The weekly union record., 1864-12-24
An Opponents Opinion of Lincoln.

4 reception of Captain Wlnslow, of the
kearsarge, came of in Boston On the 18th of
November. In response to toast to the
President Of the United States, Hon. Edward
Everett made speech Of some length, from
which We make an extract, as follows:
Now that the struggle IS past, am sure
that 10 liberal minded person. however opposed
to him politically land you know, sir, that |
belong to "the Presidents opposition J, will be
unwilling that, 10 performing the duty you
have deyolved upon me, should say that
recognize in him full measure of the qualities
which cniiile him to the personal respect Of the
people. who have lust given him q proof of
their confidence, net extended TO any of his
predecessors in this generation. 1t is no small
proof of this, that he has passed through the
fiery ordeal of the recent canvass and stood the
storm OF detraction from hundreds Of vigorous
and hostile presses aud lad so little said
against him Il speak now Of personal qlailies)
which deserves even an answer. There is 10
one OF his predecessors, not even Washington,
of whom as mauy and as reproachful things
have not been said, unless. perhaps, it be Mon
roe. who had the happiaess 10 tall upon the
quality. either IS { man or President. superior
to Lincoln. The President gave proof of his
Intellectual capacity when be contested a seat
iu The Senate Of the United States with Judge
Douglas When | sat in the Senate With
Judge Douglas | thought him, Tor business
and debate, the equal of the ab!eSt in that body;
but his speeches. in the Senatorial canvass,
were in no respect superior TO Llncolns. l
believe the President 10 be entirely corscien-
tious il The discharge Of bis high trust, and
that, under circumstances Of unparalleled dill
Guilty, he has administered the Government
wiki the deepest sense OF responsibility to his
country and to his God. He is eminently kind
hearted. | am sure be spoke the truth, the
other day, when be said that be had never will
iUo]y planted thorn in any mans bosom. He
Is Que Of the most lab0Tlous and iudsiatigable
men in the country, and that he has been able
10 sustain himself under as great load of care
as was ever laid upon the head or the heart OF
a living man. IS il no small degree owing to
the fact that the yindict.ve aud angry passions
form 10 part OF his nature, aud that kindly
aud playful spirit EiDgleS It's sweetness with
The austere cup Of public daty. It may seem
hardly worth while 10 notice the descriptions
which represent the President as q person of
GueoGth appearance and manners. But as
Burke did not think it out Of place. in the most
magnificent discourse in the English language
to comment or the appearance, ma0uers aud
conversation Of The exiled French Princes.
viii lake the liberty TO say that, on the only
social occasion. on which l ever had the honor
10 be in the Presidents company, viz, the
commemoraiiou at Gettysburg, be sat at table
at the house OF my friend DaFid Wills. by the
side Of several distinguished persons. ladies and
gentlemen, foreigners and Americans, among
them the French Minister at Washington since
appointed French Embassador at Madrid, and
the Admiral of the French feet, and that in
gentlemanly appearance, manners and conveFs-
alton. be was The peer Of any man at the table.