[Illustration: LINCOLN'S OFFICE CHAIR] This chair was used by Mr. Lincoln in his law office at Springfield, Illinois, where, before leaving for the City of Washington after his election as President, he wrote his Inaugural Address and formed his Cabinet, frequently conferring with his twenty-year law partner, William H. Herndon, on such matters, and adopting changes as suggested if he considered them advisable. It was presented to O. H. Oldroyd while living in the Lincoln Homestead, Springfield, by Mr. Herndon, March 18, 1886. James Riley was born in the hamlet of Tang, one mile from the town of Ballymahon, County Longford, Ireland, and two miles from Lissoy, County Westmeath, the home of Oliver Goldsmith--on the road between the two--August 15, 1848. Published _Poems_, 1888; _Songs of Two Peoples_, 1898, and _Christy of Rathglin_, a novel, in 1907. His poem _The American Flag_, has been rated often as the best poem written to our banner. Four lines on the loss of the Titanic brought from Captain Rostron words in which he said: "With such praise one feels on a higher plane, and must keep so, to be worthy of continuance." LINCOLN IN HIS OFFICE CHAIR High-browed, rugged, and swarthy; A picture of pain and care; A lawyer sat with his greatest brief, High in his office chair. His Country was to him client! Futurity his ward! And he must plead 'fore Fate's high court, With prayer, and pen, and sword. Elected, by his people! His heart and theirs, one beat! He sees the storm-clouds gather; The waves dash at his feet! Gloom upon land and water! The Flag no more in the sun! Lights from the South-line flickering, And--dying--one--by one! November's winds wild shrieking! Night--closed, on a Union rent! And still the lawyer sat dreaming Of its once bright firmament. Then, '61! Dark! Silent! Only the calling word Of Anderson at Sumter The lawyer, writing, heard. Writing the Message that ever Shall live in the hearts of men; With cannon to cannon fronting, The lawyer held the pen. Only thinking of Country And the work that must be done; Nature made in roughest mold Her favored, fated son. He wrote while the world was waiting Great Freedom's final test. Should, or should not Democracy Be planted in the West?