augural address.* And the helpful influence of Douglas continued during the early months of Lincoln's Presidency and until his lamented death on the 3rd of June, 1861, closed their earthly fellowship.

Douglas, with his great ability, high ambition, magnetic personality, and tireless energy and industry was the most helpful opponent with which kind Providence favored Abraham Lincoln.

Some whom I have named above, and others of equal merit, formed a group with whom it was a priceless favor to be associated. Some were Mr. Lincoln's political antagonists, others were devoted friends, and all either by rivalry or encouragement, stimulated his vigorous and growing powers to the endeavors which brought success.

It was peculiarly fortunate that at the opportune period of his life his lot was cast with such a company of able associates and antagonists.

Abraham Lincoln was favored of fortune in

THE WOMAN WHO BECAME HIS WIFE

Only a woman of tremendous force of character, superior intellectual gifts and attainments, and peculiarly fitted for her delicate task, could successfully have assisted him to prepare for and to accomplish his great work. From his native state, came just the wife he needed in the person of vivacious Mary

Respecting this incident there has been some question which is conclusively settled by Colonel Henry Watterson of Kentucky, who was a member of Congress at the time and was one of the committee appointed to escort the new President to the place of inauguration. In his famous lecture, "Abraham Lincoln, Man inspired of God," Colonel Watterson says:

"I accompanied the cortege that passed from the Senate Chamber to the vast portico of the capitol, and, as Mr. Lincoln removed his hat to face the vast multitude in front and below, I extended my hand to receive it, but Judge Douglas, just beside me, reached over my outstretched arm and took the hat, holding it throughout the delivery of the inaugural address." Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. III., p. XX.

Todd, a woman of proud and noble lineage, extending back through many generations distinguished for the high qualities of their robust and rugged men and women. She was highspirited, proud and ambitious, of charming personality, and of great force of character.

She had received excellent educational culture and training, and was in every way fitted for helpful companionship with a man of Mr. Lincoln's tastes and talents. Her affections were ardent, and she was passionately devoted to her family and to her personal friends. With unwavering confidence she believed in her husband and foresaw for him a distinguished career long before others recognized his worth. Her talents and temperament were the exact complement of her husband's, and aided him to develop a strong and forceful personality.

Her high ambition and unconquerable will assisted in holding him to his tasks in spite of difficulties and discouragements, before which, without her aid, even his tenacious nature might have faltered and failed.

His prolonged meditations upon the evils of slavery, and his realization of the strength with which it was entrenched, and the vigor and determination with which it was and would continue to be defended, caused him seasons of painful melancholy verging on despondency; but her exuberance of spirits. came to his relief at all such times of need and kept him firm in the thickest of the fight, and confident of ultimate victory.

In his quiet quest for a satisfying religious faith, he was encouraged and aided by her keen spiritual insight and Christian experience and life. She was always by his side at public religious services, thus expressing her sympathy and fellowship with him in the unquestioning confidence in God and firm purpose to do His will for which he was so distinguished.

The assertion of her rightful authority, if at times seemingly imperious and severe; her insistence upon the strict observance of the amenities of life; and her pronounced displeasure at anything which met her disapproval, were doubtless very helpful in making Mr. Lincoln the courteous gentle

man he became, and in giving him his remarkable mental and moral poise.

To fill acceptably the station of First Lady of the Land, Mrs. Lincoln encountered greater difficulties than had any who preceded her in that position. Being of southern blood, birth and education, and having several relatives in the Confederate Army, she encountered the spirit of intolerance which prevailed at Washington during the Rebellion. With many it seemed impossible to regard and treat with common justice those whom they suspected were less intense than themselves in loyalty to the Union cause. This led to serious misrepresentations, and even to the circulation of falsehoods respecting Mrs. Lincoln's attitude toward the war.

Owing to the dangers which constantly threatened the nation, and the measureless suffering and sorrow resulting from the war, there were few social functions held at the Executive Mansion during Mr. Lincoln's Presidency; therefore, Mrs. Lincoln was not afforded the opportunity to win for herself the social distinction which she was so admirably fitted to achieve and hold.

Had conditions been normal during the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln, his brilliant and accomplished wife would have won from all the admiration and praise which those who knew her intimately freely bestowed. However, the serious conditions caused by the war which closed to Mrs. Lincoln the door of social distinction, opened to her a door into the realm of loving ministration which she gladly entered, and in which, with generous heart and bountiful beneficence, she wrought for sick and wounded, in hospitals and in military camps.

The love which Mr. Lincoln cherished for his wife, and his appreciation of her high ambitions, and helpful ministrations, were indicated by the promptness with which, when informed by wire of his first nomination as a candidate for President, he turned from enthusiastic friends, and hastened to his Springfield home to be the first to inform her of the great honor which had been conferred upon him.