Sketch of the life of Abraham Lincoln

Time out of mind, words prefatory have been considered indispensable to the successful publication of a book. This sketch of the LIFE and DEATH of ABRAHAM LINCOLN is intended as an accompaniment to the Historical Painting which has rescued from oblivion, and, with almost perfect fidelity, transmitted to futurity, "THE LAST HOURS OF LINCOLN." In its preparation has been invoked the aid of one who in life was near the heart of MR. LINCOLN, and at death was a witness to that last sad scene, so accurately delineated by the painter's art--the Hon. ISAAC N. ARNOLD. His intimate and social relations with MR. LINCOLN, his unbounded admiration of the goodness and sincerity of the Great Emancipator, renders this invocation eminently appropriate. This sketch contains subject-matter never before made public, presented in the full dress of the author's happiest style.

In confident reliance upon the affection of the people for the great Apostle of Liberty--the Martyr--who in his blood wrote his belief "that all men everywhere should be free," this sketch is submitted.

JANUARY 1, 1869.

CONTENTS.

SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, LINCOLN ANCESTRY, BOYHOOD OF LINCOLN, YOUTHFUL DUTIES AND AMUSEMENTS, EARLY EDUCATION, ELECTED CAPTAIN--BLACK HAWK WAR, NOMINATION FOR LEGISLATURE, MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE, ADMITTED TO THE BAR, PRACTICE AT THE BAR, PROFESSIONAL BEARING, RETIREMENT FROM THE LEGISLATURE, ANTI-SLAVERY PROCLIVITIES, MARRIAGE, MARY TODD, CHILDREN, IN CONGRESS, STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, ABOLITION OF SLAVERY AT WASHINGTON, SUCCESSOR IN CONGRESS--E. D. BAKER, BEGINNING OF THE END OF SLAVERY, LINCOLN IN THE KANSAS STRUGGLE, LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS DEBATE, EARLY ACQUAINTANCE OF LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS, DOUGLAS AS A DEBATER, DOUGLAS--LINCOLN--PERSONAL DESCRIPTION, DOUGLAS--LINCOLN--PERSONAL DESCRIPTION CONTINUED, COOPER INSTITUTE ADDRESS CHICAGO CONVENTION--NOMINATION TO PRESIDENCY, POPULAR VOTE--ELECTION, JOURNEY TO WASHINGTON, ARRIVAL AT WASHINGTON, RECEPTION, FIRST INAUGURATION, CIVIL WAR, THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS, CALLING OUT TROOPS, REGULAR SESSION OF CONGRESS, DECEMBER, 1861, SLAVERY LAWS PASSED, EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, OWEN LOVEJOY, PROCLAMATION ISSUED--JANUARY 1, 1863, GETTYSBURG--CONSECRATION, NEW YEAR--1864, LIEUTENANT-GENERAL--NOMINATION OF ULYSSES S. GRANT, CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ABOLISHING SLAVERY, SECOND INAUGURATION, VISIT TO ARMY HEAD-QUARTERS--CITY POINT, LINCOLN--GRANT--SHERMAN--PERSONAL APPEARANCE, UNION TROOPS ENTER RICHMOND, VISIT TO RICHMOND, RETURN TO WASHINGTON, REVIEW OF THE ARMY, LAST DAYS OF LINCOLN, ASSASSINATION, VISIT TO FORD'S THEATER, JOHN WILKES BOOTH, DETAILS OF THE ASSASSINATION, PRESIDENT REMOVED FROM THE THEATER, DEATH OF LINCOLN SCENES IN WASHINGTON DEATH OF BOOTH ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF SECRETARY SEWARD RECEPTION OF MR. LINCOLN'S DEATH THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY MEETING OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS COMMITTEE TO ATTEND THE REMAINS TO ILLINOIS FUNERAL CEREMONIES FUNERAL CORTEGE.--WASHINGTON, PHILADELPHIA, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, INDIANA, ILLINOIS PERSONAL SKETCHES FONDNESS FOR READING LAST SUNDAY OF HIS LIFE CONVERSATIONAL POWERS PUBLIC SPEAKER THE WORDS OF LINCOLN HABITUAL MANNER OF TRANSACTING BUSINESS AT THE WHITE HOUSE DESCRIPTION OF ROOMS AND FURNITURE ETIQUETTE OF BUSINESS RECEPTION GREATNESS OF HIS SERVICES THE MOST DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT RELIGIOUS CREED BELIEF IN A GOD

SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Modern history furnishes no life more eventful and important, terminated by a death so dramatic, as that of the Martyr President. Poetry and painting, sculpture and eloquence, have all sought to illustrate his career, but the grand epic poem of his life has yet to be written. We are too near him in point of time, fully to comprehend and appreciate his greatness and the vast influence he is to exert upon the world. The storms which marked his tempestuous political career have not yet entirely subsided, and the shock of his fearfully tragic death is still felt; but as the dust and smoke of war pass away, and the mists of prejudice which filled the air during the great conflict clear up, his character will stand out in bolder relief and more perfect outline.

The ablest and most sincere apostle of liberty the world has ever seen was Abraham Lincoln. He was a Christian statesman, with faith in God and man. The two men, whose pre-eminence in American history the world will ever recognize, are Washington and Lincoln. The Republic which the first founded and the latter saved, has already crowned them as models for her children.