Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-06-07

| hcPuOsiCaH Chuuluato lOE tue fEcSl'
dency. has described the visit in q
private communication 10 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 loves,
lioosier style and thought | would
see for myself. Accordingly. as soon
as the business Of the Convention was
closed. took the cars for Springfield
| found Mr.. Lincoln living in hand
some. but not pretentious, double
two story frame house. having a wide
hall running through the center. with
parlors on both sides, neatly but not
o>tentatiously. furnished 1t was Just
such dwelling as a majority of the
well-tO-do residents of these fine
Western towns occupy. Every thing
about il had look of comfort and
independence. The library | remarked
in passing. particularly, and | was
pleased to see long rows of books.
which told of the scholarly tastes AMI
culture of the family.
Lincoln received us with great. and
to me. surprising urbanity. l had
seen him before in New York. and
brought with me all impression OF his
awkward and ungainly manner; but in
his own house, where he doubtless
ieels himself freer than in the strange
New York circles. he had thrown this
of, and appeared easy. if not graceful
He is, as you all know. a tall lank
man. with long neck, and his ordi
nary movements are unusually angu-
lar. even ont West. AS soon, how
ever. as he gets interested in conver-
sation. his face lights up and his
attitudes and gestures assume q
certain dignity and impressiveness.
His conversation is fluent. agreeable
AMI polite. You see ut once from il
that he is man of decided and orig
inal character. Hi, views are all his
own; such as he has worked out from
patient and varied scrutiny of lite.
and not such a. he has learned from
others. Yet he can not be called
opinionated. lie listens to Others like
one eager to learn. ahd his replies
evince at the same time both modesty
and sci f-reliance. / should say that
sound common sense was the principle
quality of his mind. although at times
a striking pi,sse or words reveals a
peculiar vent OF thought. lie tells a
story wIfi, with strong idioma;ic
smack. and seems to relish'humor-
both in himself and others. Our con
versation was mainly political. but OF
general nature. One thing Mr.. Lin
coin remarked. which l will venture
to repeat. lie .aid that in the coming
Presidential canvass he was uncom-
mtted to any cabals or cliques. and
that he meant to keep himself free
from them, and from all pledges and
promises.
Il had the pleasure. also. OF brief
interview with Mrs. Lincoln. and. in
the circumstances of these persons,
trust | am not trespassing on the sane
titles o. private lite in saying word
in regard to that lady. Whatever oil
awkwardness may he sscribed to her
I'm sband, there is none of il in her.
On the contrary, she is quite pat
tern Of lady like courtesy and polish.
She converses with freedom and grace.
and Thoroughly au fat in all the little
amenities of society. Mrs. Lincoln
belongs. by the mothers side, to the
Preston family of Kentucky. has re-
ceived liberal and refined education.
and should she ever reach it. will
adorn the White House. She is,
am told, strict and consistent mem
Der of the Presbyterian Church.
Not q man of us who saw Mr.. Lin
coin but was impressed by his ability
and character. In illustration of the
last. let me mention one or two things,
which your reader. 1 think. will bA
pleased to hear. Mr.. Lincoln's early
life. a you know. was passed in the
roughest kind of experience on the
frontier. and among the ronghest sort
of people. Yet. | have been told that,
in the face of all these influences, he
i a strictly temperate man. never US
ing wine or strong drink: and stranger
still he does not twist the filthy
weed" nor smoke. nor use proianC
language of any kind. When ",
consider how common these vices al,
all over our country. particularly il
the West, il must be admitted that Il
exhibits no little strength Of charactel
to have refrainei from them.
Mr.. Lincoln is popular with hi
friends ani neighbors: the habitua
equity of his mind points him ou' a.
peacemaker and composer Of difficnl
ties; his integrity is proverbial; an
his legal abilities are regarded a o
the highest order The sobriqnet o
Honest Old Abe" has been won b,
: years OF upright conduct. AMI is tin
. popular homage to his prohity. II
carries the marks of honesty in LII
face AMI entire department.
T | am the more convinced by ,hi
personal intercourse with Mr.. Lincol
that the action Of our Convention wa
= altogether judiciou- aui proper. j.
Attempted Escape as the New