On one occasion, Colonel Baker was speaking in a court-house, which had
been a storehouse, and, on making some remarks that were offensive to
certain political rowdies in the crowd, they cried: “Take him off the
stand!”
Immediate confusion followed, and there was an attempt to carry the
demand into execution. Directly over the speaker’s head was an old
skylight, at which it appeared Mr. Lincoln had been listening to the
speech. In an instant, Mr. Lincoln’s feet came through the skylight,
followed by his tall and sinewy frame, and he was standing by Colonel
Baker’s side. He raised his hand and the assembly subsided into silence.
“Gentlemen,” said Mr. Lincoln, “let us not disgrace the age and country
in which we live. This is a land where freedom of speech is guaranteed.
Mr. Baker has a right to speak, and ought to be permitted to do so. I am
here to protect him, and no man shall take him from this stand if I can
prevent it.” The suddenness of his appearance, his perfect calmness and
fairness, and the knowledge that he would do what he had promised to do,
quieted all disturbance, and the speaker concluded his remarks without
difficulty.