rliament of Great Britain. It
has stamped the language, the laws, and the boasted freedom of
Englishmen, upon a population double that in the mother country,
and they, in turn, are taking lessons from us in extending to their
people equality of rights and privileges.

I remained in Washington a few days and then started for my home
at Mansfield, to encourage enlistments, but found that no help was
needed; that companies were enlisted in a day. One was recruited
by William McLaughlin, a gallant soldier in the war in Mexico, a
major general of the Ohio militia who had arrived at the age of
sixty years. He dropped his law books and in twelve hours had a
company of one hundred men ready to move at the command of the
governor. A like patriotism was aroused in all parts of the state,
so that in a very short time two full regiments, numbering 2,000
men, were organized under the command of Colonel A. McD. McCook,
of the United States army, and were on the way to Washington, then
blockaded by the roughs of Baltimore. I met them at Harrisburg
and went with them to Philadelphia. They were camped at Fairmount
Park, and were drilled with other regiments by Colonel Fitz John
Porter, the entire force being under the command of General
Patterson.

When the blockade was opened, by the skill and audacity of General
Benjamin F. Butler, the two Ohio regiments were ordered to Washington
and were there reviewed by President Lincoln, at which time a
pleasant incident occurred which may be worthy of mention. I
accompanied the President to the parade, and passed with him down
the line. He noticed a venerable man with long white hair and
military bearing, standing in position at the head of his company
with arms presented, and inquired his name. I said it was General
McLaughlin and hurriedly told him his history, his politics and
patriotism. The President, as he came opposite him, stopped, and
leaving his party advanced to McLaughlin and extended his hand.
McLaughlin, surprised, had some difficulty in putting his sword
under his left arm. They shook hands and Lincoln thanked him,
saying when men of his age and standing came to the rescue of their
country there could be no doubt of our success. McLaughlin highly
appreciated this compliment. He afterwards enlisted for the war
and died in the service of his country.

These two regiments were subsequently ordered to Harrisburg, to
which place they went, accompanied by me, and there