I02
��Cliarles Carle ton Coffin.
��He early began to write articles for the Concord newspapers, and some of his fugitive political contributions were re-published in LitklPs Liviui^ Age.
Mr. Coffin's studies in engineering led liim towards scientific culture. In 1849 lie constructed the telegraph line between Harvard Observatory and Bos- ton, by which uniform time was first given to the railroads leading from Bos- ton. He had charge of the construc- tion of the Telegraphic Fire Alarm in Boston, under the direction of Professor Moses G. Farmer, his brother-in-law, and gave the first alarm ever given by that system April 29, 1S52.
Mr. Coffin's tastes led him toward journalism. From 1S50 to 1S54 he was a constant contributor to the press, sendmg articles to the Transcript, the Boston Journal, Congrcgationalist, and New York Tribune. He was also a contributor to the Student and School- mate, a small magazine then conducted by Mr. Adams (Oliver Optic).
He was for a short time assistant editor of the Practical Farmer, an agricultural and literary weekly news- paper. In 1854 he was employed on the Boston Journal. Many of the edi- torials upon the Kansas-Nebraska strug- gle were from his pen. His style of composition was developed during these years when great events were agitating the public mind. It was a period which demanded clear, comprehensive, con- cise, statements, and words that meant something. His articles upon the ques- tions of the hour were able and trench- ant. One of the leading newspapers of Boston down to 1856 was the Atlas — the organ of the anti-slavery wing of the Whig party, of the men who laid the foundation of the Republican party. Its chief editorial writer was the brilliant Charles T. Congdon, with whom Mr. Coffin was associated as assistant editor till the paper was merged into the Atlas and Bee.
��During the year 1858 he became again assistant on the Journal. He wrote a seiies of letters from Canada in connection with the visit of the Prince of Wales. He was deputed, as corre- spondent, to attend the opening of sev- eral of the great western raiiroads, which were attended by many men in public life. He was present at the Baltimore Convention which nominated Bell and Everett as candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency in i860. He trav- elled west through Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, before the assembling of the Republican Convention at Chicago, conversing with public men, and in a pri- vate letter predicted the nomination of Abraham Lincoln, who, up to the assem- bling of the convention, had hardly been regarded as a possible candidate.
He accompanied the committee ap- pointed to apprise Mr. Lincoln of his nomination to Springfield, spent several weeks in the vicinity — making Mr. Lincoln's acquaintance, and obtaining information in regard to him, which was turned to proper advantage during the campaign.
In the winter of 1860-61, Mr. Coffin held the position of night editor of the Journal. The Southern States were then seceding. It was the most excit- ing period in the history of the republic. There was turmoil in Congress. Public affairs were drifting with no arm at the helm. There was no leadership in Congress or out of it. The position occupied by Mr. Coffin was one requir- ing discrimination and judgment. The Peace Congress was in session. Dur- ing the long nights while waiting for de- spatches, which often did not arrive till well toward morning, he had time to study the situation of public affairs, and saw, what all men did not see, that a conflict of arms was approaching. He was at that time residing in Maiden, and on the morning after the surrender of Sumter took measures for the calling of
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