The President walked through the streets of Richmond--without a guard
except a few seamen--in company with his son “Tad,” and Admiral Porter,
on April 4th, 1865, the day following the evacuation of the city.
Colored people gathered about him on every side, eager to see and thank
their liberator. Mr. Lincoln addressed the following remarks to one of
these gatherings:
“My poor friends, you are free--free as air. You can cast off the name
of slave and trample upon it; it will come to you no more.
“Liberty is your birthright. God gave it to you as He gave it to others,
and it is a sin that you have been deprived of it for so many years.
“But you must try to deserve this priceless boon. Let the world see that
you merit it, and are able to maintain it by your good work.
“Don’t let your joy carry you into excesses; learn the laws, and obey
them. Obey God’s commandments, and thank Him for giving you liberty, for
to Him you owe all things.
“There, now, let me pass on; I have but little time to spare.
“I want to see the Capitol, and must return at once to Washington to
secure to you that liberty which you seem to prize so highly.”
“ABE” ADDED A SAVING CLAUSE.
Lincoln fell in love with Miss Mary S. Owens about 1833 or so, and,
while she was attracted toward him she was not passionately fond of him.
Lincoln’s letter of proposal of marriage, sent by him to Miss Owens,
while singular, unique, and decidedly unconventional, was certainly not
very ardent. He, after the fashion of the lawyer, presented the matter
very cautiously, and pleaded his own cause; then presented her side
of the case, advised her not “to do it,” and agreed to abide by her
decision.
Miss Owens respected Lincoln, but promptly rejected him--really very
much to “Abe’s” relief.