MEMORANDUM -

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In conformity with special requests by those of our Allen family very dear to me I am induced to add here something of my own biography. 

I do this the more readily as my life, having been now extended to the latter half of my Ninetieth year, must, in the course of nature, be verging to its close, notwithstanding that I am still in the enjoyment of perfect health, and deem a daily walk of 3 or 4 miles a pleasant recreation. 

And though my career as herein to be set forth may not record anything of great interest or moment, it may be of some value as a souvenir to those of my family connections, with whom my relations have always been intimate and cordial, and our family ties mutually cherished as of one general parentage.

Moreover, as my career in life is now behind me, on looking back on its course, I find it so unusually varied, as to public positions held, by circumstances altogether unforeseen and utterly unanticipated, that I am impressed with the great truth that though "man deviseth his way, the Lord directeth his steps."

Born on the 21st day of January, 1814, on the old "Job Allen Farm" at Danville, Morris County, New Jersey, I was but 6 weeks old when my father with his family started on the long journey to his new home and farm near to Fredericktown, in Knox County, Ohio.  And when we had reached there I was 3 months old.

I state this, not as of my own personal knowledge and recollection, but from information of others, chiefly from my mother; who would be 

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good authority, as she had the care of me during that tedious and toilsome journey in our covered-wagon across the Allegheny Mountains to the then far-away West.

Our farm was considerably improved when bought; but my father added many fields by additional clearings of the forest. Our dwelling house was of logs; but roomy and comfortable.

My infancy, childhood, and early youth were spent on that farm, at first with the great forest adjacent.  I well remember, in my childhood, of hearing the night howlings of wolves, and the occasional screams of panthers, in the neighboring depths of the forest.

I also distinctly recollect frequent visits of the Wyandotte Indians, in great numbers, at our house, to exchange venison and wild cranberries for cornmeal and pickled pork.  They were entirely amiable and friendly.  Many times have I gone to their camp and run foot-races, and wrestled, and shot with bows-and-arrows, with Indian boys of my age.  I mention this to show what Ohio was then, and what Ohio has become within a single lifetime! 

The near-by village of Fredericktown, the trading centre for the "Jersey Settlement," so called, was early distinguished for its good schools, for those days.  I cannot remember when I first went to school.  Nor can I remember any time in my life when I could not read any English book.  I do, however, well remember the surprise I caused the teacher whom my father had employed to keep a kind of Kindergarten in summer time for us 'kids' in a tenant-house he had built on our farm.  There was no system of schoolbooks then.  Each child brought whatever the sparse family library afforded, from primers to bibles.  At school-opening each pupil was examined as to his literary attainments in order to form the classes.  When I was called to the teacher's knee and inquiry 

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was made as to what book I had brought, I handed her my "English Reader," a book much in use then, and consisting of selections from Addison and others of the best British authors.  She looked at me, a little chub of [a] chap, laughed, and said, "Can you read in this?"  "Yes mam."  Opening it somewhere, she handed it to me and told me to read there.  I read it off fluently, not thinking it any very remarkable literary performance.  Then came her look of surprise that made me wonder, and which I never forgot.  And that is the earliest recollection I have of ever learning to read.  How, when, or where I learned to read, I have not the most remote idea.

My parents were particularly thoughtful for the education of us children so far as means of education were then available.  At one time, however, when our village school was not very high-toned, the teacher admitting that he had never studied grammar, my father sent me to school at Mt. Vernon, where I was boarded in the family of the teacher, quite a scholarly man.  I was there, I think, about 2 years, and was well advanced in all common school studies.

Then, considering my education as finished, my father recalled me to the work of the farm.  But the education thus acquired, though good, instead of seeming to me to [be] finished, served to excite a desire to obtain more.  At Mt. Vernon I had become acquainted with some boys who were students of Kenyon College, only 5 miles distant.  From this sprang up a longing to go to college.

I timidly mentioned this to my father.  He would not hear to it; and for two reasons--he could not afford it, and he could not spare me from assistance on the farm.  My elder brothers being now grown and gone for themselves, and I the youngest, he did indeed need me.  Besides, he thought it a foolish, boyish whim.

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But the longing to go to college would not down at his bidding.  I pondered over it as I ploughed; I thought it over as I hoed; it went with me as I foddered the sheep, and rode the horses to water.  I finally mentioned the matter to my mother.  She was sympathetic, wished it might be, but couldn't see how it could be; and counseled me to be content as I was. 

At that time the country was in one of those frequent financial throes that demoralized business.  Banks failed everywhere.  Money good today, good for nothing tomorrow.  My father had plenty of everything but money --money there was none.

I had learned to play the flute, and was accounted a good performer.  Commencement time at Kenyon College, only 12 miles distant, had come; the public exercises were announced.  A band of music was desired.  There were no professionals.  Among the students and some others an amateur band was improvised.  I was wanted to play the piccolo flute.  All went off well.  I was charmed with the exercises, with the scholarship of the graduating class, the Latin, Greek, and fine English orations.  That was in June.  Then and there I determined to go to college at the beginning of the next fall term.  I said nothing about it then.

When autumn came I told my father of my determination.  He scouted it as foolish.  And it was.  But I was none the less determined.  I told my mother.  She was sorry; but couldn't help me.

Finally, on an occasion when father was to be from home for several days at court serving as a juryman, with my mother's help, giving me bed-clothes and things, I packed up my personal belongings for departure.  My mother gave me two dollars, all she had: and with that amount of capital, and with her kisses and blessings; I left home: in fact, I ran away from home to go to college!  My mother had assented; because, as 

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she said, it would be of no use to prevent it.  My father had not consented; but he had not actually forbidden it.

Arriving at the College, I went at once to the President; found him at a meeting of the College Faculty; told them who I was, what I wanted, and why I had come,--explained to them frankly the situation.  They received me kindly, questioned me as to my advancement in studies, gave me encouragement, and promised such assistance as might be in their power.  Never was poor boy received and treated more kindly!

The College session was about to open.  My name was placed on the College Roll, and I was duly matriculated.  I had a room assigned in one of the College buildings, and I gathered my belongings therein.  Lacking a bedstead, that night I slept on the floor.  And that night I was verily homesick!  I had been used to feather-beds!  Consequently I was homesick!  I was never homesick before--nor since: and never want to be!  Once is enough!!

The next morning I attended for the assignment of studies, of course, in the Preparatory Department; for, as yet, I knew not a word of Latin or Greek.  On examination my preparatory studies were found sufficient in English branches for the Freshman Class; so I had no special need to spend time on them.  I at once commenced the course in Latin, Greek, and Algebra.  I procured text-books from the College Library, kept for that purpose.

At that time the students were all boarded in "College Commons," under a superintendent in charge, and were charged only actual cost, about $3 per week.  The College property embraced about 8000 acres of fine lands as an endorsement; some of it in farms, much then in forest.  The situation of the College and its various buildings is one of the most beautiful in the United States.  Around the main College building, 

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an imposing Gothic structure of stone, there was a large area of ground intended for a Park; but was, as yet, in its native forest growth.

The College authorities gave to those of the students desiring it the privilege of working to clear up that area of its undergrowth and superfluous timber trees, allowing payment on College expense account at so much an hour, working only out of study hours; thus affording both healthful exercise and profit.

I was handy with the axe and other tools for such work; and gladly availed myself of this work as a means of paying board expenses and other minor charges.  Many others, thirty or forty, I think, did the same, some for exercise and amusement, others for the profit. Many an afternoon, during recreation hours and on Saturday half-holidays were we youngsters busy in clearing up that bit of forest, then all a "tangled wild-wood," now a grand and beautiful College Park.

My studies delighted me.  I loved the 'Languages'; and have, I think, a natural aptitude in acquiring them.  I was diligent and attentive; never missed a recitation.  At the end of the autumn session, at Christmas, the President sent for me.  I went with trepidation.  I feared he was going to dismiss me.  He greeted me kindly.  Told me that my Professors had reported that I had made such progress that by taking some extra studies I could be fitted for the next Freshman Class at the ensueing [sic] autumn examination.  This, as he told me, would shorten my College course by one year, and thus save me both time and money; but, as he said, I would need to study hard to do it; as it usually required two years study to complete the preparatory course.  I eagerly embraced his kindly suggestion, thanked him heartily, and departed, a happy boy!

I immediately took up the extra studies.  Then the 'Fellows,' there were about 400 of us, laughed at me for a 'flam' trying to enter 'Fresh' 

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in one year!  I couldn't "laugh back," because I might fail.  But I would try it, anyway; if successful--then it would be my turn to laugh.  I did try.  I tried hard.  My professors encouraged me--one in particular, Professor Finch: I shall never forget his kind words!

The session passed: the autumn examination for the 'Freshman' came on.  Of the 52 candidates 48 were admitted; and out of the 48 I stood second: the one who ranked me had been two years in the 'Preparatory.' 

To maintain my class rank in the Freshman year I studied hard; a little too hard, it seemed.  For, towards the close of the year my health failed.  One morning I fainted in the recitation room at class.  I knew no more till I found myself in bed in my own room, the College physician sitting beside me.  My breathing was labored, my chest pained me, my voice was gone, only a hoarse, raucous whisper remained.  The Doctor wrote a note, told me to take that to the President--then the excellent Bishop McIlvain--as soon as I was able.  In the course of the day, having recovered, I did so.  The good Bishop expressed anxiety, almost alarm, on hearing my raucous speech; and told me I must go home and take a rest.  He had not been the President when I first came to the College.  So, now I had to tell him that I had no home: that I was a run-away boy--had run-away from home to go to College.  Then, in answer to his further inquiries I told him all about it.  The dear, good Bishop smiled kindly as my story was told, told me to sit still a minute, he thought he could fix matters for me.  He thereupon turned to his table and wrote quite a lengthy note, sealed it, and giving it to me, said--"There, give that to your father, mount one of his horses, and don't leave his back till you get well.  Then return to your class."

I had been then nearly two years from home, only 12 miles distant, and had had no word from my father,--and yet I knew he was one of the 

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best fathers any boy ever had, and that he was affectionately fond of me, as his youngest son.  And I really blamed myself for thus leaving him alone on his farm in his now advancing years.  But, somehow, I couldn't help going. 

However, as the Bishop had directed, I went home.  I had to walk, had no money; snow on the ground, soft, and mushy.  That 12 mile walk was a hard one!  Never forgotten! 

But I didn't go directly home.  I went to my brother William's, who lived on his own place near by.  He and his good wife soon made me comfortable.  He went that evening to father's and told him that I was at his home.  My father told him to tell me to come home. 

I went home.  Father seemed glad to see me.  Spoke not a word of reproof.  Mother, seeing my condition got me dry stockings, got me an excellent supper--She knew what I liked!--then gave me something for my hoarseness--hoarhound tea and maple-sugar, I guess! 

Sitting all quietly by the fireside after supper, finally my father broke the silence by asking me how I got along at College--rather jokingly, as I perceived.  He thought I had got cured of my foolish freak, and had come home to stay.  I told him I had done pretty well; and added--"I have a letter for you, father, from the Bishop"; and gave it him.  Adjusting his spectacles, he opened it, and read it silently.  Not a word was spoken by any one.  I never knew what was in that letter.  I only know that in reading it father's spectacles became dim--and he coughed some!  Then, rising, he went and put the letter away in the deep bottom of the eight-day grandfather's clock, where he kept his private papers.  Then he came and sat down again, remained silent, as in thought. 

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Finally, he inquired how I had managed to pay for what I had had.  I told him all about clearing the woods, and so on.  He laughed, but rather sadly.  No more was said.

The next morning being fine; I told my father what the Bishop had said about the horseback performance.  He said, "Well, Isaac, yonder in the field is a four-year-old that has never been bridled.  Go with Henry (the hired man), catch him, bridle him, and ride as much as you please."

It was done.  I did ride!  He was a fine animal.  I trained him well, riding many miles daily.  The Bishop's remedy proved good.  The chest-pain in breathing disappeared gradually, my voice returned; in two weeks I was well again.

I then announced my purpose of return to the College so as to keep up with my class.  My father then, seeing that I was incorrigible and irreclaimable, consented to my going; and privately told me he would take measures to assist me.  And he did.  Thereafter, I had not much difficulty; though I spent all my Summer vacations at home, assisting in the harvest work on the farm.  And so, in due time I received my Degree as "Master of Arts" from Kenyon College, the Diploma for which I have yet, and well preserved.

On leaving College it was deemed advisable that I should have a period of rest and recuperation.  My brother James was then married and living in New Jersey.  He wrote requesting me to visit him.  It accorded with my wishes.  I arranged to go; and, as a measure of health, decided to make the journey on horseback.  Father furnished me a fine horse and all needful equipments; and I so made the journey--full 500 miles.  It was June: I traveled rather leisurely, avoiding the heat of mid-day hours.  I have made the transit many times since by steam-power on rail and water, but never one more agreeable to myself.  I remained in the East till the 

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following autumn.

Returning to Ohio, I took thought of some business career.  My inclination was for the Law.  My dear, good mother, a devoted Christian woman, earnestly protested against this; for the reason that lawyers were necessarily wicked, and therefore certain victims of the 'Evil One'!  Probably she was right!--at least, half-right!  Her special desire was to make a preacher of me.  But, as I was a trifle too wild and wayward for that staid and solemn profession, she concluded to compromise with the Evil One by making a doctor of me.

I yielded to this at her urgent solicitation; and entered upon the study of Medicine.  I was pleased with the study of the Natural Sciences pertaining to that profession--anatomy, chemistry, physiology, and incidentally, also, psychology.  But, the bedside practice was revolting to me.  I, however, pursued the study to regular graduation.

I then turned to my first choice, and commenced the study of the Law under Hon. Henry B. Curtis, an eminent lawyer of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. 

To meet my expenses while engaged in this study, I obtained position as Recording Deputy in the office of the Clerk of the Courts, under Isaac Hadley; rendering service about 3 hours daily and during Court terms, for my board in his family.  He and his family were excellent people, and made me as one of themselves.  This service in the Office of the Courts was of substantial benefit to me in my professional pursuits.  It made the practical machinery of the Courts familiar to me even before I commenced professional practice.

I retained this position during the two years of my law studies, when I was admitted to the Bar of the Ohio State Courts, and soon afterwards to the Bar of the United States Courts; to the latter of which the oath 

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was administered to me by Judge John McLean, of the Supreme Court of the United States, in 1841.

On my admission to the Bar, my law Preceptor, H. B. Curtis, proposed a partnership in Law practice; I to take charge of a Branch office at Mansfield, Richland County adjoining, for which he furnished a well selected Law library.  Thus equipped, I began my Law practice in 1842.  This Law partnership continued for 5 years, the term of its original limitation.

While in New Jersey, as before mentioned, I had met and made the acquaintance of a young lady of 16, who was, to my notion, exactly what a young lady should be; and, somehow, she came to about the same conclusion, from her point of view, as to me.  And we had mutually concluded to harmonize our respective views by means of matrimony, at such future time as circumstances would warrant.  So, now, having commenced my business life, I went to New Jersey, in pursuance to said arrangement and was married to Susan, daughter of Judge Peter P. Brown, proprietor of Newfoundland, New Jersey, on the 11th day of August, 1841.

Our married life continued most happily for a little more than 60 years; until the 19th of November, 1901; when death bereaved me of her, at the age of 80 1/2 years.  Since then my life has been lonely!

In entering upon professional life, I, fortunately, did not have to wait for clients.  Mr. Curtis placed his pending cases in that county in my hands.  Thereby I had at once a standing at the Bar of that and the adjoining counties; and so continued to have.

I soon discovered the auxiliary [sic] advantage of my previous Medical education in my law practice; as many cases involving Medico-legal questions, from that circumstance, came to my hands; especially in Criminal Law.

And, by reason of this, only about two years after commencing my law practice, I was unexpectedly invited to the Chair of Medical Jurisprudence 

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in the "University of Lake Erie",  near Cleveland, Ohio.   As the duties of that Professorship required my attendance for the Lectures of my course but about two months of the winter season, I accepted.

I held that Professorship five years; then resigned because of the demands of my increasing law business.  I have reason to conclude that my lectures in that department of the Law were not unsuccessful; as I had meanwhile received invitations to the same Chair in the Medical Colleges at Baltimore, and at Worcester, Massachusetts; but which I must needs decline because of my law business at home.  I was also written to by Professor Armour, when holding the same Chair in the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, requesting my Lectures for his use in the Institution.  I was obliged to reply, that, as my lectures had never been written, but delivered from mere skeleton notes, I could not comply.

During the memorable political campaign of 1840, while yet a student-at-law, through the urgings of Hon. Columbus Delano, a distinguished lawyer, afterwards Member of Congress, and a member of President Grant's Cabinet, I had appeared with him "on the stump" in Knox and the neighboring counties; and so became early known to the public and among politicians.  Our county of Richland being strongly democratic, (3,000 majority), and I of the opposite party, I, of course, entertained no aspirations for political promotion; nor did I desire any--my business was just business.  I was, however, somewhat active in the political campaigns.  I was frequently nominated for office by my party,--and always beat my own ticket--once for State's Attorney, and twice for Senator.  I was, however, elected Mayor of Mansfield--and without my knowing it,--during my absence on business in the court of another county,--was informed of it on my return home.  I served one term, and declined reelection.

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By selection of the Bar and by appointment I served one court term as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.  And during that term there was tried before me as the Judge the memorable murder case for the killing of a man named Hall.   Of this case, as exemplifying the extraordinary features of circumstantial evidence in such cases, I have made a full and exact record left among my papers, under the title of "The Story of a Crime".   There is nothing stranger in any work of fiction than were the facts in that very remarkable case as shown in the trial.

The period from 1850 to 1860 was one of continual excitement in political circles throughout the entire country.

The annexation of Texas, the consequent war with Mexico, the repeal [of] the law known as the "Missouri Compromise Act", whereby the extension of negro slavery into northern territory became permissible, which led to the outbreak of civil war in Kansas--then a territory: all these events had profoundly stirred the political elements of the country.   Whig and Democratic were the leading political parties.  The Republican party was yet unborn.

In 1852 Franklin Pierce had been elected President, and with him a democratic majority in Congress.  The South was rallying for the extension of Slavery into the new territories; and the Democrats followed the lead of the South.  The Whigs mainly opposed Slavery extension into free territories; but were greatly divided by factions; some of the older leaders joined with the democrats.  This led to the formation of a third party of considerable strength known as the Anti-Slavery "Free Soil Party"; composed mainly of dissatisfied Whigs, with many Democrats of the North, also dissatisfied because of the Slavery extension question.

I was of the Whig party, but allied with that section known as "Anti-Slavery Whigs"--that is, opposed to slavery extension into Free 

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Territory. 

In 1853 a Whig Convention for nominating State Officers from Governor down, was held at Columbus, the State Capitol.   I had been appointed a delegate from our County; but, oweing [sic] to business in the courts of Morrow County, then in session, I did not intend to be at the State Convention.   But a violent rain storm prevented my leaving the railway train to reach the town, some two miles from the station; and I was carried on to Columbus, intending to return to the court by an early morning train.  On that day the Convention was to assemble.

At Columbus I found that most of the Delegates had arrived.  During the evening I mingled generally among the Delegates with whom much miscellaneous consultation was going on, as usual.  Knowing that I must be in court the next day, I left the crowd and went to bed at about ten o'clock.  About 2 O'clock I was aroused by thunderous poundings and kickings at my room door; and voices calling my name and demanding to be let in.  I asked who was there?--and what they wanted?  They replied that they "had news for me".  Thinking it some rowdy trick of the jolly boys some of whose voices I had come to recognize, I said--"No, you don't!" and told them to "begone with their nonsense, and to go to bed and get sober."  But they persisted; and a voice said--"No, Allen; it's no nonsense.  Open the door."

I recognized the voice as that of Gen'l  Gibson, a warm personal friend.  Thereupon I rose, dressed, and opened the door.  A crowd, led by Gen'l Gibson, rushed in, cheering, and hurrahing; and announced that a preliminary caucus of the Delegates had just nominated me for Lieutenant Governor of Ohio.   Still thinking it all a frolicsome joke, I said to them-- "Oh clear out, boys, with your noise and nonsense!"  But Gibson replied--"Yes, noise; but no nonsense."

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It was a fact.   Of course I was surprised.  I had not even thought of such a thing.   The next day, when the Convention was assembled, they unanimously confirmed my nomination as Lieut. Governor on the State ticket.   And, on being called for, I made a speech before the Convention, accepting their nomination.   Meanwhile I had telegraphed Judge Stewart to hold my cases open till my return from Columbus.   He did. 

Hon. Nelson Barrere, then a member of Congress, was nominated for Governor.   He was of the old school, a "pro-slavery Whig"--so called.   I was well known to be an "Anti-Slavery Whig"--that is, opposed to Slavery extension; then the great political issue.

The Whig party, of which Henry Clay and Theodore Frelinghuysen had been the great exponents, with Daniel Webster and John J. Crittenden, had become divided in sentiment, rent by factions, and materially weakened by the withdrawal of large numbers to the 
"Free Soil party", chiefly on account of the Slavery question, which was becoming acute.  And that party also had a full State ticket in the field.   Of course under such lack of unanimity the success of our ticket was not at all promising.   It was also well known that the "Free Soil" ticket could not succeed.

Knowing this, and my anti-slavery extension sentiments being well known from my many public speeches and writings, Mr. Joseph Medill, the late distinguished editor and proprietor of the Chicago Tribune, but then publishing a "Free Soil" paper at Cleveland, Ohio, came to see me at Mansfield.   We had a long and friendly conference on the political situation and on the leading questions at issue. 

He expressed a hearty concurrence in my views, as harmonizing, substantially, with his own from the "Free Soil" point of view, left me and went home,--saying that he would report my views to his "Free Soil" friends.

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Soon afterwards, I received a letter from him; in which he alluded to the subject matter of our previous conference.  He also said, that while the "Free Soilers" knew that they could not elect their ticket, they wanted to defeat Barrere, our nominee for Governor, they did not want to defeat me.  And he then indicated that if I would decline the nomination of the Columbus Convention with Barrere, Samuel Lewis, the "Free Soil" nominee for Governor would withdraw from their ticket, and they would there-upon nominate me for Governor; and by the union of the Anti-Slavery Whigs and the "Free Soilers", I could be elected. And the result of the election showed that this opinion was correct: for the combined vote of these two parties was largely in the majority over the Democratic opposition vote; though the latter was elected by a minority of the whole vote.

To Medill's suggestion, however, I was compelled to reply, that, though in hearty accord with the "Free Soilers" on the question of Slavery extension over soil now free, I had, by my speech before the Columbus Convention, virtually accepted that nomination; and that now to decline it and accept another for a higher position as Governor, would be deemed dishonorable on my part; and I must therefore decline his proposition, even though my election might thereby be assured.

Writing in this confidential way, in the same letter to Medill, of June 6th, 1853, I went further, writing somewhat at large on the general political outlook: saying to him, that, as parties then stood, I had no expectation of the success of our ticket: that the Whig party was evidently in process of disintegration: that its factions and divisions must result in its dissolution, and preclude its continued existence as a political organization.  But that, in view of the new national issues thrust forward, a new political organization must of necessity arise that would more successfully harmonize and combine the anti-slavery elements 

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of the Nation: And said to him, that such new party organization should discard the name of "Whig"--which was really meaningless--and organize under a new and more appropriate name.  And, as our opponents had monopolized the name of 'Democrat' and 'Democracy', I would suggest that the new political organization should take the appropriate and significant name of "REPUBLICAN."   That was June 6, 1853.

And I think that was the first time the name of "Republican" was ever publicly mentioned as for the great political party that now [bears] and has long borne that title. 

Medill published my letter with this announcement of the name; and answered me, warmly commending my views and suggestion as to the party name.  I have his letters now, with copy of my own.  I preserve them carefully as mementoes of the fact of my being the first to announce that party name, for my family's information, and, as proof of the fact for their use.

The published announcement of that name in Medill's Cleveland paper of that date attracted immediate attention everywhere.  It was speedily acted upon by political organizers in various States. 

At that election of 1853 our ticket was defeated; but by a very significant vote.  For, while Barrere as head of the ticket was defeated by over 30,000, I was defeated by about 2,700.  On the morning after the election it was supposed, and our opponents conceded, that I was elected; as many "Free Soilers" had come to me.  But the final count defeated me. 

But, though defeated, that vote was a party triumph, and settled the question of a new party organization.  It showed the decided trend of public sentiment.  It was the knell of doom to the old, expiring Whig party.  'Young America' had come to the front.  The venerable political 'pro-slavery' 'moss-backs' were relegated to the rear.  The Republican Party was there 

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and then born!  At the very next Gubernatorial election in Ohio (1855), the Official Call was for a "Republican Convention".  At that Convention Salmon P. Chase was nominated for Governor, and was elected on the "Republican" ticket.  And only 5 years later, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the first Republican President of the United States!

Whatever merit there may be in thus for the first time proposing that name for the organization of the Republican party, I think I may fairly claim that honor.  And that I would esteem more highly than to have been elected Lieutenant Governor of Ohio!

I have thus mentioned all this somewhat in detail for the reason that, though relating to my own biography, it in some measure pertains to our general political history.

Shortly after that political campaign in Ohio, I received a letter offering me the Presidency of a College at Cincinnati.  The offer was a surprise to me.  I took it under consideration.  I visited the Institution, and consulted friends; among them, Rollin C. Hurd, then Judge of Common Pleas Court, who had been an intimate friend and class-mate with me at College.  After some reflection as to expediency, he assured me of my fitness for the place, and of its fitness for me, because of my literary tastes.  I finally accepted.

I, of course, removed with my family from Mansfield to Cincinnati; and joined the College classes at the fall session of 1854; having been in professional law service 13 years at Mansfield.

At my suggestion and under the earnest sanction of Judge McLean of the Supreme Court of the United States, Chairman of the Board of College Trustees, there was added to the usual scientific branches of tuition, incident to my position as President of the College, the Professorship 

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of "The Institutes of Civil Law"; conducted by lectures before the Senior and Junior classes; having in view instruction in the law of business and general citizenship.

I also volunteered a course of weekly lectures on our "English Classical Literature", before the same college classes.  

These lectures soon became popular; so that many persons not of the College, at their own request, became attendants; so that my lecture room was usually crowded by intellectual people, many of them ladies.  I remained in the Presidency 4 years. When I went there, the College catalogue of the preceding year showed an enrollment of a little less than one hundred; the catalogue of the last year of my Presidency showed an enrollment of over four hundred students.   I therefore conclude that my administration was successful.

When I accepted the Presidency the salary was admitted to be small.  But I was assured that in a year or two it would be increased.  At the end of 4 years it had not been increased.  And, because of its inadequacy, I felt compelled to resign, in order to make better provision of my family, now consisting of wife and 3 children.  I did so against the remonstrances of the Board of Trustees.

At that time, Lorin Andrews, a warm personal friend and former College-mate of mine, learning of my resignation as above, and he being then the President of Kenyon College, our Alma Mater, came to Cincinnati to see me, and proposed that I join him in the Faculty of Kenyon College in the "Professorship of Law and English Classic Literature".  I liked Andrews, I liked Kenyon, and I particularly liked that Professorship; and told him so.  But the salary attached to the Professorship was but a slight improvement on what I had just resigned.  I was therefore compelled to decline acceptance.

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I then removed from the College into the city, and went again into Law Practice.  In connection therewith [I] held position as Lecturer on Commercial Law in a Commercial College.  This was in the autumn.  The morning after the next spring election for city officers, on perusing the newspaper, I was surprised to find it announced that on the day previous the people of our Ward had elected me as their member of the City School Board.  I had not even been to the election.  I accepted and served; and was unanimously elected to a second term.  The Cincinnati School Board was composed of some of its best and most substantial citizens.

At the organization of the Board at my second term I was made the vice-president.  Hon. Rufus King, another of my College mates at Kenyon, now an eminent lawyer, was the President.

Soon afterwards, Mr. King's health failing, he went to spend the winter in Cuba for recuperation; whereupon I became President of the Board during my second term as member.

Near the close of that term, the management of the City Superintendent proving unsatisfactory, he was removed.  At a meeting of the Board at which I presided, a member proposed to make me City Superintendent.  I declined to accept the nomination.  I was then requested by the Board to hold the matter under advisement for a week until the next meeting of the Board.  To this I, of course, assented.

During the interval I received numerous letters and messages from prominent citizens, among them Judge Bellamy Storer, and others, urging my acceptance.  These influenced me.  At the next meeting I signified my acceptance, provided I could be allowed to retain my position as Lecturer on Commercial Law.  This was readily granted.  Thereupon the Board immediately increased the salary by the addition of $500 to the previous amount, and then unanimously elected me the City Superintendent.

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I served in that office for 3 years, and with general public approval.

Meanwhile the Civil War had broken out.  Many citizens of Cincinnati volunteered at the President's call for troops.  Some of them left families without adequate means of support.  A public meeting was called to take measures for the relief of all such.  A general Committee of citizens was constituted to receive the needed funds, and to care for the needy families of soldiers in the field.   I was appointed on that Committee, and with the others made it our daily business to receive reports and seek out and provide all needful relief for such families; for which the contributors were prompt and abundant.  By this means not a family was left destitute.

Four years before this, in one of his letters to which I have referred, Mr. Joseph Medill had said to me, "I wish to God you were the editor of the Ohio State Journal!"   This had long been the principal central political organ of the State of the Whig party; but its editorial weakness had caused its decline in a marked degree: hence Medill's remark as above quoted.

And, strangely enough, there now came to me a Mr. Hurtt, an experienced newspaper man, and proposed a joint interest with him in the purchase of the "Ohio State Journal", on which he had an option,--he to have charge of the business department; I to have charge of the Editorial department.  After some negotiation the arrangement was concluded.  The paper had become greatly run down.  William Dean Howells, who has since gained some notoriety as a writer of novels, had been the editor.  Because of its enfeebled condition under his hands, the concern was not paying expenses.  It was consequently bought at a very low price.  Our aim and hope were to make it profitable by making it better.  And we succeeded.

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Under this arrangement I moved my family from Cincinnati to Columbus, the state Capitol.  I at once took editorial charge, dismissing Mr. Howells and his Assistant Editor--determined to do the work myself.

The civil war was in progress.  The demand for news was incessant.  Our working and reportorial force was reorganized; our army correspondence was increased.  We found ourselves compelled to buy a new press and a new "dress" for the paper--the old ones were absolutely worn out.  For that we had to incur considerable debt.  But we enlarged the paper, cut off various supernumeraries, and lived economically.

I found editorial work congenial, and worked hard--had no Assistant!  The paper as a business concern revived.  At the end of the first year we had paid its debts; but had no surplus.  At the end of the second year we were out of debt, and about $2,000 ahead, net; at the end of the 3rd year we cleared up $7,000.

I then felt that I had come into what was congenial to me and for which I had found myself fitted, as shown by 3 years of success, and against adverse circumstances; and into what I now intended as my life-long pursuit.

A year or so before this, Mr. Hurtt had expressed to me a great desire to enter the army with a commission in the Quarter Master's Department.   I objected, because of the need of him in the business department, to which I could give no special attention.  He pressed the matter again, and offered to furnish a competent substitute in the business office, and would pay him himself out of his own army salary.  Under this arrangement, I assented; as thereby I had no personal interest in his outside army affairs.  I knew him to be a sharp, shrewd business man, and his being a church member and devout, gave me assurance of his capacity to be of service in the army.

He got his Commission and was made a Quarter Master, ranking as Captain.

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Months passed on.  His business substitute was diligent and efficient.  I was pushing the editorial work vigorously on, and all was proceeding favorably as to the "Journal."

Finally, there came a newspaper announcement that Captain Hurtt had been arrested for embezzlement or misappropriation of public funds in the Quarter Master's Department, and was ordered for trial by Court Martial.   I could not credit it; only as it might be some mistake, soon to be corrected.  He wrote me, saying "it was all moonshine, and would amount to nothing." 

He was duly tried, found guilty, sentenced to be dishonorably dismissed from the army, pay a fine of $500, and suffer one year's imprisonment. 

This was a thunderstroke to me, and to the "Ohio State Journal"; all that had been gained was now lost!  I had really built up the "Journal," only to see it fall,--and through no fault of mine!

Hurtt, however, hastened on to Washington; and through some influence there-I know not what nor how--he had the imprisonment remitted, paid his $500 fine, and came home a free man.

Meanwhile I had endured great anxiety.  I well knew that no public journal could survive under such an incubus of criminal disgrace in one of its proprietors.  And, though entirely outside of any affair of mine, its disastrous effect must react on me and my interest in the "Journal."

Besides, I could not get my own consent to continue in partnership with one so dishonored and disgraced. 

On his return to Columbus, he came immediately to me at my home, with roseate plans for the improvement and enlargement of the "Journal."

I heard them, commended them, and then said--"But it must needs be done without me: our partnership must be considered as dissolved."

He was shocked; sank into a chair as one about to faint, ghastly white.

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I really thought the man had not before fully realized the enormity of his own disgrace; had looked upon it merely as temporary annoyance. 

Presently, he remonstrated, argued: said it would soon blow over and be forgotten.  I replied--"No: records are imperishable!"

Two days afterwards we settled upon the terms of dissolution: he bought my interest in the 'Journal' on the agreed basis of a four-fold increase of valuation above the cost of purchase.  I took my books and private papers, went home, and never saw the Journal office again.

Of course all my cherished business plans and prospects and contemplated life-pursuits were thwarted, overthrown -- through no fault of mine.  But, disastrous though it was, I could not remain associated with disgrace and crime.  I never knew an Allen that would!

While thus situated, my law-business interrupted, gone; with no employment in hand, there came one morning, a few days after the partnership dissolution, a book package by mail bearing the stamp of "State Department".  Thinking it "Public Documents", such as were often received, I took it home unopened, and laid it aside, and forgot it.  A few days afterwards, calling it to mind, I hunted it up, opened it, and found therein my appointment as United States Consul at Hong Kong, China, with the "Consuls' Manual of Instructions".  I confess my surprise.  I had not asked for it.  And I may here remark, that, whatever of public positions I may have filled or been nominated for, I never asked or sought for one.

Previous to this one Mr. Lincoln had proffered me three other appointments in the foreign service of the Government, -- one at St. Johns, one at Demerara, and one as Minister to Siam; all which preferring my editorial position at home, I had declined to accept.  And now had come the 4th one, to China.

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I first knew Mr. Lincoln personally in 1859, when he came to speak in Cincinnati; and then but slightly.   I had been active for him in convention and "on the stump" in his first Presidential campaign of 1860.  I again greeted him at the Burnett [sic] House, Cincinnati, as did a thousand others, when, in February, 1861, he was en route for Washington City, to be inaugurated as President of the United States.

I did not meet him again till the autumn of 1863, on the occasion of the Public Dedication of the National Cemetery on the battle field at Gettysburgh [sic]. To this Dedication the Governors of all the loyal States had been specially invited.  As I then held no official position, I was not intending to go.  Learning of this, Governor David Tod, of Ohio, invited me to join him as a member of his Staff, pro tempore; to this I assented, as that would give me the privilege of seat on the platform at Gettysburgh.  When there, I was seated near Mr. Lincoln, with whom were seated members of his Cabinet.

The day was beautiful, and the throng of people was immense.  The occasion throughout was marked by appropriate solemnity.  The great battle -- one of the greatest known to human history -- and the victory for the Union won, on the 3rd and 4th of July preceding!

Hon. Edward Everett, the distinguished scholar and speaker of New England, was the Orator of the Day.  He delivered his Address from manuscript.  We had listened to the polished address of Mr. Everett, before the assembled thousands, for an hour, or more.  But not a stir of sympathetic emotion had been manifested in his audience during its delivery; though listened to in respectful, thoughtful silence.

At its conclusion, the band played a solemn dirge.

Then President Lincoln rose to deliver the Address of Dedication; advanced to the reading desk, put on his steel-rimmed spectacles, took from

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his vest pocket a thin slip of paper, laid it before him, glanced at it a moment; then, as if not able to see its writing very well, he crumpled it in his hand, returned it to his vest pocket, removed his spectacles, and proceeded to deliver that ever-memorable Dedicatory Address that has become a classic in our American literature, and which of itself would render the name of Abraham Lincoln immortal!

He spoke but seven minutes.  But, before he had spoken five minutes that whole assembled multitude were sobbing, and sympathetic tears were dimming all eyes.  Lincoln's simple eloquence of heart in speaking of our heroic dead had touched the responsive cords [of] feeling, that Everett's finished oratory had failed to reach.

After the exercises of the day, and an evening address in one of the city churches by Hon. Charles Anderson, then Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, we had some hours to wait at Hanover Junction for our homeward trains.   The time was passed in easy conversation, as we gathered in a group around Mr. Lincoln, in which Secretary Seward, Simon Cameron, Senator Florence of Pennsylvania, and others joined, telling many amusing and interesting incidents of the war.  I was seated very near to Mr. Lincoln, who was suffering from a grievous headache from sitting with head bared in the hot sun during the exercises of the day.  Resting his elbow on the arm of his chair, he leaned his head on his hand, listened and smiled at the quaint sayings of those around him, but joined sparingly in their conversation.  The trains came to the Junction at Midnight.  The President and his party departed for Washington, we for the West.

During our return journey to Ohio I happened to occupy a car-seat with Governor Oliver P. Morton, commonly known as "the Great War-Governor of Indiana".   With him I had much conversation relating to a treasonable

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organization known as "Knights of the Golden Circle," secretly operating in his State in favor of the rebellion; with which Governor Morton had had much to do, and had succeeded in discovering and revealing their plots, and in breaking up their organization.

Knowing that everything pertaining to Mr. Lincoln and his peculiar character and wonderful career has become of general interest to all Americans, I have been prompted to record these circumstances and incidents as from my personal observation relating to him, for the perusal and information of those of my own family who are to come after me.  And for the same purpose I have deemed it proper to proceed to record more minutely the incidents attending my last personal interview with that Great Man, whose public career and tragic fate gave Immortality to the name of

Abraham Lincoln!

The year 1864 had come.  In November of that year Mr. Lincoln had, the second time, been elected to the Presidency.  The civil war was still in progress.  General Grant was now at the head of the Union armies.  The rebel Government was still at Richmond.  But the general military condition was such that the country began to see the beginning of the end of the Rebellion.

The year had passed on into winter.  My appointment to Hong Kong had just come to hand.  I had to consider its acceptance.  The position was one that of all others I would particularly desire; first, because of its importance as being one of the five great Consulates of the United States; and, second -- particularly because of my desire to visit and have personal knowledge of that wonderful Empire and of its very peculiar people, the seat of the world's oldest civilization, and whose history led us back to the infancy of the human race.  And, although the oldest of Earth's

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Empires, it was a country and a race of which we had read and heard so much, and really knew so little, that I had long desired to know more; but had never dreamed of ever seeing it.

In consequence of my recent withdrawal from the State Journal, I was now unemployed, in perfect health, and could well afford to go.  But, how about my family? -- that was the grave question.  I could not take them with me, -- the ocean voyage was too great, and health too uncertain.  My eldest son, Theodore, was in the army in the field, then Adjutant of the 7th Ohio Cavalry.  My younger son, Arthur, was yet at school.  My only daughter, Caradora, was just entering her school-girl days; her education must not be interrupted by years of absence in China.  After full consideration of the subject and full discussion of the situation with my thoughtful and clear-minded wife, I concluded that I could not accept, and told her so.   But, as all the previous appointments had been declined by letter, it was now considered my proper duty to go to Washington, present my thanks in person to the President, explain to him the circumstances, and decline acceptance.  With that purpose in view I went to Washington.

Before going, however, the dear wife had said to me, that she had long known my interest in China by much reading, etc; that now the opportunity was presented me to go there, though the separation would be regrettable, she could wish for my sake that I might go: Said, she would look after our daughter's education, and that Theodore would soon be home from the army; and that she would carefully manage affairs so that I might go, if I so could decide.  But I replied, that I thought I had better not accept.

The day after my arrival at Washington I went to the White House to see the President.  I was met in the anteroom by Mr. John Hay, then the President's private secretary, afterwards Minister to England, and now in

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the Cabinet as Secretary of State.  I had some acquaintance with him by previous visits to Washington.  Mr. Hay took my card, requested me to be seated in the anteroom a few minutes, as the President was just then in conference with some foreign diplomat.   We sat and chatted for half-an-hour.  The door of the President's room opened, and there came forth a personage bearing a plumed hat, gorgeously epauletted, his dress blazing with gold lace.  I fancied that my plain civilian appearance would cut but small figure after such splendor!

Mr. Hay then entered with my card, in a moment returned and said the President would now receive me.  I went forward.  Mr. Lincoln received me standing near the door, greeted me cordially, gave me a hearty hand-shake, and almost led me forward towards the open wood-fire burning in an open fire-place, and pointing me to a seat at one corner of a long, green-cloth covered table, on which was piled what seemed a bushel of letters, and  seated himself at another corner.

Our conversation was at first of a general nature, then some matters about the war, and so on.  I then tendered some congratulations on his recent re-election to the Presidency, and spoke of the concurring sentiment of the country in general, and of Ohio in particular.  To this he remarked, that recently he had had some trouble with certain of our Ohio people, especially with a Mr. Valandigham [sic] who had been arrested under military warrant for treasonable utterances in a public speech, "and had been sent down among his friends beyond our Union Army lines."

To this I expressed the assurance that the sentiment of all loyal Ohio people was heartily with him in that matter of Valandigham.  He smiled, and said it was always gratifying to find the people sustaining him in those trying times, and hoped they would continue to do so until our troubles would be over, and peace restored.