Lincoln Story Book, The

<h3>"DEN I TAKES TO DE WOODS!"</h3> <p>Secretary Seward, as manager of the foreign relations, met much trouble from the disposition of the aristocratic realms of Europe to await eagerly for a breach by which to enter into interference without quarreling. He was also a great trouble-maker, having the innate repugnance of men of letters and voice to play second fiddle--since he was nominated on the trial ballot above Lincoln in the Presidential Convention. The black speck in the political horizon was San Domingo; the Abolitionists wanted to help her to attain liberty, in which case Mother Spain would assuredly come out openly against the United States and consequently ally with the Confederacy.</p> <p>The statement of the dilemma--side with Spain, or the black republic--reminded the President of a negro story, quite akin.</p> <p>A colored parson was addressing his hearers and drew a dreadful picture of the sinner in distress. He had two courses before him, however. But the exhorter asserted in a gush of novelty that:</p> <p>"Dis narrer way leads on to destruction--and dat broad one to damnation--"</p> <p>Feeling he was overshooting the mark by the dismay among his congregation, he paused, when an impulsive brother started up with bristling wool and staring eyes, and, making for the door, hallooed:</p> <p>"In dat case, dis chile he takes to de woods!"</p> <p>Mr. President elucidated the black prospect.</p> <p>"I am not willing to assume any new responsibilities at this juncture. I shall, therefore, avoid going to the one place with Spain or with the negro to the other--but shall take <i>to the woods</i>!"</p> <p>A strict and honest neutrality was therefore observed, and--San Domingo is still a bone of contention, though not with Spain, for it is an eye on our canal. <br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />