Forks temperance meeting. To the facts he then learned, further information was added until the fascinating story was obtained in its entirety. And it is worthy of note that this story contributed largely to the organization of the Lincoln-Legion branch of the Anti-Saloon League, and to the choice of the name by which that total abstinence movement is known.

In August, 1903, I was present at the conference of AntiSaloon League superintendents, held at Winona Lake, when Doctor Russell read a written statement of his interview with Mr. Breckenridge, and asked the conference to approve of the proposed Lincoln-Legion movement, which was done with unanimity and great enthusiasm. Subsequently, when it was decided to launch the new movement at Oberlin, Ohio, where the Anti-Saloon League was born, Doctor Russell secured the presence of Moses Martin and Cleopas Breckenridge at that meeting, where they publicly gave an account of Lincoln's temperance work at the South Forks schoolhouse and at other places in Central Illinois. To the alertness and untiring perseverance of Doctor Russell we are indebted for the priceless information he secured concerning Abraham Lincoln's active and successful participation in the promotion of the pledge-signing feature of temperance reform.

It adds immensely to the unique character and significance of this story to remember, as I have already stated, that at the time of the South Forks meeting Mr. Lincoln was a very energetic member of the national House of Representatives at Washington, and a promising young statesman.

MAJOR MERWIN'S WORK

Mr. Lincoln's great interest in total abstinence was never more significantly manifested than by his action as President in furthering the temperance work of Major J. B. Merwin among the soldiers in the Union Army. Major Merwin was a rare man. With his pleasing and impressive personality were united superior intellectual endowments and ripe scholarship.

Arthur I. Keller.

Courtesy of Dr. Howard H. Russell.

(See page 149)

He was the founder of the American Journal of Education at St. Louis, Missouri, and was widely known as a lecturer and writer of commanding ability.

In 1854 he first met Abraham Lincoln at Springfield, Illinois, and was for a time associated with him in a work, fuller mention of which will be given in the latter portion of this chapter. Mr. Lincoln became so strongly attached to this refined and cultured reformer that early in his Presidency he embraced with great delight the opportunity presented of securing his services in religious and temperance work in connection with the army.

The opportunity came on July 17th, 1861, when there was presented to President Lincoln a request, signed by prominent men, asking that Major Merwin be assigned to the work of inducing officers and soldiers of the Union Army to abstain from the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage. As Mr. Lincoln knew that the Major was admirably fitted for that work the request met with his hearty response. Knowing Major Merwin since 1854, and regarding him as one of the ablest and most successful temperance workers he ever had known, he at once, and very gladly, assured him of his hearty approval of the work he proposed to do, and of his official co-operation with him in prosecuting it. To make this assurance of practical value, President Lincoln wrote upon the request presented to him the following endorsement:

"If it be ascertained at the War Department that the President has legal authority to make an appointment such as is asked within, and Gen. Scott is of opinion it will be available for good, then let it be done. "July 17th, 1861.

"A. LINCOLN."

To this endorsement by the President were soon added the following:

"I esteem the mission of Mr. Merwin to this army a happy circumstance, and request all commanders to give him free

access to all our camps and posts, and also to multiply occasions to enable him to address our officers and men.

"July 24, 1861.

"WINFIELD SCOTT, "Department of Virginia."

"The mission of Mr. Merwin will be of great benefit to the troops, and I will furnish him with every facility to address the troops under my command. I hope the Gen'l commanding the army will give him such official position as Mr. Merwin may desire to carry out his object. "August 8, 1861.

"B. F. BUTLER, "Maj.-Gen. Com'd'g."

These endorsements indicate the esteem in which Major Merwin was held by men of high rank and give great weight to his testimony respecting Mr. Lincoln's temperance views and activities.

During the Major's work in Washington he frequently addressed gatherings of soldiers from the President's carriage, the use of which was given him by Mr. Lincoln for that purpose. General Scott was very enthusiastic in his approval and encouragement of this work, and after hearing the Major address the soldiers several times, he remarked to President Lincoln: "A man of such force and moral power to inspire courage, patriotism, faith and obedience among the troops is worth more than a half dozen regiments of raw recruits."

The President watched Major Merwin's work in the army with keen interest, for he believed in total abstinence, he had confidence in the devout, Christian man who was conducting that work, and being desirous of affording him every facility for prosecuting it, issued the following very remarkable order:

"Surgeon General will send Mr. Merwin wherever he may think the public service may require.

"July 24, 1862.

"A. LINCOLN."