Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-05-19
PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS OF Mr..
LINCOLN.


ent. The absorbing interest with which
everything relating to him il now read. and
will be cherished, must be my excuse, il ex-
excuse is needed, for thus placing myself oe-
fore the public. As you and my personal
friends generally know, my relation to the
late President was peculiar. Perhaps no one
outside Of bis official family ever enjoyed
such unusual opportunities for studying and
knowing him. For six months OF last year
was an occupant Of the White House, per-
mitted, during the whole of this perio d, the
freedom Of his private Office at almost all
hours-engaged upon a work commemorating
what he believed to be the greatest event Of
his life, and by far the most important of his
administration a work in which, as many
will bear me witness, he felt and manifested
the deepest interest for the contamination
and perfection Of which he invited me to the
White House. II is no ezaggeration, then,
to say, that my opportunities for seeing and
knowing Mr.. Lincoln were almost unexam-
pied.
My friends have often urged me to write
out for publication the incidents of these, to
me, memorable six months. The obvious
reasons which have hitherto stood in the
way of this may be said now to exist no
longer, and hope at an early day to be able
to put in permanent form many "reminiscences
which would at any time, in connection with
the illustrious subject, have commanded po-
pular interest, bu' which will now be invest
ed with sacredness which belongs only to
the history of the worlds martyrs.
Many persons have formed their impress
sions Of Mr.. Lincoln from the stories in cir
oulation attributed to him, and, consequent
ly, supposed him to have been habitually of
jocund, humorous disposition. This was
a characteristic side Of him, but it was mere
ly the byplsy of his nature.
believe that it was this happy faculty Of
throwing off care for the moment that kept
him alive under his heavy burdens but any
true discerner of character, looking into that
worn and scanned face, would have said at
once, He is a sad if not a melancholy
man"
1t has been the business Of my life, as you
know, to study the human face. and | say
now, ms have said repeatedly to friends, Mr.
Lincoln had the saddest face | ever painted
During some of the dark days of last spring
and summer | saw him at times when his
carewofn, troubled appearance was enough to
bring tears of sympathy into the eyes of his
most violent enemies. | recall particularly
one day, when, having occasion TO pass
through the main hall of the domestic apart
ments, found him ell alone, pacing up and
down narrow passage his hands benin d
him, his head bent forward upon his breast,
heavy black rings under his eyes, showing
sleepess nights-altogether such picture Of
the effects of weighty cares and responsible
Ties as | never had seen. And yet he always
had "A Kind xvarH md al o..
smile, and it was his way frequently 20 re-
heve himself at such times by some harmless
pleasantly, | recollect an instance told me
by one OF the most radical members of the
last Congress. 1t was during the darkest
days Of 80. He called upon the President,
early one morning, just after news of dis
aster. 1t was time Of great anxiety if not
dependency. Mr.. Lincoln commenced tell
ing some triAing incdent-which the Con-
gresham was in no mood to her. He rose
TO his feet and said, Mr.. President, did
mol come here this morning to hear stories
1t is too serious a time" Instsntly the
smile disappeared from Mr. Lincoln's face,
who exclaimed, a.. sit down |
respect you as an earnest, sincere man. You
cannot be more anxious than am constantly,
ard say to you now, that we're it not for
this occasional vent, should die 7"
Judge Bates once said to me that the Pres
idents stories " were almost always told in
.he place Of argument" The character of
his mind was such, that his thought natural
ly took on this 'orm of illustration, and the
point he wished to enforce was always brought
out in this way, with strength and clearness
impossible in abstract discussion.
large number Of those whom he saw every
day came with appeals to his feelings in ref
erence to relatives and friends in confinement
and under sentence Of death. 1t was u con-
slant marvel to me that, with all his other
cares and duties, he could give so much time
and be so patient with this multitude. |
have known him TO sit for hours patiently
listening to details Of domestic troubles from
poor people-Amuch of which, of course, was
Enthusiastically sitting the facts, and
manifesting as much anxiety to do exactly
right as in matters Of the gravest interest
Poorly clad people were more likely to get
good hearing than those who came in silks
and velvets. No one was ever ,urned away
from his door because Of poverty. II he err
ed, it was to be on the side Of mercy 1t was
one Of his most painful tasks 10 confirm
sentence OF death. | recolleet the case Of
somewhat noted rebel prisoner, who had been
condemned TO death believe as a spy.
strong application had been made to have bis
sentence commutsd. While this was pend
ing, he attempted To escape from confinement.
and was shot by the sentinel on guard. Al
though he richly deserved death, Mr.. Lincoln
told Judge Holt in my presence that 1" it was
great relief to him that the man took his
fate into his own hands"
II the slightest occasion existed for show
ing clemency he was sure to improve it.
Judge Bates, in the same conversation re-
ferred to above, said that he had often told
the President that he was hardly fit to be
intrusted with. the pardoning power
"Why," said the Judge, she can scarcely
turn away from the application III it touches
his feelings) Of a man, and the tears Of no.
man are sure to overcome him "
A touching instance of his kindness of
heart occurred quite recently, and was told me
incidentally by one Of the servants. A poor
woman from Philadelphia had been waiting
with baby in her arms for three days to sec
the President. Her husband had furnished
q substitute for the army, but some time af-
terward was one day made intoxicated by
some companions, and in this state induced