has been said by orators and poets, since the creation of the world, in praise of women, were applied to the women of America, it would not do them justice for their conduct during this war. I will close by saying, God bless the women of America!”

Again: just before he wrote the immortal proclamation, he said, "Do not misunderstand me: . . . I have not decided against a proclamation of liberty to the slaves, but hold the matter under advisement. And I can assure you that the subject is on my mind, by day and night, more than any other. Whatever shall appear

to be God's will, I will do." *

And yet again: in words of living faith he says, "If we have patience, if we restrain ourselves, if we allow ourselves not to run off in a passion, I still have confidence that the Almighty, the Maker of the universe, will, through the instrumentality of this great and intelligent people, bring us through this, as he has through all the other difficulties of our country." This was said in 1861. In 1864, the President's faith was lost in sight.

See the modesty of our late President in his own record of his life, furnished for a " Dictionary of Congress." "Born Feb. 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Ky.

“Education defective.

"Profession, a lawyer. Have been a captain of volunteers in the Black-Hawk War.

"Postmaster at a very small office. Four times a member of the Illinois Legislature, and was a member of the lower house of Congress.

"Yours, &c.,

"A. LINCOLN."

Here is the record of an act of kindness, from the pen of a Western editor:

"I dropped in upon Mr. Lincoln on Monday last, and found him busily engaged in counting green-backs. 'This, sir,' said he, 'is something out of my usual line: but a President of the United States has a multiplicity of duties not specified in the Constitution, or Acts of Congress; this is one of them. This money belongs to a poor negro, who is a porter in one of the departments (the Treasury), and who is at present very sick with the small-pox. He is now in the hospital, and could not draw his pay because he could not sign his name. I have been at considerable trouble to overcome the dif ficulty, and get it for him; and have at length succeeded in cutting red tape, as you newspaper-men say. I am now dividing the money, and putting by a portion, labelled in an envelope with my own hands, according to his wish."*

An English clergyman said in his eulogy, "One or two illustrations of his personal kindness have just come to my knowledge through a friend who has recently returned from the United States. This gentleman told me that he was one day conversing with the general in command of one of the armies, on the subject of desertion; when the general said, 'The first week of my command, there were twenty-four deserters sentenced by court-martial to be shot; and the warrants for their execution. were sent to the President to be signed: he refused. I went to Washington, and had an interview. I said, 'Mr. President, unless these men are made an example of, the army itself is in danger. Mercy to the few is cruelty to the many.' He replied, 'Mr. General, there are already too many weeping widows in the United States. For God's sake, don't ask me to add to the number; for I

"Chicago Tribune."

won't do it.' A young sentry was found asleep on his post: he was sentenced to be shot; but the President came into camp, and granted the earnest petition of the lad. The dead body of that youth was afterwards found among the slain on the field of Fredericksburg; and under his waistcoat, next to his breast, was a photograph of the President, beneath which the lad had written, God bless President Lincoln !' Many similar incidents might be cited to show how tender-hearted he was, and how deeply he was beloved by multitudes who have received from him personal marks of kindness."*

6

At the time when the young soldier above mentioned was under sentence of death, " Carleton" (C. C. Coffin), of the “Journal," was in Washington. He became convinced that the case was one deserving pardon; that the young man had been kept awake too long, and was not desirous of failing in duty, but was absolutely overpowered by fatigue. On the evening preceding the day when he was to be shot, Mr. Coffin called on a Presbyterian pastor, Rev. Mr. Smith, and found that he had retired to his bed, sick on account of the approaching doom for one whom he also deemed innocent. He rose, and, proceeding to the parlor, told "Carleton" that he heard the President had "made up his mind" to have the young man executed, and forbade all admittance to those who would plead for him: so the clergyman had been asking for deliverance of One whose ear is ever open. The two proceeded to the White House, were denied admittance to the President, but wrote a note to him, begging the young man's life, which the President consented to receive; and they left the White House ignorant of the result. The next day the pardon was

* Rev. Newman Hall, London.

announced; and two hearts at least were happy at the news, though they could not know how far they had been instrumental in securing the pardon. One thing they knew, that the President was as glad to pardon as they to hear of it.

The following is from a newspaper* correspondent, and shows the President's appreciation of their efforts who fought bravely for their country:—

"That night I left the fortress, and got Worden safe home in Washington City; when, leaving him to the care of my wife, I went with the Secretary to the President, and gave him the particulars of the engagement. As soon as I had done, Mr. Lincoln said, 'Gentlemen, I am going to shake hands with that man;' and presently he walked round with me to our little house. I led him up stairs to the room where Worden was lying with fresh bandages over his scorched eyes and face, and said, 'Jack, here's the President, who has come to see you. He raised himself on his elbow as Mr. Lincoln took him by the hand, and said, 'You do me great honor, Mr. President; and I am only sorry that I can't see you.' The President was visibly affected, as, with tall frame and earnest gaze, he bent over his wounded subordinate; but, after a pause, he said, with a quiver in the tone of his voice, 'You have done me more honor, sir, than I can ever do to you.' He then sat down, while Worden gave him an account of the battle; and, on leaving, he promised, if he could legally do so, that he would make him a captain."

President Lincoln was accustomed to visit the hospitals, and speak kind words to the sick and wounded soldiers. True charity is shown not only in almsgiving, but in kind words and pleasant smiles; and many a poor

"Advertiser."

soldier-boy, far away from home and dear ones whom he longs to see, has been cheered by beholding the President's tall form enter the crowded hospital, and, with a manner showing his fatherly interest, pass around among his "boys," as he called them. They called him "Uncle

Abe;" and one such visit from him, in whose countenance they could read the real interest he felt for them, was enough to bind their loyal hearts still more firmly to him, and to the cause which he represented. More than one bereaved family to-day blesses the memory of Abraham Lincoln as they remember how he cheered in his hour of sickness, and even, it might be, beneath the shadowing wing of the death-angel, the dear soldier-boy whom they gave to their country.

President Lincoln declares plainly, and in so doing manifests his own faith in God, that a power beyond himself led to many of the wisest acts of his administration. In the letter to A. G. Hodges, where he speaks