Mr. A.J.  Grover relates that about this time he met Lincoln, and had a memorable conversation with him on the Fugitive Slave Law.  Lincoln detested this law, but argued that until it was declared unconstitutional it must be obeyed.  This was a short time after the rescue of a fugitive slave at Ottawa, Illinois, by John Hossack, James Stout, Major Campbell, and others, after Judge John D. Caton, acting as United States Commissioner, had given his decision remanding him to the custody of his alleged owner; and the rescuers were either in prison or out on bail, awaiting their trials.  Says Mr. Grover:  “When Mr. Lincoln had finished his argument I said, ’Constitutional or not, I will never obey the Fugitive Slave Law.  I would have done as Hossack and Stout and Campbell did at Ottawa.  I will never catch and return slaves in obedience to any law or constitution.  I do not believe a man’s liberty can be taken from him constitutionally without a trial by jury.  I believe the law to be not only unconstitutional, but most inhuman.’  ‘Oh,’ said Mr. Lincoln, and I shall never forget his earnestness as he emphasized it by striking his hand on his knee, ’it is ungodly! it is ungodly! no doubt it is ungodly! but it is the law of the land, and we must obey it as we find it.’  I said:  ’Mr. Lincoln, how often have you sworn to support the Constitution?  We propose to elect you President.  How would you look taking an oath to support what you declare is an ungodly Constitution, and asking God to help you?’ He felt the force of the question, and, inclining his head forward and running his fingers through his hair several times, seemed lost in reflection; then he placed his hand upon my knee and said, very earnestly:  ’Grover, it’s no use to be always looking up these hard spots!’” In the terrible years then almost upon him, Lincoln found many such “hard spots” without taking the trouble to look them up.

CHAPTER XIV

Lincoln Chosen President—­The Election of 1860—­The Waiting-time at Springfield—­A Deluge of Visitors—­Various Impressions of the President-elect—­Some Queer Callers—­Looking over the Situation with Friends—­Talks about the Cabinet—­Thurlow Weed’s Visit to Springfield—­The Serious Aspect of National Affairs—­The South in Rebellion—­Treason at the National Capital—­Lincoln’s Farewell Visit to his Mother—­The Old Sign, “Lincoln & Herndon”—­The Last Day at Springfield—­Farewell Speech to Friends and Neighbors—­Off for the Capital—­The Journey to Washington—­Receptions and Speeches along the Route—­At Cincinnati:  A Hitherto Unpublished Speech by Lincoln—­At Cleveland:  Personal Descriptions of Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln—­At New York City:  Impressions of the New President—­Perils of the Journey—­The Baltimore Plot—­Change of Route—­Arrival at the Capital.