of one he was not a little proud. He abstained himself, not so much upon principle, as because of total lack of appetite. He had no taste for spirituous liquors and, when he took them it was a punishment to him, not an indulgence. But he dis- lil.c1 sumptuary law;, and would not prescribe by statute what other men should eat oi drink. When the temperance men ran to the Legislature to invoke the power of the State, his voice— the most eloquent among them —was silent. He did not oppose them, but quietly withdrew from the c~-ise and left others to manage it." C. E. S. Boston, Mass., Aug. 10, 1927.

- /L^ i^c^^/C' iiiu-L ^t.-Ls.;t ?- ii

Lincoln, Temperance and Prohibition Crusader

persuade the people The following article was read in money trying to r tbey ought to vote for it. the First M. E. Sunday school last that Prohibition was not the popular Sunday morning, February 5, 1928, ,by of side to take in Illinois in those days, Otto C. Wasserchied, Jr., a member however. The prohibition law Lin- the Young Men's Bible Class: coln advocated was not passed. But Lincoln, Temperance /and 'Abraham Lincoln was not afraid to be on the Crusader Prohibition unpopular side if he believed he was The fame of Abraham Lincoln is right. growing greater with the years. When he was nominated for presi- Publications about him now num- dent and the committee came to noti- ber 2,700. fy him of his nomination, he refused the He has long held second place only to have any liquor served to the were present at the cere- to Washington in the affections of people who American people. He is today, as he monies. president he has been for many years, the inspira- Later when he became liquor served in the tion of every new generation of Amer- did not have ican boys White House. During the Civil War he sent tem- His fame is not confined to Amer- perance lecturers to lecture to the ica. Twenty-six biographies of him Union soldiers. Just before his death have been written. The story of his he said to one of those temperance life has been translated into French, lecturers, Major Merwin, who was one German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, of his friends: "Merwin, with the help Yiddish, Greek, Turkish, Japanese, of the people, we have cleaned up a Chinese and Hawaiian. In England colossal joh. Slavery is abolished. the magnificient statue erected to him After reconstruction, the next great in the heart of London is but typical question will be the overthrow and place in the hearts of English- of his traffic; and you the holy abolition of the liquor men. His name is one of and in know, Merwin, that my head my names of South America. And I heart and my hand and my purse will China today his famous definition of go into that work. Less than a quar- democracy, a government of the ter of a century ago I predicted that people, for the people and by the the time would come when there people! is the battle cry of those who would be neither a slave nor a drunk* are trying to bring democracy in that ard in the land. I have lived to ^ee, vast and populous country. thank God, one of those prophecies people of the Sunday v The young fulfilled. I hope to see the other have a right to schools of America realized." this boy of take pride in the fact that Lincoln was referring in that state- influencing the world, the log cabin is ment to the prophecy he made in his study because the Bible, the book we famous temperance speech which he one of the in our Sunday schools, was delivered on February 22, 1842, in the great influences for good in his life* Second Presbyterian church in Spring- people of the Sunday The young field, Illinois, before the Washington a right to be schools of America have Temperance Society. that Lincoln proud of the fact, also, President Lincoln did not live to not swear, and that did not smoke, did see the overthrow and abolition of the total abstainer but he was not only a liquor traffic as he had seen the over- for temperance and an ardent crusader throw of slavery. prohibition.. BUt the young people of the Sunday As a young man he "used to make schools of America now can help temperance speeches. When he grew make it possible that Lincoln's proph- older he became an out and out ad- ecy, that there shall not be a drunk- vocate of prohibition. ard in the land, come to pass. In the early days in America liquor We can absolutely abstain from the drinking was very widespread. It use of intoxicating liquor, as Lincoln was indulged in by all classes of always abstained from it. people. Lincoln as a young man saw We can obey the law, as Lincoln al- the harm that liquor drinkingi did. ways obeyed the law. Thai was the reason he began early in We can be for prohibition and give Lincoln life to make temperance speeches. our moral support to it, as Later he decided that it was wrong was for prohibition and gave his moral to give any one the privilege of sell- support to it. ing intoxicating liquo"r. - So he advo- And when we become old enough to cated the passage of a law in his state vote 'we 'can vote for men who will of Illinois prohibiting the selling of obey the prohibition law and enforce intoxicating liquor. In fact, he drafted it. the prohibition law that was submitt- Then, finally, the whole world will ed to the people of Illinois in 1855, follow our example and will abolish made speeches advocating its passage, thfc liquor traffic just as we in Amer- and spent a good deal of time and ica have abolished it. '

LINCOLN ANSWER MEETS RITCHIE'S DRY LAW ATTACK

Denial of States' Duty to Enforce Statute Eallies Defenders at Institute

By RICHARD L. STROUT . SreoiAL to Tub Christian Science Monitor CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The same answer with which Abraham Lincoln d emolished a states right:?' aHfumenfNn Civil War days met, with telling effect, the contention of Gov. Albert C. Ritchie of Mary- land that a state Is not legally or morally responsible for enforcing the Constitution, concurrently with the Federal Government, In the matter of prohibition. The clash occurred in a debate on enforcement before the Institute of Public Affairs, in which Mr. Ritchie and Stanley High, editor of the Christian Herald, participated. The debate preceded a day's discussion of the wet and dry Issue, heated at; times, in which Dr. James M. Doran, Prohibition Commissioner, gave the Administration's own view of the duty of a state under the Eighteenth Amendment. Harking back to phrases almost forgotten since the states' rights controversy of the sixties, Mr. Ritchie affirmed the liberty of individual states to refrain from enacting sup- plementary legislation to enforce the tlry law. Specifically he denied that the oath of a governor or other state official to "support" the Constitution, commits him to "enforce" specific provisions of the Constitution. Lincoln's Words Becalled And to this argument Mr. High,_ reverting likewise to the phrases heard in the days preceding the Civil War, recalled the words of Lincoln spoken in reproach rather than anger, when the same doctrine of states' rights was once before in-

voked : "Can you, if you swear to support the Constitution and believe the Con- stitution establishes a right, clear your oath, without giving it support? Do you support the Constitution if, knowing or believing there is a right established under it which needs specific legislation, you withhold that legislation? Do you not violate and disregard your oath?" Mr. High was not the only one to quote Lincoln. As though to emphasize the relation of the present argument with that of earlier days, the Maryland Governor himself, as modern proponent of the states' rights doctrine, employed a Biblical phrase uspd by the former President. v ( t io express the sertous view which he took of the present situation, Mr. Ritchie, in his peroration, declared "a house divided against itself can' not stand," and he added, "Neither our social nor our federal system can stand the strain."

PDSTON MASS; Q. ? MONITOH ATTrtTTSf 1S 1Q29

LINCOLN AND LIQUOR To the Editor of the Herald: At the recent hearing at the State House on the question of the repeal of the Baby Volstead Act one of the wets characterized all on the opposite side as "fanatics." As we are about to celebrate the one hundred and twenty-first birthday of the one who Is conceded to be the greatest of all Americans Is It not well to ask what were the sentiments of Lincoln on this great question that continues to agitate the public mind? Let him speak for himself: "The liquor traffic has defenders but no defence. "The real Issue in this controversy, the one pressing upon every mind that gives the subject careful consideration. sale %is that legalizing the manufacture, arid use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is wrong—as all history and every development of the traffic proves political it to be—a moral, social and wrong.'' "The saloon has proved itself to be the greatest foe, the most .blighting curse of our modern civilization, and prohibi- this is why I am a practical tionist." To those who disobey laws of which they do not approve Lincoln says: "Let every American, every lover of liberty, eve/; well wisher to his poster-

ity, swear by the blood of the Revolu- tion, never to violate in the least particular the laws of the country, and never tolerate their violation by others.

As the patriots of our Seventy-six did ! to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and laws let every Ameri- can pledge his life, his property and his sacred honor—let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father and to tear the charter of his own and hi* children's liberty." ' laws be "Let reverence . for the breathed by every American mother to the lisping babe" that prattles on her lap; let it be taught in the schools, in the seminaries and in colleges; let it written in primers, in spelling books be j and in almanacs: let it be preached i from the pulpit, proclaimed in leglsla- ] tlve halls and enforced in courts of justice and in short, let it become the political religion of the nation and let the old and young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay of all our sexes and tongues and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its

These extracts are taken from speeches that Lincoln made in Illinois in 1837, '54 and '55. His last statement on this subject was made to Maj. M?r- win on the date of his assassination: "Slavery is abolished. After ^con- struction the next great question will be the overthrow and the abolition of the liquor traffic and you know, Mer- win, that my. head and heart and hand and purse will go into that work." From these utteranc?s it would really seem that Lincoln was a forerunner of that great army of "fanatics" who are determined that the Eighteenth Amend- ment of the Constitution shall be maintained and enforced. A. EDWARD KELSEY Amesbury, Feb. 11. I

J ••

Where Lincoln Stood TUJUNGA, Feb. 7.— [To the Editor of The Times:] There is one side of Lincoln's character well known to some of us, but which has never been sufficient- ly emphasized and that was his advocacy of the temperance reform. Lincoln was outspoken and uncompromising in his stand against strong drink. As long ago as February 22, 1842, in an address given at Springfield, 111., speaking of the two great movements, one for the abolition of human slavery and one for the abolition of intoxicating drink, he said: "And when the victory shall be complete—when there shall be neither a slave nor a drunkard on the earth—how proud the title of that land which may truly claim to be the birthplace and the cradle of both these revolutions that shall have ended in that victory." We should never forget, no? allow our children to forget that Lincoln stood foursquare against the alcoholic liquor traffic. MAE GUTHRIE TONGIER.

JLt4 } 7--/ f J& f: (Zu^gJj^ -i<^-^ (J

LINCOLN TOLERANCE ' URGED IN DRY ISSUE Matter Rep. Fort Sees Time to Take Out of Fanatics' Hands . 12-.-(AP)- Little Rock, Ark., Feb. dinner Speaking at a Lincoln Day Frank- here tonight, Representative' Jersey, recom- lin L. Fort, of New mended adoption in the prohibition of controversy of the tolerant spirit the Civil War President. "The time has come for the matter hands of to be taken out of. the "just fanatics on either side," he said, slavery problem as Lincoln solved the rather than by stressing its economic its moral side. millions of otherwise | "There are

citizens who, I loyal and law-abiding challenge through resentment at the immoral, refuse to of their conduct as Law." acquiesce to the Prohibition

The Journal -Gazette, February 12, 1931

Abe Lincoln Forced Preacher to Pay for Destroying Whisky

MATTOON, 111., Feb. 11.—UP)— Here's another Lincoln anecdote: Clarence W. Bell, a descendant of the Emancipator, described Lincoln's first law cafe at a memorial meeting tonight. Uncle Joe Hall, Bell related, went to camp meeting hereabouts. He left a pint of whiskv outside the church under the seat of his wagon. The preacher found the bottle, brought it inside the meeting house and broke it before the congregation. Uncle Joe sued for damages. "Abe took the case," Bell said, "and the preacher was forced to pay 14 cents damages for the whisky and two cents for the bottle. This was Lincoln's first law case." ra lagjr LS-a°idndly young sandwiches and drank who ate -used never got drunk or M but Thursday recalled r>rofanlty-was man who the silver-haired old S carriage la, drove the President's ^reminiscences of Lincoln Comstock, 83, were told by John old gave up o when 11 years wh for, as a jockey to drive his career immedl- Lincoln during the months Lincoln's nomina- ately preceding :'' tion for president.' . Lincoln was a country l^era ahd Comstock drove Springfield, where' £him to county seats heard. cases were being day and my bed •I got 25 cents a and board," Comstock said.

— Abraham Lincoln—'The Jolly HosV •• * * *.••'-* * * * •

1 Yellowed Document at Springfield, 111., Is Clue to Little Known 1 Phase of Civil War. President's Many-Sided Career—New

\f— i Salem Scene of Pilgrimage on 122nd Anniversary

'AS HE. APPEARED *P?hem AYoung Ham The Plctu.qE Nev Sat^m". ILwndis; IkATflADEHm wer£ 1/incoi/n was PRESIDENT. tavern keepet2-

8 AN| The. Berry tWI/iNcoi/N ^^^^^ Il-i/. The Rai 1/ Splitter^ Store;. Nev SaI/EM . River. Boatman

Springfield, 111:, Feb. 19—A little feed 12 1-2 cents; breakfast, dinner :nown document lies in the files of or supper for stage passengers 37 '. ITOOSTE'R OKTO EKCOH* • ' 1-2 cents." . s he CQunty Clerk of San amon-'Co. g Whether' or not these prices were THUKSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1931, ItreaTls: lere. too low to permit a profit, it was "Springfield, Wednesday, March not long Until Lincoln sold his in-

:, 1833. terest in the enterprise to Berry, "Ordered that William F. Berry. and when Berry died a short time n the name of Berry and Lincoln, later, bankrupt, Lincoln assumed mve a license to keep a tavern in and paid, their obligations. " Tew Salem .. .. The tavern-keeping marked al- That ..yellowed piece of paper is most the end of the trail of hunt me of the few records of an in- and seek for a career that finally eresting phase of the career of led him to the White House. Prior ibraham Lincoln, whose 122nd an- to the New Salem experience, Lin- ilversary is being observed with coln had been a farm hand, rail- eremonies at many of the Lincoln splitter, river boatman, grocery hrlhes in this vicinity, including clerk and student. When he left he restored village or New Salem. the struggling prairie village, he en- •The document broadens the ca- tered law and politics, a new car- 3er of one of America's foremost eer that took him to the highest 'residents to include that of tavern honors- In America. eeper, for the Lincoln of "Berry Lincoln tavern-keeping exper- nd Lincoln" was Honest Abe. And iences have been overshadowed by bat incident contributed much to his great accomplishment in gov- ae justification of the title. ernmental "administration. But As one of the settlers of the little many of his admirers like to think rairie town of New Salem, Lincoln of. the great man in his temporary ecame associated with Berry in role of the jolly host, greeting his eneral merchandising. New Salem guests at the tavern door, lighting illed to prosper and no doubt there their way to their rooms or guid- /as talk of the "depression" then ing them to tables heaped high .pon the keeping of a tavern. They with the plain fare of the prairie s now. pantry.- --•-• So 'Berry and Lincoln entered Among the places that are visited rere allowed under their license, by thousands of persons is the Lin- hese rates: coln and Berry store in New Sa- "Breakfast, dinner or supper, 25 lem, which has been restored to its wit** lnricrtnir. iv>r rtlcVif: 15! 1-5! (V nnncRrsTifd in it* nested fWh«»T*fl

ST. LOUIS MO. TIMES MAE. 6, 1931 M17

Voice of the People

Readers are invited to make use of these columns; but Lthey are urged to keep their letters within reasonable space and to use but one side of the paper on which they _ write. Names should be signed, although initials and pen names may be used for publication. The Times assumes no parenthood for individual opinions here expressed- -

Nont^ for Intemperance. To the Editor: Writers in thif. column of late have been quoting extensively from Abraham Lincoln In an effort to make ^t"WfpWWTflW. he was In favor of prohibition. All of these quotations, however, (In respect they are akin to the great .bulk of prohibition arguments) .were altogether beside the real Is sues in the case. His remarks or respect for law and obedience-tt the constitution are quite forelgr to the question, and his observations on the subject of temperance, while profoundly true and sounif In every respect, have no bearinf on the case at bar. The fact, which Is very generallj and Indeed almost uniformly los< sight of by prohibitionists, is tba< intemperance Is not a question a 1 issue at all. Upon this subject th» advocates and opponents of prohibition are, albeit unwittingly. It complete and harmonious accord No one advocates or champions In temperance. The only question a' issue upon this point is whether"o» not prohibition Is a proper methoc of abating this universally depre- jested evil. GEORGE NORTON.

I St. Louis, March 4. ..^^

WT1

ELIMINATE NAME OF LINCOLN

Federal Council Pastors Cut Out His P Famous Pledge^

about October 24, 1912. Clipping from some Chicago paper dated cam- Abraham Lincoln's name will not be used in the temperance Federal Council of Church- paign now being planned at the sessions of the of to 45 the ministers yester- es of Christ of America. By a vote 104 that part of the day decided to send back to the revision committee whieh contained his report made by the committee on temperance

name. • Lincoln is out of deler. The cause of the elimination of the name of it said, Lincoln is by no ence to the churches from the south, where, is because, as a young man, the means the hero that he is in the north, and liquor was sold. liberator worked in a grocery store where "Lincoln Pledge" Challenged. The committee on temperance included Lincoln's name in its report because of a pledge which he is Baid to have taken at the age of 8 years at his mother's knefi. Later as a young man, be re- peated the pledge and srged others to abstain from intoxicating liquors. This pledge was to have beenused to influence others to keep away from those liquors today. The "Lincoln pledge'' as it was called, was challenged by the Rev. W. H. Mathews of Grand Forks, N. D., formerly pastor of Central Park Presbyter- tian church of Chicago. He was fear- j ful of a split in the harmony of the j meeting, because of the expected attitude of the south. The report including Lincoln's name was prepared Under the direction of the Rev. Rufus W. Miller. Bishop LutHer B. Wilson, head of the Anti-Saloon league and others prominent in temper-

HE CAMBRIDGE TRIBUNE, SATURDAY, JULY 9, 1932

oi QUAINT TEMPERANCE financial and statistical report QUAINT TEMPERANCE pub- CHART ILLUSTRATED the Black Valley Railroad, father. From these OF 80'S lished by her LECTURES receipts CHART ILLUSTRATED it appears that the annual ,A were $725,725,000, (Continued from page 1) from the railroad than the re- LECTURES OF 80'S have been thrown out along the being $110,000,000 more railroads to- track. Beyond resolute men are ceipts of all other author estimates that trying of their own strength to get gether. The Originated by Rev. Samuel W. divided among fam- free from the coils of the serpents, at the time, if of family Hanks—P redecessor ilies of five persons to each years, it Gough — Relative of Abra- Of Kin with Lincoln and put to interest ten a house sin- would give every family ham Lincoln — Pictures De- Mr. Hanks' strong character, | also that, if expended Inebriate to City of cerity of purpose and originality worth $1,000, scent of clothing, shoes, hats are sufficient to arouse interest in in furniture, Destruction food, it would start up every him, but if more is wanted there and of business into active op- is an appeal in his kinship with branch Prohibition is not a new problem. and give constant and President Lincoln, whom he is said eration, Until the millennium, like the poor, profitable employment to every man we shall have the liquor problem with and woman. The popularity of the us always. But the approach to the have been very like in both ap- to B.ack Valley Railroad is shown problem today differs from that of and type of manhood. Of pearance fact that three editions times. The days of the temper- profes- from the earlier him Rev. Andrew Peabody, hereditably went about from, were printed in an lecturer who ' the ance sor at Harvard, said, "so like to city is with short time. , town to town and city president that either might have sat us no more. We no longer have tem- and who for the other's portrait, Sketch perance schools and temperance so- large Biographical had the simplicity, frankness, was existed in the time Rev. Stedman Wright Hanks cieties, such as hearted brotherliness, and stubborn The approach, born September 11, 1811. He was of Father Mathew. of upright purpose, to- I tenacity from Amherst College in today is through legislation and law' quaintness of graduated gether with the from the college rather than through moral appeal which charac- 1837. Records speech and manner, his education. give the following sketch of and terized his illustrious kinsman." temperance life: "Rev. Stedman Wright Hanks One of the earliest than Dr. Peabody have Others for college at the Elling- lecturers in the country, preceding remarkable re- was fitted commented on the High School and even the noted John Gough, was a and ton, Connecticut, semblance between Mr. Hanks of Yale city, and from his was for one year a member resident of this President Lincoln. In an address he College. In September, 1834 lecture trips has been handed down the American given in 1928 at class at Am- interesting picture of the de- which joined the sophomore an Seamen's Friend Society, of he spent stage of herst. After graduation scent of man from the Mr. Hanks was at one time dis- each at Union and Yale respectable citizenship to the dark Rev. Merritt A. one year trict secretary, Seminaries and was a of destruction. The picture Theological land Farren spoke of the Hanks charac- until Samuel resident licenti ate at Andover chart, originated by Rev. teristics in the two men saying, "a W. Hanks" and entitled "Black Val- person coming into_ the building as ley Raidroad," traveled all over the his ordination March 29, 1840, country with him and was used to pastor of the John Street Congre- seeing a large picture of illustrate his lecture. Of no con- and gational church, Lowell, Mass. He he called, in- venient size to carry about, the Father Hanks, as was continued in that relation until il852. was variably exclaimed, 'Oh, you have In that year he became district chart, with descriptive border, " twenty-two inches wide and fifteen a fine picture of Abraham Lincoln.' secretary of the American Seamen's For those who believe best what office inches high. Copies of it, of which' Friend Society and held that with their own eyes, there were many prints, are in the they have seen until the Boston Seamen's Friend little written by Mrs. possession of Mr. Hanks' daughter, in a book, Society resumed its independence. side Mrs. Caroline Hanks Hitchcock, of Hitchcock in 1899, are shown He was then appointed correspond- similar attitude, photo- Harvard street. by side in ing secretary of the latter organiza- There is Minutely worked out, and sug- graphs of the two men. tion and .'^resided in Cambridge, similarity between the J gestive of old illustrations of Dante's striking Mass., untif "ljys death from acute high fore- Inferno, the chart tells in parable faces. The same broad, bronchitis, Aufte, 23, 1889, at his bones many phases of the ride from Sipping- head, the same high cheek summer home af^lifton Heights, and ears, town through Topersville, Rowdyville, are there, the large nose Mass." ^*SiL Quarreltown and other places to the and the same kindly, sad eyes. The record continues/^jujVith the city of Destruction, over the Black The book written by Mrs. Hitch- Loan Libraries furnished by the Valley Railroad. cock is in itself an interesting Seamen's Friend Society for the the picture at the On the left of use it successfully re- of sailors, Mr. Hanks was con- + a 't' f r story, for in she top are sho^r r i 1 'tig of the birth of Lin- cerned from the beginning, and it the Black V. ... foreground futes arguments coln out of wedlock, as well as a was largely due to him that they is ? heavily loaded ti j,m, drawn by like charge made against his have become so numerous and so a -ngine with the piston rod work- proof of her conten- valuable. He was deeply interested ing in decanter. Twined around mother. The a in_ tion is substantiated by copies of temperance and pursued his the smokestack is a serpent and the facsimiles of the marriage bond and original methods with the happiest cowcatcher is represented by a Thomas results. He was recognized as dragon's head and wings. In the the marriage certificate of a Hanks, leader in this great reform. He Black Valley batlike creatures, Lincoln and Nancy Shipley was the signed testimony of a a man esteemed and beloved, a with forked tails fly through an at- and by the pleasant companion, a prudent mosphere flashed by chains of 98-years old man who attended counselor, a faithful friend. sea lightning and clouded by smoke wedding. On the preface of the and land his name will be preserved puursd from a mountain top. As told in Ida Tarbell, with honor. He was a member of The side of one car is cut off book, written by M. through the Massachusetts Legislature in to show the interior of a licensed Mrs. Hitchcock discovered 1856. He was author of the well ' land records that Joseph Hanks, salor;.- i.vh. • -h ...c:. aad p/omen known 'Black Valley Railroad,' an are drinking. From the saloon the father of Nancy, bequeathed prop- allegorical representation of intem- conductors are throwing out trav- erty to his youngest daughter, Nan- the will perance, 'Light of the Ocean,' 'Sailor elers whose money is gone, striking cy, and in the allowing of Boy,' 'Mutineerers of the Bounty,' and with bottle. In front, is proof of her parentcy. them down a other works." Fountainland stage men are ringing bells, swinging flags and offer- Cost of Running Railroad ing a free ride and a home in the Mrs. Hitchcock also possesses a •land of the Crystal river and the Tree of Life. On the right, friends are helping into ambulances the disabled, wounded and dying who (Continued on page 4)

HE CAMBRIDGE TRIBUNE, SATURDAY, JULY 9, 1932 report oi financial and statistical QUAINT TEMPERANCE pub- CHART ILLUSTRATED the Black Valley Railroad, her father. From these LECTURES OF 80'S lished bv that the annual receipts / CHART ILLUSTRATED it appears the railroad were $725.725,OUU, from page 1) from (Continued more than the re- OF 80'S out along the being $110,000,000 LECTURES have been thrown railroads to- ceipts of all other track. Beyond resolute men arc that gether The author estimates trying of their own strength to get fam- Rev. Samuel W. if divided among Originated by of the serpents, at the time, free from the coils each family of ilies of five persons to Hanks—Predecessor | Abra- and put to interest ten years, it , Gough — Relative of Of Kin with Lincoln house, [would give every family a Lincoln — Pictures De- Mr. Hanks' strong character, sin- expended ham 'worth $1,000, also that, if City of cerity of purpose and originality hats scent of Inebriate to furniture, clothing, shoes, are sufficient to arouse interest in in start up every Destruction land food, it would him, but if more is wanted there business into active op- ! branch of is an appeal in his kinship with ' constant and is not a new problem. eration, and give Prohibition President Lincoln, whom he is said millennium, like the poor, Until the profitable employment to every man liquor problem with we shall have the and woman. The popularity of the But the approach to the very like in both ap- us always. to have been B ack Valley Railroad is shown differs from that of of manhood. Ul problem today pearance and type from the fact that three editions times. The days of the temper- Peabody, profes- earlier him Rev. Andrew printed in an hereditably went about from like the were ance lecturer who at Harvard, said, "so sor time. , is with sat short town to town and city to city president that either might have no longer have tem- and who us no more. We for the other's portrait, Biographical Sketch temperance so- large perance schools and had the simplicity, frankness Hanks was time Rev Stedman Wright cieties, such as existed in the brotherliness, and stubborn hearted September 11, 1811. He was The approach purpose, to- born of Father Mathew. tenacity of upright Amherst College in legislation and law 01 graduated from today is through gether with the quaintness the college appeal 1837. Records from rather than through moral and manner, which charac- his speech give the following sketch of and education. terized his illustrious kinsman. Wright Hanks temperance have life- "Rev. Stedman One of the earliest Others than Dr. Peabody the Elling- preceding was' fitted for college at lecturers in the country, on the remarkable re- and commented ton Connecticut, High School even the noted John Gough, was a between Mr. Hanks and of Yale semblance was for one year a member of this city, and from his In an address resident President Lincoln. In September, 1834, he been handed down American College. lecture trips has given in 1928 at the sophomore class at Am- of the de- which joined the an interesting picture Seamen's Friend Society, of graduation he spent of herst. After scent of man from the stage Mr. Hanks was at one time dis- Union and Yale dark one year each at respectable citizenship to the secretary, Rev. Merntt A. was a trict Theological Seminaries and of destruction. The picture of the Hanks charac- until land Farren spoke licentiate at Andover Samuel ; resident chart originated by Rev. teristics in the two men saying, "a entitled "Black Val- the building W. Hanks and person coming into as the his ordination March 29, 1840, ley Raidroad," traveled all over pastor of the John Street Congre- country with him and was used to and seeing a large picture of gational church, Lowell, Mass. He illustrate his lecture. Of no con- Father Hanks, as he was called, in- continued in that relation until 1852. venient size to carry about, the variably exclaimed, 'Oh, you have In that year he became district chart, with descriptive border, was " picture of Abraham Lincoln.' secretary of the American Seamen's twenty-two inches wide and fifteen a fine For those who believe best what Friend Society and held that office inches high. Copies of it, of which they have seen with their own eyes, until the Boston Seamen's Friend there were many prints, are in the in a little book, written by Mrs. Society resumed its independence. possession of Mr. Hanks' daughter, Hitchcock in 1899, are shown side He was then appointed correspond- Mrs. Caroline Hanks Hitchcock, of by side in similar attitude, photo- ing secretary of the latter organiza- Harvard street. graphs of the two men. There is and Resided in Cambridge, Minutely worked out, and sug- tion striking similarity between the Mass., untrNkis death from acute gestive of old illustrations of Dante's faces. The same broad, high fore- bronchitis, Aupk^23, 1889, at his Inferno, the chart tells in parable high cheek bones ar^j^ift.ori Heights, ride from Sipping- head, the same summer home many phases of the j large nose and ears, ! town through Topersville, Rowdyville, are there, the Mass." ^*^L eyes. continues/^iVith the Quarreltown and other places to the and the same kindly, sad The record The book written by Mrs. Hitch- city of Destruction, over the Black Loan Libraries furnished by the is in itself an interesting Valley Railroad. cock Seamen's Friend Society for the the On the left of the picture^ at use of sailors, Mr. Hanks was con- in it she successfully re- ,r ' story, for shovr f raii ' tig f r top are Lin- cerned from the beginning, and it foreground futes arguments of the birth of Black .. . - the V: well as a was largely due to him that they by coln out of wedlock, as is ? heavily loaded tram, drawn have become so numerous and so work- like charge made against his a engine with the piston rod valuable. He was deeply interested mother. The proof of her conten- decanter. Twined around ing in a copies of in temperance and pursued his the tion is substantiated by the smokestack is a serpent and original methods with the happiest facsimiles of the marriage bond and cowcatcher is represented by a of Thomas results. He was recognized as a the the marriage certificate dragon's head and wings. In leader in this great reform. Lincoln and Nancy Shipley Hanks, He was Black Valley batlike creatures, a man esteemed and beloved, and by the signed testimony of a a forked tails fly throughan at- with attended the pleasant companion, a prudent chains of 98-years old man who mosphere flashed by counselor, a faithful friend. On sea smoke wedding. lightning and clouded by and land his name will be preserved As told in the preface of the poured from a mountain top. with written by Ida M. Tarbell, honor. He was a member of is cut off book, The side of one car the Massachusetts Legislature in Mrs. Hitchcock discovered through to show the interior of a licensed 1856. was author of the well land records that Joseph Hanks, He ' -h ... = ;. and w>«« sSloc* wh. ; i prop- known 'Black Valley Railroad,' an the father of Nancy, bequeathed are drinking. From the saloon allegorical representation of intem- trav- erty to his youngest daughter, Nan- conductors are throwing out perance, 'Light of the Ocean,' 'Sailor striking cy, and in the allowing of the will elers whose money is gone, Boy,' 'Mutineerers of the Bounty,' and is proof of her parentcy. them down with a bottle. In front, other works." Fountainland stage men are ring- Cost of Running Railroad ing bells, swinging flags and offer- Mrs. Hitchcock also possesses a ing a free ride and a home in the land of the Crystal river and the Tree of Life. On the right, friends are helping into ambulances the disabled, wounded and dying who (Continued on page 4)

GREAT CENTRAL FASTR0UTE:600,000 THROUGH TRAVELLERStANNUALINCOME $735,000:500,000 EMPLOYEES.

for all Express from DRUNKARDS' CURVE, all taking in being done above that Station, and principally of respectable people. Travellers places below tfiat are thrown out without stopping the trains. %& No accidents by collisions, as only DOWN trains run over the Road. «£££

Parties wishing to leave the Road can return free by the FOUNTAINLAND STAGES. Below Drunkards' Curve, Ambulances will be used for the wounded and dying outcasts.

train, drawn by an infepi.il which with Key TO THE PlCTCnz. On the left at the top, trains arc starting for the ttladc Valley. In the foreground is a heavily loaded engine, is fed drain, the Piston-rod working in a Decanter. From the Saloon. Conductors are throwing out hells, mid ofl'ei ing a free in travellers whoec money ie gone. Striking them, down with a Bottle. In front, the Fouatainlnnd- Stage men are swinging (lags, ringing ride to, and a ho,„c tho land of the Crystal Jticer and of the Tree of Life. On the right, friends arc helping into Ambulation free coil.i serpent-:. the disabled, wounded and dying who have been thrown out along the tra-. k of tho road. Beyond, resoluU; men are trying in their own strength, to get from the of Farther on, cars are falling from a trembling bridge. Beyond that is Prisonlon, DeBriumtoA, Demonland, tho Great Black Valley and the lower end of the road, from whieh the only telegram that ever comes b, "Lock nol thouupun the hum whvA it L* red,wkai it gtodh fits color wi the cup, w)tai it jaoeeih itself aritjld ; at i/ie last it liteih like a terpent and stingeih like an adder?

THE B

LINCOLN'S START IN LIFE DUE TO WHISKY

Given Job as Postmaster Because Saloonkeeper Was Too Busy lo Handle Letters

Jt %- ( WEST SALEM, HI, Feb 11 (A. P.)- ers. Notwithstanding the fact that Here on the wooded banks of the Lincoln was not an "administration Sangamon River, where Abraham Lin- man," the women opened a campaign for removal of Postmaster HU1. A coln started the public career that petition was Btarted and so many carried him to immortality, the Great signed for the likeable, hard-working Emancipator will be honored on the Lincoln that he was given the position. anniversary of his birth tomorrow. Lincoln and his tall, commodious hat became an ambulatory postoffice. It was 100 years ago that the women At any time of the day, no matter of old West Salem, then a teeming the whims of weather, Lincoln went mill town, rebelled because the local out of his way to carry the mail. In- postmaster permitted their anxiously stead of leaving it at the Postoffice, awaited mail to remain untouched he delivered it personally, regardless while he dispensed whisky to thirsty of distance, when he knew someone men. They circulated petitions for was waiting for it. By agreement his removal. Lincoln was given the with his customers, he was permitted job, a cornerstone of his temple of to open and read all newspapers and statesmanship. . periodicals. Descendants of these hardy pioneer women tomorrow will attend the un- Walking and Reading veiling of. a bust of old Salem's West It was a picture the pioneers of most famous postmaster by Carl B. that day often drew—of the tall, gang- Chandler, noted Lincoln authority, at ling postmaster walking over the coun* the Old Salem State Park. The bust tryside, reading intently as he cov- was sculptured by Madeline Masters ered the mile3. Stone, who completed the work America knows what followed shortly before her death. Mrs Stone Lin- coln's modest step into public life. was the sister of Edgar Lee Masters, Popular with all, he became author of "Lincoln, the Man," a book assistant county surveyor and then State which most West Salem label Rep- folk a resentative, sweeping every slander on the emancipator. obstac:e before him in his march to greatness. Postoffice a Saloon In the march of American That progress, Lincoln should have been given old West Salem in later years became his start in public life because of a deserted village, but today architects liquor is a strange quirk of circum- are at work to reconstruct it as it stance but that is the story confirmed stood when Lincoln trod its streets. in West Salem. In 1833, old West Out of the past of dim Salem had a postmaster recollection named Samuel of staunch pioneers, they are rebuild- Hill, who ran the Fostoffice in con- ing log houses and huts as of the nection with a saloon. The story tell- Lincoln era. Soon, they hope to pre- ing and whisky were good in those days sent an exact reproduction of the old and letters addressed to women were West Salem of Lincoln's postmaster unimportant to the hard Jiving farm- days.

- —

have stood by the noble ' Hooved would ft/L'r forces supported . i the moral 1933 . experiment", had JULY, elections for wtach state prohibition those principle, him The ecent Defenders of condition of the Dry or- reve',1 the weakened luxations under their present leadership. g with loyal hearts Our cause is just, and on, we can soon ex- and a Mighty God to lead the world over held in These names nect the liquor element California cties leverages 0US k v legislation restricting their alcohol. When ed ir. over each than V, of 1% ^^J^^nwjid and P^ containing more precincts in a R the announce- we our representative circulates in your com- champion Christian ment for the League meeting TTble efSvely contribute to the t munity would you kindly any amount you held from week to cause a dime or quarter, or ^^agTteetings number help a little no precincts are proving a can -pare. Where a in the various the victory is weS feels a special burden and one taken great help. the strict account of all money orj ened by singing hastened. A 0% County in will be kept. .^rrf^erio?'-last vcise ox - Committee of a portion of scrip- discussion E F RUDEEN, Chairman whi h wl contt a free ^ft£ Lincoln Dry -M. W. ANSCHUTZ the shcool the f"he S in DON FALLIS and other vital issue Amendment spe E. R. MAC GLASHAN page is submitted a O.i the following Sp^vSwA^xr:^ ^f r>ip state are solicited.

S-S^"iS'eSeTS case of its repeal, we have us believe, and in of the "Linco In the immediate adoption stress 22nd Amendment to Dry Amendment" as the our Federal Constitution. Lincoln Dry Amendment the ratification of '•After one year from manufacture, sale or trans this article, the containing more than Bortation of liquors P the importation if of 1% alcohol within, thereof 1 t ;„ fn nr the exportation g-omtheUnitod States and all territory thereof for bev- subject to the jurisdiction prohibited . erage purposes is hereby who m 1862, It'wss the brewers themselves more than A designated liquors containing intoxicating in their defense of % alcohol as trade and President against the soft drink This nation Lincoln accepted their ratio. prosperity m 1928-29 dui- reached its peak of administration and the a drv Republican ine nothing depression which followed had wld would have do with prohibition. Times to After two been worse had we had 4% beer. rule when boot- years of a wet Democratic before and the leeeing will flourish as never low, Dry President's beer revenue ridiculously popular Republican candidates -will again be '"34" "36". of designing Drys in and Beware Constitutional Party, who will be proposing a high sounding Federal Party, or any other Dry forces alignment, promising to lead the office crazed indiv- to victory. It was these in the desertion iduals who led the Dry forces the one-hkely-to-win of the Republican party, Dry party.

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY

VOLUME 15 3E . mSH NUMBER % FEBRUARY 1934

LINCOLN AND LIQUOR

BY WILLIAM H. TOWNSEND

name of Abraham Lincoln forced by legislation? Was Lincoln a Thehas become a synonym for con- total abstainer, a prohibitionist, and a servative, farsighted statesman- lecturer against the evils of strong drink, ship, keen sagacity in practical politics, or was he a user of liquor, a saloon and rugged personal integrity. Vital keeper in his early manhood, and a foe problems of government which deeply of reform who denounced prohibition agitate the public mind, especially if as 'a species of intemperance within moral issues are thought to be involved, itself? hardly ever fail to evoke the query, Recent research among old news- 'What would Lincoln do?' In recent paper files, musty court records, ar- months this question has frequently chives of the Illinois Legislature almost been asked as the various states have a century old, and the priceless though voted on the repeal of the Eighteenth little-known Herndon-Lamon manu- Amendment. Members of the House of scripts, clarifies for the first time this Representatives discussed it pointedly highly controversial subject, and sheds during the debate on the beer bill at new light upon Lincoln's personal hab- the Special Session of Congress. its, his attitude toward the liquor prob- With federal prohibition eliminated, lem of his own day, and the environ- power to regulate the liquor traffic is ment and association which doubtless again vested in the several states. influenced his views and actions. Wets and drys are already recruiting their ranks for bitter legislative battles, and both sides, mindful of the magic of his name, claim Lincoln. The Kentucky of Abraham Lincoln's Would he favor state-wide prohibi- childhood was a brawling, whiskey- tion, or would he endorse the view of drinking, horse-racing, card-playing re- those who contend that temperance is a gion that amazed early travelers to personal matter which cannot be en- the Western country. 'They are nearly

t . 4*- I'miMim « 130 THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY all natives of Virginia,' observed the which recited 'that the said Elizabeth Frenchman, M. Michaux. ' With them hath come to a final determination to a passion for gaming and spirituous reside with her husband no longer.' liquors is carried to excess, which fre- Her bill of complaint alleged that 'the quently terminates in quarrels degrad- said Thomas hath been very abusive ing to human nature. If a traveler to his said wife, & has twice kicked happens to pass by, his horse is appre- her with his feet & once thrown a chair ciated, if he stops he is presented with at her & gives her very repeatedly the a glass of whiskey.' The Englishman, most abusive language.'

Timothy Flint, noted in his journal: The response that Thomas filed is in 'Fights are characterized by the most contrite but somewhat guarded terms. savage ferocity. Goughing, or putting It alleges that 'the said Lincoln with out the antagonist's eyes by thrusting truth can say that whatever of his the thumbs in the sockets, is a part of conduct towards her that may have the modus operandi. Kicking and biting savoured of either injustice or cruelty, are also ordinary means used in com- has proceeded either from a deranged bat. I have seen several fingers that mind or casual intemperance & intoxi- have been mutilated, also several noses cation, and while he with the deepest and ears which have been bitten off by remorse laments & acknowledges these this canine mode of fighting.' And errors of his own life, it has been the Flint's fellow countryman, F. Cum- misfortune of his wife to have her errors ming, wrote back to London: 'They also.' In further defense, he states fight for the most trifling provocations, that on one occasion his wife 'actually or even sometimes without any, but approached to strike him with a chair merely to try each others prowess, & was about to strike him, when he which they are fond of vaunting of.' repeled the blow by striking her.' Lincoln's father, easy-going, lethargic When the case came to trial on Thomas, was not a teetotaler; occa- December 13, 1810, one of Mrs. sionally he worked at a stillhouse that Lincoln's witnesses, Peter Warfield, adjoined his farm, but he used liquor admitted that she was 'in the habit of very moderately, and, for his day, was frequent intoxication ' and that he had counted a temperate man. The time- 'frequently seen her in that state,' but stained store ledgers of Bleakley and expressed the opinion that it was Montgomery at Elizabethtown, Ken- 'generally believed in the neighbor- tucky, contain occasional items such hood that Mrs. Lincoln's intemperance as 'Thomas Lincoln — one pint of proceeded from the bad conduct of whiskey — 21c,' but they are few and her husband.' far between when compared to similar Evidently the infuriated Thomas, entries for other customers. after adjournment of court, laid violent So much cannot be said for the uncle hands upon the truthful Peter, because of Abraham's father, who was also Warfield next morning filed a suit named Thomas. This kinsman, fre- against Lincoln for assault and bat- quently mentioned by Abraham in his tery, stating that on the previous day correspondence of later years, owned a 'Thomas Lincoln did with feet and fists flourishing stillhouse on South Elkhorn commit an assault upon the said Creek up in the Bluegrass section near plaintiff & him the said Pltff. then & Lexington. In 1810 his wife, Elizabeth, there did beat, wound & evily treat so sued him for the recovery of certain that his life was despaired of greatly.' property under a separation agreement, In after years, when Abraham Lin- LINCOLN AND LIQUOR 131 coin lounged about the courthouse at baptized Thomas Lincoln in Knob Lexington on visits to his wife's home Creek, was addicted to the use of liquor town and, as he wrote Jesse Lincoln, and at one time was summoned before 'heard the older people speak of Uncle the congregation to answer a charge of Thomas and his family,' and perhaps being intoxicated. David Elkin, an- read the dust-laden records in the clerk's other pastor of the same church, office, it must have been apparent to who, according to tradition, preached him that mutual indulgence to excess the funeral of Lincoln's mother, is

' in the mellow juice of Kentucky corn said to have had his reputation sullied had been a vital factor in the marital in later years from too free use of unhappiness of Thomas and Elizabeth strong drink.' Lincoln. So that Abraham Lincoln during his Abraham's Uncle Mordecai, his fa- childhood, whether he rode to mill or ther's older brother, whom he says 'he played about the ferry or went to often saw,' was a heavy drinker, and so school or attended church, was brought was his son, 'young Mord.' The elder into intimate contact with liquor, and Mordecai moved to Hancock County, with those who drank it regularly and, Illinois, and on a bleak December day frequently, to excess. in 1830, the winter of 'the deep snow,' Moreover, corn whiskey was one of Uncle Mord dismounted from his horse, the chief mediums of exchange. Even lay down in a snowdrift to sleep off his at Lexington, the 'Athens of the West,' liquor, and never awoke. church subscriptions were acceptable Abraham Lincoln had no recollec- 'in good merchantable whiskey.' And tion of his birthplace, the rude cabin it is not surprising that, when Thomas by the Sinking Spring on Nolin Creek. Lincoln left Kentucky to stake out a When he was two years old his father claim in the wilderness of Indiana, the moved across Muldraugh's Hill to a rude raft that he launched in the swift, fertile little farm in the bottom lands shallow waters of Rolling Fork carried of Knob Creek. Here the closest neigh- 400 gallons of distilled spirits. bor of the Lincolns was Caleb Hazel, second school-teacher, who Abraham's II kept an 'ordinary,' and on one occasion was indicted in the Hardin Circuit Social life in Southern Indiana at the Court for 'retailing spirituous liquors time the Lincolns moved into what by the small without a license.' Peter Dennis Hanks, Lincoln's cousin and Atherton, the Knob Creek ferryman, boyhood companion, called 'that darn sold whiskey also, and shortly after little half-faced camp' was much the the Lincolns moved to that vicinity was same as on Knob Creek in Kentucky. indicted for the same offense. Every Amusements were rough and boister- mill site, crossroads, and other public ous, alcoholic beverages potent and place had its 'ordinary' or 'groggery' plentiful. The most popular form of where peach brandy, applejack, and entertainment was the 'frolic' A trav- corn whiskey could be had at low cost. eler wrote: 'They seldom do any- Liquor drinking was by no means thing without having one. Thus they uncommon among the clergy. Wil- have husking, reaping, log-rolling frol- liam Downs, pastor of the Little Mount ics, etc. Among the females they have Separate Baptist Church where the picking, sewing and quilting frolics.' Lincolns worshiped, probably the first And on these festive occasions the men preacher Abraham ever heard, who usually took their whiskey straight, 132 THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY

while the women sweetened it to a near neighbor of the Lincolns, and the toddy, or drank it in the form of stiff trusted friend and adviser of Abraham's eggnogs. youth and early manhood. According Even at religious services liquor to Wood, 'Abe once drank, as all peo- seems to have had a proper place. Be- ple did here at that time.' Wood was a fore the log church on Pigeon Creek temperance man and took a paper de- was built, the little congregation met voted to that cause which Lincoln fre- the preacher at a neighbor's cabin on quently read. One day Abe wrote a

' Sunday morning. Here there was al- piece on temperance ' which made such ways a bottle of whiskey, pitcher of an impression on Wood that he gave it water, sugar and glasses, and a basket to Aaron Farmer, a Baptist preacher, of apples or turnips, and sometimes a who had it printed in a temperance cake or batch of fried apple pies. paper published in Ohio. No copy of When the refreshments had been con- this article has ever been discovered, sumed, the shepherd of the flock took but apparently young Lincoln's views the floor, threw off his coat, opened his were not opposed to the manufacture of shirt collar, read his text, and then whiskey. In the autumn of 1829 he 'preached and pounded' until the wrote a contract for his stepbrother, sweat produced by his exertions and who agreed to operate a distillery for the exhilarating effects of the toddy John Dutton on what is now the Fre- rolled down his flushed jowls in great donia and Princeton Highway, four l drops. The services were then con- miles southwest of Huntingburg, In- cluded by singing such hymns as, using diana; and here Lincoln worked among the grotesque spelling of Dennis Hanks, the mash tubs and copper worms the 'O, when shall I see jesus and Rain with last winter that he spent in the Hoosier him aBove,' and 'how teageous and State. tasteless the hours when jesus No Doubtless Lincoln's indulgence in Longer I see.' But one of the worshipers alcoholic beverages during the Indiana remembered that at 'old Mr. Linkern's years was extremely casual, but the tall, house' the Sunday morning 'treat' loose-jointed youth in coonskin cap was only 'a plate of potatoes, washed and skimpy buckskin breeches found and pared very nicely. They took off a the evenings at Gentry's store none the potato and ate them like apples.' less entertaining because of bibulous Whiskey was sold at the crossroads, company, and when the hour grew late which later became Gentryville, and and the storekeeper finally dismissed young Lincoln and his stepbrother, the loungers by snuffing his candles, John D. Johnston, Dennis Hanks, and and the boys of the neighborhood Nat Grigsby loafed a good deal around started home, Abe's voice, if not the Gentry's store, where Abe was ex- most melodious, was certainly one of tremely fond of telling his droll stories. the loudest in singing, as Dennis 'Sometimes we spent a little time at Hanks wrote, 'the turpen [turbaned] Grog,' Dennis Hanks naively recalled turk that Scorns the world and Struts in 1865. And Nat Grigsby says, 'Abe aBout with his whiskers Curld for No drank his dram, as well as all others other man But himself to See,' and did, preachers and Christians included.' 'Hail Collumbia Happy Land if you But he stresses the fact that 'Lincoln aint Drunk I will Be Damned.' Dennis was a temperate drinker.' further recalled that 'Abe youst to try William Wood, a Kentuckian and a to sing pore old Ned, But he Never thrifty early settler of Indiana, was a could sing Much.' LINCOLN AND LIQUOR 133

lift it up to his face as if to drink out of III the bunghole, but I never saw him taste At New Salem, a straggling village of or drink any kind of spirituous liquors.' he neither drank nor some fifteen log cabins, perched high And yet, though rebuked his upon a wooded bluff of the Sangamon brawled, Lincoln never nor attempted River in Illinois, Lincoln started out in roistering companions, in any way, except, life for himself in the summer of 1831. to reform them force of his personal His first job was keeping a store for perchance, by Denton Offutt, a brisk, boastful, ven- example. reading turesome trader, who had purchased a While he was stretched out raftload of goods in St. Louis. As in all on the counter, his head propped up calico, a country stores, whiskey was as much a with bolts of cotton and part of the stock as coffee, tea, and drunken fight would frequently start in run sugar. The best evidence that liquor the village street and Lincoln would was not sold by the drink at the Offutt out, 'pitch in,' grab the aggressor by seat of the establishment is that the convivial ele- the 'nap of the neck and '10 ment did not congregate there, but britches,' and toss him or 12 feet gathered across the road at a 'grocery,' easily.' This, an eyewitness dryly ob- where the sportive Offutt himself spent serves, usually 'ended the fuss,' and book. much of his time. Lincoln calmly returned to his The deviltry of the 'Clary Grove Although Dr. John Allen, the genial Boys' added a spice and zest to physician of New Salem, organized a New Salem atmosphere that Gentry- Temperance Society, there is no evi- but ville never had. Wild, reckless, warm- dence that Lincoln was a member, hearted, impulsive, this swaggering set tradition has it that years later he pub- of picturesque young rowdies, descend- licly acknowledged that Dr. Allen had ants of Kentuckians who had brought greatly influenced his ideas on sobriety. their racing stock and gamecocks to the frontier country, were equally IV ready for fight or frolic. Devoted to rough sports involving feats of physical In the spring of 1832, Denton Offutt strength, hostile to strangers whose failed in business and left the country. courage was yet untested, they stood Out of a job, Lincoln announced him- aloof from Lincoln until one sunny self as a candidate for the Legislature, afternoon under the giant oak near and then enlisted as a militiaman in the Offutt's store when the tall, sinewy Black Hawk War, which was over in clerk conquered their chief and cham- ninety days. Defeated in the August pion wrestler, Jack Armstrong. There- election, he again embarked in the after, as one of them declared, 'Abe mercantile business, this time with a was king. His word was law.' He young drunkard named William F. umpired their cockfights, wrestling Berry. Of course, the firm of Berry and matches, and foot races, and his deci- Lincoln did not prosper. The junior sions were accepted without a murmur, partner spent most of his time with a senior partner with a t Strangely enough, Lincoln never book, and the drank any liquor at New Salem. The bottle, until the following spring when evidence is uncontradicted and con- Lincoln sold his interest to Berry. clusive on this point. ' I have seen him,' It has hardly ever been denied that says R. B. Rutledge, 'frequently take a Berry and Lincoln sold liquor in quan- barrel of whiskey by the chimes and tity at their store. But a fierce con- II

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY troversy has raged for years as to sociates, he wrote to George Spears, whether they sold liquor over the who lived for many years near New counter by the drink. Under the law of Salem, about the kind of store Berry Illinois at that time, all persons who and Lincoln had kept. On November desired to sell spirituous liquors in 3, 1866, Spears replied that he had quantities less than one quart, or beer, made inquiries of the Potters, Arm- ale, or cider in quantities less than two strongs, and others, but that he could gallons, were required to take out a 'arrive at no dates. Old Mrs. Potter tavern license, give a bond, and pay affirms that Lincoln did sell liquor in a a fee 'not exceeding $12.00.' Stores grocery. I can't say whether he did or that sold liquor under such license were not. At that time, I had no idea of his called 'groceries,' and the term 'gro- ever being president, therefore I did cery' was synonymous with 'saloon.' not notice his course as close as I The records show that on March should if I had.' 6, 1833, the County Commissioner's Nine days later W. McNeely wrote Court of Sangamon County 'ordered Herndon: 'Father asks me to say that that William F. Berry, in the name of he never was in Lincoln's House, but Berry & Lincoln, have a license to keep then understood it to be a com- a tavern in New Salem,' and fixed the mon grocery — whiskey shop — by the prices to be charged for liquor as drink.' — in the follows : But Herndon-Lamon manuscripts there is a definite statement to French brandy, per \ pt 25c the contrary from James Davis: 'Lin- Peach brandy, per pt 18| \ coln & Berry broke. Berry afterwards Apple brandy, per pt 12 \ kept a doggery — a whiskey saloon, as Holland gin, per \ pt 18f I do now or did. Am a Democrat — Domestic gin, per \ pt 12j never agreed in politics with Abe — he Wine, per \ pt 25 was an honest man. Give the Devil his Rum, per \ pt 18f Whiskey, per \ pt 12§ dues: He never sold whiskey by the dram in New Salem. I was in town The bond is signed 'Abraham Lin- every week for years — know, I think, coln, Wm. F. Berry,' with Lincoln's all about it. I always drank my dram old friend, Squire Bowling Green, as and drank at Berry's often, I ought to surety. Apparently Berry subscribed know.' his partner's name to the document, And Harvey Ross says, 'I am sure since an examination of the original that no liquor was sold by the drink in shows that it is not in Lincoln's hand- their store while Mr. Lincoln had an in- writing. There is no doubt that Berry terest in it. I had occasion to be in the operated a 'grocery' under this license store very often while I was carrying after Lincoln retired from the firm and the mail.' became the village postmaster on May On August 21, 1858, Judge Douglas, 7, 1833, but the recollections of old opening the first joint debate at Ottawa, residents of New Salem are not in ac- Illinois, referred to the many points cord as to whether the store became a of sympathy between him and Lin- 'grocery' before Lincoln sold his share coln when they 'first got acquainted.' in it. Said he: 'We were both comparatively When William H. Herndon, after boys and both struggling with poverty Lincoln's death, began interviewing his in a strange land. I was a school- late law partner's early friends and as- teacher in the town of Winchester, and

J LINCOLN AND LIQUOR 135

bill, which ;he a flourishing grocery keeper in the House, presented such a town of New Salem.' failed of passage by a tie vote, 39 to In reply to this sly thrust, which 39, Lincoln voting against the measure. Douglas did not repeat during the On the following day a similar bill, campaign, Lincoln said: 'The judge is including a local-option provision which woefully at fault about his early friend had been approved by the Senate, was Lincoln being a grocery keeper. I received by the House and was passed, recorded don't know as it would have been a 43 to 27, and again Lincoln is great sin if I had been; but he is mis- as voting in the negative. grocery The new liquor law was hailed as a » taken. Lincoln never kept a anywhere in the world.' victory for the temperance forces, but not ready to 'It is true,' he added drolly, 'that the liberal element was Lincoln did work the latter part of one concede defeat. Hardly had the special a bill winter in a little stillhouse, up at the session of 1839-1840 opened when head of a hollow.' And the big crowd from the committee on the judiciary roared with laughter. was introduced to repeal it. This bill In view of Lincoln's emphatic denial reduced the maximum license fee from and the positive statements of James $300 to $150. A license was required Davis and Harvey Ross, the weight of only for the sale of liquor in quantities I instead of one the evidence is decidedly against the less than one quart contention that Lincoln sold liquor gallon. The local-option clause was over the counter at New Salem. But, omitted. A representative from Ver- whether he did or not, the Berry milion County moved to amend the act and Lincoln partnership was his last by inserting a local-option provision, business venture. Again his thoughts such as the existing law contained. turned to politics. This amendment was lost by a tie

vote, 39 to 39, Lincoln voting against !

it. On January 13, 1840, when the bill came up for its third reading, a local- The following year (1834) Lincoln option amendment was again offered, was elected to the Legislature, and but voted down, 42 to 36, Lincoln still thereafter reelected for three consecu- voting in the negative. On January 27,

to . tive terms. The session of 1838-1839 the bill was passed by a vote of 52 29, , measure. felt strongly the effect of the numerous Lincoln voting in favor of the temperance societies that were spring- Although this act passed the House by forces ing up all over the country. Petitions a decisive vote, the temperance poured in expressing deep hostility to succeeded in blocking its passage in the the 'liquor traffic' Realizing that pro- Senate, and it failed to become a law. hibition at this time was impossible, When the 1840-1841 session con- the foes of liquor confined their efforts vened, the temperance leaders immedi- to more strenuous regulatory laws. A ately assumed the offensive in an effort high license fee, a heavy bond, an in- further to restrict the sale of liquor. crease in the minimum quantity which To that end, Attorney-General Kitch- could be sold without a license, and a ell promptly addressed the Legislature provision which later came to be and recommended that 'all persons be known as 'local option,' were the chief prohibited from retailing intoxicating objectives. liquors in less quantity than one quart On February 26, 1839, John J. in any situation, or under any cir- Hardin, the temperance leader in the cumstances whatsoever.' This he said 1 I

136 THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY

would eliminate 'the great evil result- of influencing Negro voters during a ing from congregated masses at tip- heated campaign to close the saloons pling shops.' in Atlanta, in the fall of 1887. Hand- On December 19, 1840, as the House bills were circulated among the colored was considering a new bill which had population bearing a picture of Abra- been presented by a select committee, ham Lincoln striking the shackles from the House Journal recites that 'Mr. a kneeling Negro, followed by the Murphy, of Cook, moved to strike out spurious statement against prohibi- all after the enacting clause and insert tion, and a stirring exhortation: 'Col- as follows: "That after the passage of ored voters, he appeals to you to this act, no person shall be licensed to protect the liberty he has bestowed

sell vinous or spirituous liquors in this upon you. Will you go back on his 1

State.'" advice! Look to your rights! Read I For a few moments the members and act! Vote for the sale!' seemed dazed at the unexpectedness Still, it cannot be denied that Lin- with which the question of state-wide coln's record in the Illinois House of prohibition had been squarely thrust Representatives shows that he voted upon them. But Lincoln was equal to consistently with the liberal element the emergency, and the House Journal on liquor legislation. He voted against records that 'Mr. Lincoln moved to a bill offered by the temperance forces lay the proposed amendment on the when his vote would have passed the table,' which was hastily done by an measure. He voted against a similar overwhelming vote of 75 to 8. bill that had passed the Senate. He For many years, and particularly voted twice against local-option amend- after the adoption of the Eighteenth ments, once, when His vote would have Amendment, the report was circu- carried the amendment. He voted for lated at various times that Lincoln an act reducing the restrictions placed on this occasion, the very page of the upon liquor sellers, and it would have Journal being frequently cited, made become a law had not the temperance certain emphatic remarks against pro- advocates defeated it in the Senate. hibition, including the declaration that And he voted in favor of his own 'prohibition will work great injury to motion which killed a state-wide pro- the cause of temperance. It is a hibition amendment.

- species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of VI reason, in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation.' But In spite of Lincoln's apparent atti- neither the House Journal nor the tude toward the enforcement of tem- Springfield newspapers, which pub- perance by law, it cannot be doubted lished abstracts of the debates and that he firmly believed in temperance legislative proceedings for December as a rule of personal deportment. In 19, 1840, show that Lincoln made any less than a year after he had voted remarks whatever in support of his against prohibition, Lincoln was an [ motion, nor is the statement attributed active member of the Springfield to him to be found in any of the several Chapter of the Washington Society, a editions of his writings and works. temperance movement originated by On the contrary, there seems to be six reformed drunkards at Baltimore satisfactory evidence that this state- that swept across the country with the ment was fabricated for the purpose fervor and zeal of a crusade. Article 2 LINCOLN AND LIQUOR 137 of the Constitution adopted by the a man's friendship first and then it Springfield organization declared that is not difficult to appeal successfully the 'sole object' of the Society was 'to to his reason. 'On the contrary,' he advance the cause of temperance, and observed, 'assume to dictate to his especially direct its efforts to the judgment, or to command his action, redemption of our fellow men, who or to mark him as one to be shunned have been degraded by the use of and despised, and he will retreat intoxicating liquor.' within himself — all efforts to reform On |^uaryJ22^JL842, following a him will be in vain. The Washing- spectacular parade of the Sangamo tonians knew that 'their old friends Guards, Lincoljnjidive^ and companions' were not 'demons, ton's Birthdayaddress before the SQt nor even the worst of men.' Far from v 'Generally they are kind, generous cieTy aTid'"aTf assemblage that crowded it. £ the Second Presbyterian Church. He and charitable, even beyond the ex- I began his speech by congratulating ample of their more staid and sober I the friends of temperance upon the neighbors.' rapid strides which the cause had made It was no longer an open question as in recent years. This great success to 'whether or not the world would be was due to new advocates and a new vastly benefited by a total and final 'system of tactics.' The old champions banishment from it of all intoxicat- of the cause 'for the most part have ing drinks,' Lincoln declared. 'Three- been preachers, lawyers and hired fourths of mankind confess the affirma- agents.' The 'new class of champions,' tive with their tongues, and I believe to whom 'success is greatly, perhaps all the rest acknowledge it in their chiefly owing,' were themselves re- hearts.' This being so, the speaker formed drunkards. When 'a redeemed urged that everybody lend a hand in specimen of long-lost humanity' ap- providing 'moral support and influ- peals to his former associates, 'there ence' for those who were struggling for drink. is a logic and an eloquence in it that to resist the craving No few with human feelings can resist.' person, however sober and reputable, Nobody can doubt his sincerity or should regard himself too good to join question his motives. what some people called 'a reformed Lincoln expressed the opinion that drunkard's society.' former methods of reform had been 'In my judgment,' said Lincoln, injudicious. 'Too much denunciation 'such of us as have never fallen victims against dram sellers and dram drinkers have been spared more by the absence was indulged in,' said he. 'This I of appetite than from any mental or think was both impolitic and unjust. moral superiority over those who have.'

It" was impolitic because it is not much In., conclusion he expressed the hope in the nature of man to be driven to that the day would come 'when there anything; still less to be driven about should be neither a slave nor a drunk- that which is exclusively his own ard on the earth,' and paid a brief, business; and least of all where such glowing tribute to Washington. driving is to be submitted to at the Such was Lincoln's first temperance expense of pecuniary interest or burn- address. The Washingtonians were ing appetite.' satisfied with it and had it printed. 'Persuasion, kind unassuming per- The newspapers gave it favorable suasion,' said Lincoln, is the best mention. But caustic comment came way to influence human conduct. Gain from other quarters. His criticism of '

138 THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY

laws of the state did the old reformers and his exhortation that the existing the sale of intoxicants to fellowship with the fallen rankled in not prohibit license. The wholesale gro- the breasts of the bigots. 'I was at the without a sold large quan- door of the church as the people passed cers at Springfield of liquor to saloon keepers in out,' says Herndon, 'and heard them tities Illinois, and were vitally in- discussing the speech. Many of them central outcome of this litiga- were open in the expression of their terested in the the proceeding was ob- displeasure. "It is a shame," I heard tion. Since is not improbable one man say, "that he should be per- viously a test case, it actually represented Jacob mitted to abuse us so in the house of that Lincoln was one of his regular the Lord." Bunn, who clients, a close personal friend, and a VII large wholesale grocer. The Washington's Birthday address, In May 1854, Lincoln represented were indicted for although the only one now preserved, nine women who Circuit Court. was not Lincoln's last temperance 'riot' in the Dewitt the Decatur Gazette, a speech. The recently discovered min- According to Tanner had opened a utes of the Board of Visitors of the man named Sangamon Temperance Union note 'doggery' in the Town of Marion, the annoyance of the fair that he spoke before the Springfield 'much to upon and requested Juvenile Society in 1846 and made sex,' who called his traffic of liquor.' 'an excellent addressTat Langston's' in him to 'desist request being refused, the women, 1847, long after the hysteria of the The manner, took Washingtonian movement had sub- 'in a quiet and respectful liquor and turned it out upon the sided. the trial more than a However, Lincoln did not allow his ground.' At the were present to witness personal views on the liquor question to hundred ladies defense 'of the fair daughters interfere with the performance of pro- Lincoln's The jury having imposed fessional duties. The court records of Adam.' of two dollars, the show that with impartial zeal he ap- the insignificant fine felt that Lincoln peared as counsel for saloon keepers editor of the Gazette had won a victory, and and for temperance crusaders who and his clients for the Marion destroyed the property of saloon exclaimed, 'Huzzah keepers. ladies!' month Pearl and Pearl In 1846, at the December term of the In this same Tazewell Circuit McLean Circuit Court, 8 Illinois Re- filed a suit in the Alexander Graham and ports 93, Lincoln represented Rowell Court against trespass, claiming Munsell, who kept bar in the Bloom- twenty other men for entered complainants' ington Hotel at Bloomington, Illinois, in that they had and destroyed certain liquors a suit against Wm. H. Temple over the dwelling property. The response filed validity of his liquor license. In 1853 and other is in Lincoln's hand- he defended Patrick Sullivan, who was by the defendants that ' the supposed convicted at the October term of the writing, and alleges said declaration men- Macon Circuit Court for selling liquor dwelling house in common, disorderly and without a license. The fine was only tioned was a house, within which, by ten dollars, which was less than the costs ill-governed and procurement of the of an appeal, but Lincoln took the case the permission drunkenness, idleness, quar- to the Supreme Court, 15 Illinois Re- plaintiffs, swearing, obscenity and ports 233, and strenuously contended reling, profane LINCOLN AND LIQUOR 139

intimate friend, Simeon Francis, other offensive acts and noises were his the Illinois Journal. then and there practiced and encour- editor of the other hand, the ninety thou- aged to the great injury and annoyance On in the state were solidly of the peaceful citizens of the neighbor- sanTGermans against the Maine Law, and they were hood.' A year later, May 4, 1855, the opposed to the extension of defendants were tried, and fifteen of as much were to prohibition. them were acquitted, six were found slavery as they Their leaders, like Lieutenant Gov- guilty, and damages were assessed at ernor Gustave Koerner and Dr. Theo- fifty dollars. were staunch Lincoln In a similar case over in McLean dore Canisius, on the horns of a County, Lincoln was not so successful. men. Thus caught dilemma, Lincoln, with his usual as- His clients, Ephraim Piatt and A. B. no part in the prohibition Davidson, were fined six hundred dol- tuteness, took contest that raged so fiercely about lars, according to the Bloomington Pan- recent ' spite of comparatively tagraph, for destroying certain barrels him. In prove him not only an open of spiritual comfort' belonging to the efforts to of the Maine Law but ac- firm of Reynolds and Fuller. champion tually the author of the Illinois measure, there is no authentic evidence that VIII Lincoln either said or did anything might have offended any Ihis saloon raiding and the heated whatever that or faction of the antislavery ele- trials that followed reflected in some group prohibition. And degree the persistent agitation of the ment who opposed the unequivocal testimony of liquor question, which finally induced we have Hill Lamon, his law partner at the Illinois Legislature, on February 10, Ward of James Gourley, his next- 1855, to pass a state-wide prohibition Danville, door neighbor for many years, and of bill, known as the 'Maine Liquor Law.' Robert Lincoln, that he did not Under this enactment no liquor could his son, be sold for beverage purposes in Illi- do so. poll books show that on June 4, nois, but the measure, in order to be- The the Maine Law was rejected by come effective, had to be approved by when Lincoln cast his vote, but the people at an election which was the people, voted does not appear. If he called for June 4, 1855. During this how he it, he again did not allow interval the fight for votes was ex- voted for to interfere with his tremely bitter and vituperative. personal opinion an order book of The prohibition contest came at an law practice, because Circuit Court recites exceedingly inopportune time for Lin- the Sangamon June 12, eight days after the coln, who was doing his utmost to that on of George Organ and arouse public sentiment against the election, the case Kessler, jointly indicted for repeal of the Missouri Compromise. Benjamin without a license, was The antislavery men were sharply selling whiskey firm of Lincoln and divided by the liquor question. Young called, and the on the docket as Billy Herndon, Lincoln's law partner, Herndon is noted defendants. then Mayor of Springfield, though counselTor^ne that the prohibi- intemperate himself, was ardently in IT is little Wonder defeated. As one favor of prohibition. So was Judge tion movement was large vote that Logan, Lincoln's former law partner, looks back upon it, the In 1855, the who had been in active charge of the it received is surprising. of intoxicants in Illinois bill when it passed the House. So was consumption 140 THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY

had not greatly decreased in proportion my particular friend,' on July 4, 1889, to the population since pioneer days, in replied to a letter written him by Miss spite of the fact that the growing tem- Kate Fields: 'You ask my recollection perance sentiment had reduced in- of Mr. Lincoln's views on the question dividual excesses. The clergy had be- of temperance and prohibition. I look come outspoken against the use of upon him as one of the safest temper- liquor, but the members of the legal ance men I ever knew. He was neither profession showed no such hostility. what might be called a "drinking man," The Springfield lawyers usually pre- a total abstainer, nor a prohibitionist.' pared their briefs in the Supreme Court And Lamon left a statement which Library at the State House, and one of was found among his papers after his them relates that 'with but few excep- death that 'none of his nearest asso- tions they drank their toddy,' making ciates ever saw Mr. Lincoln voluntarily frequent visits to a jug of good whiskey call for a drink,' but they had seen him which Colonel Warren, the clerk of the 'take whiskey with a little sugar in it court, 'usually hid from sight, but to avoid the appearance of discounte- which was never so cleverly concealed nancing it to his friends. If he could that the wise ones could not find it.' have avoided it without giving offense Out on the circuit, tippling shops and he would have gladly done so.' taprooms clustered about the court- Lincoln Dubois, son of Jesse K. houses, and when a court was estab- Dubois, one of Lincoln's closest polit- lished in Christian County the two ical and personal friends, in his un- buildings first erected were the court- published reminiscences, corroborates house and a saloon. Lamon: 'He decidedly was not what would be called a drinking man, but IX made no fuss about it at all; took it when offered, but seldom drank it.' Yet Lincoln himself very rarely And Herndon wrote Jesse Weik that drank liquor. 'Not so much,' says 'Lincoln did sometimes take a horn

"his old friend Judge Joseph Gillespie, when hei thought it would do him good.' 'as it seemed to me, from principle, •""6ut the occasions on which Lincoln as from a want of appetite.' And John took 'whiskey with a little sugar in it' Hay, Lincoln's private secretary, re- must have been very infrequent, be- flects the same opinion in speaking of cause several of his associates agree him after he became President. 'He with Judge Logan, who says, 'I never drank little or no wine,' Hay declares; in my life saw Lincoln taste liquor.' 'not that he remained always on prin- Henry C. Whitney, who was on the ciple a total abstainer, as he was during circuit with Lincoln more than Logan, a part of his early life in the fervor though not so much as Lamon, recalls of the Washingtonian reform, but he an incident when he and Lincoln and never cared for wine or liquors.' several other lawyers drove out to 'I am entitled to little credit for not the residence of Reason Hooten near drinking,' Lincoln told Herndon, 'be- Danville, where several varieties of cause I hate the stuff; it is unpleasant homemade wine were passed around. and always leaves me flabby and 'A mere sip of each affected Lincoln,' undone.' relates Whitney, 'and he said comically, Ward Hill Lamon, whom Lincoln set "Fellers, I am getting drunk!" That down in his own handwriting as was the nearest approach to inebriety 'entirely reliable and trustworthy — I ever saw him.' LINCOLN AND LIQUOR 141

the society of certain Men with whom Lincoln came in fondness for whose habits were notoriously contact were not always able to men bad. Whitney complained that Lincoln appreciate his failure to indulge in the by the hour with gave them pleasure, and would play billiards habits that drunken George Lawrence, ' a worthless, he was fond of telling a story on himself fellow who turned lawyer late in life.' illustrated this fact. One morn- which over Randell's Judge David Davis, who presided ing in 1849, Lincoln left the 8th Judicial Circuit, accounted for tavern in Springfield for Washington. Lincoln's association with a few 'low The only other passenger in the stage- and vulgar' men by the fact that 'he coach was a well-dressed, affable Ken- loved sharp, witty things, loved jokes, tuckian who was on his way home that etc.,' and expressed the opinion Missouri. The two men imme- from to after 'Lincoln used these men merely diately fell into conversation, and whistle off sadness, gloom and unhappi- a while the Kentuckian took a chew of But Davis was sure that Lincoln tobacco and handed the plug to Lin- ness.' not 'hated drunkenness.' coln, who politely said that he did as Dubois says, he 'made no chew. Later on, as the clumsy vehicle Still, fuss' about drinking. 'I never heard jolted and swayed over the rough, him disclaim against the use of tobacco dusty road and conversation lagged, other stimulants,' recalls Judge stranger pulled a leather case from or the presence a Gillespie. Certainly Lincoln's his pocket and offered his companion jolly said caused no restraint among the cigar. Lincoln thanked him, but circuit riders who regularly gathered that he never smoked. Finally, as supper in Judge Davis's room at lunch time approached, the traveler after tavern in the town where produced a flask from his satchel. the best court was being held. Indeed, he was 'Well, my friend,' he remarked, 'seeing outstanding favorite of all that you don't smoke or chew, perhaps you the gay, versatile group. A bucket of beer take a little of this French brandy. will whis- appetizer stood on the hearth, a pitcher of It 's a prime article and a good key on the table, and hour after hour besides.' But Lincoln again declined of would swiftly pass in song and story, this highest and best demonstration Judge Davis's fat sides shook as Kentucky hospitality. In the after- while Lincoln related some humorous anec- noon, at the junction, as the gentleman dote in his droll, inimitable way. from the Bluegrass State was about to 'Now, Hill, let's have some music,' take another stage for Louisville, he would exclaim, and Lamon, shook hands cordially. someone with his rich barytone and Virginia 'See here,' he said smilingly, 'you would sing 'The Blue-Tailed clever but peculiar companion. accent, are a or Fly,' or 'Cousin Sally Downard,' I may never see you again and I do not other ballad of equal interest but want to offend you, but I want to say some less propriety. this: My experience has taught me Nothing could better illustrate Lin- that a man who has no vices has very marked disinclination to damned few virtues. Good day.' coln's associates criticize the conduct of his than an incident which occurred between him and his law partner on his day in Springfield. It was late The fact that Lincoln was an exceed- last afternoon. All day crowds had filled ingly temperate man made it difficult the lobby of the Chenery House, where for his friends to understand his 14£ THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY

Lincoln, as President-elect, was re- cause of his intemperate habits, but ceiving visitors. Herndon waited down that he had always declared his inten- the street in the frowzy old law office. tion to stand by Herndon in spite of his Presently Lincoln came in. The lines shortcomings. of his rugged face were deep with care Then, as though anxious to change and fatigue. For little a while they dis- the subject, Lincoln began to talk of cussed unfinished legal business and the early days of his practice, recalling went hastily over the books of the firm. the humorous features of various law- Then Lincoln threw himself down on suits on the circuit. Thus his reminis- the battered, rickety lounge, and for cences ran on until dusk crept through a few minutes lay with his face toward the grimy little windows and it was the ceiling without speaking. Suddenly time to go home. As he gathered a

he blurted out : — bundle of books and papers under his 'Billy, there is one thing I have for arm and started out, he spoke of the some time wanted you to tell me, but I old sign, 'Lincoln & Herndon,' which reckon I ought to apologize for my hung on rusty hinges over the door at

nerve and curiosity in ' asking it even the foot of the steps. Let it hang there now.' undisturbed,' he said in a lowered voice. 'What is it?' asked Herndon. 'Give our clients to understand that 'I want you to tell me,' said Lincoln, the election of a President makes no 'how many times you have been drunk.' change in the firm of Lincoln & Hern- Herndon, though somewhat abashed don. If I live, I am coming back some- by the bluntness of this inquiry, told time, and then we will go on practising as him best he could; but when he had law as if nothing had happened.' finished, Lincoln, instead of delivering He lingered for a moment, as if to the anticipated lecture, merely said take a last look at the old quarters, that on several occasions efforts had then passed forever through the door been secretly made to have him drop into the hallway and down the narrow the junior partner from the firm be- stairs.

LINCOLN AND LIQUOR. The well-known " quotation " declar- ing prohibition " What were a species of intemper- Lincoln's habits in re- ance within itself" was invented in gard to the use of liquor ? What were i Atlanta in 1887. Whatever his views hi* views on the liquor problem • ? Jn about temperance to be attained by /The Atlantic Monthly Mr. William H. I statute, Lincoln was a member of the Townsend answers clearly these ques- | tions. Washington Society, a firm believer in His information is derived from and worker for temperance. He advo- original sources, printed and manu- cated persuasion; discouraged denun- script. He begins by painting Lin- " coln's ciation of dram-sellers and dram- environment and associations drinkers." In hia opinion it was not Kentucky was a jovial, rough, racing mental or moral " and gambling superiority, but mere and fighting region. Lin- absence of appetite," that had kept the coln's father, Thomas, was a moderate sober drinker. from the course of the drunken. Thomas's uncle Thomas kept As a lawyer he served as counsel to a stillhouse. Twice when drunk he saloon keepers or the raiders kicked his and Carry wife. He assaulted a wit- Nations of the period with equal zeal. ness who testified that Mrs. Thomas He took no part in the unsuccessful at- was frequently intoxicated but justified tempt to impose "the her on the Maine Liquor ground that she had learned Law " upon Illinois. He didn't wish to the art from her husband. Abraham's offend the uncle German and other anti-pro- Mordecai perished while trying hibition elements which he was rally- to cool off his liquor in a snowdrift. ing against repeal of the Missouri Com- Lincoln's school teacher was indict- promise. ed for selling liquor at retail without a The Springfield lawyers took a swig license. William Downs, "probably at the whisky jug when they were pre- "the first preacher Abraham ever paring their " heard," briefs. Liquor shops clus- was a good deal of a soak and was tered thick around every court house, called before his congregation on a but Lincoln seldom drank liquor or charge of being drunk. Whisky-drink- wine. " It always leaves me flabby ing was common everywhere. Whisky and undone," he told Herndon. was a prime He medium of exchange. sometimes Church took "whisky with a little subscriptions were acceptable "sugar in it to avoid the appearance in "good merchantable whisky." in " of discountenancing it to his friends." Southern Indiana dram-drinking was Henry C. Whitney, who rode the cir- almost universal. Lincoln loafed cuit with him, around the crossroads store, told recalls an incident when he and stories, took his dram, but was " a temperate Lincoln ?.nd several other lawyers drinker." He worked in a dis- drove out to the residence of tillery in his last Winter in the State. Reason Hootbn, where several va- Going home when the crossroads store rieties of home-made wine were shut up, he would join In singing the passed around. " A mere sip of each ditty mentioned by Dennis Hanks: affected Lincoln," relates Whitnet, " Hail Collumbia and he said comically, ' Fellers, happy Land if you I am getting drunk!'" alnt Drunk I will Be Damned. Moving As Ward lamon put it, Lincoln on to Illinois, Lincoln kept store for was neither "a drinking man, a total Denton Offutt. it sold whisky, abstainer nor a prohibitionist." Who but not by the drink. In New Salem Lincoln but a prig won't like him more because never took a drink. In he would play billiards by the hour 1832 he went into business with Wil- - with " a worthless drunken liam F. Berry, a young fellow who drunkard." " Next Spring turned lawyer late in life ? He didn't Lincoln sold out to Berry. smoke. He seldom drank. But he sat Liquor was sold at the store, but never a good fellow among the other circuit- by the drink until after Lin- riding Coln got out. good fellows. The room was ! As a member of the Illinois Legislature he voted again~st a "' -' " liquor bill imposing V:// a higher license — fee. It was lost by a tie vote. The cloudy with smoke. " A nucket of beer next day a " similar bill with a local stood on the hearth, a pitcher of option provision, approved by the Sen- "whisky on the table, and hour after ate, was " passed by the House. Again hour would swiftly pass in song and Lincoln voted " no. In the next session otory." Somebody calls for " some a bill to repeal the previous act was in- music": troduced, lowering the license fee and Lamon with his rich baritone and the quantity of liquor for the sale of Virginia accent would sing " The which a license was required. Lincoln Blue-Tailed Fly" or "Cousin Sally voted twice against a local option Downard " or some other ballad of amendment and finally for the bill equal interest but less propriety. which passed the House but was lost in the Senate. In the session of 1840-41 an amendment to strike out all but the enacting clause of a new liquor bill and forbidding all liquor licenses was laid on the table on Mr. Lincoln's nw<™ a lie." ZKZyt)&-

' l^rl/*^ NOTES ON LINCOLN 6| Abraham Lincoln < country in which I wild was a I Kentucky in his childhood T s reared.e im ^a: g , rrr^rtSeSti ^rAtSc™; were nearly alll Sf were frequent and Virginia. Fights native^ of (putting out the eyes Ibrutal,m with souginggouging v kicking ana.d biting men when they were down), noses were common. off ears and

moderate drinker. moved to Indiana his men his father,

to ortnKing. But there was opposition ^ said: publicly, Lincoln have never Judgment such of us who -in my have the drinking habit fallen victims [of absence ol appetite spared more by the teen superiority or moral tnah from any mental have." over those who , he said he hoped Concluding that speech, when there should be tho dav would come drunkard on the earth. Neither "lave nor a

A Lincoln manuscript showing that the Great Emancipator refused to grant amnesty to a Civil War bootlegger when such action interfered with the military authorities is in possession of the Rosenbach Company. The manuscript is a letter from James G. McAdam pleading with the President to restore his friend, James McCrea, to a military post from which he had been banished for "selling a bottle of whisky to a hostler engaged in the armv" and delivering a keg of whisky to the butcher of the army." At the bottom of the letter Pres- ident Lincoln wrote the following6 refusal: "McCrea was banished from Beau- fort by the Military authorities, and I am now called on to send him back, without the consent of those authorities, which I cannot consent to do. "They and not I must judge whether his presence is injurious If the Gen. in command then Gen Saxton I believe—consents, then I am quite willing for Mr. McCrea to return—not without." The letter is dated June 10, 1864 and signed "A. Lincoln." I LINCOLN'S WHISKY TALE JUST A MYTH

Story of President's Approval

of Grant's Drinking Cited in

Eleanor Jarrett's Case

IS DENIED BY HISTORIANS

BY LAWRENCE PERRY When General Grant's name was brought into the controversy between a prominent young lady swim- mer and the American Olympic- Commitee, the average American citizen was inclined to let the record stand as read. And the record is that among the many sympathetic cable despatches received by Mrs. Eleanor Holm Jar- rett was one reminding her of the fabled occasion in the Civil War when someone complained to Presi- dent Lincoln that Grant was overly addicted to whisky. Taking his cue from the fact that the great Federal soldier was ac- complishing definite results, Mr. Lincoln is quoted as retorting he' would like to know what brarid of whisky Grant was drinking so he might send a barrel of it to other Union leaders. Now modern historians question that such an incident as the one above quoted ever occurred. No less an authority than Lloyd Lewis author of "Myths After Lincoln," "Sherman, Fighting Prophet," and other historical works of wide public acceptance, takes occasion to ex- plode a bomb beneath the bibulous legend. "Eleanor's angry defenders," he says, "would have done her more service if they had wired her there is no good evidence that Lincoln ever made the crack about Grant and the whisky barrel—the gag being an ancient one, told of George III and Admiral Nelson, for instance—and that Grant never drank as much as his wet admirers now like to believe; also, that when in a position comparable to that of an athlete representing the United States abroad (Grant's world tour shortly after retirement from the White House), he was a model of dignified, temperate self-respect." Mr. Lewis is by no means the first historian to proclaim the fallacy of the Lincoln-Grant yarn. Nor will he be the last, for of all legends that seem destined to survive the attacks of scholar and commentator, the good story concerning historical personages has an assured immortality.

ulol r J I

: :

Bulletin of the Lincoln National Life Foundation - - - - Dr. Louis A. Warren, Editor Published each week by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Number 494 FORT WAYNE, INDIANA September 26, 1938

LINCOLN'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIQUOR

During the season in which national prohibition was in than from any mental or moral superiority over those who force there was much controversy as to the attitude Lin- have . . . respect to the use and sale of coln would have taken with "Turn now to the temperance revolution. In it we restored there intoxicants. Since the old order has been shall find a stronger bondage, a viler slavery manumit- call the business partnership into has been a tendency to ted, a greater tyrant deposed; in it, more of want supplied, entered with a certain William which Abraham Lincoln more disease healed, more sorrow assuaged. By it, no or- Lincoln, himself, a bar- Berry, a saloon enterprise and phans starving, no widows weeping. By it, none keeper. wounded in feeling, none injured in interest; even the dram-maker and dram-seller will have glided into other during the past few There has been circulated widely occupations so gradually as never to have felt the change, presents an enlargement of months a broadside which and will stand ready to join all others in the universal License." picture of "The Abraham Lincoln Saloon A song of gladness. And what a noble ally this to the cause broadside advertisement with Lincoln appears on this of political freedom; with such an aid its march cannot which would allow the casual observer to other data fail to be on and on, till every son of earth shall drink in available to conclude that documentary evidence is now rich fruition the sorrow-quenching draughts of perfect connection with the business. The many prove Lincoln's liberty. Happy day when—all appetites controlled, all to emphasize the New Salem store inci- attempts made poisons subdued, all matter subjected—mind, all conquer- importance, has brought dent, out of all due respect to its ing mind, shall live and move, the monarch of the world. a number of inquiries to the Lincoln National Life Foun- Glorious consummation! Hail, fall of fury ! Reign of rea- attitude towards liquor. dation about Lincoln's son, all hail! there It is a fact that a license to operate a tavern was taken "And when the victory shall be complete,—when out in the name of Berry and Lincoln, March 6, 1833, and shall be neither a slave nor a drunkard on the earth,—how a bond for three hundred dollars as required by law was proud the title of that land which may truly claim to be signed by Abraham Lincoln, (genuiness of signature ques- the birthplace and the cradle of both those revolutions tioned by some students) William F. Berry and Bowling that shall have ended in that victory. How nobly distin- Green. The license to operate this tavern, however, al- guished that people who shall have planted and nurtured though issued in the firm's name of Berry and Lincoln was to maturity both the political and moral freedom of their evidently issued to William F. Berry, as a copy of the species." license which appears below clearly states. Presidential Nominee "Ordered that William F. Berry in the name of Berry and Lincoln have license to keep a tavern in New Salem to The incident which emphasizes Lincoln's temperate continue 12 months from this date and that they pay one habits better than any other at the time he was nominated dollar in addition to six dollars heretofore paid as per for the presidency was the serving of cold water to the ." the notification committee upon their visit treasury receipt . . members of to Springfield. He received a letter from a friend asking During the Lincoln-Douglas debates at Ottawa on about the incident to which he made this reply August 21, 1858, Douglas said that when he first became kept house sixteen years, and having never acquainted with his opponent, Lincoln was a "flourishing "Having held the "cup" to the lips of my friends then, my judg- grocery-keeper in the town of Salem." Lincoln replied ment was that I should not, in my new position, change my "The Judge is woefully at fault about his friend Lincoln habit in this respect. What actually occurred upon the oc- being a 'grocery keeper'. I don't know that it would be a casion of the committee visiting me, I think it would be sin, if I had been; but he is mistaken. Lincoln never freat better for others to say." ept a grocery anywhere in the world."

This clear unqualified statement that he was never en- Sons of Temperance gaged in dispensing liquor through distributing mediums September 29, 1863, Abraham Lincoln received mem- known as groceries should for all time settle Lincoln's On an organization known as Sons of Temperance and actual relation to any Berry-Lincoln firm so called, as far bers of in reply to their appeal for the advancement of the cause as his interest in the liquor license is concerned. It is temperance in the army said in part known that within a short time after the license was issued of Lincoln sold his interest in the firm. to Berry, "When I was a young man—long ago—before the Sons of Temperance as an organization had an existence— I, in Temperance Address a humble way, made temperance speeches, and I think I may say that to this day I have never, by my example, be- There were two subjects on which Abraham Lincoln lied what I then said." reformer, slavery and liquor. approached the roll of a This statement verifies in his own words that he had references to either one without feel- You cannot read his himself throughout life followed the course of total ab- injustice and sor- ing that he was deeply moved by the stsinence which he advocated more than twenty years be- both institutions. While a young row which grew out of fore. He also made one other statement to the visiting joined the Washington man in Springfield, Illinois he delegation which was borrowed from his temperance of the leading ex- Temperance Society and became one speech of long ago. ponents of total abstinence. One of his lectures given at Springfield on February 22, 1842, has been preserved and "I think that the reasonable men of the world have long greatest, if a few excerpts from it follow: since agreed that intemperance is one of the not the very greatest, of all evils among mankind. That is "In my judgment such of us as have never fallen vic- not a matter of dispute, I believe. That the disease exists, tims have been spared more by the absence of appetite and that it is a very great one, is agreed upon by all."

Dr. Louis A. Wanen Editor, n of the Lincoln National Life Foundation -.- - - - - Fort Wayne, Indiana Published each week by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, February 27, 1939 Number 516 Fort Wayne, Indiana

HIDDEN LINCOLN TREASURES

Indiana and preach the funeral sermon. Descendents There are rich treasures of Lincolniana hidden away in to of David Elkin in Kentucky claim to have seen the letter obscure places which perseverance on the part of inter- which they say was preserved. Where is it now? ested searchers will eventually bring to light. Although there may exist a probability that certain Lincoln docu- Pigeon Church Account Book have been lost, one should refuse to ments or curios may Lincoln as a boy is said to have been at one time a sexton supposition if he is really anxious to re- entertain such a of the Pigeon Church in Spencer County, Indiana. His Nothing short of positive cover the cherished prizes. father was a trustee of the church and often served as complete destruction of a valuable item, evidence of the moderator at its meetings. Eeverend Obenshaim, a Metho- should deter one from anticipation once known to exist, dist clergyman, claimed to have found in the loft of the found. that some day it will be old Pigeon Church an account book in which Abraham purchase price of a broom and The Bixby Letter Lincoln had entered the some candles. A Reverend French who later preached at The most valuable lost treasure among the writings of the church is said to have had a book answering this Lincoln is the letter forwarded to the Widow Bixby on description. Can the descendents of Reverend French be November 21, 1864 and delivered to her on Thanksgiving found? (This book is not to be confused with the Pigeon Day. The letter was copied by a Boston newspaper and Church Record Book now in possession of the church.) published in full the next morning. The original letter has completely disappeared and no trace of it has been dis- Lost Pages of Lincoln's Copy Book such a covered since it reached the widow's hands. That On September 8, 1865 Abraham Lincoln's stepmother priceless letter would have been destroyed does not seem showed William Hemdon a copy book made by Abraham probable. The value of the original Bixby letter would Lincoln. Apparently it was distributed page by page to approach six figures. One should not let suppositions different individuals. The Lincoln National Life Founda- that which hold that Lincoln did not write the letter and tion is anxious to secure copies of all pages now preserved. the facsimiles now extant are faked, prevent a thorough We hope to supply photostats of the now extant pages to and constant search for the famous letter. Who can dis- those who are in possession of single pages of the book. cover its hiding place ? This notice refers to both the figure book and the selection of writings. May we hear from those owning separate Printed Article on Temperance pages ? One of the most familiar stories about Lincoln's early Little Mount Baptist Church Record Book efforts as a writer is told by William Woods, friend of the boy during the Indiana years. Mr. Woods said that Abra- When the Lincolns lived on Knob Creek in Kentucky ham wrote an article on temperance so superior to the they belonged to the Little Mount Baptist Church. There usual discussions on that subject that it was given to Mr. is some evidence that the record book of this organization Aaron Farmer, a Baptist minister, who sent it to a tem- was in possession of one of the early members of the perance paper in Ohio. Mr. Wood further said that he saw church who later lived in Louisville, Kentucky. This would the article in print in the paper (name unknown) in 1827 be a valuable source book, indeed, to reveal the religious or 1828. If the original manuscript cannot be found, will atmosphere in which Abraham Lincoln lived as a small not someone cite the name and date of the paper which child. Can this book be found? printed the article ? Missouri Democrat

First Political Monograph It is said that Lincoln gave to E. L. Baker on May 17, Judge Pitcher, a lawyer living at Mount Vernon, In- 1860 a copy of the Missouri Democrat in which he had diana, read an article that Lincoln, as a boy, wrote on the marked passages showing Seward's attitude toward cer- American form of government, the perpetuation of the tain slavery questions and then had written on the mar- Union, and the sacredness of the Constitution. His re- gin of the paper, "I agree with Seward in his 'Irrepressi- action to the article was "The world can't beat it". It is ble conflict' but do not endorse his 'Higher Law' doctrine. said Judge Pitcher had this article published in a news- Make no contracts that will bind me." Is this newspaper paper, and one man recalls having seen it in print. The still extant ? appeared is not known and the date it paper in which it Lost Through Obscurity was published is likewise obscure. To what papers did There are a large number of letters and manuscripts Judge Pitcher subscribe, and when and where is the speech written by Abraham Lincoln which are now in private most likely to have been printed ? hands, the contents of which are unknown to historians Note to Parson Elkin and biographers of Lincoln. Many erroneous statements be corrected if the contents were Lincoln's mother died in Indiana when Abraham was referring to him might National Life Foundation has been approaching his tenth year. There is a persistent story known. The Lincoln Lincoln documents now in private that the boy wrote a note to David Elkin, the minister of keeping a register of pleased to record any original Lincoln the church in Kentucky to which Nancy Hanks Lincoln be- hands and would be private collection. longed, telling Elkin of her death and asking him to come manuscript now in a

Lincoln and Liquor

His Assassination Was Made Possible by Drink, Two biographies Reveal )UU,... L ^ ^ Prrvm a Bulletin of the American BuBinew- two plasses. . . . Sevengov men's Research Foundation. minutes after ... he filled his plass acaln . . . put Certain facts, now for the first some money ... on the wet bar . . time clearly revealed in two recent left the saloon." authoritative biographies, confirm Of John F. Parker, the president's the part which beverage alcohol personal bodyguard, Sandberg played in the assassination of Abra- writes: ham Lincoln in Ford's theater, "Parker was one of four officers Washington, on Good Friday, Apr. detailed from the police force of the 16, 1865. city to guard the president. . . . Lincoln, himself a lifelong ab- Thirty-five years old. . . . Joining stainer and from young manhood an the city's police force In '61. ... In opponent of liquor, was, in his fate- '63 tried on charges of conduct un- ful death, struck down by a drink becoming an officer through five crazed assassin chiefly by reason of drunken weeks of residence in a the fact that his personal aide, for house of prostitution. This was the the instant off guard, was refreshing man who some time later, in a way himself at a near-by bar with a glass never understood, had 'been detailed of his favorite intoxicant. for duty at the executive mansion These facts are detailed In com- by order of Mrs. Lincoln.' plementary fashion in the two vol- "On the night of Apr. 16, 1865, John umes, "The Man Who Killed Lin- F. Parker takes his place at the rear coln," by Philip Van Doran Stern, of the box close to" an entrance. and "The War Years," by Carl Sand- Either between acts or at some time burg. when the play was not lively enough In the striking story of John to suit hjm, or because of an urge Wilkes Booth, Philip Van Doran for a pony of whisky, John F. Parker Stern writes: leaves his seat, goes outside and

"It was four minutes after 10. . . , down the street for a little whiff of

Booth derided he needed a drink . . . liquor."

managed to slip ., . . into Peter Talta- While Parker was momentarily vul's barroom. . . . 'What'll it be?" fnrgettin? his duty, the assassin en- "Sam* as usual . , brandy . . . and

a glass of water,' . . . Booth finished tered. The rest is history.

THE LINCOLN OF EARLY YEARS. than any An earlier Lincoln, "nothing more who gave practicing attorney," and a man startling advice, was pictured by some rather when Campbell Crossan. The time was 1853, on what Crossan was foreman of track laying between then was the Great Western railroad Springfield and Decatur, 111.

road, "Mr Lincoln was attorney for the think he was one of the directors and I and Crossan said. "I was taken sick Mr Saturday was coming in to Springfield on a was sitting night to rest for a few days I pretty bad on the tool box and was feeling when Lincoln came up to me and said: told him. •What's the matter with you?' I to Springfield to I was sick and was going man. take a see a doctor. He said 'Young to see a doctor. rest, but you do not need do is to put on They are like lawyers, all they something that a very knowing look, give you nor any harm, will neither do you any good performs charge you a good fee, and nature drink as the cure What you want to do is to river water. little as possible of Sangamon some good You go to a country store and get water, whisky, and when you want a drink of kill the germs take a drink oLwhisky. It will and malaria.V^ C-'-'< J-owu^ 2--H--«

Washington and Lincoln on Liquor To the Editor: In February we celebrate the birthdays of two of our most illustrious cilizens— Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Not only are they honored for their wisdom and noble characters, but also for their advice and fore- sight. "7/] / (_ y . vuu.p. ^^^'A-^' './m Lincoln, whose birlhd/y we celebrate Feb. 12, said: "The liquor traffic is a cancer in society, eating out its vitals and threatening destruction, and all attempts to regulate it will not only prove abortive, but aggravate the evil. If the prohibition of slavery is good for. the black man, the prohibition of the liquor traffic is equally good and constitutional for the white man. J7/ )d-/L/2 "There must be no more attempts to 'regulate the cancer (liquor traffic); it must be eradicated; for until this be done, all classes must continue exposed, to become the victims of strong drink. The most effectual remedy would be the passage of a law altogether abolishing the liquor traffic. After reconstruction, the next great question will be the overthrow of the liquor traffic," (April 13, 1865). Lincoln said further: "Law must protect and conserve right things, and punish wrong things, and if there is any evil in the land that threatens society or individuals more than another, it is the liquor traffic. Under the license system the saloons multiply drunkards." George Washington said of the liquor problem: "Rum is injurious to the morals of the people. If I could have my wish, it would not be to di- minish but to annihilate the use of it in the United States." _ He also said: "Liquor is the source of all evil and the ruin of half the workmen of the country." —Leila E. Porter. Minneapolis. jl Lincoln Cited

(As Foe of Liquor

Editor, bemocrat and Chronicle: Everybody thinks or Lincoln as the Great Emancipator of the slaves. May I call the attention of your readers to the fact that Lin- coln longed to emancipate people from the clutches of liqiior. In Springfield, III., he said in 1.842, "Whether or not the world would be vastly benefited by a total and final banishment from it of all intoxicating drinks seems to me not now an open question. Three-fourths of mankind confirm the affirmative with their tongues, and I believe the rest acknowledge it in their hearts." Compare this which he said in 1842 with his letter during the Civil War period to Major Merwin, who was closely associated with him during the years of the Civil War. "Merwin. we have cleaned up with the help of the people a colossal job. Slavery is abolished. After reconstruction the next great question will be the abolition of the liquor traffic and you know, Merwin, that my head and heart and hand and purse, will' go into that work. In 1842—less than a quarter of a century ago— I predicted under the influence of God's spirit, that the time would come when there would be neither a slave nor a drunkard in the land. Thank God, I have lived to see one of these prophecies fulfilled." We are led to think that if Lin- coln had lived he would have tackled the liquor question. We need today some great leader with courage who will be willing to work against the enslavement of people through liquor. Hosea was disturbed by the condition in his time and said: "They feed upon the sins of my people, and they set their hearts on their iniquity." In 'other words some people * made their living through the sins of others. Does that not apply 'to the liquor interests now? They feed upon the sins of people, and they set their heart on their in-

iquity. The aim of the dealers is to get more people to drink more —although they try to make it apparent that they believe in moderation. But aren't they glamorizing liquor more and more and trying to make people feel that "they don't belong" unless they drink? Can't we get young people to realize that "It is smarter not to drink" because of all the scientific evidence of the effects of liquor? .V SCIENTIFIC THINKER.

I i J i

UN Dr. Louis A. Warren, Editor e Lincoln National Life Foundation Company, Fort Wayne, Indiana pJJblSd each week by The Lincoln National Life Insurance

INDIANA March 5, 1951 Number 1143 FORT WAYNE,

LINCOLN'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS ALCOHOLICS

acquaintance on the mind,' a redeemed specimen of long lost humanity, and The editor of Lincoln Lore has an the years had stands up with tears of joy trembling in eyes, to tell Pacific Coast whose business through intemperance. Recently of the miseries once endured, now to be endured no more suffered greatly because of his a message forever; of his once naked and starving children, now upon arriving in the city where he resides him a visit. clad and fed comfortably; of a wife, long weighted down from him was received urging that I pay appear- with woe, weeping, and a broken heart, now restored to Upon meeting him the remarkable change in his observed and health, happiness and renewed affection; and how easily ance and mental vigor was immediately months he it all is done, once it is resolved to be done; however he enthusiastically related that for several As a simple his language, there is a logic, and an eloquence in had been a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. . . . Nor the conclusion that it, that few, with human feelings, can resist. student of Lincoln he had come to sympathy comparatively recent organi- can his sincerity in any way be doubted; or his the basic elements in this example, be were clearly for those he would persuade to imitate his zation, whose principles he had embraced, . . . the conduct of men is designed to be temperance lecture which denied. When set forth in the remarkable persuasion, kind, unassuming persuasion, years ago. influenced, the Illinois lawyer had made one hundred should ever be adopted. . . . Those whom they desire to supple- com- The observations of this regenerated man were convince and persuade, are their old friends and mented by another speaker which appeared on the same panions. They know they are not demons, nor ever the program with me at the famous Los Angeles Breakfast worst of men. They know that generally, they are kind, had been the example of Club on the morning of February 7. He likewise generous, and charitable, even beyond persuaded me neighbors. a victim of overindulgence and his recital their more staid and sober the demon which had controlled him he that to shake off "By the Washingtonians, this system of consigning the pattern advocated by Lincoln a had also followed the habitual drunkard to hopeless ruin, is repudiated. I came to the conclusion after read- full century before. They adopt a more enlarged philanthropy. They go for Alcoholics Anonymous that the movement ing the book present as well as future good. They labor for all now revival of the old Washington Temper- was virtually a living, as well as all hereafter to live.—They teach hope Society whose members were known as the Wash- ance to all—despair to none. As applying to their cause, they ingtonians. deny the doctrine of unpardonable sin. As in Christianity was teach, that 'While the lamp On the evening of April 2, 1840 a public address it is taught, so in this they tippling." vilest siner may return.' And, delivered in Baltimore on the subject of "social holds out to burn, The in profound gratuation, they, One citizen who heard the lecture was instrumental what is a matter of the most example, prove the having the group of tipplers with whom he was asso- by experiment, and example upon true in the one case than in the ciated, consisting of two blacksmiths, a carpenter, a maxim to be no less coachmaker, a silversmith and a tailor, pledge them- chief of sinners, now the chief apostles of the cause. to total abstinence. This group formed the nucleus selves "But if it be true, as I have insisted, that those who organization named for the father of the country, for an have suffered by intemperance personally, and have re- the city bearing his name—which then, certainly not for formed, are the most powerful and efficient instruments especially now if the statistics on the per capita and to push the reformation to ultimate success, it does not consumption of liquor can be relied upon—would be follow, that those who have not suffered, have no part a misnomer indeed. left them to perform. Whether or not the world would be from it One point of difference in the two organizations was vastly benefitted by a total and final banishment now to be an in the qualification for membership. The Washingtonians of all intoxicating drinks, seems to me not confess the required all who joined to sign a pledge of total abstin- open question. Three-fourths of mankind believe, all the ence, while Alcoholics Anonymous appeals to those who affirmative with their tongues, and, I have passed from the early stages of social drinking rest acknowledge it in their hearts. into the human catastrophe bracket. However, the psy- "Turn now, to the temperance revolution. In it we chology used in the treatment of the unfortunates in both shall find a stronger bondage broken; a viler slavery groups is almost identical. manumitted; a greater tyrant deposed. In it, more of Although Abraham Lincoln was always a teetotaler, want supplied, more decease healed, more sorrow weeping. being in sympathy with the Washingtonians' method of assuaged. By it no orphans starving, no widows injured in interest. procedure, he joined the organization and gave several By it, none wounded in feeling, none glided lectures supporting the movement. The most important Even the dram maker and dram seller, will have have speech extant which he made on the subject of intem- into other occupations so gradually, as never to to join perance was delivered on February 22, 1842 before the felt the shock of change; and will stand ready Springfield (111.) Washington Temperance Society, held all others in the universal song of gladness. in the First Presbyterian Church. How Lincoln's attitude "And when the victory shall be complete—when there towards alcoholics coincides with the modern technique, shall be neither a slave nor a drunkard on the earth- crusade to rehabilitate men and women who in this new of that Land which may truly claim revealed how proud the title have been ostracized by society, can best be by revolu- to be the birthplace and the cradle of both those the following excerpts from his address of 1842: nobly tions, that shall have ended in that victory. How and "When one, who has long been known as a victim of distinguished that People, who shall have planted, moral intemperance, brusts the fetters that have bound him, nurtured to maturnity, both the political and and appears before his neighbors clothed, and in his right freedom of their species."

Pottsville Republican, Pennsylvania February 12, 1958

Lincoln Defended Candidate iAccused as Secret Drinker himl WASHINGTON (UP) — The Li- getting up a charge against passes for a tem- brary of Congress toasted Lincoln that while he he is in the habit of on his birthday today by releas- perate man secretly — and that they ing an unpublished draft of a let- drinking wrote on blending politics calculate on proving an instance ter he j Lincoln! and whisky. of the charge by you," Abe allowed he wasn't wrote. He said there apparently misunderstanding. against it. was a and thousands W The library released the letter "Thousands

. .have known Yates for more in announcing its receipt as a gift us. he said. "I have along with two others and a Lin- than 20 years," drink liquor, nor coln family Bible. never seen him if had been David Mearns, library manu- act," or speak as he smclled it on his script division chief and Lincoln drinking nor expert, said the letters and Bible breath." Lincoln said his vote [were a gift to the library's Lin- Anyway, absolutely upon coln papers collection — largest didn't "depend of whether a candi- in the world — by Lincoln's great the question I grandson Lincoln Isham of Dor- date does or does not taste liq- set, Vt. uor." noted Lincoln wrote the politics-and- A library spokesman election. liquor letter in 1854 to Richard Yates lost the show Yates James Oglesby, an Illinois politi- But he said records governor of ' cian, in support of Rep. Richard went on to become years later and was Yates who lived in Oglesby's dis- Illinois a few took the oath of trict. tipsy when he "I understand his enemies are office.

Pittsburgh Press February 12, 1958

•*: '' •''•' ;//>w*.y». 5i-.'if2\:- ::^V- '^Jfi®??**" '^'"^TIv.'TTT^'W^T'?'' Lincoln Letter Tells Views On Liquor Abe Defended Congressional Candidate Who Had Been Accused Of Imbibing

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (UP)—The Library of Congress toasted Lincoln on his birthday today by releasing an unpublished draft of a letter he wrote on

blending politics and whisky, ' ~ f Abe allowed he wasn't he is in the haoit of drinking secretly—and that they calcu- against it. late on proving an instance released the The library of the charge by you," Lin- receipt letter in announcing its coln wrote. He said there ap- others as a gift along with two parently was a misunderstand- family Bible. and a Lincoln ing. In one of the other letters, Lincoln promised to go to "Thousands and thousands

: . . have known church at' least once—on the of us 20 i Yates for more than Sunday he wrote It. The third! years," he said. "I have was a brief note introducing liquor, an unidentified person with [ never seen him drink he "acquaintance with Southern nor act, or speak as if drinking: nor localities" to a couple of had been Yankee generals. smelled it on his breath." Gift Of Grandson Anyway, Lincoln said his The library also announced vote "didn't "depend absolutely receipt of a Lincoln Bible that upon the question of whether apparently had "received little a candidate does or does not handling." The 'Bible was taste liquor." given to Lincoln by an admir- A library spokesman noted he er and passed on to Lincoln's Yates lost the election. But granddaughter Mary. said records show Yates went David Mearns, library manu- on to become governor of Illi- script division chief and Lin- nois a few years later and was coln expert, said the letters tipsy when he took the oath gift to the and Bible were a of office. . library's Lincoln papers col- Still later he ^was elected to lection—largest in the., world the U. S. Senate from which bv Lincoln's great granwon, he sent word to the people of Lincoln Isham of Dorset, Vt. Illinois that his imbibing never Lincoln wrote the politics- interferred with his official -md-liquor letter In 1854 to duties. Richard 'James Oglesby, an Illinois politician, in support of Rep. Richard Yates who lived in Oglesby's district.

,,. Defended Candidate "I understand his. enemies are getting up a charge against him" that while he passes for a temperate, man,

./.VW.-.W.V.W.'.'.

— I 7 U>\0

AGED 106 YEARS declined to hold it up for pho- tographers.

"I DON'T want the WCTU (Women's Christian Temper- Lincoln's Whisky ance Union) to see me pulling this bottle of liquor out," he said. Found in 'Time' Box Authorities opened the box in a search for blueprints of the capitol building, which SPRINGFIELD, I1L OJPD — ago by P. L. Howlett, whose they hope to restore to histor- An ancient bottle of whisky grandson, Lester Howlett of ical accuracy. However, some- Phoenix, Ariz., was on hand presented to Abraham Lin- one neglected to put the blue- when the tar-encrusted cor- coln more than a century ago prints in the box when it was nerstone "time box" was sealed in 1868. was found recently when au- opened. Other contents of the box thorities, opened the corner- flask The bore an Inscrip- included a previously unavail- stone of the Illinois capitol. tion which said: "This whisky able photograph of the build- Secretary of State Paul was presented to Abraham ing, a book of specifications used in building the capitol. Powell picked up the flask, Lincoln on Sept. 20, 1860, as swished the whisky . about, a few coins and histories of an emblem of his administra- and said: Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, tion. It is pure and will grow "Too bad Abe Is not here masonry, the United States better as it now to drink some of it." grows older." and Illinois. Another bottle of whisky New York and Illinois THE BOTTLE of whisky this one unmarked—was also newspapers were used as was distilled some 106 years found in the box. But Powell packing.

A Newsletter, Summer 196?

Abraham Lincoln on Alcoholism

It is interesting to note that over one hundred years ago, these words of insight and com- passion were spoken by Presi- dent Abraham Lincoln: In my judgment each of us wfw has never fallen victims (to alcoholism) has been spared more by the absence of appetite than from any mental or moral superiority over those who have.

Indeed, I believe if we lake Iiabitual drunkards as a class, their heads and their hearts will bear an advantageous comparison with those of any other class. There seems ever to have been a proneness in the brilliant and warm-blooded to fall into the vice; the demon of intemperance ever seems to have delighted in sucking the blood of genius and generosity. The victims should be pitied and compassioned, just as are the heirs of consumption and other hereditary diseases. Their failing should be treated as a misfortune, and not as a crime, or even a disgrace.

Lincoln Lore

Editor. Published each Bulletin of The Lincoln National Life Foundation...Mark E. Neely, Jr., Number 1622 April, 1973 month by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46801.

LINCOLN, DOUGLAS AND THE "MAINE LAW"

Holts Law and the use of cartoons, respectively. Other more specific items Note: I am heavily indebted to Michael Fitzgibbon Editor's indebtedness are noted in the text. the Republican Party m / itts- of _ Forging a Majority : The Formation of highly speculative matter of interpre- University Press. 1969) for the The following is, of course, a burgh, 181,8-1800 (New Haven: Yale the document in question. Party discussed below. tation but I know of no other treatment of interpretation of the origins of the Republican M. E. N., Jr. Soil, Free Labor, Free Men: I also owe a debt to Eric Foner's Free Republican Party before the Civil War (New The Ideology of the political cartoons gen- York: Oxford University Press. 1970). William H. Townsend s Lin- Anyone who has looked at the supplied coln and Liquor (New York: The Press of the Pioneers, 1934) the campaign of 1860 knows from the haunting temperance erated by many of the specificities of Lincoln's relationship to the in those cartoons Steward- presence of the anonymous black faces crusade. Clifford S. Griffin's Their Brothers' Keeper: Moral Uni- for the almost photographic like- ship in the United States, 1800-1805 (New Brunswick: Rutgers (otherwise remarkable he versity Press, 1960) and Stephen Hess and Milton Kaplans 1 nesses of politicians) that there was more to sectional History American Political Cartoons (New Ungentlemanlt) Art: A of conflict than disputes over the relative benefits of pro- York: Macmillan, 1968) were helpful for the impact of the Maine

' Vou have been- a bad bov^\ Stei'e<, erer sincej'ou hod right.' Columbia Vhttt's anything to do with that ! /'"' /"' tar it on to !"»> .At'ebraska Hill and'have \ rich/y drservt made agreat deal oftroidlei the Stri/a him /it I in the family and now setw Stars- rou for it _ \ pay __ ^.^

STEPHEN FINDING HIS MOTHER.

From the Lincoln National Life Foundation .

LINCOLN LORE

substantial tective tariffs and homestead legislation. Political car- nomer, for the New England Puritans drank in the toons can betray with forceful impact issues and contro- quantities of wine and rum. Hoping to live simply in versies slighted or forgotten by historians who examine world but not of it, they held an ideal of moderation conventional campaign documents like formal party plat- alcoholic consumption. Moderation (in everything) was and such forms. The problem, of course, is to interpret the picture the ideal of the eighteenth-century in America, thinkers as Benjamin Franklin correctly, and it is an especially difficult problem when "enlightened" American or impair the cartoon utilizes puns or veiled references to now-for- thought that one should not drink to excess animals, gotten scandals and headlines of the day. Both the virtue that faculty which separated man from the and the difficulty of using political cartoons are well reason. illustrated by the Currier and Ives political cartoon pic- It would be more proper to call teetotalism "Victorian," tured on the front of this bulletin. for prohibition sentiment dates from the nineteenth cen- Nathaniel Currier and James Merritt Ives employed tury, in particular, from the enthusiastic revivals of Awakening. crucial move artists to draw cartoons critical of all candidates in a America's Second Great The of the presidential contest. In some cases, the same artist drew in this change of sentiment was the identification cartoons both for and against a candidate; Louis Maurer, consumption of alcohol as a sin. By the 1830's, an ever- thought that drinking for example, did both pro- and anti-Lincoln cartoons increasing number of Americans even though he apparently voted for Lincoln in 1860. held back the millennium, and that the person who profferred The cartoons were printed in large numbers to sell at aspired to a virtuous life must say "no" to any bulk rates to interested parties (no doubt to local political drink. purchased moral headquarters) ; the cartoons could also be The Maine Law also signalled a move from singly. American cartoonists did not go in for caricature, suasion to legal coercion as the way to encourage the but instead drew scrupulously accurate facial likenesses defeat of the sin of drunkenness. It split the anti-liquor and depended for humor on the improbable physical situ- movement (already split between old-fashioned advocates case, ation the candidates were involved in — in this of temperance and advocates of total abstinence) , and Stephen Douglas's being whipped by his "marm," Colum- it also had cataclysmic effects on American political bia, the female personification of the United States. parties. The "Maine Law Agitation," as it was some- immediately to Vermont, which A cartoon like this one, recently added to the Library times called, spread in 1852 endorsed by an and Museum's collection, serves to remind us of forgotten passed a prohibition measure Michigan and Wis- controversies and headlines, but requires considerable 1853 referendum. The legislatures of these too exegesis for that very reason: the issue is forgotten or consin produced prohibition measures in 1853; obscure today. The caption is a case in point. The situ- were endorsed by referenda. ation was suggested by the improbable explanations of- Significantly, when the Maine Law agitation hit Illi- fered for Douglas's behavior in the 1860 campaign. As nois in the early 1850's, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen a carry-over from colonial political ideals, Americans in Douglas could be found on different sides of the ques- the nineteenth century held that the office should seek tion. That is not to say that Lincoln was a Maine Law the man rather than the man the office. American presi- man (though some have claimed he was) or that Douglas dential candidates did not take to the stump for them- was a drunkard (though some have claimed he was) selves or for their party before 1860. Stephen Douglas But Lincoln, who was by all reports abstinent in his broke precedent in campaigning vigorously for his elec- personal drinking habits, did, in 1853, place his name tion to the presidency in 1860. The shock to contemporary with that of thirty-eight other Springfield citizens re- American assumptions about seemly political behavior is questing the publication of a sermon by the Reverend documented in the cartoon below and in the lame excuse James Smith entitled "A Discourse on the Bottle — Its offered by some Democrats that Douglas was giving Evils, and the Remedy; or, A Vindication of the Liquor- speeches on the way to visit his mother's home. From Seller, and the Liquor Drinker, from Certain Aspersions this controversy stemmed the situation in the recently Cast upon Them by Many," delivered before a convention acquired cartoon as well. of the Maine Law Alliance in Springfield. One should not Discourse Having found "his mother," Douglas was administered jump to the conclusion from the title that the drinkers. On the contrary, it a whipping, according to this cartoon, but not, apparent- justified liquor sellers and but it pointed to the legislature which ly, just because he had breached political decorum by attacked them, seller the legal authority to traffic in seeking the office actively. It is the "Maine Law" with gave the liquor servants which Columbia administers the lashing. Again, the issue spirits and the people of whom they were the for the drunkard. seems obscure. as the ultimate culprits responsible The letter was non-committal in regard to the substance In 1851, Maine passed the first state-wide prohibition of the lecture, and, perhaps significantly, referred to forbidding the manufacture and sale of alcoholic law "temperance" rather than total abstinence or prohibition: beverages. It was an important event, symbolizing a D.: Springfield, January 24, 1853. radical turn in American sentiments about the consump- Rev. James Smith, D. tion of alcoholic beverages. Contrary to popular opinion, Sir: —The undersigned having listened with great America has not had a long anti-liquor heritage. To say satisfaction to the discourse, on the subject of temper- "teetotalism" is "puritanical," for instance, is a mis- ance, delivered by you on last evening, and believing, that, if published and circulated among the people, it would be productive of good; would respectfully request a copy thereof for publication. Very Respectfully, Your friends: Simeon Francis, R. F. Ruth. G. Jayne, Thomas Lewis, J. B. McCandless. J. C. Planck, John Irwin, C. Birchall, John E. Denny. A. Camp. J. B. Fosselman. W. M. Cowgill. E. G. Johns, Henry M. Brown, D. E. Ruckel, John Williams. Thomas Moffett. Thomas M. Taylor, John T. Stuart, B. S. Edwards, John A. Chesnut, A. Maxwell. Thomas Alsop, Mat. Stacy, H. Vanhoff, W. B. Cowgill, H. S. Thomas, D. Spear, M. Greenleaf, B. B. Brown, Reuben Coon, James W. Barret. William F. Aitkin. Henry Yeakle, P. Wriprht. Allen Francis. E. B. Pease. S. Grubb, sr.. A. Lincoln.

[Roy Basler, ed., The Collected Works of Abraham Press, Lincoln, II (New Brunswick : Rutgers University "TAKING THE STUMP"0R STEPHEN IN SEARCH OF HIS MOTHER. 1953), 188.] from Though it is impossible to prove conclusively available evidence whether Lincoln was a prohibitionist temperance or not, it is certain that he was at least a In fact, the signing of the letter to James From the Lincoln National Life Foundation advocate. LINCOLN LORE

some dear relative, more promising in Smith culminated more than ten years' interest in the call to mind fellows, who has fallen a sacrifice temperance movement for Lincoln. As early as 1842, he youth than all his He ever seems to have gone forth, had addressed a meeting of The Washington Society, a to his rapacity? Egyptian angel of death, commissioned to temperance organization founded by reformed drunkards like the slay if not the first, the fairest born of every family. and committed to persuading people to take a pledge to Shall he now be arrested in his desolating career? In abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages. Lincoln con- all can give aid that will; and who shall demned attacks on drunkards as mentally or morally that arrest, excused that can, and will not? Far around as inferior and endorsed temperance advocated by "per- be breath has ever blown, he keeps our fathers, suasion, kind, unassuming persuasion": human our brothers, our sons, and our friends, prostrate in not the world would be vastly benefitted Whether or the chains of moral death. To all the living every and final banishment from it of all intoxi- by a total where, we cry, "come sound the moral resurrection seems to me not now to be an open cating drinks, trump, that these may rise and stand up, an ex- of mankind confess the affirm- question. Three-fourths ceeding great army"—"Come from the four winds, tongues, and, I believe, all the rest ative with their breath! and breathe upon these slain, that they acknowledge it in their hearts. may live." Ought any, then, to refuse their aid in doing what If the relative grandeur of revolutions shall be the good of the whole demands? Shall he, who cannot estimated by the great amount of human misery they do much, be, for that reason, excused if he do nothing? alleviate, and the small amount they inflict, then, "But," says one, "what good can I do by signing the indeed, will this be the grandest the world shall ever This pledge? I never drink even without signing." have seen. Of our political revolution of '76, we all question has already been asked and answered more are justly proud. It has given us a degree of political than millions of times. Let it be answered once more. freedom, far exceeding that of any other of the nations other to For the man to suddenly, or in any way, of the earth. In it the world has found a solution of break off from the use of drams, who has indulged in that long mooted problem, as to the capability of appetite them for a long course of years, and until his man to govern himself. In it was the germ which has fold stronger, for them has become ten or a hundred vegetated, and still is to grow and expand into the and more craving, than any natural appetite can be, universal liberty of mankind. In such an requires a most powerful moral effort. But with all these glorious results, past, present, support and in- undertaking, he needs every moral and to come, it had its evils too. It breathed forth fluence, that can possibly be brought to his aid, and famine, swam in blood and rode on fire; and long, long moral thrown around him. And not only so; but every after, the orphan's cry, and the widow's wail, con- might prop, should be taken from whatever argument tinued to break the sad silence that ensued. These rise in his mind to lure him to his backsliding. When were the price, the inevitable price, paid for the should be able to he casts his eyes around him, he blessings it bought. admires, and all see, all that he respects, all that he Turn now, to the temperance revolution. In it, we loves, kindly and anxiously pointing him slavery, that [he?] shall find a stronger bondage broken ; a viler former onward; and none beckoning him back, to his manumitted; a greater tyrant deposed. In it, more miserable "wallowing in the mire." of want supplied, more disease healed, more sorrow But it is said by some, that men will think and act assuaged. By it no orphans starving, no widows weep- for themselves; that none will disuse spirits or any ing. By it, none wounded in feeling, none insured in thing else, merely because his neighbors do; and that interest. Even the dram-maker, and the dram seller, moral influence is not that powerful engine contended will have glided into other occupations so gradually, for. Let us examine this. Let me ask the man who as never to have felt the shock of change; and will would maintain this position most stiffly, what com- stand ready to join all others in the universal song pensation he will accept to go to church some Sunday of gladness. and sit during the sermon with his wife's bonnet upon And what a noble ally this, to the cause of his head? Not a trifle, I'll venture. And why not? There political freedom. With such an aid, its march cannot would be nothing irreligious in it: nothing immoral, fail to be on and on, till every son of earth shall nothing uncomfortable. Then why not? Is it not be- drink in rich fruition, the sorrow quenching draughts cause there would be something egregiously unfash- of perfect liberty. Happy day, when, all appetites ionable in it? Then it is the influence of fashion; and controled, all passions subdued, all matters subjected, what is the influence of fashion, but the influence that mind, all conquering mind, shall live and move the other people's actions have [on our own?] actions, the monarch of the world. Glorious consummation! Hail strong inclination each of us feels to do as we see fall of Fury! Reign of Reason, all hail! all our neighbors do? Nor is the influence of fashion And when the victory shall be complete — when confined to any particular thing or class of things. there shall be neither a slave nor a drunkard on the It is just as strong on one subject as another. Let us earth — how proud the title of that Land, which may make it as unfashionable to withhold our names from truly claim to be the birth-place and the cradle of the temperance pledge as for husbands to wear their both those revolutions, that shall have ended in that wives bonnets to church, and instances will be just victory. How nobly distinguished that People, who as rare in the one case as the other. shall have planted, and nurtured to maturity, both say some, "we are no drunkards; and we the political and moral freedom of their species. "But," Abraham shall not acknowledge ourselves such by joining a [Roy Basler, ed., The Collected Works of Press, reformed drunkard's society, whatever our influence Lincoln, I (New Brunswick: Rutgers University might be." Surely no Christian will adhere to this 1953), 276, 277, 278-279.] objection. If they believe, as they profess, that Omni- I say the Smith letter culminated Lincoln's association potence condescended to take on himself the form of with temperance agitation advisedly, because after 1853 sinful man, and, as such, to die an ignominious death he was rather conspicuously silent on the issue. When a for their sakes, surely they will not refuse submission Maine Law referendum campaign was being vigorously to the infinitely lesser condescension, for the temporal, waged in Illinois in 1855, Lincoln was thinking about a and perhaps eternal salvation, of a large, erring, and Senate seat and apparently took no active part in the unfortunate class of their own fellow creatures. Nor prohibition campaign. is the condescension very great. Lincoln's silence may have been dictated by the politi- for volatile it was. In my judgment, such of us as have never fallen cal volatility of the prohibition issue, that the roots of the victims, have been spared more from the absence of In fact, some historians now think not simply in the appetite, than from any mental or moral superiority Republican Party are to be found in a whole complex of issues over those who have. Indeed, I believe, if we take slavery extension issue but including slavery exten- habitual drunkards as a class, their heads and their that disrupted the old parties, example, Stephen ) hearts will bear an advantageous comparison with sion, prohibition, and nativism. For reliable witness where those of any other class. There seems ever to have Douglas, admittedly hardly a concerned, said in 1855 that been a proneness in the brilliant, and the warm- Republican intentions are into being by the blooded, to fall into this vice. The demon of intemper- the new political movement brought crucible into which poured ance ever seems to have delighted in sucking the blood Kansas-Nebraska Act was "a was left of genius and of generosity. What one of us but can Abolitionism, Maine liquor law-ism, and what LINCOLN LORE

this discussion is sug- of northern Whiggism, and then the Protestant feeling An interesting postscript to cartoon not in against the Catholic and the native feeling against the gested by still another Currier and Ives foreigner." Douglas, incidentally, opposed all the move- the possession of the Lincoln Library and Museum. Ap- money by ments he mentioned, opposed the Illinois prohibition law, parently the printers saved some time and the lash carrying the and, according to his biographers, was himself given to publishing the same cartoon with Maine." rather frequent and heavy comsumption of strong drink. label not of "Maine Law" but of "News from not necessarily Douglas was not alone in viewing the origins of the In 1860, the national election day was Indiana, two Republican Party this way; a Connecticut political ob- election day for the states. Pennsylvania and Republicans, voted in October for server in 1854, for example, commented on the "political crucial states for the in relation state offices. Maine was the first state in the Union to revolution . . . growing out of the excitement state elections were held in September. At- to the Kansas-Nebraska outrage, and the Maine Law vote; their electoral vote was focused question." tention out of proportion to the on Maine for this reason. Lincoln expressed his concern The State of Indiana provides an interesting example. in a letter to his vice-presidential running mate Hanni- According to Emma Lou Thornbrough's, Indiana in the bal Hamlin on September 4, 1860: Civil War Era, 1850-1880 (Indianapolis: Indiana His- Springfield, Illinois, September 4, 1860. torical Society, 1966), the 1852 state elections saw tem- by a letter from perance advocates demanding a Maine Law and urging My dear Sir: I am annoyed some which the following passage voters not to vote for candidates of either party who a friend in Chicago, in that two members were on record against such legislation. The state legis- occurs: "Hamlin has written Colfax fears, lost in Maine the first lature in 1853 responded feebly with a local option law of Congress will, he be — that Washburne's majority for allowing each township to decide each year whether to and sixth districts; and six thousand." prohibit liquor sales or not. This was declared uncon- governor will not exceed stitutional by the Indiana Supreme Court, and in 1854 I had heard something like this six weeks ago, prohibition advocates increased their efforts. Significant- but had been assured since that it was not so. Your ly, the Democratic Party's state convention responded secretary of state,—Mr. Smith, I think,—whom you with a platform plank condemning prohibition legisla- introduced to me by letter, gave this assurance; more tion. Democrats left their party on account of this plank recently, Mr. Fessenden, our candidate for Congress as well as the Kansas-Nebraska bill, so that — again as in one of those districts, wrote a relative here that his Thornbrough points out — disaffected Democrats com- election was sure by at least five thousand, and that plained about two things: "Democrats Arouse! Those Washburne's majority would be from 14,000 to 17,000;

. Hampshire, now who aspire to be our leaders have betrayed us . . and still later, Mr. Fogg, of New they have attempted to bind and sell us to the slave at New York serving on a national committee, wrote driver of the South, and the rum seller of the North." me that we were having a desperate fight in Maine, These same groups later merged with Whigs and Know- which would end in a splendid victory for us. Nothings to form the Republican Party. Thus some peo- Such a result as you seem to have predicted in ple certainly voted Republican because they identified Maine, in your letter to Colfax, would, I fear, put the Democrats with liquor, whatever they may have us on the down-hill track, lose us the State elections thought of the slavery issue. in Pennsylvania and Indiana, and probably ruin us The anti-Democratic coalition called the People's Party on the main turn in November. Republicans) which (many of whom would later become You must not allow it. Yours very truly, A. Lincoln. gained control of the state legislature in Indiana in the [From Roy P. Basler, ed., The Collected Works of 1854 elections, passed a prohibition law, also struck down Abraham Lincoln, IV (New Brunswick, New Jersey: by the Indiana Supreme Court in 1855. The same was Rutgers University Press, 1953), 110.] states as well. Anti-liquor Republicans at- true in other Hamlin denied Lincoln's charge, and Maine belied the tempted to pass a prohibition law in Wisconsin in 1855, prediction in the election. The total vote in Maine was which was amended by the State Senate to exempt cider, the largest ever cast, and all of the Republican con- wine, and beer and then vetoed by the Democratic gov- gressional candidates won. Thus did the state of Maine ernor. Anti-Nebraska forces in Iowa behind their gover- administer its lashing to Stephen Douglas. nor James W. Grimes, an anti-slavery temperance Whig who would become a Republican, also passed a Maine Law, repealed in 1856. tit. had />/> „li„„t,m If anti-Democratic forces were so frequently against \ •tflUmrttdo mth-tfr for In I Mhraska VMtmdhan. liquor, then the obvious question is, why did Lincoln be- j tad& a anal dial ofuoiiilA late . I,//'/,' I issue in the I come more silent on the temperance , t/„ thimlr and now IU 1850's? The answer, to make a long story short, is that injrotttorM- ^ in most states of the Old Northwest, Republicans quickly hushed up the temperance issue in order to gain the German vote, which could often be attracted to plat- forms opposing the extension of slavery but which most often opposed prohibition of alcoholic beverages. In Illinois, according to James M. Bergquist in "People and Politics in Transition: The Illinois Germans, 1850-60" (in Frederick C. Luebke, ed., Ethnic Voters and the Election of Lincoln [Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 1971]), Republicans in the mid-1850's figured it was more important to accommodate the Ger- mans, who otherwise would return to their traditional Democratic voting habits, than the temperance advocates, who would hardly be likely to turn to the anti- prohibition Democratic Party. With this elaborate background of mid-century political events, the cartoon under discussion takes on con- siderably more meaning and significance. Obviously the cartoon attests to the fact that prohibition sentiment was not a dead matter for some people even by 1860. Perhaps in localities where the German community was insignificant in number, such a cartoon could have been used to rally prohibitionists against Douglas. About the specific uses of specific cartoons and their volume of dis- tribution in particular areas we at present know very little. But the existence of the cartoon should stand STEPHEN FINDING HIS MOTHER as a warning to historians who would place exclusive emphasis on the slavery issue in the politics of the 1850's and the campaign of 1860. From the Lincoln National JAfe. Foundation Bulletin of The Lincoln National Life Foundation. ..Mark E. Neely, Jr., Editor. Published each month The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46801. by Number 1637 July, 1974 A NEW VOLUME OF LINCOLN'S WORKS

The unsung heroes of the historical profession are the mined by many historians for many years to come; the persons who patiently gather and meticulously annotate the Supplement will be cited in footnote after footnote. It would be future papers of important Americans. The collected works of Henry downright Faustian to attempt to weigh its impact on Clay, Jefferson Davis, Andrew Johnson, John C. Calhoun, Lincoln scholarship. This review will confine itself to the Supplement Daniel Webster, Ulysses S. Grant the Adams family, and suggesting just a few of the ways in which Woodrow Wilson are currently in the process of being issued can help the Lincoln student. stem mostly from the period of in series of bound volumes which will be available in every The pre-Civil War materials of Representatives in sizable public library for everyone who has an interest in Lincoln's single term in the House of the 1850's. American history. This inestimably valuable service will Washington and from the confusing politics Lincoln became an mean greater scholarship in greater quantity, for these Anyone who is of the mind that Abraham because he forgot the simple collections save the student from long trips (and expensive opponent of the Mexican War constituents and was dazzled by the lodging) and from looking up the many names, titles, and patriotism of his Western to cope with the material in the organizations mentioned in correspondence. The standards Eastern Whig greats will have Supplement. True, Lincoln was for these volumes are high. Texts he said, "a good deal flattered are accurate. Routine materials by" invitations to speak in places devoid of content are often calen- that were far from his of wading like Boston dared to save the effort Springfield constituents. through meaningless scraps and Nevertheless, Lincoln was just perfunctory verbiage. The foot- as "desirous of advising my con- explaining the cir- notes settlement of the cumstances of the cor- stituents of the an early day" when the respondence are often so claims at claims affected his home base. elaborate and informative that The latter phrase appears in a they constitute a source fully as written to the second important as biographies. letter auditor of the Treasury Depart- Roy P. Basler did much to set ment (a typical example, inciden- these high editorial standards. tally, of those pieces of informa- eight-volume edition of The His hard to find but Works Abraham tion that are Collected of which Mr. Basler so generously Lincoln published by Rutgers supplies) concerning the back University Press in 1953 was a pay of a soldier in the Illinois model for later editions of the Volunteers. Lincoln cooperated papers of America's public even with Democrat Stephen figures. After twenty-one years, Douglas in seeking a promotion however, a sufficient number of to brevet lieutenant colonel for Lincoln manuscripts have come Brevet Major Backenstos of the to light to require a supplemental Illinois Mounted Rifles for this landmark series. volume to conduct at the Battle of Works Abraham gallant The Collected of Chapultepec. Lincoln was not Lincoln: Supplement 1832-1865, neglecting the interests of his P. Basler again but edited by Roy constituents even when those the Greenwood published by constituents were veterans of the Connecticut, Press in Westport, war he opposed. is a must for even the smallest Lincoln s theory of representa- most rudimentary Lincoln and tion would hardly have allowed collection. Every student of him to do otherwise. In a letter of — indeed, every history recommendation written for one — is once again American citizen George H. Holtzman, a resident Mr. Basler's debt. in From the Lincoln National Life Foundation of the District of Columbia, Lin- It is a tribute to the thorough- coln said, "I can not recommend of Mr. Basler's original Congressman-elect Abraham Lincoln ness him as an Illinoian; because efforts and to the fame of Abra- here [Illinois] would have just cause ham Lincoln that the Supplement publishes for the most applicants now resident of me." He went on to recommend Holtzman as part only the shards and fragments of Lincoln's voluminous to complain candidate; Lincoln proved himself correspondence. Commonly as many as four items appear on otherwise a worthy his constituency. The event recalls a a page of the book — an indication that most of the items, scrupulously faithful to to Elihu Washburne from Volume 11 of lhe especially after 1860, are one- and two-line endorsements little-quoted letter Collected Works: written on the backs of letters seeking Lincoln's authority and , , objection of your friend at Winnebago rather consent for appointments to government jobs. As Lincoln The astonishes me. For a Senator to be the impartial represen- himself expressed it in one of the letters published in the whole State, is so plain a duty, that I pledge Supplement, this correspondence deals for the most part with tative of his the observance of it without hesitation; but not the "same everlasting subject — that of filling offices." myself to without some mortification that any one should suspect me This is not the sort of material that will drastically alter inclination to the contrary. I was eight years a Lincoln's historical reputation, but it is far from useless, of an of Sangamon county in the Legislature; and, especially because Mr. Basler's careful job of annotation representative of interests between that and other of historical events involving many although, in a conflict explains a myriad to to Old counties, it perhaps would have been my duty stick historic personalities. This is the sort of book that will be LINCOLN LORE

that the Lincoln's theory of representation did not prevent him from Sangamon; yet it is not within my recollection with other representatives on projects of broad Northern members ever wanted my vote for any interest of cooperating member of scope, and it did not prevent him from cultivating contacts . . I was a theirs, without getting it. . Again, useful should he ever have I might appeal to Mr. outside his district which would be . . I think Congress one term. . Now the chance to represent an area larger than a congressional Turner and yourself, whether you did not always have my district. To Thomas J. Henderson of Stark County Lincoln feeble service for the asking. In the case of conflict, I might wrote in 1847 of his "intention to snatch a moment now and without blame, have prefered my own District. As a should feel no then, to send documents to some friends out of my district." Senator, I should claim no right, as I Lincoln also showed a willingness to follow the people's will, inclination, to give the central portion of the state any even if it should lead to the advantage of the Democrats. Thus preference over the North, or any other portion of it. he wrote Ebenezer T. Miller from Washington in 1849: and not a narrow-minded provincial Lincoln was cooperative Your letter in relation to the Post-office at Jacksonville, is horizons of his constituents, but he recognized bounded by the received. I do not know, as yet, whether Mr. Happy will be to service as a deputy of the direct interests of his first duty be removed, nor if he shall, whether I shall be permitted to constituency. his immediate name the person to fill the vacancy. If, however, this of representation as a makeshift tor direct Lincoln's concept responsibility shall fall upon me, I shall have no motive in rather than as an improvement on and buffer democracy the exercise of it, other than to oblige the good and was also good politics. Baslers against democracy intelligent people of Jacksonville, and vicinity. And if, with confirms again that Lincoln was a skilled Supplement all the lights before me, when the time comes, their the political arts. He knew that judges shared practitioner of perference shall seem to be for you, I shall be most happy to were not independent arbiters of his political universe and gratify both them and you. discussing an Illinois judiciary bill in 1841, Lincoln justice. In Miller was a Democrat. T. Stuart: "The five new Judges will of put it plainly to John Such political flexibility and skill helped to thrustLincoln Locos, and they, being a majority, that tribunal course be to considerable prominence in the politics of the 1850's. There becomes a Loco concern." Lincoln used that necessarily is a very interesting remark in one letter written to Richard of political friends and political fiercely partisan language Yates in 1855 and published in the Supplement; Lincoln was calculation and timing which have enemies and that cool speculating on his chances for election as United States shock, and amaze the American never ceased to puzzle, Senator by Anti-Nebraska forces in the Illinois legislature. Supplement prints this example, a letter written people. The The Bissell movement of which you speak, I have had my F. James, editor of the Tazewell Whigm in 1845 to Benjamin eye upon, ever since before the commencement of the Illinois: Tremont, session; and it is now perhaps as dangerous a card as we communica- Yours of the 4th., informing me of Hardin's have to play against. There is no danger, as I think, of the intends tion and letter, is received the certainty that he A[nti]. N[ebraska]. men uniting on him, but the danger is surprise to me. . . to run for congress ... [is no] matter of . that the Nebraska men, failing to do better, will turn onto him. To Now as to the probable result of a contest with him en masse, and then a few A.N. men, wanting a pretext secure these, succeed, I must have 17 votes in convention. To only, will join on him, pretending to believe him an A.N. — Menard 2 — I think I may safely claim — Sangamon 8 man. He can not get a single sincere Anti Nebraska vote. At if other friends can Logan 1, making 11, so that, you and least, so I think. that is — secure Dr. Boal's entire senatorial district — William Bissell soon became the first Republican governor of it just covers the Tazewell 4 — Woodford 1 and Marshall 1, Illinois. Although he was a former Democrat with whom particular friends in Cass, and who in the case. . . . Some of Baker's Lincoln had tangled upon occasion in his early years that county; but I do are now my friends, think I could carry Illinois legislature, Lincoln had considerable influence with whole, it is my not think there is any chance for it. Upon the the Bissell administration and even drafted some of the intention to give him the trial, unless clouds should rise Governor's messages. A hasty check of the citations of determination you need which are not yet discernable. This Bissell's name in the index to the original Collected Works of not however, as yet, announce in your paper — at least not Abraham Lincoln revealed no unfavorable remarks about look-out as coming from me It is desireable that a sharp Bissell after their pre-1850 disagreements. Lincoln's political with from those should be kept, and every whig met acumen allowed him to cooperate with and influence men this, I want counties, talked to, and initiated. . . . More than with whom he was not particularly in agreement. track" as you to watch, and whenever you see a "moccasan Most of the items in the Supplement date from the Civil I be of a indian fighters say, notify me of it I fear shall War, and most of the Civil War items are endorsements. great deal of trouble to you in this matter; but rest assured, Endorsements do not make particularly delightful reading, course, I can. . . . This letter is, of that I will be grateful when and one suspects that some scorn attaches to them. They it's being confidential; tho I should have no objection to contain only a sentence or two of Abraham Lincoln's words, seen by a few friends, in your discretion, being sure first that they are friends. For readers interested in Lincoln the man, the glimpses are rare enough. The Supplement, however, does reveal one very rare instance of Lincoln's sense of the artificiality of the political world, his sense of isolation as a man with hundreds of political "friends" but few personal ones. On his birthday in 1849, Lincoln wrote privately to David Davis, "Out of more than than [sic] three hundred letters received this session, for yours is the second one manifesting the least interest me

. personally." the A less revealing personal trait is confirmed by Supplement, Lincoln's personal distaste for alcohol but his toleration of occasional weakness on this score among others. rent To Richard J. Oglesby in 1854 when Illinois politics were with slavery, nativist, and temperance agitations, Lincoln wrote, "Other things being equal, I would much prefer a temperate man, to an intemperate one; still I do not make my vote depend absolutely upon the question of whether a candidate does or does not taste liquor." Nine years later, Lincoln expressed the same sort of conviction in the case of Captain John N. Riedenbach of the 158th N.Y. Vols., "dismissed from the service, on the Charge of 'Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.' " Lincoln saw "evidence [of] ... a good deal of boisterous misconduct, during inclined "to think he does a single case of intoxication," but he From the Lincoln National Life Foundation not habitually get in that condition." Lincoln, therefore, had Lincoln in Philadelphia, February, 1861 L no objection to Riedenbach's being reappointed to the service. LINCOLN LORE

chooses as the Supplement's frontispiece. and they deal with matters that might be variously which Mr. Basler Charles Sumner is little more than an endorse- characterized as mundane or sordid, to wit, patronage and the This letter to is very important: granting of favors. Yet endorsements are not without their ment, but it value. Governments are inevitably governments of men as The bearer of this is the widow of Major Booth, who fell at well as laws, even in America, and patronage and favors are Fort Pillow. She makes a point, which I think very worthy of therefore the nuts and bolts of day-to-day political machinery. consideration which is, widows and children in fact, of law, the Note, for example, how important a knowledge of political colored soldiers who fall in our service, be placed in have appointments is to William Dusinberre's refreshing inter- same as if their marriages were legal, so that they can pretation of Abraham Lincoln's presidency in Civil War the benefit of the provisions made the widows & orphans of Issues in Philadelphia, 1856-1865 (Philadelphia: University white soldiers. Please see & hear Mrs. Booth. 1965): of Pennsylvania Press, In fact, there are several interesting references in the The situation in Philadelphia presents a useful point of Supplement to ethnic and religious groups, all of which tend departure for interpreting the career of Lincoln, who has to confirm Lincoln's tolerant attitudes. In 1861, Lincoln wrote sometimes been portrayed as conservative and oppor- to Secretary of War Simon Cameron in regard to the religious tunistic in his antislavery policy. When Lincoln, in the interests of the army personnel at Governor's Island, New debates with Douglas in 1858, was attacking popular York: "A catholic priest attends, & if the Govt, pays the should sovereignty on the grounds that territorial slavery Protestant anything, it is thought, as much might be done for be conclusively prohibited, Philadelphia's Peoples Party the Catholic." Lincoln ordered Edwin M. Stanton to appoint upheld popular sovereignty as its rallying point against Cheme M. Levy as an Assistant Quarter-Master because, as Lincoln's Philadelphia Buchanan. In February, 1861, Lincoln put it, "I believe we have not yet appointed a speech favoring Negro rights contrasted remarkably with Hebrew." Indeed, the most fascinating minor character to the the prevailing local tone. The new President appointed appear in the Supplement is one Isachar Zacharie, a Jewish of most radical of the city's important Republicans as head doctor whose "peculiar profession," as Lincoln described it, Fort Sumter was the custom house. His decision to supply was to operate on the corns and bunions of America's foot- more decisively unionist than was editorial opinion in weary army. Zacharie was also a conduit of information on the Philadelphia at the moment. William White's speech at conditions in the South, which apparently he gained from Democratic meeting in 1862 makes the President's well- conversations with Jewish Southerners. There are half a known letter to Horace Greeley appear as an astute move to dozen passes and letters of introduction for Dr. Zacharie in the disarm the growing opposition, while preparing the Supplement. grounds for emancipation. After the proclamation was Let the reader not be deceived: not all the endorsements and finally issued, the Ledger's opposition, the Inquirer's fragments from the Civil War period are as interesting as hesitation to declare itself, and Mayor Henry's later silence, these. Some deal with subjects as lowly and mundane as the all snowed how far Lincoln's action was beyond the appointment of a Superintendent of Life Boats on the Coast of expectation of most local residents. In 1863 the President Long Island, just the sort of petty concern that the idea of appointed a Massachusetts general, who felt deep sym- presidential patronage always conjures up in an American's pathy for Negro soldiers, to command in Philadelphia, and mind. only later replaced this officer with a man whose views Nevertheless, it is to be hoped that this review has sug- corresponded more closely to the local temper. gested something of the range of uses to which Mr. Basler's Readers of Lincoln Lore No. 1633 will recall how helpful it wonderful Supplement may be put by the Lincoln student. would be to have an endorsement or two suggesting the It is worth repeating that the book is a must for Lincoln channels through which Alvin Hovey's replacement of Henry students and that we all owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. secure Carrington as commander of the military district including Basler. And it will detract nothing from his already Indiana flowed. fame to add that, in a sense, the Supplement is really a Of particular interest to Lincoln Lore's readers too is one of cooperative effort. As the discovery of Professor George the Supplement's few letters dating from the Civil War period. reveals, Lincoln students found things and called them to Mr. Professor Joseph George, Jr., of Villanova University called Basler's attention. Many of the items that are reprinted in the they to the editor's attention a Lincoln letter which he had Supplement are in the hands of private collectors, and discovered in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, a letter too must be complimented for their generosity. Various which establishes conclusively the influence on Lincoln of Lincoln institutions and universities throughout the country Charles Janeway Stille's pamphlet How A Free People contributed their parts as well. It is certainly to be hoped that Conduct a Long War. Professor George discussed the letter this spirit of cooperation among Lincoln students will con- and the pamphlet in an article entitled "Charles J. Stille, tinue. 'Angel of Consolation,'" in The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, LXXXV, pp. 303-315. Professor George also contacted Mr. Basler, and the letter appears in Basler's Supplement. This is Lincoln's letter to Charles J. Stille on December 31, 1862: Your letter of the 27th and pamphlet were duly received, and for which please accept my sincere thanks. The pamphlet is far the best production upon the subj ect it treats which I have seen. The reading, and re-reading of it has afforded me great pleasure, and I believe also some profit. May I express the hope that you will not allow your pen to rest. Interestingly enough, the mention of "re-reading" the pamphlet suggests that Orville H. Browning's recollection that Lincoln read the entire pamphlet aloud to him is not as unlikely to be true as it sounds. The items from the Civil War period show, among other things, Lincoln's loyalty to his old friends. Lincoln had had a political falling out with Joshua Speed by 1860, though a letter in the Supplement shows that Speed's wife was more favorable towards Lincoln's views than her husband. As early as September 4, 1861, however, Lincoln recommended that Simon Cameron grant one of Joshua's requests. The Speed family appears with regularity in the Supplement. Despite the traces of past friendships on Lincoln's Civil War appointments, it is also clear from the correspondence in the that Lincoln's political views had left the past far Supplement From the Lincoln National Life Foundation behind. There are several pieces of correspondence having to do with Negro soldiers, including a very exceptional letter Joshua and Fanny Speed

http://www.wqad.com/news/sns-ap-il-lincoln-liquorreceipts,0,239... Liquor receipts reflect Lincoln nomination celebration - WQAD

wqad.com /news/sns-ap-il--lincoln-liquorreceipts,0, 1 05009. story WQAD

Liquor receipts reflect Lincoln nomination celebration

By Associated Press

3:03 AM CDT, May 15, 2010

.-...„„.„ Abraham Lincoln's SPRINGFIELD, 111. (AP) — QUAD CITIES ONLY nomination for president 150 years ago this month Certified Kitchen Designer called for lots of toasts.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and 1 1 n Museum has obtained receipts from the Chicago hotel that housed the Republican nominee's campaign,

: ^SSS^Mgk among others. ajjfr Blackert

Lincoln didn't drink. But the campaign operatives in for five Chicago ran up a bill at the Tremont House CnvJ**£ \At-a-t-- t National Kitchen days of $321. 50. NKBA, & Bath Assaciaticwi Clidk Hereto see some great ideas for your KitriTgn Of that, $125 was for lodging. The rest went from brandy, whiskey wine and cigars.

were poured down the hoarse A chronicler of the 1860 convention noted that "torrents of liquor throats of the multitude."

receipt The documents obtained from a collector with private funds also includes a Springfield hotel for the delegation that arrived to tell Lincoln of his victory.

On the Net: www.presidentlincoln.org

5/17/2010 9:13 AM 1 ofl

" 1

Declares Lincoln Wanted That Drink WhenHeHoistedBarrel

Abraham Lincoln lifted the histori- where he was given dry clothes, and cal barrel of whisky above hla head his frozen feet rubbed in ice and snow. and drank from the bunghole for two Bessie, Lathers' 17 year old daughter, reasons, namely, he wanted to win a liked Abe and Abe liked Bessie. For bet and he " " wanted a good drink of three weeks he stayed In the home. good liquor. His feet peeled and his large toes So declared Miss R. Elizabeth threatened to drop off, but they were Thompson, who has been a visitor at saved by the girl who kept them moist the home of Mrs. William Warnes, with warm tallow. 4110 South Maplewood avenue. Miss Bessie disliked lawyers, according to Thompson's home is near Decatur and this story. When Abe told her he she is a granddaughter of the late liked her a lot and wanted to call on Jacob Perryman, a close friend of the her, she asked him to forsake his law civil war President. aspirations. "Drinking from the bunghole of a They parted, with Abe promising barrel full of whisky was one of the her if he ever decided to relinquish railspiitter's favorite stunts," Miss his plans he would call on her again. Thompson said, quoting her ancestor. He never did. But He Was Careful. "Some folks," Miss Thompson said, "seem to " Lincoln believed nothing would believe that Lincoln was a stale sort of keep fevers and la grippe away quite a youth who never en- Joyed himself as well as good Bourbon. He consid- like other boys. But,' I according to ered It as a medicine, but was careful my grandfather, he and 1 Lincoln did not to indulge to heavily. about everything that However, Boy he was a good patient and always Scouts do today. Of course, there Was no official took his tonic regularly and without organization of the coaxing." Boy Scouts of America at that time, but he and Lincoln, according to Miss Thomp- Lincoln made cabins, built fires with sticks, erected son, had a love affair that is not re- wigwams, went on corded in any of the many books on hikes and competed In con- lis life. tests. That romance grew out of two Against " Shouting " Methodists. frozen feet. Lincoln, according to the "Grandfather Perryman always Perryman story, heard that a Samuel contended that -TTitB umaooT-acfI3»lfy~ Lathers on the east side of the San- made Lincoln strong—strong enough gamon river near Decatur had some to take his favorite drink from a new books. Abe started to the barrel of whisky hoisted above his Lather's home, about Ave miles away, head; strong enough to educate him- on foot. The ice on the river had self and rise from the poorest of poor- begun to get rubbery as the warm sun est to the President of the United of early February sparkled on it. States! He could save several miles by going According to the Perryman story, acrosr. on the ice. All went well Lincoln believed the Bible and obeyed until he neared the opposite shore, its precepts, but refused to unite with where the Ice swayed and dumped any church because he did not believe Lincolif in the frigid waters of the in shouting. The " shouting Method- Sangamon. ists," aa he called them were In He clawed and swam ashore and charge of the majority of the central hurried on to the Lathers* home. Illinois Protestant churches.

TO SERVE WINE AT BANQUET Vain Frote»t in Connection With Lincoln Centenary.

SPRINGFELD. III., Jan. 23.—Con- siderable feeling has been caused by the fact that wine will be served at the Lincoln centenary banquet In this city February 12, at which addresses wlil be delivered by Ambassadors Jusser- and and Bryce, Robert T. Lincoln, William J. Bryan, Senator J. P. Dolll- ver. Speaker Joseph G. Cannon, Sena- tor Shelby M. Cullon, General John W. Noble and others. Despite protests

'by the . local option law-enforcement league and the Woman's Christian Temperance union, who declared that Abraham Lincoln refused to permit wine to be served when he was notified of his presidential nomination and that to serve it at his centennial celebration would bo "an Insult to hi* memory," tho committee empowered to decide this question tonight met and' ignored the protests.

Lincoln Tippled and . Swore, but Was Man VJEWS ON MANY, TOPICS of God, Rector Says ~BY READERS OF THE DAILY NEWS. In spite of his disinclination to formal organized religion, Abraham Lin- coln, in his soul and -In his actions, Otoarterr-mirtio tt1«q to eontrttrate to "Views that Lincoln was a lifelong total abstain- fen Many op_les" must eend their name* and was one of the most religious men of (wMressos to The Pally News with their letter*. er and also a lifelong enemy of the all times, the Rev. Frederick G. Grant, Hot necessarily for publication. Anonymoui liquor traffic. contributions will not bo considered.) rector of Trinity Episcopal church, de- DUNCAN C. MILNER. clared yesterday, speaking on "Lin- ABRAHAM MNCOI/N'S HABITS. Chicago. coln's Religion " at a meeting of the J * When his time and environment are Daughters of 1812 at the Chicago His- leonsidered it would not be surprising to torical society. • " True," Dr. Grant admitted, " they hear that Abraham Lincoln used pro- say that Mr. Lincoln swore, but who Cane language and drank liqquor as a Ijroung best evidence, how- didn't in those days, especially if ' he man. The Was connected with politics or the fever, is that he neither swore nor drank. army? iTet the Rev. Frederick C. Grant in " They say that he drank a bit, but (connection with the recent celebration they forgot to mention that he didn't tof the birthday of our great president do it nearly so much as his contem- feaJd: "They say that Lincoln swore," poraries. -,,'' fend "they e.iy that he drank a bit." It feeems strange that Dr. Grant should " They say that he wasn't a regular have marred a fine tribute by lugging attendant at church. Authorities, how- In these slurs. ever, show that he was found in his Henry B. Rankin, who was a law stu-

1 pew nearly every Sunday at the Pres- Klent In Mr. Lincoln's office, is one of

' byterian church in Springfield, and the few survivors of those who give that he continued the habit when he personal testimony about him. In his went to Washington." book Just off the press entitled "Tntl- The real essentials of Lincoln's re- frnate Character Sketches of Abraham ligion, according to Dr. Grant, were Lincoln," he throws a side light on the his faith In God, his belief in prayer, new charge of profanity. Herndon was j and his habitual reading of the Bible. Lincoln's law partner, a gifted man but drink and notoriously pro- ! "But more than that," the rector b. victim of concluded, " he showed his religion Cane. Mr. Rankin said he never swore and his faith in what he did. Judged ••when he was In the presence of ladles by those standards Lincoln was one pr of Lincoln." of the most sincerely religious men of Hon. Shelby M. Cullom, governor and all times." United States senator, and an Intimate Crlend of Lincoln, said: "Lincoln never The Rev. W. J. Libberton, a 79 year drank, smoked or shewed tobacco, or old representative of the Grand Army •wore." of the Republic, told personal remi- We have the testimony of Lincoln's niscences of the martyred President, Camlly, his Intimate friends, his secre- and paid a tribute to pioneer. Illinois taries and others that he did not drink days when he said, *' President Lin- liquor. coln was not a miracle. He was a Some years ago the liquor men pub- product of his time." lished a pamphlet containing rumors The Rev. William E. Barton of Oak and inventions of men who claimed Park, speaking yesterday noon before that they drank liquor with Lincoln. the Chicago Association of Commerce The best authority, after all, is his luncheon at the Hotel La Salle, said town statement, made many times that Lincoln never lived in Chicago, " it he never drank liquor. On one occasion " the city had a marked influence u^on he said to his Intimate friend, Leonard his career." Bwett: "I never tasted liquor in my " Chicago," said Dr. Barton, "wid- life." He was an active worker In the ened the circle of his political friends Washingtonlan temperance movement. and it markedly touched his expandh :. He took the pledge of total abstinence life. fcnd gave It to many ethers. " So far as we know his first visit While In the white house In answer was July 5, 1847, at the river and har- to a delegation of the Sons of Tem-

j bor convention, which really put both perance, he said: "When I was a young | Chicago and Lincoln on the map. His I, in a humble way, made tem- nan | first formal address in the city was perance speeches, and I think I may Oct. 6, 1848." iiay that to this day I have never by ny example belled what I then said." A recent and in many respects valuable ublleation Is "Lincoln," by Nathaniel /right Stephenson. He says as to L'.n- •ln: "He seldom If ever drank whisky. ibriety was already the rule of his -e," and again he said: "Though he '1 not continued a total abstainer as he early days at Springfield he very „ .d.om drank wine." We have already shown that these fetatements are incorrect. Henry B. Ran- kin in his "Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln," as well as In his last book, confirms all the statements

WHISKY IS FOUND IN LINCOLN HOME-

INDIANPOLIS, May 20.— (U.K) —Labore-s remodeling an ancient house "\here Abraham Lincoln once si ppecl, discovered a half pint of \ hlsky cached in the wall. H. C. Williams, owner of the property, said the bottle apparently was left there when the house was built 120 years ago.

LMJOLN AND TEMPERANCE

Leonard Swift tells us that Lincoln told nim not moer tlian kkum. a yaar before he was elected pre si dent tii at ne nad never tasted liquor m nis life " said Sweet, w Do you mean to say that you nave never tasted it ? yes repleid Linnoln # I never tasted it • When we take into consideration tiie naoit of tne times tnis is the moat remarkable testimony to Lincolns pnncille tne stability of his canaracted and tne iron quality of nis will power. Mr • CO.

' acco R- ypi ta- x Coffin a most distinguisned journalise of the day, wno mpanied tne notification committee from the Chicago Convention to I Springfoeld at the time of Lincolns f orst nom9nation , for the presidency of the U.S. related in his nerwpaper an incident that n had orrured on that occasion, ne said that after the excannge of formalities Lincoln Said,Mrs Linc0ln will be pleased to see „ ou ge gentlemen you woll f in d ner in the other room you must be thirsty af 6er your long ride you will find a pitcher of water in the library • The newspaper men accoeac crossed the nail and entered the libraryn there ware misseleanous books on the shelvs two globe celiestial and terrestrials! in the room and a plain table with ?/riting material upon i t • a pitcher of cold water and glasses ,b but no wine of liquor. Therre was humor in the invitation ton cake a glass of water which was explained feg % Coffin t§r a citisen of Springfield he saifl that when it wa known that the committee was coming several of the citizens called upon Mr Lincoln, and informed iiin that some entertainment must be provided, yes that is so what ought to be done just let me know and I will attend to it he state Oh you .will supply tne needed liquors said his friads • gentlemen said Mr ^incoln, I thatnk you for your good intentions, but must re spectfully decline your kind offer I have no liquors in my nouse • and have never been in the habit of entertaining my f riengs in tha way • I cannot permit my friends to do for me what i will not myse self do I shall provide uold water notning else.

Youth Temperance Evangel.

Lincoln as an Albstsdimeir* ABRAHAM LINCOLN, throughout your long ride. You will find a pitcher of library." his life, boy and man, always stood water in the L the for temperance. Far back in his The newspaper man crossed hall library. There were Indiana boyhood, the first essay he ever and entered the wrote was on the subject of Temperance. miscellaneous books on the shelves, two celestial and terrestrial, in the A local Baptist preacher was so struck globes, of the room, and a plain table, with its merit that he secured it from the corners writing materials upon it, a pitcher boy, and sent it to Ohio, where it is said with cold water, and glasses, and no wines to have appeared in a newspaper. of in the invi- Soon after coming to Springfield to or liquors. There was humor water, which practice law, he joined the Sons of Tem- tation to take a glass of was a citizen of perance, and, as we shall see in the next explained to Mr. Coffin by it was chapters, frequently made temperance Springfield, who said that, when coming, speeches of verv effective character. known that the committee was citizens called upon Mr. Lincoln The story is told by Judge Weldon that several that some entertain- he was once in the room with Stephen A. and informed him Douglas when Lincoln entered. Douglas, ment must be provided ought to desiring to show his hospitality, in accord- "Yes, that is so. What b^ ance with the customs of the times, done ? Just let me know and I will at- brought out a bottle of whiskey and some tend to it," he said. needful liquors," glasses, and invited his callers to take a 'Oh, we will supply the drink with him. Lincoln respectfully de- said his friends. "said Mr. Lincoln, "I thank clined, on the ground that he had always "Gentlemen, but must re- been a temperance man, and felt that he you for your kind attention, your offer. I have no was too old to change. spectfully decline liquors in my house, and have never been in the habit of entertaining my friends in Leonard Swett tells us that Lincoln that way. I cannot permit my friends to told him not more than a year before he do for me what I will not myself do. I was elected President, that he had never shall provide cold water—nothing else." liquor in his life. "What!" said tasted The Hon. John Hay, the present Secre- Swett, "do vou mean to say that you State, one of Lincoln's secre- ?" tary of and never tasted 'it "Yes," replied Lincoln, taries and biographers, has declared that never tasted it." When we take into "I Lincoln was a man of extremely temper- consideration the habits of the time, this ate habits, and that he made no use of is a most remarkable testimony to Lin- either whiskey or tobacco during all the coln's temperance principles, the stability years of his association with him. of his character, and the iron quality of Mr. John G. Nicolay, his private secre- his will-power. tary, and a joint biographer with Secre- Mr. C. C. Coffin, a most distinguished tary Hay, says : "During all the five years journalist of the day, who accompanied of my service as his private secretary, I the notification committee from the Chi- never saw him drink a glass of whiskey, cago Convention to Springfield, at the and I never knew or heard of his taking time of Lincoln's first nomination for the one." presidency of the United States, related From all this it will be seen that Abra- in his newspaper an incident that occurred ham Lincoln, in his heroic struggle on that occasion. He says that, after the against poverty and hard conditions, in exchange of formalities, Lincoln said: his victory over the vicious habits and "Mrs. Lincoln will be pleased to see customs of the day in which he lived, in you, gentlemen. You will find her in the the fidelity to principle, rmd in the clean- other room. You must be thirsty after liness and purity of his personal habits of life, stands out before us as an ideal •From The Lincoln Legion, by Rev. L. A. leader of the new army of total abstainers Banks, D.D. Pages 256. Price $1. The Mershon his has been given. Company, New York, publishers. to which name

^^iS^l^^. "\<- v£ \c\

[By the Associated Press']

RUM HELD FACTOR West Salem, 111., Feb. 11-Here on the wooded banks of the Sangamon river, where Abraham Lincoln started IN LINCOLN'S RISE the public career that carried him to immortality, the Great Emancipator will be honored on the anniversary of Old West Salem Folk Recall his birth tomorrow. How He Replaced Liquor- It was one hundred years ago that the women of old West Salem, then Dispensing Postmaste r a teeming mill town, rebelled because the local postmaster permitted their anxiously awaited mail to remain untouched while he dispensed whisky to thirsty men. They circulated petitions for his removal. Lincoln was given the job, a cornerstone of his temple of statesmanship.

• Liquor Gave Him Start Descendants of these hardy pioneer women tomorrow will attend the un- veiling of a bust of old West Salem's most famous postmaster by Carl B. Chandler, noted Lincoln authority, at the old Salem State Park. The bust was sculptured by Madeline Masters Stone, who completed the work shortly before her death. Mrs. Stone was the sister of Edgar Lee Masters, author of "Lincoln the Man," a book which most West Salem folk label a slander on the Emancipator: That Lincoln should have been given his start in public life because of liquor is a strange quirk of circumstance, but that is the story confirmed in West Salem. In 1833 old West Salem had a postmaster named Samuel Hill, who ran the postoffice in connection with a saloon. The story telling and whisky were good in those days and letters addressed to women were unimportant to the hard living rail splitters. Not- withstanding the fact that Lincoln was not an "administration man," the women opened a campaign for removal of Postmaster Hill. A petition was started and so many signed for the likeable, hard-working Lincoln that he Was appointed for the position. An Ambulatory Postoffice Lincoln and his tall, commodious hat became an ambulatory postoffice. At any time of the day, no matter the whims of weather, Lincoln went out of his way to carry the mail. Instead of leaving it at the postoffice, he delivered it personally regardless of distance when he knew some one was waiting for it. By agreement with his customers he was permitted to open and read all newspapers and periodicals. It was a picture that the pioneers of that day often drew—of the tall, gangling postmaster walking over the countryside, reading intently as he covered the miles. America knows what followed Lin- coln's modest step into public life. Popular with all, he became assistant county surveyor and then State Rep- resentative, sweeping every obstacle before him in his march to greatness. In the march of American progress old West Salem in years became a deserted village, but today architects are

at work to reconstruct it as it stood when Lincoln trod its streets. Out of the past of dim recollection of stanch pioneers, they are rebuilding log houses and huts as of the Lincoln era. Soon they hope to present an exact reproduction of the old West Salem of the Lincoln's postmaster days.

WAS LINCOLN

BY CHARLES C. ROO?.— drawn My attention has been clipping *rom to a J'ftrhh af te? r EXPre to* my Sg' I "rwar^d S of Spring-, James S. King friend carried by 111- The item field stated on the Courier-Express boy drove Abranam 83, who as a where Lincoln to county seats being heard, that In rases were Lhi- S5 young days Abraham JS drank beer with his 1U e the mat M? King submitted Ws Mr. Paul M. Angle and terto and con- is conclusive reply in some firms what I have read of Lincoln, especial-, of The lives being ?« Tn reeard to water notification com-? Sserved to the Mr. Angle has gvenge Sel letter. .permission to publish this Kyond «»»* i ?!Sffi during] that Abraham Lincoln, least was a his mature, life at total abstainer so^t«jWpom was concerned. On this statement of Stephen i., the partner,, Loean, his second law W it shoTd be conclusive, even ; 5S foM^h^n fiJUSM ^'similar testimony. Logan uie saw said- 'I never in my Lincoln taste, ^r the circuit with^^him I around sometimes got and took a little having got wet in a storm after hing, swam a creek, or somet or diant even, of that sort, but he then I take it *u. liquor in his»™?V2llife, taste travel-;g the times that we were that wine was kepti SSFCSm but as td In the Lincoln home, personal use of it the. Lincoln's only letter, whichito; following ex rpcently come to light, is Lincoln's re- refers to i Sicit It which ception of the committee of his officially notified him upon which occa nomination, water sion he served them than wine rather ; 'June 11, I860. Esq. «J. Mason Haight, dear Sir: 'Mv improper think it would be 'I anything for me to write or say the public of which to or for, wish you inquire. I, therefore be held, the letter I do write to confidential. Having as strictly and kept house sixteen years, having never held the cup to the; then, my, lips of my friends I should not in j Igment was position change my, m-new P Whati habit ^n this respect. upon the oc- actually occurred ; visiting casion of the committee better for- ml I think it would be others to say. t respectfully, 'Yours \ 'A. LINCOLN.' "Of course what I have here Lin- written applies only to the coln's personal habits. In it light of existing evidence, seems impossible to determine what his attitude toward pro- been. hibition by law would have truly yours, ! BI "Very "

. "PAUL M. ANGLE."

LINCOLN SIGNED , DRINK TAX BILL: UNDER PROTEST

L Determination to Repeal; Measure Recalled in W. C. T. U. Statement

Sjiecinl to The Christian Science Monitor EVANSTON, 111.. Feb. 10—Lin- coln's anniversary is an appropriate time to recall that he was opposed, to a federal tax on liquor, observes the National W. C. T. U. in a state-, ment today. ">•» Before the Emancipator reluctant^ ly signed a bill for such a tax as a war measure, the W. C. T. U. re* lates, he said: "^ "I would rather lose my right hand than sign a document that will tend to perpetuate the liquor,]

traffic; and as soon as the exlgen- 1 cies shall pass away I will turn tnf whole attention to the repeal of that document." The discussion for and againsf taxing liquor for federal income in 1862 was as strenuous as the wet and dry argument today," the, W. C. T. U. continues. "This wa* shown," it says, "in the Congres-, sional Record for May. 1862, when- the Senate debated the bill. Mir." Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, urged the passage of the' bill on the grounds of war necessity^ Temperance forces, including certain senators, opposed it on the^ ground that it would make liquor^

too important. •• > "Worry over the financial condition of the country finally induced^ the President to sign the act with, the remark recorded above. He. knew whereof he spoke. The liquor- traffic, feeling it was indispensable^ to the Government's finances, there^, upon organized and became a con- trolling factor in American politicsi "Incidentally it imposed a bur-^ den on the country far greater Ir£ money than that it paid In taxes- That's exactly what would happen again under the proposal to take_ the taxes off the rich and impose^ them on the families of liquor-. •• Mrinking workmen." •

BL AKESLEF

LINCOLN ON THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC A Rarely QuotedPronouncement by Lincoln Against the Liquor Troffic

In a biographical sketch of Rev. J. M. Berry, who died in 1855, nati, Ohio, quotes the above from a book entitled, "Brief Bio- Mr. Lincoln is credited with the following: graphical Sketches of Some of the Early Ministers of the Cum- in the course of a powerful argument upon the evils of the berland Presbyterian Church." The book was issued from the

use of, and traffic in, ardent spirits, . . . the speaker turned, press, being published by the "Cumberland Presbyterian Board and pointing his bony fingers toward Mr. Berry, who was of Publication," Nashville, Tenn., in the year 1874. The author standing near him, said, "There is the man who years ago, was was the Rev. Richard Beard, D.D., the first professor in the of trafficking instrumental in convincing me of the evils in and theological school of that church, which formed a union with the ardent spirits; I am glad that I ever saw him; I am using motner church, the Presbvterian church in the U. S. A., in 1906. glad that I ever heard his testimony on this terrible subject.' The book ; s out of print> but a copy h in possess ; on of Dr [Rev. John V. Stephens, D.D., Lane Seminary, bldg., Cincin- Stephens. The quotation is from page 211.]

BL AKESL EE

—

"Tbe Beginning of Luck." "The greatest 'luck' that ever befell me, sir," said a fine old farmer on the train, " happened to me when I was only ten years old. I was born and raised in Illinois, in the days when about everybody drank whisky or cider or brandy. There were few of our neighbors who did not get drunk more or less frequently. But the winter I was ten years old it was announced in the neighborhood that there was to be a temperance meeting in our schoolhouse, and all the children were invited to come with their pa- rents and hear the speaker. "I went. It was the year 1840. The speaker spoke to a full house about letting all intoxicating drinks wholly alone. When he came to close he took from his pocket some printed cards, pledging their signers never to drink alcoholic beverages. He said they were called ' Washingtonian Pledges.' "Hethen began passingthem around through the audience, stopping here and there, pleading, persuading, for very few of the older folks seemed to beinclined tojoin him. By and by he came to where I sat, and looked down from his great height with deep, sad eyes at me. " 'And now, my little friend, you see that I have signed this card and pledge; and will you not sign your name with mine, that we will with God's help keep away from all intoxicating drinks?' He looked at me tenderly, in- vitingly, anxiously, and asked me if I understood what it meant, and if I would not so join him in the pledge. "I took the proffered pencil and card, and wrote my name beside his. When I had finished he took the card and pencil in his left hand, and putting his great right hand gently on my head, said: 'May God bless you, my lad ! May yon keep this pledge forever 1 And never will you be sorry you took it.' " I kept it. When I grew to be about twenty I went out on the Great Trail across the conti- nent, and opened a tavern. It was known as the 'Temperance Tavern,' and had the curious dis- tinction of being the only one of the kind on the trail. Folks were always surprised, and usually mad, at finding that they would have to go without drinks for another day. Often they used to advise me to buy a barrel of whisky and get a barrel of water and mix them, and

' make big money ' out of it. But I al ways told them that I did not use liquor myself, neither would I place it in the way of others. "Soon the war broke out, and I enlisted. I went all through the war, seeing how drink wrecked thousands, but never breaking my pledge. The more I saw and the more I kept it, the easier it was to keep. " After the war was over I married and settled in Illinois. Great blessings and prosperity have come to me. A large family of temperate sons and daughters are in comfort about me. There is scarcely a day that 1 do not recall the man in the schoolhouse, more than sixty years ago, who led me to sign the total abstinence pledge—me a lad of but ten years in a country school—and then put his hand upon my head and blessed me for so doing. " That man was Abraham Lincoln ! To the pledge he was so eager to get the lad to take do I attribute the beginning of all the fortunes I now count blessed. And that is why I

say that the greatest ' luck ' that ever befell me happened when I took the total abstinence pledge at the age of ten. "Great was Abraham Lincoln! But to me he was never greater than when he stopped to persuade a tow-headed lad in a country school to sign with him a temperance pledge." Ep- worth Herald.

LINCOLN versus LIQUOR Lincoln on toe every anthentic utterance of Abraham JH This little book contains speech on the subject, at Springfield, Illinois, Hi liquor question, including his great friends to prove his gives the testimony of Lincoln's ill in February, 1842. It also liquor. The book will eviL Lincoln never took a drink of l|| hatred of the liquor address upon receipt of twenty-five cents. II be sent to any

S BAKER PUBLISHING CO. LOUIS, MO. ' ST. 2343 St. Louis Avenue

&Ux> 10 — 13 "!=— 1

increase the col- Illiteracy in the South. cate to society, is to lections of the Freedmen's Aid and Of the colored population in South Southern Education Society. Carolina ten years of age and over, 64 per cent can not read or write. In Twelve Hundred Conversions. Georgia, 67 per cent; iu Alabama, 69 years Clafiin per cent; and in Louisiana, 72 per During the last thirteen conversions, cent,—are in the same deplorable con- University has had 1,200 exception the dition. Here is Africa in America and almost without Christian sure enough. One of the very best graduates have gone out as years ago they ways to help decrease those per cents, men and women. Two and avoid the dangers which they indi- had 113 conversions.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THE EMANCIPATOR OF THE NEGRO.

[These facts and incidents are for use in celebrating Lincoln's birthday, Feb- pastor in his ruary 12th, by Sunday-schools and Epworth Leagues, or by the sermon on the Sunday preceding.] Lincoln and Temperance. passed, Mr. Lincoln remarked that, as an appropriate conclusion to an inter- Mr. Lincoln was always a temper- view so Important and interesting, he ance man. He had the moral courage supposed good manners would require to say "No," and decline when invited that he should furnish the committee to drink intoxicating liquors. something to drink; and, opening a He never used either liquor or to- door, he called out, "Mary! Mary!" bacco in any form. He is said to have A girl responded to the call, to whom often preached the following "ser- Mr. Lincoln spoke a feAV words in an mon," as he called it, to his boys: undertone. In a few minutes the maid "Do nt drink, do n't smoke, do n't entered, bearing a large waiter, con- chew, do n't swear, do n't gamble, taining several glass tumblers and a fel- do n't lie, do n't cheat. Love your large pitcher, and placed it upon the low-men and love God. Love truth, center-table. love virtue, and be happy." Mr. Lincoln arose, and gravely ad- While a member of the Legislature, dressing the company, said: "Gentle- Lincoln delivered an address on tem- men, we must pledge our mutual perance, February 22, 1842, before the healths in the most healthy beverage Washingtonian Temperance Society, which God has given to man. It is the of Springfield, 111., in' which he made only beverage I have ever used or al- this remarkable prophecy, saying: lowed in my family, and I can not con- "When the victory shall be complete, scientiously depart from it on the nor when there shall be neither a slave present occasion; it is pure Adam's ale a drunkard on the earth, how proud from the spring;" and, taking a tum- the title of that land which may claim bler, he touched it to his lips, and to be the birthplace and cradle of those pledged them his highest respects in a resolutions that shall have ended in cup of cold water. that victory!" Immediately after the Republican Convention which nominated him for " Honest Abe." the Presidency adjourned, a committee in Offutt's visited Mr. Lincoln in Springfield, 111., It was while employed Salem, 111., that Lincoln to inform him officially of his nomi- store, in New nation. After this ceremony had began to be called "Honest Abe." He —

— 14

LINCOLN'S TEMPERANCE PROPHECY.

Of our political revolution of dram-seller will have glided into 1776 we are all justly proud. It other occupations so gradually as has given us a degree of political never to have felt the change, and freedom far exceeding that of any- will stand ready to join all others other nations of the earth. In it in the universal song of gladness. the world has found a solution of And what a noble ally this to the the long-mooted problem as to the cause of political freedom! With capability of man to govern him- such an aid, its march can not fail self. In it was the germ which to be on and on, till every son of has vegetated, and still is to grow earth shall drink in rich fruition and expand into the universal lib- the sorrow-quenching draughts of erty of mankind. perfect liberty! Happy day, when, But with all these glorious re- all appetites controlled, all pas- sults, past, present, and to come, sions subdued, all matter subju- it had its evils, too. It breathed gated, mind—all-conquering mind forth famine, swam in blood, and shall live and move, the monarch rode in fire; and long, long after, of the world! Glorious consum- the orphan's cry and the widow's mation! Hail, fall of fury! Reign wail continued to break the sad of reason, all hail! silence that ensued. These were And when the victory shall be the price, the inevitable price, complete—when there shall be paid for the blessings it bought. neither a slave nor a drunkard on Turn now to the temperance the earth—how proud the title of revolution. In it we shall find a that land which may truly claim stronger bondage broken, a viler to be the birthplace and the cradle slavery manumitted, a greater of both those revolutions that shall tyrant deposed—in it, more of have ended in that victory! How want supplied, more disease nobly distinguished that people healed, more sorrow assuaged. By who shall have planted and nur- it, no orphans starving, no wid- tured to maturity both the political ows weeping; by it, none wounded and moral freedom of their spe- in feeling, none injured in inter- cies ! —Lincoln's Washington's Birth- est. Even the dram-maker and day Address, delivered Feb. 22, 1842. was judge, arbitrator, referee, umpire, Mr. Lincoln and the Drummer-boy. authority in all disputes, games, and matches of man-flesh and horse-flesh; Among a large number of persons a peacemaker in all quarrels;, every- waiting in the room to speak with Mr. body's friend; the best-natured, the Lincoln, on a certain day in November, most sensible, the best-informed, the 1864, was a small, pale, delicate-look- most modest and unassuming, the ing boy about thirteen years old. The kindest, gentlest, roughest, strongest, President saw him standing, looking best young fellow in all the region feeble and faint, and said: "Come here, round about. my boy, and tell me what you want." Lincoln could not rest for an instant The boy advanced, placed his hand on under the consciousness that he had, the arm of the President's chair, and, even unwittingly, defrauded anybody. with bowed head and timid accents, On one occasion he sold a woman a said: little bill of goods, amounting to two "Mr. President, I have been a drum- dollars six and a quarter cents. He mer in a regiment for two years, and received the money, and the woman my colonel got angry with me, and went away. On adding the items of turned me off. I was taken sick, and the bill again, to make himself sure of have been a long time in hospital. correctness, he found that he had This is the first time I have been out, taken six and a quarter cents too and I came to see if you could not do much. It was night, but he closed and something for me." locked the store, and started on foot The President looked at him kindly for the house of his defrauded cus- and tenderly, and asked him where he tomer, two miles away, and delivered lived. "I have no home," answered to her the sum due her. Then he re- the boy. "Where is your father?" turned home satisfied. "He died in the army." was the reply.

ry of toast drank in w^ter. ABRAHAM MNCOI/N'S TO*ST. LINCOLN. Neb., Feb. 10.—To tbc Editor of the State Journal: When you are publishing so many good things about Mr. Lincoln, permit me to add the following: At the formal notification of his nomination for the presidency, after the ceremony, Mr. Lincoln remarked to the compa.ny, that as an appropriate conclusion to an interview so important and interesting aR that which had just transpired, he supposed good manners would require that he should treat the committee with something to' drink. Opening a, door that led into a room in the rear, he called out, "Mary, Mary." A girl responded to the call, to' whom Mr. Lincoln spoke a few words in an undertone, and closing the door, returned to converse with his guests. In a few minutes the maiden entered, bearing a large waiter, containing several glass tumblers and a large pitcher in the midst, and placed it upon the center table. Mr. Lincoln arose and gravely addressed the company, saying: "Gentlemen, we must pledge our mutual healths in the most healthy beverage which God has given to man. It Is the only beverage I have ever used or allowed in my family and I can not conscientiously depart from it on the present occasion. It is pure Adam's ale from the sprine:" Taking a tumbler, he touched it to his lips and pledged them his highest respect in a cup of cold water. Of course all his guests were constrained to admire his consistency and to join in hit example. JOHN H. CARPENTER. ! e

p*0m IH^MW^P m * — — - -'At his table v-' * ^ • expected 55~w5& . - was „. »v.„„ octorl what Springfield when «*«at da\in.lav In °» It was a great presidency. f Ltncoln was nom at tele- i" day/fv °anaana Vhen a The bells rang all & received gram was %convenf/^^ôuia«° ar- commlttee from for . he would not be the next visit of the committee, rive in Springfield noinlrift . ?he iflairy to nol *;, went wild. "" carried v thethetownto* "plans of the committee were to put fmildly, ^^ The Ch tton. ^ was a big dinner at He - great many S n when outfand there nc °'" A . i'I entlon,'and visit to the ^> theh e%convonV erv House before the at Chicago during ^ ^ see in my mind hffW to ar J™ eactt oms homestead. I still can they began f the great when he found out r ' Mr. Lincoln -as excitement by brother S Phased that night. t»J)^*-X*h?my that he need not have wine contest. I was »« * Uncoln came th power of ^JJ llncolh had a remarkable Mr Our rln n attracting people to him. 9P f fJ™ d was. Perhaps the H PP In the early days r who had n ot socletv were many Ken- ruearea man tavest in the State. There ? •• you want anything? „., s Do home of Klnlan W Edwards tendee! at the the anyway, Mr. Lin- of Mrs. Lincoln, before .''^'is^troubie. brother-in-law of onlj then had a population war We the good peo- and it required all low «?*». r* ere for these events. There ple in the town while the v card tables up-stalrs general parlors below. people danced in the vouneI card ta- 5 lwr» -vns the great game at the ^?and Uncom'was not long at the par- card tables, pla> mm hef-.re he was at the at this until the young 1E euchre He kept around him and demanded nconle gathered the still recall how vexed remember S stories I ^dTvou wanT't^have Itr I and had wine in my house ^rhaveêver I can to commence now If I don't want there Lincoln was. She had added that he realized partiesrTartl^s wherew Mr. ^"'Lincoln o„tith with the idea that devil with ArîcTl'n was a f unhedged dld'not want been long at the party wou"d require of him, but he w„^ Sh" had not W ne he n h"eneed not and ought not i t old hh"that

people. ty of winning water, and the committee ought wWskv and dinner enough entertained at the h a a R 7o be wt"l any- D well gauged call on him to require a ad a f?alrs beforeTolng to t hT coumr; n*\ his house, electlc^came.^ ?X to eat or drink at before the \l»o ^r was much pleased at th s arrange- "lie take a load off his m?nt, which seemed to

' *"»* **» ' ' ' ' * ^ Ji ^JJ yt* *

£ ^^

-THE SUXDAT COUHIEH AND PT?ESS— i _ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR LINCOLN AST) LIQUOR To the editor of The Courier and Press; publish I hope you will kindly (he enclosed article. I don't, think too much ran be said in honor of our great hero. Abraham Lincoln., Really great people are always humble perhaps because so many or Ih. m have risen from the lower ranks of lil> and have reached Iheir greatness after many disap-' pointmonls and hard struggles. Abraham Lincoln is a good example of a great man; and yet who among Ihe background conscious people today would have thought of entertaining him, before he reached his high political position. And who. 'to go still farther among his class, would condescend to associate so- cially with a mere carpenter. Yet the greatest man of all time was a carpenter of Nazareth. The article' is from "Christian Herald" and at this time with wide open saloons, taverns, etc.. is a time to honor those who were op-

posed to liquor.—Louise H. Rumpf. i

The article follows: I Lincoln j The wets love to tell us that! Lincoln was once a bartender. They lie. They base their statement on the evidence of a license issued to William V. Berry in the name of- Rerry and Lincoln, to keep a tavern in Ihe home town of New Salem. But the license reads: "Ordered that. William F. Berry, in the name of Berry and Lincoln, have license to keep a tavern." Lincoln never did much at the tavern. He never stood behind its! bar, nor before it. Almost immediately after the granting of the license, he sold out to Berry. As a young man in Springfield' he joined the Washington Society and became a leading advocate of total abstinence. He was a, reformer noted for his antagonism to two great evils: booze and slavery. In ISfiP, he said to the Sons of Temperance: "When I was a young man, I, in a humble way made temperance speeches. And I think I may say to this day that I have never, by my example believed what I then said." This makes good temperance copy for February, the month in which total abstainer Abraham Lin- coln was born.

: :

Lincoln and Temperance IN EARLY YOUTH, Lincoln, in boyish speeches, flayed the scourge of drink. Later, when lie was thirty-three, this is what he said:

"The world would be vastly benefited by a total and final banishment from it of all intoxicating drinks."

He did not lose his reason merely because his convictions were intense

"Too mucli denunciation against dram-sellers and dram-drinkers was indulged in. It is not much in the nature of man to be driven to anything."

Observe, Lincoln was pleading for "entreaty and persuasion" toward temperance as against "the thundering tones of anathema and denunciation." The same belief in the vast harm of drink, tempered, however, by the power to see all sides of man 's complex nature, existed at the height of his development. Thus we find him in 1863

"Intemperance is one of the greatest, if not the very greatest, of all evils among mankind."

lie added :

"The mode of cure is one about which there may be dilTerences of opinion."

Why is forgery deemed necessary to the prohibition cause? The brewers circulate a statement against prohibition falsely attributed to Lincoln. Along come the prohibitionists with another, recommending prohibition, also forged. Both desire his assistance; neither can find anything of his extreme enough to suit. If he lived to-day he would favor no license where public sentiment was strong enough to make that policy succeed, and he would certainly oppose anything resembling national prohibition. The other day we were approached by a man brimful of ardor. "Lincoln," said he, "was a hypocrite. He was a temporizer and cow-

ard. In '65 he had a vast army at command. Why did he not use it to put down drink?" That man does more harm to the temperance cause than any other being in the town where he resides. In a book by D. C. Baker, published last year, is this statement:

"Mr. Lincoln is quoted as saying: 'If the prohibition of slavery is good for the black man, the prohibition of the liquor traffic is equally good and constitutional " for the white man.'

Yes, he is "quoted" as saying it, but he never did say it. The prohibitionists attribute this speech to April 13, 1865, the last day of Lincoln's life, so it ought to be possible for them to name the letter, or document, or speech, in which the words occurred. Actually, they were invented, just as that stupid proposition about fooling the people

was invented also. .

which was temperance the remedy for Its misuse, . Matter of common also in his day. The merits important point has been lost held im- One or demerits of liquor he writers. They have sight of by these material and refused to debate He there is a dif- failed to explain that might have liked to see all the liquor In the meaning of the word earth, but ference wiped off the face of the temperance, as used in Lincoln's of Lincoln it is difficult to conceive temperance advo- pad- time and now. The approving of poison liquor or who favored as cate of that day was one His approach to the problem and he rarely lock. habitual moderation, was on a higher plane than that. He with the prohibitionist, the was confused appealed to the intelligence of today. That Lin in as is often the case individual who was intemperate a strong advocate of tem his entreat- coin was his habits, throwing into conceded by all, but how love and perance is ies the great power of his actually went this Once helped to beat prohibition far beyond that he personality. We might think be so easily de- such dde-8 not seem to over: We are now living under bill that was before Illinois The other Presidents of Lincoln termined. a law as would incriminate 1 States have also been what legislature the United were he to return and repeat temperance; still it Tem- supporters of he said to the Washlngtonian that a one of them declare By J. A. DAMELSON may not be said perance Society in 1842, and advocated the prohibition theory the question of (Member of board of directors of has ag he did then, that Abraham Lincoln drink is Temperance Society of and in the case of whether to drink or not to Church impossible to de- By Church, it should not be one's own business. Protestant Episcopal . "exclusivelv termine his attitude. that Lincoln New York.) • "temperance" it Is plain careful Investigation After a very mean total abstinence. He Perhaps there is no man, dead or the idea did not of the matter, it seems that therefore, deliver his on matters i could not now, alive, In whose judgment Lincoln was a prohibitionist is that eloquent and masterful exhortations of government and politics there is comparatively recent and of unde- of without teaching I confidence than In for true temperance more genuine termined origin. When Davidson and eighteenth With the passing ! disobedience to the Abraham Lincoln. Stuve wrote the History of Illinois,

i amendment. of the years, ever greater importance idea had evi- published in 1873, that policy in matters of this did. ! Lincoln's is attached to what he said and been born. Its authors had dently not nature seems to have been always Owing to this great Interest In that Lincoln was in any not heard against the application of force. Hf has I Lincoln, a mass of mythology to that theory, nor manner Inclined ' dealing unkindl? name. Stories, admonished against grown up around his that he was connected with the Illi- based upon this prejudice or that, referendum cam- your nois prohibition "if you would win a man to spring up In quick succession. dis- I now paign of 1855, a point now much cause " and we need go no further There have been more books pub- that Lincoln the cussed. The contention than 'to his great address to in the last decade lished about him drafted that measure should find a to get a eood glimpse ' Washingtonians than In any previous period of 25 History of Illinois, which when he reply in the of his political philosophy, years. In short, interest in Lincoln that the proposed true tem- i states specifically declared that the cause of passing of is not abating witb. the law was the work of a B. S. Edwards, must be won through meas- everywhere growing perance time, but is eminent lawyer," who was also fail to take human j "an that do not stronger. ures stronger and its principal champion during the consideration, summing what I Inature into . In view of this situation, campaign. And thus, on every point advice: ; with this precious natural than that the up could be more where it is contended that Lincoln of men is de- j "When the conduct moral in- forces wielding political or went beyond the advocacy of true Influenced, persuasion- | signed to be fluence in our country should at- temperance, a denial may be found unassuming persuasion—should their side? kind, tempt to enlist Lincoln on In official documents, or In accepted I always be adopted." This has been true in a peculiar biographies. I histories and sense with the opposing sides of the While a member of the Illinois prohibition controversy—or should I legislature, Lincoln voted against I say feud? Students of Lincoln have on several occasions, i such proposals sufficient material somewhere found i one of the most notable of which during the last decade for about a books, setting forth that this score of Murphy great American was a prohibitionist, was his'" opposition to the of 'fast and all the time. On the state-wide prohibition proposal first, have other hand, to anti-prohibitionists 1840. This bill, if passed, would to be Lincoln's attitude on this question is been the first prohibition law union an open book and they are equally adopted by any state in the convinced that he was opposed to the and Lincoln was instrumental in its Decem- principal of government embodied in defeat. Prior to that time in for his the prohibition law. ber, 1839, he was on record opposition to a local option measure, which was defeated by one vote. To what extent Lincoln used impor- liquor—if at all—is of minor over tance. Still much ado is made other the question whether wine or liquor ever penetrated as far as to*\ unbiased his dinner table. Among his biographers there is slight difference during the of opinion a-3 to his habits years he resided in Springfield. It is generally granted that he partook of no strong drink during that time. Perhaps his law partner, Mr. Hern- don, drank all that the business could stand, but as to the years he lived differ- in the White House there is ence of opinion. It is at least interesting that there is no record of liquor being taken off the bill of fare at the President's dinner table until Mrs. Lucy Webb Hayes, wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes, reigned there—fifteen years after the Lincolns had occupied that famous mansion. be I do not believe there is td found anywhere an instance where Lincoln praises liquor, but neither is RIED his there to be found an instance of

" X DAS STAMMBUCH: DEN HEUTIGEN STAAT3MANNERN IN

Wahl zum Prasi= Als Abraham Lincoln, nach seiner Sitte gemeas denten der Vereinigten Staaten,der Gaste bewirtete, die ihn begliickwunschenden aus einera gro= fiillte er eigenhandig die Glaser er: sagte • asen Kmge.Dann OQ ,™ +0 HerrenlTrinken wir auf eine gesegnete "Meine gesundesten Tatigkeit des Parlamentes mit dem hat! aller Getrfcnke.daa Gott geschaffen berausohenden Getranks loh habe nie einen Tropfen gekostet and auch keinem meiner Familienmit= glieder davon zu kosten erlaubt;ich will auch anders in meiner gegenwartigen Stellung nicht handeln. Damit erhob er sein Glas klaren Wassers und trank auf das Wohl seiner Gaste, die ihra=ebenfalls mit klarem Wasser=Bescheid gaben.

Translation of small card: Today's statesmen in the Album: States, to the Presidency of the United When Abraham Lincoln, after his election normal well-wishing friends in accordance with the was showing hospitality to his he said: the glasses from a large jug. Then custom he filled, with his own hand, healthful of parliament with the most "Gentlemen, we drink to a blessed reality intoxicating I have never tasted a drop of of all drinks that God has given us. my family to taste such a beverage; beverages nor have I allowed any member of present situation, do anything else. I don't want to , in my

water and drank to the health of his Therewith he raised his glass of clear the same. guests who - also with clear water - did

LR/jcd

—

* * ABRAHAM In June, 1889, when Colonel LINCOLN'S Ward H. Lamon, Abraham Lin- ' TEMPERANCE. c °l n s old friend and biographer, was an inmate of Gaifield Hos- pital, I wrote to him with the view of settling a mooted question, as I had been publicly denounced for quoting the martyr President 'in my address on the Intemper- ance of Prohibition. Colonel Lamon has since passed over the range and his reply to my inquiry is now published for the first time :

Washington, D. C, July 4, 1889. I have the honor of receiving your favor of the 30th ultimo., and in reply I have to say: You ask my recollection of Mr. Lin- coln's views on the questions of temperance and prohibition. I looked upon him as one of the safest temperance men I ever knew. He seemed on this subject as he was on most others unique in profession as well as in practice. He was neither what might be called a " drinking man," a total abstainer nor a Pro- hibitionist. My acquaintance with him commenced in 1847. He was then, as afterward, a politician. He mixed much and well with the people. Believed what the people believed to be right, was right. Society in Illinois at that early day was as crude as the country was uncultivated. People there were tenacious of their natural as well as their acquired rights, and this state of things existed until Lincoln left the State to assume the duties of Presi- dent at Washington. The people of Illinois firmly believed it was one of their inalien-

able rights to manufacture, sell and drink whisky, as it was the sacred right of the Southern man to rear, woYk and wollop his own nigger And woe be unto him who attempted to interfere with these rights—as the sequel afterward showed, when Mr. L. " wol- and his friends tried to prevent the Southern man from lopping his own nigger " in the Territories. delivered by Mr. I was present at several temperance lectures manuscript Lincoln in Illinois (I have now in my possession the of <:ome of them). He made temperance speeches as he made other speeches. He was always ready to make a speech whenever called on to do so, and cared very little about what sub- when ject he addressed the people upon. He was always happy discussing questions before the people and always deferred to of subjects. the audience's choice % Illinois, Mr. L. hap- I recollect many years ago at Danville, Society, pened in at a temperance meeting, the "Old Washington speech. He got through I think, and was called upon to make a of the bar who it well, after which he and the other members were present were invited to an entertainment at the house Mrs. S., in ot Dr. Scott. Wine and cake were handed around. " handing Mr. Lincoln a glass of " home-made " wine, said: I hope you are not a teetotaler, Mr. Lincoln, if you are a temperance lecturer." "By no means, my dear Madam," he replied, " smile—" I am very for I do assure you "—with a humorous fond of my Todd," a play upon his wife's maiden name. " wine. I only regret that it I by no means oppose the use of if our people were is not in more universal use. I firmly believe in the to habitually drink wine, there would be little drunkenness country. ' ...during the conversation, I recollect his making this remark, which afterward became general, Judge David Davis, Honor- discussion: able Leonard Sweet and others present, joining in the •• only to the extent of coercing I am an apostle of temperance moderate indulgences and prohibiting excesses by all the moral influences I can bring to bear .... " distant, when wine instead or I hope the day may not be far whisky will become our National drink." Miss Field s With the highest respect I have the honor to be humble servaht. Ward H. Lamon. For holding the opinion of Abraham Lincoln, I am reviled and falsely interpreted by men and women who show their cowardice in attacking a woman and denying the truth about a great apostle of personal liberty.

tfoi to iik KianurKXKu.-^-Mr. Lincoln was aslfed whethor he felt at all fri^htenu^ white delivering his inaugural address, i|, e threats of ai.

plied "(hat lie had no such sensation, and that lie kail often experienced nimh greater fear in addressing a dozen Western men on the subject

I of temperance. u Anon.

"" W" Where" Lincoln Stood f TUJUNGA, Feb. • 7.— [To the Editor ot The Times:] .There is one side of Lincoln's character well known to some of us, but which has never been sufficient- ly emphasized and that was his advocacy of the temperance reform. Lincoln was outspoken and uncompromising in his stand against strong drink. As long ago as February 22, 1842, in an address given at Springfield, 111., speaking of the two great movements, one for the abolition of human slavery and one for the abolition of intoxicating drink, he said: "And when the victory shall be complete—when there shall be neither a slave nor a drunkard on the earth—how proud the title of that land which may truly claim to be the birthplace and the cradle of both these revolutions that shall have ended in that victory." We should never forget, nor allow our children to forget that Lincoln stood foursquare against the alcoholic liquor traffic. MAE GUTHRIE TONGIER.

BL A k E •

Lincoln's Temperance Abraham pj ge Lwcorv l at a ffreaf banquet', I??- offered wine jated that he "**"*> had 'been fi^ ^ tai?er. To % years an the friend J *b- ? s ° >g" the Pledge, P ad hi* ft" S ^ n yon than S° ^ to 0we ™°r f° ^ost^yt } e 1 can think; ™*°,ne eI se of for if wh om P'edge " 0t '^ with- ' s, yyou in I ed the Ration, y rS I m,ght hav y°»^ f he e r°" e °J majority of g the v 'ay ml nUd CO that which ends °! m rades have-on" fa T drur u drunkard's ^, "Ws life J^

(

"LINCOLN AND LIQUOR" The letter printed on this page lately under the heading "Lincoln and Liquor" does not State accurately the opinions of Abraham Lin- coln on the prohibition problem. As a very young man, not yet of age, in 1837, Lincoln did call upon "every American never to violate in the least particular the laws of the country." This was in a long rhetorical passage which nobody would ever attribute to the author of the Gettysburg Address. The other quotations indorsing prohibition outright are not to b" found in the 1837 address or in the Washington Society Address of 1842. In the latter, however, he did expatiate at length on the unwise "tactics" of the "-old-school champions of temperance." But the citation of the alleged statement on the day of ' the assassination, that after recon- fitruction the, next great question would be the overthrow and abolition of the liquor traffic is entirely without 'warrant. It rests upon the testimony of Maj. J. B. Merwin, a professional temperance lecturer, who came to Illinois in 18o4 or 1855. The letter containing his statement was written in 1910, some fifty-five years after the event, when he was 75 vears old or several years older, according to some authorities He claimed that Lincoln stumped the State with him for six months in 1855 in behalf of a State Prohibition law. There is not a shred of evidence that Lin- coln did anything of the kind. Not a newspaper and not a single personal letter mentions anv such tour. Yet Lincoln at the time was speaking: often, he was a candidate for Senator and such a stumping/trip could not have escaped tottce. Merwin ^ became a Civil War chaplain. He says he dined with Lincoln on "the dajTof— the assassination. Robert T. Lincoln says he did not. The men who have most carefullv investigated this story are Dr. William E. Bar- ton and the late Senator Beveridge. Each re- pudiates it emphatically. Lincoln made an authentic statement on this subject when he had reached his full stature as a statesman. In September, 1863, replying to an address of- the Sons of Temperance for promoting temperance in the army, he said: I think that the reasonable men of the world have long since agreed that intemperance is one of the greatest, if not the very greatest of all the evils of mankind. That is not a matter in dispute. That the disease exists, and that it is a verv great one, is agreed upon by all. The mode of the cure is one about which there may be differences of opinion.

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LINCOLN NO DRINKER. Reservoir St., Los t W Bricker, 2134 that when he was a Angeles, Calif., says was so prevalent linking , bov in I860 -loon, and sent | that boys were ^ of wh.sky carry homo jug-fulls would and think* any to-do ab out it without since progressed wonderfully I have we when the boot those days, even now in control. leetrcrs seem to be He noticed recently ^"V,?hard drinker.Wr that Lincoln w*s a had said disprove easiest way to ^ Sink? the own some of Lincoln's i to quote , hat address de 'wrUings. Lincoln, in an **£ on speaking of tne ed Feb. 22, 1842, American* Revolution, says: temperance reVolu .'turn now to the find a stronger In t we shall felon slavery manu- bondage broken; a viler deposed. In it a greater tyrant mitted- disease ZTe'ol want supplied, more assuaged. By n healed, more sorrow no widows weep- „o orphans starving, 1,1 the victor, Again he says, "And when when there shall b shall be complete; drunkard on. th lJ\Lr a slave nor be the birti which may truly claim to those revlj and the cradle of both place ended m tha. lutions that shal! have victory." ,_ U —

TEMPERANCE MAN. LINCOLN'S RADICAL VIEWS LINCOLN AS A ON THE LIQUOR Leonard Swett tells us that Lincoln told him not more than a year before he was elected President 1 RAFFIC. " that he had never tasted liquor in his life. "What ! you never Lincoln was a total abstainer said Swett, "do you mean to say that and an active temperance tasted it?" "Yes," replied Lincoln, "I never tasted worker. His motto was to try it." When we take into consideration the habits of the times, this is a most remarkable testimony of to "pluck a thistle and plant a Lincoln's temperance principles, the stability of his flower wherever a flower would character, and the iron quality of his will power. grow." Lincoln thought that C. C. Coffin, a most distinguished journalist of the there could be no more noxious day, who accompanied the notification committee " " traffic; thistle than the liquor from the Chicago convention to Springfield at the and so we find him oppo- time of Lincoln's first nomination for the Presidency sing that great evil. He said, in of the United States, related, in his newspaper, an 1853: "The most effectual incident that occurred on that occasion. He says

remedy would be the passage of that after the exchange of formalities, Lincoln said : a law altogether abolishing the "Mrs. Lincoln will be pleased to see you, gentle- will find her in the other room. You liquor traffic. There must be men. You after your long ride. You will find a no more attempts to regulate the must be thirsty pitcher of water in the library." eradicated." cancer; it must be j The newspaper men crossed the hall and entered temperance principles His the library. There were miscellaneous books on the the were shown again when shelves, two globes, celestial and terrestrial, in the committee called upon him corners of the room, and a plain table,

to notify him of the nomination with writing materials upon it, a for President. It had been con- pitcher of cold water and glasses, and sidered proper, and even nec- no wines or liquors. There was essary, to serve wine on such an humor in the invitation to take a glass of water, which was explained to Mr. occasion, and accordingly friends Coffin by a citizen of Springfield, who brought in wine and wine- said that, when it was known that the glasses. Lincoln thanked them committee was coming, several citizens for their good intentions, but called upon Mr. Lincoln and informed ordered the wine removed and him that some entertainment must be saying: water substituted, "We provided.

will drink to the fortunes of our "Yes, that is so. What ought to

party in the best beverage ever be done? Just let me know, and I brewed for man." And the will attend to it," he said. morning before his assassination, "Oh, we will supply the needed liq- friends. April 14, 1865, he is said to have uors," said his "Gentlemen," said Mr. Lircoln, declared: "After reconstruction, "1 thank you for your kind atten- the next great question will be tion, but must respectfully decline the overthrow of the liquor your offer. I have no liquors in my traffic." house, and have never been in the Lincoln spoke on tem- In 1846 habit of entertaining my friends in log school-house perance at a that way. I cannot permit my friends

near Springfield, 111. He wrote to do for me what I will not myself do. I shall and took to the meeting the provide cold water— nothing else." The Pioneer. following pledge, inviting the people to sign it: — "Whereas, the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is productive of pauperism, degradation and crime; and believing

that it is our duty to discourage that which produces more evil than good, we therefore pledge ourselves to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage. "5acv«A v\to^ Qxam^j

REFUTING FORMER GOVERNOR A/.T! 'y3 S5

. William Judso:

SINCE the enactment of the eighteenth c amendment, we have had two Pres- L _ idential elections. At neither of these Lincoln's earnest words as an advocate elections was prohibition a partizan ques- of temperance are found in reply to an tion. It has been injected into partizan address from the Sons of Temperance, politics as a major issue for the first time Sept. 29, 1863, while he was serving as in 1928. the President of the United States: Calvin Coolidge has been a friend to When I was a young man long ago, before called the law enforcement. He has been the Sons of Temperance, as an organiza-

"silent-President," but what President has tion, had an existence, I, in a humble way, spoken his mind more clearly upon great made temperance speeches, and I think I may say that to this day, I have never, national questions than Calvin Coolidge? by my example, belied what I then said. ... I No one has even accused him of being a think that the reasonable men of the world

"wet." Leaders in both political camps have long since agreed that intemperance is know it would not be true. one of the greatest, if not the very great- Former Governor Nellie Taylor Ross est, of all evils among mankind. That is * not a matter of dispute. I believe that the of Wyoming, vice-president of the Na- disease exists, and that it is a very great tional Democratic Committee, and calling one is agreed upon by all. The mode of herself a "dry," has stated in an address, cure is one about which there may be to which much publicity was given, that differences of opinion. You have suggested, that in an army our army drunken- there has never been a dry in the White — — ness is a great evil, and one which, while House. Though a dry, she seemed to get it exists to a very great extent, we cannot a thrill out of her statement. Despite expect to overcome so entirely as to have her dry proclivities, she favors the elec- such successes in our armies, as we might tion of Governor Alfred E. Smith of New have without it. York, who is a wet, and the candidate According to Mr. Lincoln's own words, who has injected prohibition as a major he practised what he preached, by ab- partizan issue into the political campaign. staining from the use of intoxicating It is not our purpose to attack Governor liquors. Smith, but rather to show that Mrs. Ross -

is absolutely incorrect when she states that no dry ever sat in the White House. OUR country has had two Presidents who were dry through principle and not 'by law. This was many years prior to the enactment of the eighteenth amendment. President Lincoln had a great mother in Nancy Hanks. She died when he was nine years of age. Mr. Lincoln signed a pledge when he was a lad. His mother exacted certain promises from her boy

when she lay sick unto death. It is generally supposed that the pledge he signed was the one his mother requested him to sign in the death chamber. The promise he made then, he kept to his death. When he had grown to manhood, during the course of an address he read a pledge he had written

Whereas, the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is productive of pauperism, deg-

radation, and crime ; and, believing it our duty to discourage that which produces more evil than good, we, therefore, pledge ourselves to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage.

Mr. Lincoln was always a firm expo- nent of total abstinence. The influence of BL rJ Nancy Hanks, through the agency of the E pledge she had persuaded her son to take when a boy, continues to live through the

LINCOLN LIKED HIS BEER, OLD COACHMAN RECALLS CHICAGO. Feb. 12 (U.P.).— Abraham Lincoln—a kindly young lawyer who ate sandwiches and drank beer but never got drunk or used profanity —was recalled todny by the silver-haired old man who drove the President's carriage in his youth, John Comstcfck, 83. When 11 years old Comstock gave up his career as a Jockey to drive for Lin- coln. "I got 25 cents a day," Comstock said, "and bed and board." my \ Lincoln was a country lawyer at Springfield, 111., and Comstock drove j for him to county seats where cases were being heard j "I took him to his office at the same time each day. He ate supper at 4 In the afternoon and then had some sandwiches and beer at 6. But, of course, he never got drunk, though he kept wine In his house. I never heard him swear."

Rainey Has Letters Showing Lincoln Drank, Didn't Like It

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (AP)— valued at between $40,000 and $50,- Speaker "Rainey said today that 000, to the White House for Presi- hitherto unpublished letters of dent Roosevelt's inspection. Abraham Lincoln, showing that the These books and letters, Rainey Civil War President took a drink said, were a part of the Wirtz col- of liquor -whenever the social graces lection which was purchased by demanded it, were being offered frtr G. A. Baker & Co. of Chicago. They sale to the government for histori- were turned over to him by Eman- cal purposes. uel Hertz of Chicago. Rainey, who represents in Con- Most of the collection was ob- gress the same Illinois district that tained from James A. Herndon, -he Lincoln did, also showed reporters law partner of Lincoln. Some of two notebooks of Lincoln's, one con- the letters were those of Linco' o

taining clippings of the Lincoln- Ann Rutledge. . Stephen A. Douglas debates in Il- "The letters show that Lin .oln linois, and the other clippings re- took a drink of liquor whenever ha lating to slavery with his personal wanted it, or felt that he had to do notations. One notebook was leath- it at social functions," Rainey said. er bound with a clasp. The other "They show that he did not like it, was bound in cloth. but that he did not let it stand in After the Christmas holidays, he the way when social functions de- said he would take the notebooks, I manded it." r Lincoln at a Saloon Door

SOME years ago, at a Lincoln meeting among the old soldiers of a Michigan city, one of the battle-worn veterans gave the following testimony " : We have heard what Lincoln has done for all of us I ; want to tell what he did for me. I was a private in one of the Western regiments that arrived first in Washington after the call for 75,000. We were marching through the city amid great crowds of cheering people, and then, after going into camp, were given leave to see the town. " Like many other of our boys, the saloon or tavern was the first thing we hit. With my comrade I was just about to go into the door of one of these places when a hand was laid upon my arm, and looking up, there was President Lincoln from his great height above me, a mere lad, regarding me with those kindly eyes and pleasant smile. " I almost dropped with surprise and bashfulness, but he held out his hand, and as I took it he shook hands in strong Western fashion, and said, ' I don't like to see our uniform going into these places.' That was all he said. He turned immediately and walked away ; and we passed on. We would not have gone into that tavern for all the wealth of Washington city. " And this is what Abraham Lincoln did then and there for me. He fixed me so that whenever I go near a saloon and in any way think of entering, his words and face come back to me. That experience has been a means of salvation to my life. Today I hate the saloon, and have hated it ever since I beard those words from that great man."— John Talmadge Bergen, D. D., in Interior.

Economics of the Drink Traffic. _,The handling, transportation, and sale of these ',},/"-. ould give employment to as I>. l>. Thompson, many more. ",mand for such a large number of employes Assistant Editor Northwestern Christian Advocate, Chicago. e i almost entirely remove the serious competi- a A BRAll AM LINCOLN, in temperance address Avhich labor suffers from -** the excess of the unem- delivered at Spring-field, III., on Washington's /yed. * * birthday, Feb. 22, 1842, referring to the successful The solution of the liquor problem is largely in the conclusion of temperance the revolution, said: [power of the warkingmen of the country. That they '• When the victory shall be complete—when there will solve it their votes | by as they solved the slav- shall be neither a slave nor a drunkard on the earth ery question, there can be no doubt. —how proud the title of that land which may truly Much educational work must be done before they claim to be tbc birthplace and the cradle of both will realize the wisdom, as well as necessity, of abol- those revolutions shall that have ended in that ishing the saloon. This will require patience and victory." That prophecy of the overthrow of slavery time. The work of education should beg-in with the 'intemperance was fulfilled so far as slavery in 'children. There will be no final conquest over the 'United States is concerned when Mr. Lincoln' liquor traffic until there has Id been trained at least a helf signed the emancipation proclamation. It generation of voters who will look upon its abolition " be- the of work the American people in the as an irrepressible issue. It may require the educa- ' mtieth century to fulfill the second part of the tion of several generations. * * * * r Our churches |)hocy. They will fulfill it. The struggle will be should begin at once a the regular and systematic edu- t and hard, but it will be successful. What has cation in temperance of the children in Sunday- ' n done for temperance in the past is but the be- schools, Epworth Leagues, Junior Leagues, and other ning. The severest battles are yet to be fought. young people's organizations. Whatever be the t, (he struggle against liquor the traffic will be character of the instruction given, ultimate prohibi- " cfly economic, as was that against slavery. It tion of the traffic should be the object. The traffic is for the preservation and extension of slavery as will, in time, furnish the occasion for prohibition, as " pperty that the civil war was begun. It is, indeed, the slaveholder furnished the occasion for abolition. fr the protection and increase of property that, /hatever may be the apparent cause, most wars are The temperance education of children should, and jae. It will be over the liquor traffice as property— will also, be prosecuted in the public schools. The 'Is a source of private profit and public revenue— that basis of such education maybe different from that in ./he final conflict will come. * * Sunday-schools, but its effect will be the same. Dark as is the prospect before us, it is by no means Thanks to the noble efforts of the Woman's Christian hopeless. The liquor problem is being studied in Temperance Union, instruction is now given children new aspects. Most thoughtful men and women real- in the public schools as to the physically injurious ize that the labor problem is to be the great problem nature of alcohol. This important work should be, of the twentieth century. The liquor problem is a and will be in course of time, supplemented by in- phase of the labor problem. The solution of the struction as to the value and absolute necessity of so- liquor problem will not entirely solve the labor briety to secure position and advancement in busi- problem, but it will go far toward doing so, and the ness. Business men are not only refusing to sign latter cannot be solved before the other has been. bonds themselves, but they are requiring employes Working-men as a class do not appreciate how closely of all classes to give bonds. One of the questions these two questions arc related, and how important asked concerning every applicant for a bond is: "Is the destruction of the liquor traffic is to their wel- he of sober and correct habits?" It is a matter of fare. * * * _* * The complaint in pure business with the bond company, and if it be times of financial depression has usually been that ascertained that the applicant, whether million- the country was suffering- from overproduction. aire orcash-girl.be the victim of occasional drunk- This was apparently correct, but as a matter of fact enness, or in the habit of daily drinking-, he is liable the country was suffering from underconsumption, to be rejected, and he certainly will be if the position lion. Thomas B. Reed, late speaker of the House of is an important one requiring self-control. In some Representatives, in a speech delivered in February, establishments no one using intoxicating liquors is 1804, said: "The more a man wants of consumable employed. The restriction, if not absolute prohibi- wealth the more his wages are likely to be. This tion of the use of liquor by employes, is sure to in- question of wages is all important as bearing upon crease. the question of consumption. All production de- The prophecy of the fall of slavery made by Abra- pends upon consumption." It is in the relation of ham Lincoln in 1843 was fulfilled in less than twenty- the liquor traffic to consumption that the working- one years. Men of that day would have deemed such people of this and other countries are so deeply in- a fulfillment in so short a period an impossibility. terested. Many persons regard the fulfillment of the second It is estimated that if the more than -?1,000,000,000 part of Lincoln's prophecy an impossibility; yet the alone spent for ! liquor by those whose power of pro- liquor traffic may be as near its end as was slavery in duction and consumption of commercial products is 1842. Let us, in our warfare against the saloon. reduced by drink, were spent for useful articles of adopt the sentiment with which Lincoln closed his food, clothing, etc., it would require nearly half a famous Cooper Institute speech: " Let us have faith million more men in the factories to meet the de- that right is might, and in that faith let us to the end mand for manufactured goods, and about 650,000 more dare to do our duty as we understand it." menjnitside the factories to producejhe rawjna.tpH.__

: ance within itself" was invented in LINCOLN AND LIQUOR. Atlanta in 1887. Whatever hia views What were Lincoln's habits in re- about temperance to be attained by gard to the use of liquor? What were statute, Lincoln was a member of the his views on the liquor problem? In Washington Society, a firm believer in The Atlantic Monthly Mr. William H. and worker for temperance. He advo- Townsend answers clearly these ques- cated persuasion; discouraged denun- tions. His information is derived from ciation of " dram-sellers and dram- original sources, printed and manu- drinkers!" In his opinion it was not script. He begins by painting LIN- mental or moral superiority, but " mere COLN'S environment and associations. absence of appetite," that had kept the Kentucky was a jovial, rough, racing sober from the course of the drunken. and gambling and fighting region. Lin- As a lawyer he served as counsel to coln's father, Thomas, was a moderate saloon keepers or the raiders and Carry drinker. Thomas's uncle Thomas kept Nations of the period with equal zeal. a stillhouse. Twice when drunk he He took no part In the unsuccessful at- kicked his wife. He assaulted a wit- tempt to impose " the Maine Liquor ness who testified that Mrs. Thomas Law " upon Illinois. He didn't wish to was frequently intoxicated but justified offend the German and other anti-pro- her on the ground that she had learned hibition elements which he was rally- the art from her husband. Abraham's ing against repeal of the Missouri Com- uncle Mordecai perished while trying promise. to cool off his liquor in a snowdrift. The Springfield lawyers took a swig Lincoln's school teacher was indict- at the whisky jug when they were pre- ed for selling liquor at retail without a paring their briefs. Liquor shops clus- license. WILLIAM Downs, " probably tered thick around every court house, " the first preacher Abraham ever but Lincoln seldom drank liquor or " heard," was a good deal of a soak and wine. "It always leaves me flabby was called before his congregation on a and undone," he told Herndon. He " charge of being drunk. Whisky-drink- sometimes took whisky with a little ing was common everywhere. Whisky " sugar in it to avoid the appearance " was a prime medium of exchange. of discountenancing it to his friends." Church subscriptions were acceptable Henry C. Whitney, who rode the cir- in " good merchantable whisky." In cuit with him, Southern Indiana dram-drinking wa recalls an incident when he and almost universal. Lincoln' loafeu Lincoln p.nd several other lawyers around the crossroads store, told drove out to the residence of Reason stories, took his dram, but was " a tem- Hooten, where several varieties of home-made perate drinker." worked in a dis- wine were , He passed around. " A mere sip of each tillery in his last Winter in the State. affected Lincoln," relates Whitnet, Going home when the crossroads store "and he said comically, 'Fellers, shut up, he would Join in singing the I am getting drunk!'" ditty mentioned by Dennis Hanks: As Ward Lamon put it, Lincoln Hail Collumbia happy Land If you was neither " a drinking man, a total aint Drunk I will Be Damned. abstainer nor a prohibitionist." Who Moving on to Illinois, LINCOLN kept but a prig won't like him more because store for Denton Offutt. It sold he would play billiards by the hour whisky, but not by the drink. In New with " a worthless drunken fellow who Salem Lincoln never took a drink. In turned lawyer late in life " ? He didn't 1832 he went into business with Wil- smoke. He seldom drank. But he sat " liam F. Berry, a young drunkard." a good fellow among the other circuit- Next Spring Lincoln sold out to riding good fellows. The room was J Berry. Liquor was sold at the store, cloudy with smoke. " A Ducket of beer but never by the drink until after Lin- "stood on the hearth, a pitcher of coln got out. As a member of the " whisky on the table, and hour after Illinois Legislature he voted against a " hour would swiftly pass in song and liquor bill imposing a higher license " story." Somebody calls for " some fee. It wa3 lost by a tie vote. The music " next day a similar bill with a local Lamon with his rich baritone and option provision, approved by the Sen- Virginia accent would sing " The ate, was passed by tire House. Again Blue-Tailed Fly" or "Cousin Sally Lincoln voted no. In the next session Downard " or some other ballad of a bill to repeal the previous act was in- equal interest but less propriety. troduced, lowering the license fee and the quantity of liquor for the sale of which a license was required. LINCOLN voted twice against a local option

amendment and finally for the bill, which passed the House but was lost in the Senate. In the session of 1840-41 an amendment to strike out all but the enacting clause of a new liquor bill and forbidding all liquor licenses' was laid on the table on Mr. Lincoln's motion. The well-known " quotation " declar- ing prohibition " a species of intemper-

LINCOLN'S PROMISE TO HIS MOTHER. AVhile drinking whisky was the fashion all about him Abraham Liu- coln never forgot bin dead mother's request to close his lips againBt intoxicants. Once when he was a member of Congress, a friend criticised him for his seeming rudeness in declining to test the rare wines provided by their host, urging as reason for reproof,

"There is certainly no danger of a man of your habits becoming

addicted to its use.'' "I mean no disrespect," John ans-

I wered Mr. Lincoln, "but I promissd my precious mother only a few days before she died that I would never use anything intoxicating as ajbever- age, and I consider that promise as

binding as it was the day 1 gave it."

"Their is great difference between |

a child surrounded by a rough class j of drinkers; and a man in a home of

1 refinement. ' insisted the friend. "But a promise is a promise forever John, and when made to a mother it

is doubly binding," replied Mr. Lin- coln. —[Exchange. ^ He Watched Lincoln Write His Name

NCE upon a time, when your great-grandfather was a little boy, there was

o a boy named 1 Cleophas Breckenridge, who lived in what was then called "the Far West." His father and mother had built a log cabin, miles from any neighbors, and his father had begun cutting down the trees on every side and clearing ground for fields. By and by some other families had come and built other log cabins, not far away; and in these families there were other boys, with whom Cleophas could play when he was not busy helping his father.

After a while, all the fathers had met together and decided to build a schoolhouse so that their children could have an education; and they had finished the log schoolhouse and had begun to look for a teacher, but as yet the school had not opened.

Then one day the boy from the nearest house came rushing over to the Breck- enridge cabin. "Hey, Cleophas!" he called. "There's going to be a meeting at the new schoolhouse this afternoon; want to go?"

Of course Cleophas wanted to go; his mother said he might leave his work, and away the boys went, across the fields and through the woods.

When they came in sight of the schoolhouse, they saw what seemed to them a great crowd of men sitting around on stumps and on logs which had been left over when the schoolhouse was built. Among these people they noticed a tall young man who seemed to be a stranger. One of the neighbors told the boys that his name was Abraham Lincoln, and that he was going to make the speech at the meeting. That did not mean anything to Cleophas and his friend, however, for they had no idea that one day this tall stranger would be president of the United States and that his name would be honored all over the world.

Nevertheless, they listened closely to his address. He talked to the people about the harm and unhappiness caused by alcoholic drinks, and reminded them that the

drinker is not the only one who is injured by liquor, but other people suffer too. He told them how easily a man may learn to want liquor more than anything else, and

so buys it with money which should be used to support his family, until they become so poor that friends and neighbors have to give them food and clothing. Then he told

them why it was better not to drink any kind of alcoholic liquor at all, and described the better health, the more comfortable homes and the greater happiness which

people might have if they refused to drink.

Finally, Mr. Lincoln took from his pocket a folded piece of paper, and ex-

plained that it was a pledge, a promise not to drink any kind of alcoholic liquor. thousands of other He said that he had signed such a pledge himself, and that to sign it, and he people had done so. Then he invited all the people at the meeting just what it was: read it aloud so that every one would understand productive "Whereas, the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage is of pauperism, degradation and crime, and believing that it is. our duty to dis- our- courage that which produces more evil than good, we therefore pledge beverage." selves to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors as a

He then placed the paper on top of a broad stump, which was to serve as a went near and desk, and many people came up and signed their names. Cleophas Lincoln stepped over stood watching, wishing he could sign it too. Suddenly Mr.

to him.

"Sonny, don't you want your name on this pledge?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," Cleophas answered, shyly.

never to drink whisky or "You understand what it means,—that you promise any other intoxicating liquor?"

"Yes, sir," replied Cleophas.

"Very well, then, you may sign right here," said Mr. Lincoln. how to write my "I can't, sir. I have never gone to school and I don't know name," explained Cleophas, a little ashamed. kindly. "If "Well, that's all right, I can write it for you," said Mr. Lincoln, if you wrote it you stand right here and watch me do it, it will be just as good as yourself."

out clearly, "Cleophas So Cleophas watched while Mr. Lincoln wrote his name the boy's head, Breckenridge," below the other names. Then, placing his hand on will be the best act Mr. Lincoln said, "Now, Sonny, you keep that pledge, and this of your life." never once was he As long as he lived, Cleophas kept his pledge faithfully, and sorry that he had promised not to drink alcoholic liquors.

entitled, "The Boy Who Saw Abraham Lincoln," which was Note:—This story is a revision of the story C. T. U. prize essay contest of 1926-27. written for reproduction by pupils of the fourth grade in the W. illustrate are to re-tell or write it in their own words, and to It may be told or read to children, who pledge which drawings. They need not be required to memorize the it with cut-out pictures or original on the blackboard and used in their repro- Mr. Lincoln signed for Cleophas, but it should be written basis explained carefully, and it may be used as the ductions of the story. It should be discussed and alcohol, "pauperism, degradation and crime." of a lesson on the economic effects of

35 cents per 100; 20 cents per 50; 2 cents each THE SIGNAL PRESS Evanston, Illinois M4482 '

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of tne ranai the excavation and completion {act Those close to the resident * thefreedmen. the vieWS ° £ purposeT OSeZof secun « it was for the f ^^ that he favored the plan and Tribune and * ^ Horace Greeley, of the New York » Major Memnte to the plan, that he called Jj^^^President had ex-

ORDER PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S MILITARY the public send Mr. Merwin wherever he thinks ••The Surgeon General will service may require." A hncOLN. 3 June 24, 1862.