Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-11-21
Correspondence Of the y. Y. Evening Post.
An Hour with Lincoln.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill, Nov. II, 1861

EDfklNOfl Ei@D, ILL., NV H. lCoO"
The timid gentlemen who are expecting
Mr.. Lincoln 10 issue pronuneiamento after the
manner of successful Mexican chiefs. wherein
Ills policy will be declared, Tor the Cancellation
of the madmen who are threatening the Sc
ceSsion of few of the states OF the south, do
not know the president elect. 1t was my good
tortune.to talk with him an hour, yesterday, in
relation to this secession movement, and,
though he makes no concealment OF the I'M
easiness which the contemplated treason gives
him, he is not bit alarmed by the aspect of
Affairs nor is he at all inclined to yield an inch
to the well intended but mistaken solicitations
Of his friends He believes that his success is
only public prctcXt tor what has been long
preparing that his position on all questions of
public COncern-all which affect the slavery
| qucs ton nearly or remolely-is SO well known
that no declaration OF his would change trea-
sunable purposes already announced aud that
Il relteratIOn OF views which are patent to all
men vino have sought to know them, would
be an evidence OF iimidity which he does not
feel, aud of which he would have no man sus-
pect hnm. He Is cautious, discreet, and wise
III ms replies TO questions as 10 what may or
VIII be done. But those who know the stead
tastncss Of purpose, and the conscientious
tirmuoss, which are his distinguishing cliarac-
terSlics, have no doubt that lie will adopt that
policy, when president, which a proper re-
gard for the Whoie country dictates and that
lie Will pursue II firmly, pcrsistently, and, if
necessary, obdurately TO the end. 81 know ;"
said he, The business OF my intentions, and
the utter groundlessness of the pretended fears
Of the men who are filling the country with
with their clamor. Ii l 60 into the presiden-
cy, they will lind me as l am on record
nothing less, nothing more. My declarations
have been made to the world without reserya-
ton. They have often been repeated and
now, self respect demands of me and of the
party that has elected me, that when threat
ened should be silent" While he holds
tins language in relation TO public letter he
does not hesitate III his private letters to the
south, the has already large correspondence
in that scction,) and in conversation with his
visitors, i'll answer to proper inquiries, to give
any assurances which are consistent with his
views heretofore expressed, and the party
platform ON which he stands
found Mr.. Lincoln, when | called upon
INN, engaged in reading up anew the history
OF the attempted notification OF 1882 incud.
lig the discussions ON the celebrated q" Force
blIl' and General JacksOms more celebrated
proclamation. | am declared from saying
what comments these documents provoked
but Mr.. Lincoln friends may be assured that
while he has no ambition TO be an imitator Of
that old Chief, nature has endowed him with
that sagacity, honesty and tirmness which
made Old Hickory the most cminenty sue
cesSiul and honorable administration known
to the republic.
l mentioned that Mr. Lincoln had already
quite large correspondence with the South
There are many OF his letters from that quar-
ter which the country ought to see bIlssives
which no decent man could write are album
dant; their postmark reveal the tact
that the vocabulary of Bllngsgate is
not confined TO the Five Points and
Marshal Rynders' office. Unfortunately. the
carmarks Of some of them show that their
writers are not devoid Of education if drsti.
tute OF decency. Letters threatening death,
III all lis forms, as the penalty Of his high po-
sluon, are more abundant still They are
OF cOurS2, mainly Anonymous, hough a few
bear real names. Some are signed in hero.
giyphicS said to be known only TO the Sacred
Order or Southern Brotherhood" which
threaten Mr.. Lincoln with sudden and I'M
timely takin- off. A few are ornamentud with
sketches of executions by the gibbet, assassi.
nation by the stietto, Or death by lightning
stroke; and in nearly all the theology OF the
writers is indicated by rude carcatures OF the
devil, ready with his three pronged fork to re-
celNe aud pitch into everlasting fire the body
OF the unfortunate Lincoln, whose otfense con-
slsts III the belief that human slavery is
wrong. He is not | am glad to say, ANNOYED
by these. Assured that no man who will write
anonymous and threatening letters is worthy
OF being feared, he losses all such aside, as lie
says to illustrate at some future day the COM
ical side OF lis administration.
The rush for Office has already commenced.
w hlIp | with Nv | Ia, Ia. 4. l
a note from gentleman from an adjoining
state, who was exceedingly importunate tor
the promise OF certain place, as a specimen
OF many which he is daily receiving | may
be pardoned for relating what thousands ought
10 know Il have made my mind" said he
mot TO he badgered about those places. i
have promised nothing, high nor low, and will
not. BY andb by, when | call somebody to
me III the character Of an adviser, we will
examine the claims to the most response
bic posts, and decide what shall be done
As for the rest, shall have enough to do
without reading recommendations Tor country
postmaSterships; these, and all others of the
sort, Will turn over 10 the heads Of depart
ments, and make them responsible for the
good conduct OF their SuOOrdnatps" Is not
our new president laying the ground work for
successful administration 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
hot that they may not have, in all their
gucssngs, hit upon a name or TWO which will
figure in the list Of secretaries but because
the real cablnet-maker has not in his own
mind determined whom he will call to his as
sislance. lie has his own ideas Of the fitness
OF things, and Of his responsibility to the coun-
try and to his party but these ideas have not
been expressed in the choice of men. Hence
conjecture is at fault. | may mention that
the political consistency which would make
John Bell, himself deceased, an administrator
on ms own p)lilcaI estate, is not known in
these parts. Men do not split rails and then
lex the log together again with putty or
Spanldlngs glue. The country is fortunate
III one thing. Mr.. Lincoln's nomination was
spontaneous uibue to his fitness and available.
ny. 1t cost no pledges-no promises; hence,
III selecting cabinet, the president has the
party to choose from and though he may be
embarrassed by the claims of different Iocali-
ties and by the rivalries of asprants and fac.
tionS in two OF the leading states nothing
but his great devotion to the public good
Will dictate his choice. If necessary,
men and states will be overlooked
The necessity, in obedience TO custom, of TAX
ing a certain number OF cabinet officers from
the slave states, is the most perplexing portion
Of the matter, as seen by his friends 70
whom shall places be rendered? Who will
accept if asked Who, accepting, will con
cur in the policy to which the republican par
ty is committed Amonth or two may solve
this triple problem.
l sat down TO write you word only about
the secession movement; but find am run.
ming almost unconsciously into the gossiping
L.t,tt vstI, a.. II