Between the first election and inauguration of Mr. Lincoln the disunion
sentiment grew rapidly in the South, and President Buchanan’s failure to
stop the open acts of secession grieved Mr. Lincoln sorely. Mr. Lincoln
had a long talk with his friend, Judge Gillespie, over the state of
affairs. One incident of the conversation is thus narrated by the Judge:
“When I retired, it was the master of the house and chosen ruler of the
country who saw me to my room. ‘Joe,’ he said, as he was about to leave
me, ‘I am reminded and I suppose you will never forget that trial down
in Montgomery county, where the lawyer associated with you gave away the
whole case in his opening speech. I saw you signaling to him, but you
couldn’t stop him.
“‘Now, that’s just the way with me and Buchanan. He is giving away the
case, and I have nothing to say, and can’t stop him. Good-night.’”