The life and times of Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States : including his speeches, messages, inaugurals, proclamations, etc., etc.

Front matter

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The Institute of Museum and Library Services through an Indiana State Library LSTA Grant

Preface

"The Life and Times of Abraham Lincoln!" and why, pray, add another to the many memoirs of him already published ?

Because, dear reader, there was need of just one more. Listen, and we will prove it. The memoirs and biographies of our late President, which have already appeared, are, some of them, from able pens, and clearly and fairly accomplish the object for which they were written. Without exception, we believe, they belong to the class of campaign biographies; some written before his first, others during the canvass which preceded his second, election. Their principal object was, of course, political. They have not, we think, dealt in misrepresentation ; there was no need of that. But they have presented him as a fit and proper candidate for the office of President of the United States, and for this purpose they have dwelt largely upon his previous political career in Congress ; in the Senatorial canvass; in the closing portion of Mr. Buchanan's presidency; and some of them on the stupendous events of the four years of his first administration, and the policy he pursued during that long period of darkness and gloom. This is all right and admirable in its way, and were there any question of a campaign life of the Good President, were he still with us, and still a candidate for the highest honors a grateful people could bestow, we should say at once, " that which is written is sufficient ; we can add nothing to a record so pure and honorable."

But this is not the time for a campaign life of Abraham

10 PREFACE.

Lincoln. He whom he served with singleness of heart here, hath called him up higher, and henceforth his place is with the glorified, whose brows are illumined with the pure and holy light which proceeds from the throne of God.

We could not if we would, and we would not if we could, attempt a political life of him whose loss we, as well as the nation, most deeply mourn. "We have no fondness for the devious track of party politics, no desire to pander to so grovelling and base-born an ambition. But we have loved Abraham Lincoln as a child might love a father ; we have confided in him, have trusted his sagacity, have honored his patriotism, have admired that sterling common sense which led him to judge so wisely, to act so honorably and justly, and to meet questions of such difficulty with such a wise and clear discrimination.

We desired to prepare this life of him, that we might exhibit him as he appeared and was, in all the relations of life, a man of the people, hardy, laborious, and self-reliant — a self-made man in the best sense of that title — studious, desirous ever to make up the deficiencies of education entailed by a frontier life, and of a rare teachable spirit ; an honest, frank, manly man, one in whom his neighbors and friends could trust most implicitly ; a pattern man in his fidelity to truth and principle and right. We have sought also to delineate him in his domestic and social relations, as a dutiful son, a kind and tender husband, a loving father, a genial and social friend, with a keen sense of humor, great conversational powers, and a fascinating way which, though his form was ungainly, won him the love of all who were thrown in his society. And it has been our aim also to depict him as he appeared in public life, a clear and lucid speaker, a skilful debater, who won the hearts of his audience to his own side, not by trick or subterfuge, but by his apt and effective way of " putting things ;" clinching a point often by a telling illustration, which, however homely it might be, was never out of place ; a statesman whose enlarged per-

PREFACE. 11

ceptions and breadth of view took in all the bearings of the great questions which have agitated the public mind in the last five years ; a man who, acting slowly, with calmness and great deliberation, never made a mistake in regard to a principle, and never indulged a thought of self, but always sought his country's good; a chief magistrate, who though reviled reviled not again, but with an almost angelic patience, sought to do good to those who despitefully used him ; a diplomatist who believed that truth, honesty and frankness were better weapons for managing the intricate questions of our foreign policy, than deceit, duplicity, and " paltering in a double sense." And if some " good angel will guide our pencil while we draw," we would portray him also, as the Christian, in public and private life, seeking counsel from above, and amid all his weighty cares and his wearying burdens, looking to God for guidance, and devoutly acknowledging his indebtedness to him for every blessing. Having thus shown his character as it was in life, we would also venture, though with eyes bedimmed with tears, to draw aside the veil, and describe how the demon slavery, possessing the heart and firing the brain of the wretched assassin, led him to commit a deed which shall consign him to eternal infamy ; and how, all over our land, and throughout Christendom, at the tidings of his death, a wail of anguish went up to heaven from millions of stricken hearts, who had recognized in him the second founder of the Eepublic, the Emancipator, the one historic name which shall go down to posterity, linked in our country's history, with that of Washington.

With such a purpose, we submit that there are ample reasons, as there is abundant room, for a new memoir of our martyred President Abraham Lincoln.

Contents

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER 21

Chapter I. Abraham Lincoln's Boyhood In Kentucky

His Ancestry — Their Residence in Pennsylvania and Virginia — His Grandfather moves over into Kentucky — Is killed by an Indian — His widow settles in Washington County — His son, Thomas Lincoln, marries and locates near Hodgenville — Birth of Abraham Lincoln — La Rue County — His Early Life and Training in Kentucky— Removal of the Family to Indiana 27

Chapter II. Abraham Lincoln's Thirteen Years In Indiana

Removal of the Lincoln 'Family to Spencer county, Indiana — Abraham as a Farm Boy — As a Marksman — The Death of his Mother — The second Marriage of his Father — Abraham's Education — His own Account, when President, of his Education — His love of Books — The Story of the Damaged Book — His Yoyage to New Orleans as a Flatboatman — Description of Early Times and Scenes in Indiana 30

Chapter III. Lincoln In Illinois, As A Rail-splitter, A Clerk, And A Volunteer

Removal of the Family to Illinois — Abraham figures as a Rail-Splitter — As a Hunter — Another Removal of his Father — Abraham commences Life on his own Account — Makes a trip to New Orleans — Becomes a Clerk in a Country Store — Is elected a Captain of a Volunteer Company and serves in the Black Hawk War — Anecdote concerning his temperate Habits — His own humorous Account of his Services in this War — His Character as a Soldier 51

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CHAPTER IY.

MR. LINCOLN AS A POLITICIAN.

He becomes a candidate for the Legislature, but is defeated — Becomes a storekeeper and postmaster — Commences the study of law — Studies and practices surveying — Is elected to the Legislature — Re-elected for a second term — Defines his position on the subject of domestic slavery — Is elected for a third and fourth time, to the Legislature — Is admitted to the practice of law — His characteristics as a lawyer — Thrilling incident of his law practice — His associates of the Springfield Bar — Enters warmly into the Presidential Canvass of 1840 — Accepts, in 1842, the Whig nomination for Congress — Establishes his home at Springfield — His marriage. 70

CHAPTER Y.

MR. LINCOLN IN CONGRESS AND " ON THE STUMP."

Is sent to Congress in 1847 — His record while there — Resumes the practice of Law — Enters warmly into the campaign of 1854 — Measures swords with Douglas — Engages in the Presidential campaign of 1858 — Is nominated for United States Senator — The celebrated debates between Lincoln and Douglas — His tribute to the Declaration of Independence — Pen-portraits of Mr. Lincoln, during his campaign — Story, relating to the Harper's Ferry Invasion — Story of his duel with Hardin — Goes to Ohio, to aid in the canvass there — Extracts from his speeches — Gives a helping hand to the canvass in the Eastern States — His great Cooper Institute Speech — Touching Scene in New York 91

CHAPTER YL

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S NOMINATION AND ELECTION TO THE PRESIDENCY OP THE UNITED STATES.

His nomination by the Republican National Convention — Exciting Scenes — How he received the News — Its Official Announcement to him — His Letter of Acceptance — The Composition of the Parties, and the Canvass of 1860 — He is elected President of the United States— Campaign Song, " Abe of the West" 156

CHAPTER VII.

THE GATHERING STORM IN THE SOUTHERN POLITICAL HORIZON.

Traitorous movements in the South — Duplicity of Southern men in the Cabinet — Imbecility or complicity of President Buchanan — Secession of South Carolina — The Montgomery (Ala.) Convention — Formation of the new Confederacy — Election of Davis as its Head — Policy of the Confederacy towards the United States — Opinions of the Rebel Leaders — Resignation of Southern men from the United States Cabinet and Congress — Course of Events at the North — The Crittenden Compromise — Resolutions of the House — The Peace Convention, and its Resolutions 179

CHAPTER VIII.

mr. Lincoln's inaugural tour to Washington.

His farewell at Springfield, 111. — Addresses at Toledo, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Steubenville, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, Poughkeepsie — His grand reception at New York City — Arrives at Newark, N. J. — Trenton — Is received at Philadelphia — Visits, and helps to raise a flag on " Independence Hall" — Stops at Harrisburg — Makes a sudden appearance in Washington — Escapes a plot for his Assassination — Is welcomed by the eity authorities of Washington, and addresses them 199

CHAPTER IX.

FROM THE INAUGURATION TO THE EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1861.

The Inaugural Address — Mr. Lincoln's first Cabinet — Changes in the Departments — Difficulties which surrounded the New Administration— The attack on Fort Sumter — Its effect, North and South — The President's Proclamation — The Northern States rally to the aid of the Government — The troubles at Baltimore — Mr. Lincoln's answer to the Committee of the Virginia Convention — Preparations for War— Foreign Policy of the Administration 234

CHAPTER X.

THE EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS, AND THE FIRST UNFOLDINGS OF THE POLICY OF EMANCIPATION.

The Extra Session of Congress — Mr. Lincoln's first Annual Message — He is strongly sustained by the action of Congress, and the sentiment of the people — The disastrous Battle of Bull Run, July 21st, 1861— General McClellan succeeds General Scott in command of the National armies — General Butler's theory and practice in regard to fugitive slaves applying for protection— He decides them to be " contraband of war" — His view indorsed by Government — Fremont issues an Emancipation Proclamation — It is vetoed by the President — The Trent affair, and its results 271

CHAPTER XL

THE EMANCIPATION ACT.

The public mind is gradually prepared for Emancipation — The President's Message favoring gradual Emancipation — The Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia — General Hunter's Emancipation Order, and its revocation by the President — Conference with the Border States Senators — Orders from the President, through the War Department, relative to Slavery — Letter from the Secretary of War to General Butler — Confiscation Bill — Greeley's Letter to the President — The President's Reply — His reply to a Memorial from the Clergymen of Chicago — Letters of Charles Sumner and Owen Lovejoy — The Emancipation Proclamation — Suspension of the Habeas Corpus — Proclamation of Freedom, January 1st, 1863 — Mr. Carpenter's "Inside History" of the Emancipation Proclamation— Reminiscences by the Rev. M. D. Conway 292

CHAPTER XII.

THE MILITARY OPERATIONS OF THE YEAR 1862.

Operations in the West and Southwest — Battle of Mill Spring, Ky. — The Burnside Expedition — Capture of Forts Donelson and Henry — Surrender of Nashville, Tenn. — Capture of Fort Pulaski — The Rebels Driven from Missouri — Capture of Island No. 10 — Of Forts Pillow and Randolph, on the Mississippi — Surrender of Memphis — The Battle of Pittsburg Landing — Proclamation for a day of National Thanksgiving — Capture of New Orleans — Invasion of Kentucky — Battle of Corinth — Battle of Murfreesboro, and Tennessee freed from Rebel rule — Operations in Eastern Virginia — The President issues an Order for a general advance of the ' national forces — General McClellan's hesitancy and delay — Reiterated orders to move — Letter from the President — The advance on Yorktown — Battle of Williamsburg — More delay, more Letters and Orders — Delay, delay, delay — Orders, and excuses ad infinitum et ad nauseam — The Seven Days' Battles — The close of the Peninsula Campaign — Pope placed in command of Army of Virginia— He is defeated — McClellan reinstated, and commences another advance on Richmond — The old story of delay — The Battle of Antietam — McClellan relieved from command — The President's defence of McClellan — The President's opinion of McCbllan — The Routine of Mr. Lincoln's daily life at this period.. 345

CHAPTER XIII.

THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1863.

Second Session of the Thirty-seventh Congress — The Annual Message— Work done by Congress — The President's Message on the Financial Bill — His policy indorsed by the popular elections in some of the New England States — A Letter from the Workingmen of Manchester (England), and the President's reply — His letter to the State Convention at Springfield, 111. — Proclamation of Pardon and Amnesty — Annual Message of December, 1863 — The Military Events of 1863 — The situation at the opening of the year — Successes in the West — In the East, General Burnside is relieved by General Hooker, who fights Lee at Chancellorsville — The Battle of Gettysburg, Pa. — The President's Despatch — His Speech at the Consecration of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg — Great Rejoicings— Mr. Lincoln's Speech at Washington — His Letter to General Grant — His Proclamation of Thanksgiving, Prayer and Praise — Military successes in Tennessee — Proclamations — Sketch of Events arising from Arbitrary Arrests and the Suppression of the Writ of Habeas Corpus — Its Suspension in May, 1861 — The Attorney-General furnishes an opinion on it — Arrest of the Maryland Legislature — Executive Orders in relation to State prisoners — Proclamation of September, 1862 — Factious opposition of Hon. C. L. Vallandigham — He is arrested, tried, and sent into Rebeldom, by order of the President — Great Excitement following— Mr. Lincoin's Letter to Hon. Erastus Corning and others — Mr. Lincoln's reply to the Committee of the Democratic State Convention — Proclamation of September, 1863 — The Draft is commenced — Eiots in New York city — The Missouri Imbroglio — Commences in 1861 — The President at last " takes hold of it," in 1863 — Letter to General Schofield — His reply to a German Fremont Committee — His reply to a Committee from the Mass Convention of September, 1863 — Instructions to General Schofield — Foreign Affairs — French proposition for a mediation in American Affairs — It is declined by the United States — The President's reply — The Correspondence between Hon. Fernando Wood and Mr. Lincoln on the subject of a Conference with Eebel authorities » . . 339

CHAPTER XIY.

THE YEAR 1863, AND MR. LINCOLN'S RENOMINATION FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

Two Drafts ordered — The appointment of General U. S. Grant as Lieutenant-General — His Programme of Military Operations — Mr. Lincoln's remarks at the Patent Office Fair, in Washington — His address to the Workingmen's Democratic Republican Association of New York — His letter to the Christian Commission — His speech at the U. S. Sanitary Commission Fair, at Baltimore — Political events ; Mr. Lincoln is renominated for the Presidency — Platform of the Republican Party — His reception of the news of his Nomination — General McClellan nominated by the Democratic Party, and General Fremont by the Radicals — President Lincoln's Address at the Philadelphia Sanitary Fair — Military events ; a gloomy battle-summer ; final successes ; a change of popular feeling, and a day of Thanksgiving appointed — The attempt of the Rebels to open Negotiations for Peace — It is " squashed" by the President's note, "To whom it may Concern" — The Presidential election of 1864 — Mr. Lincoln is elected — His speech upon being notified thereof. . 528

CHAPTER XY.

from mr. Lincoln's re-election to the conclusion of the war. The Annual Message of 1864-5 — The Fortress Monroe Peace Negotiations— Mr. Lincoln's and Mr. Seward's accounts of the Conference — The account given by one of the Rebel Commissioners, Hon.

Alexander S. Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy — Mr. Lincoln's Inauguration, March 4th, 1865 — His second Inaugural Address — Military Events — Sherman's March to Savannah — Thomas's defeat of Hood — The Expeditions against Wilmington — Operations of the Army of the Potomac against Richmond and Petersburg— Capture of these Cities — Lee's flight, pursuit, and defeat — He surrenders to General Grant — Sherman's March through the Carolinas — He receives Johnston's surrender — Collapse of the Rebellion — The President visits the Army — Is present at the fall of Richmond — Enters that City — Returns to Washington— His last Speech to the People, on occasion of the public rejoicings at Washington 560

CHAPTER XYI.

THE ASSASSINATION AND ITS EFFECTS UPON THE COUNTRY.

Threats of Assassination — Details of the arrangements made by the Conspirators — Booth's strange conduct and excited manner on the day of the Assassination — President Lincoln's last hours among his family and friends — Goes to the theatre — The Deed — Statements of Major Rathbone, Miss Harris and others — The Death-bed scene — The attack on Secretary Seward — The news in Washington— Its effects on the Nation — The Editorial of the New York World — Public emotion in New York and elsewhere — Rev. Dr. Bellows' discourse — Remarks of the Roman Catholic Archbishop — Rev. H. W. Beecher's discourse — The effect of the news upon Europe — The reception in London — The scene of its announcement in tile Liverpool Exchange — Official condolences — Letter from the French Government — Tribute of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Belgium joins in the general grief — A commemorative service in Berlin , , , , . 603

CHAPTER XVII.

THE FUNERAL OBSEQUIES.

The Body of Mr. Lincoln lies in State in the White House — It rests in the National Capitol — Mourning throughout the land — The Funeral Cortege commences its route to Springfield, 111. — Scenes by the way — At Baltimore — At Philadelphia— At Newark and Jersey City — It reaches New York — The Farewell Procession — ■ To Albany — From there to Buffalo — At Cleveland — At Columbus

— At Chicago— It reaches Springfield, 111. — The final rites and sepulture — The Assassin and his end — The fate of the other conspirators— Punch's Tribute to Lincoln's Memory 664

CHAPTER XYIII.

REMINISCENCES AND ANECDOTES OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.

Mr. Lincoln's Christian Experiences, and Christian Sentiments — His firmness — The Pardoning Power — Mr. Lincoln's love of Homer — His Memory — His aptness of Expression — The Emancipation Proclamation — His " Little Story," at the Peace Conference— His Justification of the Amnesty Proclamation — He loses his temper for once — His relations with the People — His l tenderness of heart — His faithful admonition — Mr. Lincoln " Pokes" on Kentucky neutrality — Reminiscences of President Lincoln by an old associate and friend — His simplicity and artlessnesss of character — His native dignity — His desire for knowledge — His modesty — His personal fearlessness of danger — His kindness of heart — His honesty — Incidents of his visit to the Army of the Potomac — Absence of mind — He watches events — He remembers his friends — His little stories — His power of memory — His literary tastes and habits 680

CLOSING CHAPTER.

ESTIMATE OF MR. LINCOLN'S LIFE, CHARACTER, AND WORKS ^ 729

THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

The prominent feature of Abraham Lincoln's life is the fact, that, from first to last, he was a truly representative Man of the People. In whatever position of private life or of public trust he was placed, whether in the frontier cabin, the modest law office at Springfield, the Halls of Legislation, or the Presidential chair at Washington, he always maintained the same truthful and noble character, winning the confidence of the people, and eliciting from all who came in contact with him a degree of personal affection and enthusiasm which has been given to no other American statesman of our day, unless it be to Henry Clay, whom he so highly respected, and, in no slight degree, resembled. The world, indeed, has seen many men, who, by the grace of their manners, the force of their intellect, or the splendor of their achievements, have obtained a strong hold upon the popular heart ; yet the homage universally accorded to them was the result rather of a certain fascination than of sincere affection. France had her Napoleon, who rose from the people, and adroitly used that fact to subserve his personal ambition ; yet he was not of them, although he enjoyed their idolatry. Their national pride was gratified by the dazzling success of one, who, soaring from their own level, had proven himself equal in abilities to the proudest monarchs, the ablest generals, and the most finished statesmen of his time. But the calmer judgment of history, sifting the real from the unreal, will record that the Emperor loved his people, if love it can be called, from motives of selfinterest.

Even our own illustrious Washington, the very Polar Star of American patriotism, honored with an ever increasing fame throughout both continents, represented, in his day, the higher intellectual and social phase of American society, rather than those humbler circles of thought and action in which the masses move and have their being. The influence of gentle blood, the advantages of education, wealth and position, which moulded his earlier life, conspired to make him the representative of the aristocratic class. And though the purity of his personal and public life, his unswerving patriotism, and the power of his well-balanced intellect, gained for him the sincerest affection of his countrymen, that affection ever was, and ever will be, mingled with a species of awe, which seemed to set him apart from ordinary mortals.

But Lincoln, while living, and yet more truly since his death, holds a not inferior place in the hearts of his countrymen. It has been happily said of him, that " what Robert Burns has proverbially been to the people of his native land, and, to a certain extent, of all lands, as a bard, Abraham Lincoln seems to have become to us as a statesman and a patriot, by his intimate rela-

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 23

tions alike with the humbler and the higher walks of life." By the unstudied and truthful exercise of the native talents with which God endowed him, and under circumstances comparatively unfavorable, he was raised, apparently by the continued and universal suffrage of his fellow-citizens, from a place of humble obscurity to a position and a fame equalled only by that of Washington. And the secret of his success was simply this, that he never, for one moment in all his varied experiences, forgot that he was of the people ; never, in a single instance, neglected their interests. The people, also, fully comprehended him. They remembered that his experiences, whether of gladness or of sorrow, had been the same as theirs ; that the great principles of justice and humanity underlying their own happiness, rights and feelings, were deeply enshrined within his heart. They knew, too, that unstained by temptation and unswerved by success, he would always be, as he always had been, the champion and defender of their interests. His identity with the people was such, and such only, as common toils, experiences and emotions could have produced. And in that identity of interest, feeling and purpose, was his power — a power which, from the beginning of his career to the latest hour of his life, was never weakened by the blasts of partisan detraction, or by any demerit of his own.

In person, also, as in principle, he was a truly representative American. His gaunt and bony form, firmly knit by the labor of a frontier life, was, to the people, a constant reminder that his earlier years had been spent amid scenes and trials with which they were themselves familiar. His features were plain and homely, but they were illumined by thoughtful eyes, tenderly described by one who knew him well, as " the kindest eyes that were ever placed in mortal head ;" and the habitual sadness of his countenance revealed the man of strong emotions, of earnest purpose, of infinite depth of feeling. His language was always simple, clear and unequivocal ; his style of argument familiar, logical, and generally pointed with a quaint illustration, an apt story, or an easy play of humor. His manner was such as might have been expected of the man, cordial, off-hand, yet having an innate refinement which placed others at their ease, and so harmonized and softened his angularities, as to invest with a certain dignity the harsher outlines of his tall and ungainly figure. He had, also, a straightforward way of handling subjects the most complicated and the most important ; not with a self-conceited flippancy, but with a sort of every-day-affair ease and simplicity of treatment which seemed suddenly to divest them of all extraneous matters, and to leave them so clearly defined in all their relations, as to excite our surprise and admiration. Indeed, the rare art of " putting things," was possessed by this honest man in an eminent degree. The numerous perplexing questions which were constantly being developed by the progress of the war, were treated by this Illinois lawyer with a freedom and fearlessness which could only have proceeded from a conviction that principles were always the same, whatever might be the magnitude of the case in question.

In short, amid the herculean responsibilities of a four years' war, such, for extent and principles involved, as the world had never before seen ; amid questions, civil,

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 2 J

military, and political ; amid defeats and party clamor ; amid a multitude of counsellors and varying counsels ; amid the plottings of political generals and the blunders of incompetent commanders, " Honest Abe" was always " master of the position." Purity of intention, directness of purpose, patience and firmness, in every situation and in every emergency, ever marked his course of action. No public man, under the pressure of great responsibilities, adhered more strictly to Col. Crockett's well-known rule of " Be sure you're right, and then go ahead ;" and those familiar phrases which were so often on his .lips, " We must keep pegging away," and, " I have put my foot down," expressed the patient determination of a loyal but sorely tried heart. There was no Jacksonian swagger of " By the Eternal !" but there was an ever present sense of his accountability to God for his acts, and a practical reliance upon His arm of strength in all that he did, which peculiarly characterized President Lincoln. " Pray for me that I may receive the Divine assistance, without which I cannot succeed, but with which, success is certain," were his words of farewell to the assembled friends and neighbors who bade him God speed when he left his Springfield home to enter upon the duties of the Presidential chair. And again, four years later, in his second inaugural speech, which now seems to us as one of his last utterances, he thus speaks to a great people, whose sorrows he had borne, and whose success was at hand : "With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let its finish the work we are in, to bind up the nations wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphans, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

Such, then, was Abraham Lincoln, the natural outgrowth of free institutions. Indeed, such a character as his could not have been developed amid the deeply worn grooves and the limited influences of European society. It was as peculiarly American in all its features, as are our great mountains, prairies and watercourses; natural in growth, untrammelled in action, easy of adaptation to every varying circumstance of life, fearless in its courage, persistent in its purpose. If there is any truth in the theory that the mental characteristics of men are fashioned by the scenery amidst which they are reared, then must his life and character be taken as typical of our American genius and institutions.