''Abe'' Lincoln's Yarns and Stories - University of Macau Library

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 44cost, the job was finished; the house of the Great American Republic wasno longer divided; the severed sections--the North and the South--werecemented tightly; the slaves were freed, peace was firmly established, andthe Union of states was glued together so well that the nation is strongernow than ever before. Lincoln was just the man for that job, and the workhe did will last for all time. "The New Cabinetmaker" knew his businessthoroughly, and finished his task of glueing in a workmanlike manner. Atthe very moment of its completion, five days after the surrender of Lee toGrant at Appomattox, the Martyr President fell at the hands of the assassin,J. Wilkes Booth."I CAN STAND IT IF THEY CAN."United States Senator Benjamin Wade, of Ohio, Henry Winter Davis, ofMaryland, and Wendell Phillips were strongly opposed to PresidentLincoln's re-election, and Wade and Davis issued a manifesto. Phillipsmade several warm speeches against Lincoln and his policy.When asked if he had read the manifesto or any of Phillips' speeches, thePresident replied:"I have not seen them, nor do I care to see them. I have seen enough tosatisfy me that I am a failure, not only in the opinion of the people inrebellion, but of many distinguished politicians of my own party. But timewill show whether I am right or they are right, and I am content to abide itsdecision."I have enough to look after without giving much of my time to theconsideration of the subject of who shall be my successor in office. Theposition is not an easy one; and the occupant, whoever he may be, for thenext four years, will have little leisure to pluck a thorn or plant a rose in hisown pathway."It was urged that this opposition must be embarrassing to hisAdministration, as well as damaging to the party. He replied: "Yes, that istrue; but our friends, Wade, Davis, Phillips, and others are hard to please. I