Abraham Lincoln's Habits

> tn si x* Abraham Lincoln's Habits Temperance Excerpts from newspapers and other sources From the files of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection ~1t.i-oDt) OST. o$QTQ> 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 secur- ing 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. — , 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 ex- plained 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.

Load more