Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-12-14
loOIitiraI
AN HOUR WITH LINCOLN.

Under this title the New York Eyeniny
Post publishes letter from Springfield, III.
The following extracts are more explicit on
certain points than any previous communioa-
tions from Springfield entitled to so much
confidence as this undoubtedly is.
81 found Mr.. Lincoln, when | called upon
/ him, engaged in reading up anew the history
o' the attempted notification Of II S32, includ-
ing discussions on the celebrated force bills
and Gtaeral Jackson's more celebrated pro-
clamation. | am debarred from saying what
comments tnese documents provoked but
Mr. Lincoln s friends may be assured that,
whlle he has no ambition to be an imitator of
that old chief, nature has endowed HIM with
that sagacity. honesty and frmness which
made Old Elickory's the most eminently sue
cessiul and honorable administration known
to the republic
The rush for Office has already commenced
While was with Mr.. Lincoln he handed me
a note from a gentleman from an adjoining
state who was exceedingly importunate for the
promises of a certain place, as a specimen Of
many which he is daily receiving. I may be
pardoncd for relating what thousands ought
TO know: Il have made up my mind said he,
mot to be badgered about those places
have promised nothing, high or low, and will
not. By-and-by, when | call somebody to me
in character of an adviser, we will examine
the claims to the most responsible posts and
decide what shall be done. As for the rest,
shall havo enough to do without reading re-
concentrations for country postmastorships
these and all others of the sort | will turn
over TO che heads of departments, and make
them responsible Cor the good conduct Of their
subordinates. Is not our new President lay
ing the ground work for a successful admins
traton Are not the Jealous patriots whose
applications are coming here at the rate OF
fifty day. wasting their invaluable time
One thing more. The cabinet makers, who
are busy with their conjectures, are all at
fault not that they NAV not have, in all their
guessings. hit upon aname or two which will
figure in the list of secretaries but because
the roal cabinet has not in his own mind de-
termined whom he will call to his assistance
He has his own ideas of the fitness of things,
and of his responsibility to the country and
to his party; but the ideas have not been ex-
pressed in the choice of men. Hence, con-
lecture is at fault. The country is fortunate
in one thing. Mr.. Lincoln's nomination was
u spontaneous tribute to his fitness and avail
ability. 1t cost no pledges-no promises.-
1ence, IN selecting ChOlnet, the freSldent
has the party to choose from and though he
may be embarrassed by the claims of different
localities. and by the rivalries of aspirants
and factions in two of the leading states, no
thing but his great devotion to the public
good will dictate his choice. If necessary,
men and states will be overlooked. The ne
cessity, in obedience to custom, of taking a
certain number of cabinet officers from the
slave states, is the most perplexing portion
Of the matter, seen by his friends. To
whom shall places be rendered Who will
accept, if asked ; Who, accepting, will con-
cur in the policy to which the Republican
party is committed ; A month or two may
solve this triple problem.
sat down to write you word only about
the secession movement; but find | am run
ming almost unconsciously into the gossiping
habit with which all Springfield correspond
ents seem to be afflicted. Let me add one
thing Mr.. Liucolns administration will, |
venture to predict, be eminently satisfactory
to all reasonable and patriotic men. What
ever the aspect Of the secession question when
he comes into power, he will speedily solve
it. He is the soul Of honor and a model Of
brevity lie viii call honest men about him.
he will deal fairy and literally with his OPP
ponents he will approach the slavery ques-
tion in the spirit which has always animated
him in discussing it he will uproot abuses
and Danish corruption"