The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-28 00:00:00

CHARACTER OP LINCOLN.

In his character, Lincoln was through and through an
American. He is the first native of the region west of the
Alleghanies to attain to the highest station ; and how
happy it is that tke man who was brought forward as the
natural outgrowth and first fruits of that region should
have been of unblemished purity in private life, a good
son, a kind husband, a most affectionate father, and, as
a man, so gentle to all. As to integrity, Douglas, his rival,
said of him, "Lincoln is the honestest man I ever knew."

The habits of his mind were those of meditation and
inward thought rather than of action. He excelled in lo-
gical statement more than in executive ability. He rea-
soned clearly, his reflective judgment was good, and his
purposes were fixed ; but, like the Hamlet of his only poet,
his will was tardy in action ; and for this reason, and not
from humility or tenderness of feeling, ho sometimes de-
plored that the duty which devolved on him had not fallen
to the lot of another. Ha was skilful in analysis ; dis-
cerned with precision the central idea on which a question
turned, and knew how to disengage and present it by itself
in a few homely, strong old English words that would be
intelligible to all.. He delighted to express his opinions by
apothegm, illustrate them by parable, or drive them home
by a story.
Lincoln gained a name by discussing questions which,
of all others, lead to fanaticism; but ho was never carried
away by enthusiastic zeal, never indulged in extravagant
language ; never hurried to support extreme measures,
never allowed himself to be controlled by sudden impulses.
During the progress of the election at which he was chosen
President, he expressed no opinion that went beyond the
Jefferson Proviso of 1784. Like Jefferson and Lafayette,
he had faith in the intuitions of the people, and read those
intuitions with rare sagacity. He knew how to bide his
time, and was less apt to be in advance of public opinion
than to lag behind. He never sought to electrify the pub-
lic by taking an advanced position with a banner of opi-
nion ; but rather studied to move forward compactly, ex-
posing no detachment in front or rear, so that the course of
his Administration might have been explained as the cal-
culating policy of a shrewd and watchful politician, had
there not been seen a fixedness of principle which from the
first deterinined his purpose and grow more intense with
every year, consuming his life by its energy. • Yet his sen-
sibilities were not acute, ho had no vividness of imagina-
tion to picture to his mind the horrors of the battle-field,
or the suffeings in hospitals ; his conscience was more ten-
der than his feelings.
Lincoln was one of the most unassuming of men. In
time of success, he gave credit for it to those whom he em-
ployed, to the people, and to the providence of God. He
did not know what ostentation is ; when he became Presi-
dent he was rather saddened than elated, and his conduct
and manners showed more than ever his belief that all
men are born equal. He was no respecter of persons; and
neither rank, nor reputation, nor services overawed
him. In judging of character he failed in discrimination,
and his appointments were sometimes bad ; but he readily
deferred to public opinion, and in appointing the head
of the armies he followed the manifest preference of Con-
gress.
•.• A good President will secure unity to his Administra-
tion by his own supervision of the various departments.
Lincoln, who accepted advice readily, was never governed
by any member of his Cabinet, and could not be moved
from a purpose deliberately formed ; but his supervision
of affairs was unsteady and incomplete ; and sometimes,
by a sudden inference transcending the usual forms, he
rather confused than advanced the public business. If he
ever failed in the scrupulous regard due to the relative
rights of Congress, it was so evidently without design
that no conflict could ensue, or evil precedent be esta-
blished. Truth he would receive from any ono ; but when
impressed by others, he did not use their opinions,
until, by reflection, he had made them thoroughly his
own.

It was the nature of Lincoln to forgive. When hosti-
lities ceased, he who had always sent forth the flag with
every one of its stars in the field, was eager to receive
bask his returning countrymen, and meditated " some
now announcement to the South." The Amendment of
the Constitution abolishing Slavery had his most earnest
and unwearied support. During the rage of war we get
a glimpse into his soul from his privately suggesting to
Louisiana that " in defining t'_►e franchise some of the
coloured people might be let in," saying—" They would
probably help, in some trying time to come, to keep the
jewel of liberty in the family of freedom." In 1857 he
avowed himself "not in favour of" what he improperly
called " negro citizenship ;" for the Constitution discri-
minates between citizens and electors. Three days before
his death be declared his preference that "the elective
franchise were now conferred on the very intelligent