Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-06-13
VOL. 6.---NO. AZ.

I parlors on both sides. neatly, but not os.enta-
| tiously, furnished. 1t was lust such a dwelling
as the majority of the we'll to-do residents of
! these fine Western towns occupy Everything
about it had a look of comfort and indepen-
dence. The library ] remarked in passing
particularly, and 1 was pleased to see long
rows of books which told of the scholarly
tastes and culture of the family.
ssLincoln received us with great, and to me,
surprising urbanity. | had seen him before in
New York, and brought with me an impression
of his awkward and ungainly manner; but in
his own house. where he doubtless feels him.
self freer than in the strange New York cir
cies, he had thrown this off, and appeared
easy, If not graceful. He is, as you know, a
tall, lank man. with long neck, and his or
dinary movements are unusually angular, even
ont west. As soon, however, as he gets in
terested in conversation, his face lights up and
MS attitudes and gestures assume certain
dignity and impressveness. His conversation
is fluent, agreeable and polite. You see at
once from ii that he is man of decided and
original character. His views are all his own;
such as he has worked cut from patient and
varied scrutiny of life, and not such as he has
learned from others. Yet he cannot be call
ed opinionated. He listens TO others like one
eager to learn, and his replies evince at the
same time both modesty aud self-reliance. /
should say that sound common sense was the
principal quality of his mind although at times
a striking phrase OF words reveals peculiar
vein of thought, He tells a story well, with
strong idiomatic smack, and seems to relish
humor boil. in himself and others. Our con-
versation was mainly political, but of gener-
al nature. One thing Mr.. Lincoln remarked
which VIII venture to repeat. He said that
in the coming presidential canvass he was
wholly uncommitted to any cabals or ciques,
and that he meant TO keep himself free from
them and from all pledges and promises.
<kI lad ,@Ia ol~ e. Ii
view with Mrs. Lincoln, and, in the crcum-
stances these persons, Il trust l am not trespass-
ing on the Sanctities of private life in saying
word in regard to that lady. Whatever of
awkwardness may be ascribed to her husband,
there is none of it in her. On the contrary,
she is quite pattern of lady-lke courtesy
and polish. She converses with freedom and
grace, and is thoroughly du fat in all the
little amenities of society. Mrs. Lincoln be-
longs, by the mothers side, to the Preston
family of Kentucky. has received liberal and
refined education, and should she ever reach
it, will adorn the White House. She is, / am
told, strict and consistent member of the
Presbyterian Church.
ssNot man of us who saw Mr.. Lincoln bat
was impressed by his ability and character.
In illustration of the last let me mention one
or two things, which your readers | think will
be pleased to hear. Mr.. Lincoln's early life,
as you know, was passed in the toughest kind
vi vi tie lIOHtlcI, anu among inc
toughest sort of people. Yet, | have been
told that, in the face of all these influences,
he is a strictly temperate man, never using
wine or strong drink; and stranger still, he
does not twist the filthy wced,' nor smoke,
nor use profane language of any kind. When
we consider how common these vices are all
over the country, particularly in the West, it
must be admitted that it exhibits no little
strength of character to have refraned from
them.
s.Mr. Lincoln is popular with his friends
and neighbors; the habitual equity OF his
mind points him out as peace maker and
composer OF difficulties his integrity is pro-
verbal; his legal abilities regarded as of
the highest order. The sostbTdqaet of sHonest
Old Abe has been won by years of uprigh.
conduct, and is the popular Homage TO bis
probity. He carries the marks of honesty in
his face and entire department.
81 am the more convinced by this personal
intercourse with Mr.. Lincoln that the action
of our Convention was altogether judicious
and proper