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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 86There was no member of the Cabinet from the South whenAttorney-General Bates handed in his resignation, and President Lincolnhad a great deal of trouble in making a selection. Finally Titian F. Coffeyconsented to fill the vacant place for a time, and did so until theappointment of Mr. Speed.In conversation with Mr. Coffey the President quaintly remarked:"My Cabinet has shrunk up North, and I must find a Southern man. Isuppose if the twelve Apostles were to be chosen nowadays, the shrieks oflocality would have to be heeded."LINCOLN ADOPTED THE SUGGESTION.It is not generally known that President Lincoln adopted a suggestion madeby Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase in regard to theEmancipation Proclamation, and incorporated it in that famous document.After the President had read it to the members of the Cabinet he asked if hehad omitted anything which should be added or inserted to strengthen it. Itwill be remembered that the closing paragraph of the Proclamation reads inthis way:"And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice warranted bythe Constitution, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and thegracious favor of Almighty God!" President Lincoln's draft of the paperended with the word "mankind," and the words, "and the gracious favor ofAlmighty God," were those suggested by Secretary Chase.SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.It was the President's overweening desire to accommodate all persons whocame to him soliciting favors, but the opportunity was never offered untilan untimely and unthinking disease, which possessed many of thecharacteristics of one of the most dreaded maladies, confined him to his bedat the White House.