It was at this meeting that he first met Lincoln, who was immediately touched by the young speaker's words and enthusiastically accepted his message. Mr. Lincoln invited Mr. Merwin home with him that night, but, knowing nothing of the character of the man, Mr. Merwin asked the advice of a friend, who said, "Most certainly, if Mr. Lincoln invites you, go." Mr. Merwin says: "We were barely inside his door, and even before he asked me to be seated, he wanted to know if I had a copy of the Maine law with me. I had, and we spent until four o'clock in the morning discussing its features." The matter of a prohibition canvass was outlined, and Mr. Lincoln volunteered to put the whole matter before Richard Yates, afterwards Illinois' war governor, but who was then Grand Worthy Patriarch of the Sons of Temperance. Mr. Yates was quick to see the strength of the new idea, and himself arranged the first series of rallies where Lincoln and Merwin spoke.
The meeting at Jacksonville was presided over by Richard Yates. Among the places at which they spoke were Bellville, Bloomington, Peoria, Edwardsville, and Decatur. Mr. Lincoln's political friends were alarmed for him because of his radicalism on the temperance question, and made a combined effort to silence him, but he continued in the fight.
Prohibition did not carry in its submission to the people, but it is said that the votes of forty counties were changed in favor of State prohibition.
After the campaign of 1854-55, Mr. Merwin's friendship with Lincoln continued without a break up to the latter's assassination. Soon after the commencement of the war, Mr. Merwin's unceasing advocacy of the great reform won him personal recognition, and it was suggested by prominent military men that he should be officially appointed, and be permitted the freedom of the camps in the interests of personal temperance work, need of which was widely evident. What President Lincoln and Generals Scott and Butler wrote on the back of the recommendation, as endorsements, is here given. Mr. Merwin has the original manuscript:
"If it be ascertained at the War Department that the President has legal authority to make an appointment such as is asked within, and Gen. Scott is of opinion it will be available for good, then let it be done.
"July 17, 1861.
A. Lincoln."
"I esteem the mission of Mr. Merwin to this army a happy circumstance, and request all commanders to give him free access to all our camps and posts, and also to multiply occasions to enable him to address our officers and men.
"July 24, 1861.