“The First Time I Ever Saw Mr. Lincoln”
The first time I ever saw Mr. Lincoln was the day after his nomination by the Chicago Convention. I accompanied the committee appointed to inform him of the action of the Convention to Springfield. It was sunset when we reached the plain, unpretentious two-story dwelling, — his Springfield home. Turning to the left as we entered the hall, and passing into the library, we stood in the presence of a tall man, with large features, great, earnest eyes, a countenance which, once looked upon, forever remembered. He received the committee with dignity and yet with evident constraint of manner. The address of Mr. Ashmun, chairman of the committee, was brief, and so was Mr. Lincoln’s reply. Then followed a general introduction of the party.
There was a pitcher of ice-water and goblets on a stand, but there were no liquors. The next morning a citizen narrated the following incident.
When the telegraph informed Mr. Lincohi’s neighbors that the committee were on their way, a few of his friends called upon him to make arrangements for their reception.
“You must have some refreshments prepared,” said they.
“certainly, certainly. What shall I get? “
“You will want some brandy, whiskey, wines, fec.”
“I can’t do that, gentlemen. I never have kept liquors, and can’t crct them now.”
“Well, we will supply them.”
“No, gentlemen, I can’t permit you to do what I would not do myself. I will furnish good water and enough of it, but no liquors.”
He adhered to his decision ; and thus at the beginning of the contest gave an exhibition of that resoluteness of character, that determination of will to adhere to what he felt was right, which was of such inestimable value to the nation, in carrying the cause of the Union triumphantly through all the dark days of the Rebellion.
Quoted in “The boys of ’61; or, Four years of fighting”,by Coffin, Charles Carleton, p. 31