The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-09-13
MIR. Lincoln mt H O,Ilc.


no slight rescmblanc, to Washington's head
quarters at Cambrid =, Mass now the res
dence of Professor Longfellow-resides the
Republican candid tie for President of the
United States, Abraham Lincoln. 1t is sit
uated at the corner of Eight and Edward
streets, in this city" Here Mr. Lincoln has
resided for some twenty years. The ediice
affords no indications Of ostentation. It
has no ornaments, no flowers or shrubbcrv,
no marble vases or cooling fountains, no
fashionable fences surrounding it; but is
built plump ont to the sidewalk, the steps
rather encroaching upon the walk 1t is like
the residence of an American gentleman in
easy circumstances, and is furnished in like
manner. 1t is not near so arstocratlc an
establishment as the house Of many men,
bers of your common Council in short,
there is no ariStocracy about it, but is a cozy
home, in which it would seem that man
could enjoy life surrounded by his fami-
| ly.
After pretty thorough investi CATION,
| find that there is not a man in this region
who says word against the honesty of
Abraham Lincoln. They like his sociabi-
ty and his familiarity. He is universally re-
garied as plain, unassuming man, possess
sing strong common sense, welded to a
quickness ofpreception that detects the right
from the wrong and winnows the chaff from
the wheat whether the question be one Of q
legal character or the selection of true man
from an inposter.
"What do you think of Lincoln as
man?' Iasked Of resident of Spring
| field. "
"Like i,im as man, and everybody else
can't help but do the same He is honest,
talks sense, and IS not too proud to sit down
upon his doorsteps in his shirt sleeves and
chat with his n"ighbors. have always
been Democrat but am almost inclined to
go for Lincoln A."
"Will the split in the Democratic party
prove of any service to Mr.. Lincoln in Hi
nos ?"
"Yes, sir. Egypt is almost whipped out
as a Democratic stronghold, and with scarce
ly hope to elect Douglas to the Presidency
there are many who will, from State pride,
vote for Lincoln, as they think there is a
good chance for his election
We called upon Mr.. Lincoln at his resi-
dente last evening, and were readily admit
ted. There were present Mrs. Lincoln and
Mrs. Judd, the Hon E. b. Washburn, mem
Der of Congress from the Galena district
and Lincoln's two little home boys. The
ladies were especially gracious and entertain
ing, while "Old Abe" and your correspor-
dent took chair tog ,th.r and talked upon
almost every topic now attracting the attcn-
ton Of the public. "
We have conversed with many gentlemen
in prominent political positions, bu, to
Abraham Lincoln must we accord the palm
Of frankness. He had no disguise. The
subject ofSouthern slavery was touched up
on and Mr.. Lincoln emphaticly declared that
it was his principle not to touch it whe it
exists, but to prevent its spread into terrific
ries now free. He spoke of slavery as an in
stitutionIthat did not meet universal sancti On
Of Southern people "Pubhc oninion is not
private opinion" he said and in stancng
Lamartines account Of the execution OF
Louis XVI, wherein it appeared that
although the leading revo'utionists were pub
lcly obliged to declar. in favor of that deed,
they were privately opposed to it. He said
that it was the same with many people in
the South; they were obliged to sustain sla-
very, although they secretly a5horred the in
stitution.
lie would protect the south in its institu-
tons as they exist, and said the Southcrners
did not comprehend the position of the
Republicans in regard to slavery The South
ern mind, he said, was laboring under the
delusion tina. the Republicans were to liber-
ate the Slaves, who were to apply firebrands
to the fields and dwellings of the masters
massacre old and young, and produce q
state ofanarciy and bloodshed in the South
He swept this assumption away by deci-
s,ve denial ofits correctness.
He said he should to 60 south and tall, to
the Southeencrs on this topic, were it not
that the minds of some were 50 infiamed
against him that they would not listen to his
reasons, but on the other hand. might be in
clined to inflict Lynch law upon his person
should he appear among then.
The conversation was lively, and occasion,
ally intersperssl with some brilliant flashes
Of wit and COOL nature from the Kentucky
lady his wife.
| Ills PERS oNAL APPEARANCES.
Mr.. Lincoln's personal appearance has Sc
often been described in the newspaper prints
that it is unnecessary for me to enlarge upor
it here; but as a great deal has been said
about his ugliness, I viii say word or two
on that score, if only for the purpos of en-
listing the attention Of the ladies North and
South. Men of the west may care for per,
sonal beautyin woman, but in mar
beauty constitutes very small claim
upon his regard But Lincoln isn't an ugly
man.
His ftaturs may appear rugged to the usu
al observer, but when engaged in earnest
and entertaining conversation they assume al
aspect at once pleasing and engaging. Many