National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-03-15

"REMINISCENCES OF PRESIDENT
LINCoLN.-A correspondent of the
New \ ork Fribune relates the fol-
lowing fragments ofconyersation re-
Gently held with the late Presidents
law partner at Springfield:
The most remarkable episode of
HcrndOllS conyerSatiOn-relatcs to
Mr. Lincoln's Presidential aSpira-
tionS. I'm common with most peo-
pie, had concluded that this great
honor came to Mr.. Lincoln without
paving, as unexpected as it was mn
solicited. and to him a staggering
piece OF luck, like 1t lottery prize.
This estimate is Il charming one,
hut it is not Il true one. When the
Douglas and Lincoln contest was
ended. the defeated man said to his
partner:
''BillY, | knew | should miss the
/ place v'rn | competed for it. This
defeat viii make me President"
He refused, in the interim, any
proposition looking to his accept
anCc OF 4 lesser Office, and this with
the concurrence If his friends and
family. At the same time he took
no immediate means To precipitate
his opportunity, rather, like man
destined, he sat more closely TO
study and Vigilance, read all the
issues as they developed, and wait
ed for his call.
1t came, at last, a special invita-
ton to visit New York, and speak
in the Cooper Institute. lie felt,
intuitively that this was the Rubi-
con, and, with a human thrill, paus-
ed and hcSitatcd.
1t is possible that, at this mo-
mcnt, had amy close friend whis-
pcred "Stay' the republic might be
dead and Abraham Lincoln still liy-
ing.
"Go, Mr.. Lincoln" said IIcrndon.
make your best etlolt. SpeaIlwith
your usual lucidity and thorough
ness
lIpilIt Ndlt 7'It dIN'l
lie appeared in New York, as all
of you remember, and his success
there drew the attention of the
country to his name. The west can
originate men ; the east ,Dust pass
them, aud the firm OF Lincoln and
lIerndon died, in reality. when the
convention met at Chicago. he had
by this time reached the highest
usefulness in his State. of which his
nature was capable.
The best lawyer in it, the hero of
a debate equivalent to Il senator
ship. with mind too broad and
grave for Il mele gubcInatorial place,
and already hya four years destiny
and preparation President Of the
United States. he went up to the
post with a dignity and ease that
make men stare, because they had
not seen the steps he took upon the
road.
At last he came. to his Office for
the last time.
"Billy,' he said, "wc must .JE
good-bNc.'
Both of thcm cried SpccchlcSsly.
You shall keep up the firm name,
Billy, il it will he of no use to YOU"
II ioVe,thc people here, Billy, and
owe them all that am. If God
spares my life to the end | shall come
back among you and spend the rem
nant Of my days"
He never returned to Springfield
till glory brought HIM home under
her plumcS, a completed life, and
the prairie, like a ncighhor, opened
its door to take him in.
When Mr.. IIcrndon slw him again
at Washington City he was furrOw.
cd and 1IcttCd with state cares.
They talked awhile of the old office,
the clients, ana the town, ana tnpu
the war rolled between them once
more.
One sentence Mr.. llcrnlon rccol
lcctS OF the President before his de
pWturc for Washington, that is
memorable as showing his purpose.
"BillS,n lac said, II hope there
will be no trouble but will make
the south n graveyard rather than
see a slavery gospel triumph, or sue
ccSSi'ul secession lose this govern
mcnt to the cause Of the people and
representative institutions.'
ro this Mr.. ncIudon added !:
"Mr. Lincoln was mcrcilcsS in the
abstract. Battles ncVcrmoVcd him,
unless he rode among the corpSes.
He would have carried on the war
forever, or rs long MS the people in
trusted him its management, rather
than give up"