precisely like droves of horses."

To Lincoln and to other people who disapproved of slavery, the
idea of human beings held in bondage under the very shadow of the
dome of the Capitol seemed indeed a bitter mockery. As has
already been stated, he did not then believe Congress had the
right to interfere with slavery in States that chose to have it;
but in the District of Columbia the power of Congress was
supreme, and the matter was entirely different. His bill provided
that the Federal Government should pay full value to the
slave-holders of the District for all slaves in their possession,
and should at once free the older ones. The younger ones were to
be apprenticed for a term of years, in order to make them
self-supporting, after which they also were to receive their
freedom. The bill was very carefully thought out, and had the
approval of residents of the District who held the most varied
views upon slavery; but good as it was, the measure was never
allowed to come to a vote, and Lincoln went back to Springfield,
at the end of his term, feeling doubtless that his efforts in
behalf of the slaves had been all in vain.

While in Washington he lived very simply and quietly, taking
little part in the social life of the city, though cordially
liked by all who made his acquaintance. An inmate of the modest
boarding-house where he had rooms has told of the cheery
atmosphere he seemed to bring with him into the common
dining-room, where political arguments were apt to run high. He
never appeared anxious to insist upon his own views; and when
others, less considerate, forced matters until the talk
threatened to become too furious, he would interrupt with an