New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-08-02
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE CHARACTER or ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

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Fyes TAs Philadelphia North Aasviedn-
The liter of the subvin. letter is native OF Feph-
sxlvaus-a gentleman Of classical education, extern
ave legal sttanmepts and of the mott serupuloas Ut
teority Of character. He 10 ooe Of the hrst law"
,,rs of bis age in Ihnoisbas been the associate OF
Mr. Lincoln i'll many i'm portant cssestrsd nthe higher
Courts Of that SUITE, and only knows bin WELL out
IN competent TO accurately bs abilities what
he Of him may therefore be relied as the opinion
of an intelligent honest, truthful man. He IL Of tho
old line Henry Clay Wing school of politics.
The letter was written with expectation that 1t
would be given TO the public but ID its publication
NAV be Of yer vice hand it TO you, with the request
that you will allow IT q place in your columns.
PEORIA, July 10, 1850
Ny DEAR SIR: You ask my opinion
Of the character talents and qualic ton OF abraham
Lincoln Tor the srest office W. ich be s,ands no al
mated BY the Republican party and assuming, from
my locality and professional engagements mar nave
points, you pleased to sigDify your conhdsnc' In
such Judgment "A | nay be prepared to express re-
spectiig them. Thanking you for this confidence,
take pleasure In giving yoa my views ior Whatever
my time nor limits viii probably enable me 70 satisfy
my self Or do Justice ~ i'm in their expression.
As summary Of what have to say, remark uu-
civ, that believe Mr. Lincoln TO be inst the
for the place Tor which he 10 named, anc Ior Tue
times In regard to character, l deem him entirely
unexeptiopaole. The soDriquet, Honest Old Abe,
which has been given 10 him is no unueanlng appeua-
ton. II has been honestly ron. man more thor
ouRhy above suspicion In this respect suppose can
not be found in any walk OF life, public or private.
Akin to this # not deed necessary concomitan 10
bis no les proveib al candor and huthfniness. This
has ever Tee. marked feature in his character and IN.
tercsune, and strikDgly illustrates the hoerai ana
mapnspnsus spirit of Tho man. II may, i think, be
safely said that Mr.. Lincoln has not been kno WI in
spy public discussion political or otherwise de-
sen.dy to utter untruth or misrepresent the posi-
ton Of an adversary; aud am not aware that anything
diff. rent can be said of him in any more private rea-
ton Add TO this that he is among the most cautious
of men in expressing himself upon any subject with
which he hiss not fret made himself well acquainted;
Int when he il satlrfed is holder or rner III the
expression of and adherence to his opinions. need
only ray further on the score OF tnat 30 Tar
az know or have ever heard, Mr. Lincoln Is, as TO
n ora in all respects, an exemplary man. Not only
is be not cbargesb with any of the grosser moral de-
inauences but believe the whole course OF bis ie 70
be more than ordinarily free from any stain OF vice,
impurity, or dshonor. And that for which think
tn. public banks are especially due Is the undouoted
fact tina in all his speeches and other teachings no
uttersnce of his eau 6e found that is not ID it's bear
ipgs distinctly on the rice Of humanity and virtue.
And Ibis cay adviseols, notwihs.aoiiag that-espe-
cialy al somewhat earlier psriod-he has OCCASION
ally eDivened and illustrated his speeches by anscdotes
to which fastdious tastes have taken exceptions
but in reference TO which 1t is sfs to say, tla those
who have done keener in seeming out the sup
poss rdecacy Of the auron than IN perceiviug the
point. power and felicity of the illustration.
One thing more ought to remark here. Mr.. Lin
coin believes ihst the same morality which ought to
govern individual men in private life, should equally
paons in tbei, intercourse with each other and
the action Of political parties aud if elected President
neither Ostend nanifestos nhbusterng schemes mere
paItzan chicsne nor official corruption, VIII md any
favor with bis Administration.
Having occupied much space on this head
have but little for remark the other SOpcs em
Traced in your inquiry In respect to talents, doubt
if Mr. Lincoln lie even here as yet appreciated as he
deserves TO be, aud he most certainly viii he at no
distant day couaiipg ~ d. bis election ~ sure by
all who se Capable VI discerning and Approaching true
merit, While Possessing undoubtedly the CONSCIOUS
ness of Intellectual rengh, he lacks entirely the OBJ
rusive efron,ery which brings come men int aotce,
ard gives them sometimes an ephemera reputation for
ability while the plainn. and simplicity Of his STYLE
and the Transparent fairness Of every presen alton
which he makes in his public speeches. to have
led some to overlook the real breadth and comprenen
sive sweep Cf the thoughts to which he often gives
birth and ueerance. But ii originality and suggestive
ness fertility Of resource powers Of analysis, aad OF
expressing in terse and simple language great TRUTH
or Of laying bare at stroke tue false position OF an
adversaIy however srfuly cloaked, indications Of
ability and talents then may Mr.. Lincoln take rank,
60 fer can judge, among the leading ntellects of
the day.
before us the commanding fact that without early edu
CATION without patronage, or any accident OF birth, or
fo,ule or art OF the trt kster or demagogue-bn in
simple trust 70 bis native energies, and tenacious al
berence TO principle throughout his whole course au OF
which is susceptible of easy proof he has rsen grada
ally vet surely and with no backsst from the eondi
ton Of common day laborer to the proud position he
now occupies before the country AID the world
know thar success ways evidence Of true merit
but would be little short of miracle If man Of the
character OF Abraham Lincoln should win success
without talents " justf. hir victory.
And lastly as 70 his qualifications for the Presiden-
cy-these may in good measure, be inferred from what
has been already said. To the qualities thus acoor5.
ed 10 him may be added thorough comprehension Of
the nature, history and workings Of our institutions,
and the politics. past and present. of the country, with
no mean acquisitions Of geLer kno Wedge; conr-
ape, moral and physical, and 6rnuess Of purpose,
which those who know him best most readily accord
bip coupled with a concatIng spirit aud just regard
for he rights individuals and States singuary ref Led
and characteristics with auainmrnts as juds, that
will not be questioned-if these constitute fines for
be Presidential Office, then, in my judgment, Mr.. Lin.
coin will fill it with dignity and honor to himself, aud
usefulness and satisfaction to the country, and to the
tck0le country.
Very truly, your friend, X q.
CARL SCHURZ AT ALTON THE REPUB-
LICAN CAUSE IN ILLINOIS.