Jason Elmer Hammond

“ Unselfish Patriotism.—During a conversation on the approaching election, in 1864, a gentleman remarked to President Lincoln that nothing could defeat him but Grant’s capture of Richmond, to be followed by his nomination at Chicago and acceptance. “Well,” said the President, “I feel very much like the man who said he didn’t want to die particularly, but if he had got to die, that was precisely the disease he would like to die of.” ”

“ In came Jones. “Can you build this bridge, sir?” “Yes,” replied Jones; “I could build a bridge to the infernal regions, if necessary.” The sober committee were horrified; but when Jones retired, Brown thought it but fair to defend his friend. “I know Jones so well,” said he, “and he is so honest a man, and so good an architect, that, if he states soberly and postively that he can build a bridge to Hades—why, I believe it ”