New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-03-17
THE PREsIDENT,s HEALTH.


!, We are not, it is known among the idolatorS
nor even the adulators, of Abraham Lin
coin. He was not our first choice for Presi
dent in 1850, nor yet in 1864. We are among
those who hold that the rescue OF our country
from the grave perils which so lately shroudeC
her horizon will Justly rebound to the lasting
honor of her Loyal Millions, not to that Of any
particular man, whether general or civilian.
Mr.. Lincoln had never been born, or had never
played part in public affairs, the recent pages
OF our National History would have varied con-
siderably in incident and detail from what Is
actually inscribed there. but the net result
would have been nearly the same.
Mr. Lincoln touched the keynote OF hiscareeT
when. in recent letter, he observed that he had
not controlled events, but been controlled by
them. Our great struggle has elected no uuer
or more pertinent remark. His usefulness, his
strength, his popularity, grow out OF the TACT
that he accurately collects, apprehends inter-
prets. embodies, the average sentiment of the
American People. His bark, firmly anchored
on the rock of American nationality, swings to
the ebb and flow OF the popular tide. The very
faults Of his Presidential careerits hesitaions,
vascillations. errors-havc faithfully reflected
the passing phases of public sentiment. He is
emphatically Man of the People, not i'll that
highest sense which indicates one who
unfolds and quickens their better aspira-
tions, but in the reader acceptaton OF one
who speaks as they think and does as they
desire to-day. though it may be inconsistent
with what they thought yesterday and irrecon-
cilable with what they will think tomorrow.
We believe il was quite possible TO have Sc
lected a stronger man for Presidents yet that
does not conflict with the fact that his death or
permanent disability now would be acalamity-
very generally and justly deplored. We cannot
forecast the future which that bereavement
would open; yet we thinh few Americans, even
though disloyal, can wish to confront its realiza-
ton.
But, ifthe President is to outlive the term on
which re has just entered, radical retrench-
NEXT must be promptly effected in the current
exactions on his time and energies. He has
been carried further toward the grave by his
!, four wears in the White House than he could
have been by ten years of constant labor in The
courts or Oh farm All who knew him in l-6C
! and have met him in 1865, must have observed
bis air of fatigue, exhaustion and languor-sC
. different from his old hearty, careless. jovia
manner. We are sure no good physician, who
has seen him since last December can have
heard Of his recent illness without feeling that
this was what might and should have been ex
pected.
/ For human strength is finite, and no MAJ
could endure the constant tension OF his facul
ties imposed on President Lincoln without
more or less speedy breakdown. Go when yol
will to the White House, from early morn unit
, late hour at night, ard you find the ante
chamber filled with crowd Of eager solicitor
Of a special interview with the President
.'Only five minutes" pleads one who may have
I, come from Iowa for 1.-THE purpose, and wh'
thinks it very hard that tho President canno
give him that minimum of attention when HI
has given so much of his time and energies Il
advance what he mistakenly considers tina
Presidents fortunes, not rejecting that evei
a five minutes interview with every one wh'
should desire an audience would very s0oI
/, place our Chief Magistrate beyond the scope o
earthly aspiration. Let it be understood tina
| the President would confer for even tmo minute
with every one who might fancy that he had oc
, cason for al interview, and Mr. Lincoln coul'
not remain above ground for even montl
longer.
1t being simply impossible that the Presidcn
should grant an audience to every one VII,
s0licits it, we urge that decided steps should a
once be taken in the premises. If his life is in
deed worth saving, those steps cannot be takel
q moment too soon. The post-office at Wamps
vile or the tidewaitcrShip at Patchogue may b.
matter Of grave consequence to the people o
that respected locality; but the life of the Pres
ident happens at present to be of even greater
consequence to the country in general; and thi'
cannot be preserved if he Is to receive deputa
tions and listen to conflicting statements touch
ing rival aspirarts to said post-oficc or inspect
icyshi., i il b. detegGjled that w. Liae9l'S