The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1860-06-02
A Visit to I.iucolu. .

gentleman who was among a number OF
others that went to Springfield, after the ad-
journment Of the Chicago Convention, to call
upon the Republican candidate for the Presiden
cy, has described the visit in private communi.
cation to the New York Post, from which we
make the following extract:
| 1t had been reported by some of Mr. Lincoln's
political enemies that he was man who lived
in the "lowest Hoos,er stylc," and thought /
would see for myself Accordingly, as soon as
the business of the Convention was closed,
took the cars for Springfield. fourd Mr. Lin
coin living in handsome, but not pretentious,
double two story frame house, having a wide hall
running through the centre, with parlors on both
sides, neatly, but not Ostentaciouslv, furnished
1t was just such dwelling as a majority of the
well-to-do residents of these fine Western towns
occupy, Everything about it had look of COM
fort and independence. The library remarked
in passing, particularly, and was pleased to see
long rows Of books, which told of the scholarly
Tastes and culture Of the family
| Lincoln 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; bnt in
1 his own house, where he doubtless feels himself
freer than in the strange New York circles,
he had thrown this of, and appeared easy, if not
graceful. He is, you all know, tall, lank
man, with long neck, and his ordinary moye-
ments are unusually angular, even out West
As soon. however, as he gets interested in con-
versation, his face lights up and his attitudes and
gestures assume certain dignity and impressive
ness. His conversation is fluent, agreeable aud
polite. You see at once from it that he is man
of decided and original character. His views
are all his own; such as he has worked out from
patient and varied scrutiny of life, aud not
such as he has learned from others. Yet he
cannot be called opinionatcd. lie listens to
Others like one eager to learn, and his replies
evince at the same time both modesty and self
reliance. ! shculd say that sound common sense
was the principal quality of his mind, although
times a striking phrase or word reveals peeu-
liar vein of thought He tells story well, with
a strong idi0matic smack and seems to relish
humor both in himself and Others. Our conver.
sation was mainly political, but Of general pa
ture. One thing Mr.. Lincoln remarked, which
will venture to repeat. lie said that in the
coming Presidential canvass he was wholly un-
committed to any cabas or cliQaes, and that he
meant to keep himself free from them, and from
all pledges and promises. ,...-
81 had the pleasure, also, of brief interview
with Mrs. Lincoln, and, in the circumstances OF
these persons, ! trust am not trespassing on the
sancti,ies of private life in saying u word in re-
gard 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 like courtesy and polish. She converses
with freedom and grace, and is thoroughly az
fat in all the little amenities of society. Mrs.
Lincoln belongs, by the mothers side. TO the
Preston family of Kentucky, has received a
liberal and refined education, and should she
ever reach il, will adorn the White House. She
is, am told, strict and consistent member
Of the Presbyterian Church.
Not man of US who saw Mr.. Lincoln but was
impressed by his ability and character. In IL
lustraton OF the last, let me mention one or two
things, which your readers, I think, will be
pleased to hear. Mr.. Lheoln's early life, as you
know, was passed in the toughest kind of ex
perience on the frontier, and among the rough
est sort Of people. Yet, have been told that
in the face of all these influences, be is strictly
temperate man, never using wine or strong
drink, and stranger still, he does not twist the
filthy weed" nor smoke, nor use profane Ian
guage Of any kind, When We consider how
particularly in the West, It must be admitted
that it exhibits no little strength Of character te
have refrained from them.
Mr.. Lincoln 10 popular with his friends ant
neighbors, the habitual equity Of his mind points
him out ~ . peacemaker and composer Of diff
entities; his integrity Is provcrbial; and his lega
abilities are regarded as Of the highest order
The sobriquet of Honest Old Abe" has beer
won BY years of upright conduct, and ia thepop
ulAr homage to his probity. He carries tn,
marks Of honesty in his face and entire deport
ment
I am the more convinced by this personal in
tercourse with NJ. Lincoln that the action Of oul
Convention was altogether jsdicioas and proper