Note 242 — IV. THE RETURN TO AMERICA. 1848-1862. (continued 2)

Abraham Lincoln once remarked of the people who wanted emancipation, but who did not like to be called Abolitionists, that they reminded him of the Irishman who had signed a temperance pledge and did not like to break it, yet who sadly wanted a “drink.” So going to an apothecary he asked for a glass of soda-water, adding, “an’, docther dear, if yees could put a little whisky into it unbeknownst to me, I’d be much obliged to yees.” I believe that I may say that as Mr. Lincoln read all which I published (as I was well assured), I was the apothecary here referred to, who administered the whisky of Abolition disguised in the soda-water of Emancipation.